Just how dangerous is a faulty laptop power socket?

[KKSlider1337]

Hi there,

My current laptop has trouble charging and constantly flicks between charging/not charging. I took it to the repair shop and apparently my power socket is probably cracked from a time I dropped it on the floor once and it landed on the AC jack. The guy said that the power is struggling to get through properly and is supposedly arcing across the crack, and this is as a result, producing a lot of heat (this is true, around the AC area it is red hot when running, and if you touch the charger pin, you can literally get scalded.)

So, I need a new laptop anyway as this is not the only fault, and I'll be getting money in probably about 2 months time that would make it easier to afford it. I just wanted to know in the meantime because I use my laptop every day, is this actually a potentially dangerous situation? Or is it nothing to worry about?

Thanks for your help,

James.

****UPDATE****

Thanks very much to everyone who has responded. I've been looking for a replacement today, and having a look around, I really like the look of the Dell Studio 1747. My needs are, along with the usual browsing, word processing etc., the ability to run all the latest games (even if not on top graphics) and a competent performer for Photoshop, as I'm really into photography. I'm guessing that the i7 quad core cpu, 4gb RAM, ATi 4650 and good quality screen would fit the bill well here.

I've never been one to turn my nose up at secondhand, and so the Dell Outlet really appeals to me, especially considering it sounds like a lot of them are in as new condition, and a brand new 1747 would be out of my budget. Is the Dell Outlet recommended? Anyone here had positive/negative experiences?

The deal that's really got me interested though is one sold on eBay, who has received their stock directly from Dell Outlet. It's got the usual i7 cpu, 4650 gpu, 4gb RAM, and has the 9 cell battery, 500gb hd, and what's really impressed me is a 3 year next-day warranty - so anything goes wrong, and a Dell engineer will be there the next day to fix it (all the ones I've seen on Dell Outlet itself only have 1 year). This is £730 altogether including next day shipping, does this sound like a good deal? The seller has over 7,000 feedback at 99.7%, so this shouldn't be a risk should it?

If anyone had any advice on this, or even any alternative options I'd be very grateful. I don't really want to spend any more than the one I found at £730, and bear in mind I'm from the UK.

[DanishDevil]

Any electrical current arcing is dangerous, and it sounds like it's producing heat where it shouldn't. If your wires get hot enough that the plastic/rubber melts, and you cross wires, you can have a pretty nice ignition source for a fire on your hands.

[AthlonX2]

run it on the battery when you want to use it and put it in a fire safe when you go to charge it

[Batou1986]

Its pretty easy to replace the ac jack on a laptop with some basic soldering skills you dont need a whole new laptop, Make and model of the laptop ?

[KKSlider1337]

Originally Posted by DanishDevil

Any electrical current arcing is dangerous, and it sounds like it's producing heat where it shouldn't. If your wires get hot enough that the plastic/rubber melts, and you cross wires, you can have a pretty nice ignition source for a fire on your hands.

That was the answer I was half-expecting, even if I was still kinda hoping that wouldn't be the case. Thanks.

Originally Posted by AthlonX2

run it on the battery when you want to use it and put it in a fire safe when you go to charge it

Haha, funny idea. Unfortunately, A: I don't own a fire safe, and B: I struggle to get it to hold enough charge to last for very long, it usually can just about get enough juice to sustain it while constantly plugged in.

Originally Posted by Batou1986

Its pretty easy to replace the ac jack on a laptop with some basic soldering skills you dont need a whole new laptop, Make and model of the laptop ?

Thanks, it's a Fujitsu Siemens Esprimo V5505. Unfortunately, my confidence and skills with that sort of thing is extremely limited; the only thing I have ever modified on my computer is to change a graphics card on my desktop, and that ended up being not screwed in right and wobbly. There are also other issues with the laptop, such as prone to crashing and the physical mouse left button not working, meaning I have to use the annoying touch pad to tap, unless I plug in another mouse. That along with the fact that my needs for a laptop have increased to a more powerful one means that a replacement is pretty much the best option I think. But thankyou for your help.

[DanishDevil]

I would try to use something else, and order that new laptop. Maybe ask a family member for a loan that you can pay back in 2mo's.

[KKSlider1337]

Hmm yes, looks like I should do that... Thanks for your help. I presume the repair man's diagnosis would be true anyway (he didn't actually look inside, only speculated) as it sounds very plausible. Now to find a great deal on a new laptop, which won't be too easy considering I live in the UK...

[Mussels]

red hot when running = really, REALLY dangerous. it could catch stuff on fire and cause serious burns to anything brushing up against it, including you.


if you insist on using it, get something to cool that hot area - a desk fan wont solve the problem, but it may reduce the temps somewhat.

[KKSlider1337]

Thanks very much to everyone who has responded. I've been looking for a replacement today, and having a look around, I really like the look of the Dell Studio 1747. My needs are, along with the usual browsing, word processing etc., the ability to run all the latest games (even if not on top graphics) and a competent performer for Photoshop, as I'm really into photography. I'm guessing that the i7 quad core cpu, 4gb RAM, ATi 4650 and good quality screen would fit the bill well here.

I've never been one to turn my nose up at secondhand, and so the Dell Outlet really appeals to me, especially considering it sounds like a lot of them are in as new condition, and a brand new 1747 would be out of my budget. Is the Dell Outlet recommended? Anyone here had positive/negative experiences?

The deal that's really got me interested though is one sold on eBay, who has received their stock directly from Dell Outlet. It's got the usual i7 cpu, 4650 gpu, 4gb RAM, and has the 9 cell battery, 500gb hd, and what's really impressed me is a 3 year next-day warranty - so anything goes wrong, and a Dell engineer will be there the next day to fix it (all the ones I've seen on Dell Outlet itself only have 1 year). This is £730 altogether including next day shipping, does this sound like a good deal? The seller has over 7,000 feedback at 99.7%, so this shouldn't be a risk should it?

If anyone had any advice on this, or even any alternative options I'd be very grateful. I don't really want to spend any more than the one I found at £730, and bear in mind I'm from the UK.