Got a call from a client: the power connector on her laptop is not working… laptop was damaged in transit.

I hope that either the plug got worked loose & needs re-soldering, or maybe the battery is dead.

Turns out that the corner of the laptop has been smashed, & there is a 2cm hole where the plug for the power supply goes & around the usb ports.

Looking at the plug, I can see that it is very loose… luckily no MB damage, but 1 or 2 of the plug connectors have been sheared off.

I remove the plug (just unsolder one lug… the other 2 are broken off).

Trying to reassemble the plug. Its a bit like a jigsaw puzzle… how do all the parts fit, so that the laptop charges & make sure the laptop knows if the battery is being charged… eventually get it all together, but there is no way the plug will go back to its original place.

I call the client and give here the options:
1) A new plug for about $50 plus my fee
2) use the old plug, soldered to a some wires that connects to the laptop MB. Looks ugly, not mechanically robust, but I’ll only charge my minimum fee

She goes with option 2)

After some wires & some tape, its all finished & working.