power connector pin broke on my G53jw

[jerry kulleh]

is this problem happen to G53SX too??..seem like hard to avoid the problem..why must power connector?

[BrodyBoy]

is this problem happen to G53SX too??..seem like hard to avoid the problem..why must power connector?

The G53s seem to be particularly vulnerable.

I've seen other laptops that have an especially weak power jack attachment, i.e., the whole jack works loose from the M/B over time. But this particular problem, where the pin breaks off inside the jack, seems to occur mostly in the G53s. (Personally, I think the assembling factory just sourced bad hardware).

If Asus repairs broken units with the exact same power jack hardware, the new one will be similarly vulnerable. Unfortunately, I don't think a right-angle adapter will help all that much with this specific issue. Those adapters can help prevent torque on the whole jack, thereby avoiding stress on the jack/motherboard solder connection and the kind of failure I mentioned earlier.

But this broken pin problem is different.....I suspect that inserting & removing the power plug may be the action that most stresses the weak pin. Aside from actually replacing the power jack with a better one, G53 owners might best prevent this issue by avoiding lateral stress on the jack, but also avoiding plugging & unplugging the power cord any more than necessary.

[quiroga]

Happened to me. It wasn't under warranty since they said that it evidently physical damaged caused by me. Had to pay 100sgd (about 80usd). Had no choice but to pay them or I can't use my laptop. BTW, I bought a right angle converter. Works pretty good.

[jt128]

I had this problem and rather than send it to Asus and wait for a month I replaced the dc jack myself. What a PITA. Anyways, I started having problems with the replacement shortly thereafter. This dc jack is terrible, and it costed me like $20 with shipping. I decided to fix it permanently with a different jack.

Before:
IMAG0365.jpg

After:
IMAG0368.jpg

IMAG0377.jpg

I actually just used a 2.5/5.5mm (same size as stock) panel mount dc jack from Parts Express; it costs about $2. It's as simple as drilling a hole in the side and soldering some wires (see the red and black wires) to the motherboard. And you can use the stock connector from the AC adapter.

I'll give this some time but so far it seems very robust. It's much better than stock. Anyways, I'll probably end up replacing this and the connector with industrial connectors/jack from Lemo or ODU. They make indestructible industrial connectors. I'll post future progress here.

[tWiCeAsfLyOhMy]

Nice job, JT128.

[kimiraikkonen]

Hi jt128,
Where did you order this piece / adapter from? Could you post the link if i can buy it online? I have G53JW, too, didn't bash and played a lot with the port too much due to reports like yours but i'm concerning a lot for the future. I still can't understand how Asus allowed to let this really "silly" problem remain on a monster RoG notebook! What a pity!

It's a "bit" like having a poorly manufactured BMW with a broken fuel tank.

[jt128]

Hi jt128,
Where did you order this piece / adapter from? Could you post the link if i can buy it online? I have G53JW, too, didn't bash and played a lot with the port too much due to reports like yours but i'm concerning a lot for the future. I still can't understand how Asus allowed to let this really "silly" problem remain on a monster RoG notebook! What a pity!

It's a "bit" like having a poorly manufactured BMW with a broken fuel tank.

Here is the jack I used:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=090-479

To make it fit the leads need bent. And I actually cut the earth ground tag off (it was in the way and isn't used anyways).

Now I need to find a black washer and nut to clean up the look a bit.

[thcst8]

I had to RMA my G53sx for the same issue in this thread.

I hate that my laptop has such a simple flaw that renders the laptop useless.

I asked the Asus rep to pay for the shipping. I didn't feel like something that was at the fault of Asus I should have to pay for.

He told me I have a 1 time only free shipping so I used that. If they tell you have to pay shipping. Ask them send you a prepaid return shipping sticker. It worked for me.

[btk131]

My adapter pin has broken for the fourth time since I purchased it in March 2011. My Asus warranty expired two months ago. I even bought an L adapter, which did extend the adapter pin's life by several months.

I'm really mad about buying a $1200 lemon. Did Asus ever come up with a long-term solution to fix this ongoing problem?

[giaconep]

I just had the same problem and guess what?
ASUS Brazil told that they cant help me, and that i should go to a technical assistance of my trust and pay for the job myself...
I cant believe that i paid for a "global" warranty (which is built-in in the final price) so i could take my PC back to Brazil and enjoy the "pc of my dreams"...
I thought u guys were better than this... I just feel sorry for all my friends that asked me to help them to pick up a notebook in the internet and I foolish recommend them to buy one of your products...
You have to at least make sure that your company can do something in the seventh economy in the world before saying that you offer a "global" warranty...
I'll never recommend our buy a notebook from ASUS again, i feel stupid now with my ASUS backpack...
and I hope you guys do something about your service in Brazil... I can't understand why are you guys spending money in a useless business unit in here... is like using a broken refrigerator to store food, it sucks, smells bad and you are still paying the all bills!

And if you are thinking about getting a G53 and you were smart the enough to do some research on the internet, think twice my friend...