How to access moboard on HP ZE 4145

[slipperyshap]

This computer belongs to a friend from church. It is an HP ZE 4145 laptop computer. There are problems with the off- on button and, when pushed, the power led on the front only winked a few times. I found out on the web that the buttons along the top of the computer also start the computer. I found that once in awhile, pushing the email button would sometimes bring up the screen and the blue lights for a few seconds. Then everything returns to dead. The power jack wobbles and I believe that is the problem. The battery is dead (no lights on the battery light up) I think that leaving it plugged in gets a little charge into the battery or it recovers just enough to light up the screen and blue lights for a few seconds. I have removed all of the screws and the hard drive trying to access the moboard in order to replace the power jack. I can't get it apart. Can someone please tell me how to open the case to access the motherboard? Also how do I remove the keyboard? I would guess that if I had a good battery, it might work until the battery went dead. That is why I need to replace the power socket. Thanks

[caperjack]

time for PRO help ,local computer repair shop sometimes is the best route when you don't have all the necessary tools and knowledge .

[slipperyshap]

time for PRO help ,local computer repair shop sometimes is the best route when you don't have all the necessary tools and knowledge .

Thanks for the reply to my post. I found a service manual for the computer on the HP website. The computer is now totally disassembled and I can't figure out why the motherboard will not come loose. The center pin of the power jack was broken at the board surface. I picked up a jack at Radio Shack and plan on drilling the board from the top and soldering a wire to the board that way. The other two conductors are still sticking out of the board so that I can connect to them. slip

[caperjack]

i guess you are the Pro help ,good work

[lukoed]

Here is the instruction : "DC power jack repair guide". This site also has links to all manuals for ZE 4145.

[slipperyshap]

This is my second attempt to write this. My first draft just vanished. My repair on the HP ZE4145 is done. I used a Radio Shack #274-1583 size N coaxial power jack for the repair. I downloaded the service manual from the HP website and it was a big help. Shows where all of the screws go (except for the 2 I have left over). I could not get the motherboard loose from the bottom case so, I cut the two outside lugs at the old power jack. I then saw that the center ground connection on the board was broken off. I soldered the two outside lugs from the old jack to the new jack. I rthen an a 20 gauge wire from the center lug on the new jack to the case of the ethernet jack (another ground). Works! This is a much better power connection than came from the factory because it is attached to the case. I did have to ream out the old jack hole with a 21/64 drill bit by hand, and remove a small obstruction from the inside back of the case in order to get the jack to mount correctly. I hope that the pictures that I have attached go through with this note. Thanks, slip

[caperjack]

Good work ,wanna come to Cape Breton NS. and fix the one i have .lol

[uamw]

Hey,
How much would you charge for fixing mine with same problem. I'm in Oregon too!!!