Toshiba A350 DC Jack Replacement

So today I journeyed to the realms of laptop DIY. Would I do it again? I sure would, especially when no computer shop would look at it and the ones who did. Told me it was a motherboard replacement straight off the bat. I for one knew the problem lay with either the DC Jack OR the battery adapter/charger. I was stupidly talked into buying a universal adapter after my first original got totally thrashed and literally broke because of the kink that happened. Pissed off because the charger seemed pretty inferior for Toshiba's reputation, which had me thinking I doubt I'm the only one this problem happened to. So without a laptop I asked in vain at all electronic stores I knew, until The Good Guys sold me the universal rubbish. At a cost of $119.00 you could say I was ripped off totally. So I was back in action again and then one day nothing, no charge. I literally had to watch what was left in the battery die until there was nothing left and once again I was laptop less again. Fruitless efforts again when NOONE would look at it and so I done my research on how to fix DC Jacks and I had hope restored once again. I read the best guide on disassembly of a Toshiba A350 here. Even for the amateur like me who has no idea what goes on inside a laptop. So 4 months on without a laptop and even attempting to find a universal battery charger had me frustrated and annoyed at how shit it would be without Internet. Lucky I have a iPhone and then a relative gave us an old Mac he had his possession. When I say old, I mean old. With the ethernet hooked in to it I could at least explore my options. It took me minutes to find a compatible DC Jack on eBay for $16.90, free shipping. By Tuesday I had my part and now I was ready. I had picked up a laptop tool set for $10.00 and an anti static wrist band for the same price. I read so much about static damage and got literally paranoid about it, only to find I didn't need it to do what I was doing. Here's a list of things I found handy during my fix.

1 laptop tool set
1 pair tweezers (eyebrow ones are better quality, unless you have a pretty good set)
Masking tape (to hold down the jack if need be)
Tissues (for general cleaning on dusty parts you take out)
Cotton Buds (to clean the fan which has loads of lint, dust etc)
1 clay sculpture pointed rod (to push out broken jack pins which may occur when removing the damaged one)

Patience
Reading over the instructions fully before moving on (I almost forgot various screws which were imperative to taking the keyboard frame off)

Take your time when releasing clips and cables as the wrong push can easily break a cable holding clip (like I did) or pull wires from it's encasement (like I did) I was lucky that I still had one good side of my holding clip under the video card, so I was still able to secure it. As for the cable I pushed it back into it's casing and taped it.

I did have to let out more cable for the jack as I needed to follow the old cable holders (for good reason and a total disassembly again later) I had to cut the plastic clip holding the excess cable as the bulk prevented my CD/DVD case from going back in because of it. So make sure the case can go back in smoothly before you start the assembly part.

To remove the old jack I bent up the plastic fingers at the pin end which gies to the motherboard. I thought it was soldered there, but after my partner taking this to various computer shops and an electronics shop. Only one was honest enough to say, you don't need to solder it, just remove the pins. So I was away, until I couldn't get the pins out. One released fine with tweezer help, two came out when I used the nail clippers to grip the pin ends and pull. Then came the last one which kicked my butt for ages, as it wouldn't budge at all. Hence why I suggest the pointed clay modeling rod which is the perfect size and strength to pushing it out easily.

Me the Wedding Planner

So, I have a wedding to plan and not just any wedding here.  I'm talking about my wedding.  Nervous, hell yes.  Even though this is not my first, it is still a new beginning all the same and does include some special touches that mean the world to making it a day we will remember for ever.  I will be linking this blog to another blog that I will be starting, this will go through the whole planning process and give us something to look at once we are finally there.  I'm thinking that this is going to be an easier process, considering I can access blogger anywhere I am and even on my mobile *yipee so I can update and take photos and add these as I get the inspiration.  My challenge is to blog and pinterest my wedding plan and when the time comes to actually put everything into action, then I'm hoping this will make it easier.

Thought Provoking 'things'

I do lots of writing without any actual links to things for the eye candy purpose.  I'm unsure why and I'm not sure if it's needed.  I suppose that I'm not trying to remove from the content or context of what I'm writing by doing so.  Maybe if I find something read worthy or maybe have an increased following in my blog, that I just might take up the link thing.  

I'm very passionate about homeless issues especially where children are concerned.  I'm a pro when it comes to the In's and outs with homelessness issues and so is my darling for that matter.  Not only is the whole thought of one of your own being homeless sad, it has me ask the question why?  I'm thinking it's one question that everyone stirs in their heads to try to understand why one of your relatives would be homeless. Sometimes timing plays a big factor, your landlord has just decided that they would sooner live in their rental property and well there is nothing else to say but move on.  This is when things can be difficult, especially when there is a shortage and there is simply nothing available.  So what do you do?  I would think that families would step in and assist in the interim, however be prepared to think otherwise.  While families may be all say, when it comes to the actual do that is another story.  In any possible way, seek the support beforehand of social services who are willing to hear that you are in a situation of almost homelessness due to your circumstances.  They are obligated to assist you until a satisfactory outcome can be attained and refer you if not.  Start with a social worker at Centrelink first and make sure you get the appropriate referral from Centrelink before you proceed.  Make sure it's in writing and make sure when possible that they call the Social Worker beforehand to let them know your coming. 
Be aware that there are workers in the Social Services sector who do not want to go out of their way to accommodate your requests or even acknowledge your situation.  Take the names of everyone that you speak too and make it known that you are documenting the conversation etc.  So this means being prepared to go with notebook and pen.  As much as we do not like to admit it, there is a sense and air of racial preference when it comes to dealing with some Case Managers, so be assertive in making sure that they are doing right by you.  We had a situation in Bankstown Centrelink where they were not prepared to refer us to a social worker as apparently they did not have any and none existed and then we were told that we would have to wait for a month before our payments would start (are you kidding me) Centrelink is obligated to meet your needs in the event of financial hardship, as remember they get to go home to their warm beds at night.  You just may not based on their discretion to nominate when your case is loaded into a computer that takes 5 minutes.  Trust me I have sat next to a case worker who done just that.  It's not a matter of being a bitch about things, it's the urgency of the matter that they are just not listening to or wanting to deal with you right now.  Always be prepared to go above their head, why? because you can.

Eye of the Tiger

Not only is this title a very catchy song, its purpose for being used today is really nonchalant.  In case you didn't know, but my brain just does not switch off when I want it too.  Which leads to thoughts on many many subjects and things that I want to include in my blog.  Most are to do with the service that I receive on my consumer watch dog trails and I am pretty disappointed with the things that I have bare witness too. This by no means that I enjoy complaining for a living, it simply means that I am aware of what is acceptable and what is not.  Take for example the privacy laws.  I bank with ANZ, not by choice, but merely the fact that our pay is entered into this account faster than any other bank is able too.  My point is though, I asked recently for details of a specific payment into our checking account.  This was to give our employer proof that they had short payed us the previous week.  The meant to be professional, gives me a wad of statement and proceeds to expect that I will be on my way.  After reiterating that I wanted a specific transaction, she then tells me "we cant do that" Annoyed I pointed out that I had no intentions of revealing previous and current transactions of our account, which to me is a privacy issue.  We are told time and time and time again to protect details concerning our banking details and yet we cant be given simple information that links to a specific request.  A little over the top yes, but its amazing what a person of the fraudulent kind can do with this information.  Use it as a means to gain access to your personal details, who knows and while I know that our boss would do nothing of the kind.  I have to ensure that my bank knows that I am not purposely revealing this information, so that in the event something does occur.  I am covered.  Here's my point is that I am ensuring that I am covering my ass, when the bank questions me about how I maintained the privacy of my information.

Passionate about things

I'm one of them people who gets passionate about varying subjects.  It changes depending on the day and the feeling.  I always have something to say, but of late I have been very lazy in expressing the things that I am really passionate in and well I tend to talk about the things that piss me off instead.  Its a way of venting the frustration without taking the feelings out on my family directly.  A happy home doesn't have hurt and sadness in it, so I will avoid at all costs any emotional stirring that effects that.
When was the last time you were passionate about something? Something that made sense and ticked all the right boxes in your heart and mind that you felt compelled to act on that  feeling? My partner is very passionate about obtaining credit to purchase things and while I would love to be in debt (sarcastic smile here) its not going to help in the long run.  I have already set budget limitations in place to allow us to be comfortable within our means and still be able to feel comfortable that we are not on the poverty line.  The first priority is making sure that the rent is paid every week and on time without fail.  We need  to maintain a roof over our heads if our lives are going to get better.  The hardest part so far is trying to convince my darling that we don't need things right now, considering we already have the things that he wants.  Like a new TV, new bed etc.  So Ive done my research to obtaining these things and well its going to take time and saving.  There is no real way to get what you want unless you obtain credit and I'm not taking that path only to lose it because it puts us out of our means in the near future.  We have a trip back to NZ to save for and realistically its not happening right now, but it will happen that's for sure.  I have fines owing that I need to pay before I can even get into the country or even out for that matter.  So I need to set a figure and times it by 3.  Lets see if I can do it, so wish me luck.  I will be keeping you up to date on this one.

Day of Hope

For anyone who is involved in my Baby loss Families community, you may or may not know that it is 19 August Day of Hope, in recognition of the many families who are without their babes/ies tonight.  It is a concept that was born by a beautiful mother Carly Marie Dudley who also runs the blogs, Names in the Sand, Project Grief and Heartfelt Cards.  I applaud Carly in such brave efforts to put everything into these project for the purpose of healing.

  This is but one of the many flowers that can be seen on Facebook today, this one was tagged for me by my dear and forever thinking friend.  I am wearing mine in recognition of my Angel twin daughter Vikki-Ann.  If you can please spare a moment or two to remember.  Today  is also the day that many Memory Boxes and Bags were delivered to hospitals all over the world, in memory of many precious babies, in the hope to give recently grieving parents a resource to help them through this tough time.  I thought I would share this with you.

Victims of Life

How often are we greeted on Facebook with a status update about how sad a person's life is.  I'm talking about the ones who love to share their ailments of cold and flu, blah this and blah that.  Well I think Ive had my fair share of eye rolling encounters on the subject matter and it dawned on me that people are victims of life.  Life in general is such a pain for these people and this goes on to effect someone else who is in the same frame of mind.  I hear teenagers moaning about life ans while they may be genuinely in pain over boys or what ever.  In the back of my mind I'm thinking get some real problems really.  Does this make me a selfish person? No it means that I am allergic to crap.  The ones who need the most help, love and support are  the ones who say everything is fine.  Yet you know they are falling apart.  Maybe I'm just a moan bag and someone undeserving of an opinion but things need to be said.  Things are okay out in the open.