Loose AW14 power jack?

When my AC plug is plugged into the jack there's quite a bit of side-to-side movement that I don't recall from earlier in the week. Gently wiggling it back and forth doesn't interrupt power, but this can't be normal...

EDIT: Added video

http://goo.gl/Sa7SWx

 

Maybe you just didn't notice it. I've only had mine for 3 days and it moves a little side to side but didn't notice it until I saw this post. I had a M14x R1 for 2 yrs. and it wiggled also, never affected the power though.

 

Thanks, billy1, and yeah it's quite possible I didn't notice it until today. It seems excessive to me and I've never had this on any of my other Dell or Alienware laptops.

 

what did alienware say when you phoned them about it?

Nexus 4 via Tapatalk 2

 

Been too busy to call. What I'm seeing is definitely not normal though.

 

really? for a £1200 odd purchase i'd be straight on the phone

Nexus 4 via Tapatalk 2

 

http://goo.gl/Sa7SWx

That's what it looks like.

 

definately worth the phone call

 

It's normal.. happens on mine also

 

doesn't look normal. i'd send the video to aw support and get them to look at it while you are on the phone.

 

well, a technician from alienware is coming today, so I'll get him to take a look.

 

What's he coming out for (if you don't mind my asking)?

This weekend I'm going to be doing some baseline temperature tests and re-applying TIM which will entail a full teardown. I'll be able to tell whether or not this is by design or not. If anyone reports that they're not experiencing the same thing then it looks like I'm dealing with failing part.

 

My middle headphone jack suddenly became lose, meaning when I plug in my headphone it easily falls out. Also the Headphone jack that is actually tight has static sound when I plug something in. It's annoying so I called them.

 

Hi,

Though I'm not trying to wiggle it too much like how you did in the video but I can confirm with you that this power jack doesn't feel solid at all, compared to mXX series, I can definitely wiggle it if I want to. Might be the structure inside the laptop allow the wiggle to prevent the jack/port from breaking from normal usage. Wiggling is not always bad you know, as long as your power jack stay in and not slide out, I think it should be ok. For now, you can count me in. Let's keep this post busy

 

Mine does the same thing but the cord is tight - it does not fall out. Let us know if the tech fixes it.

N

 

Yes that's what I thought. i actually Like the wiggle cause it'll prevent breaking of the port. We'll see what happens, though.

 

I don't suppose the tech had your 14 torn down far enough to inspect the jack's connection on the mainboard did he?

Sure would like to hear whether or not this is a "feature" or normal from someone on the AW side of things.

 

Sorry, he didn't come today. I was told he would come today but today was a holiday in Canada, He should be here tomorrow.. Ill get you this information as soon as I can..

 

This makes sense to me. I had a sony that had a very tight power connector and over the course of 2 yrs. it broke twice and had to have the housing replaced. The tech told me that it was very common with sonys as the connection was extremely tight and the constant tugging on it would snap the connection. I agree, the wiggling may not be a bad thing after all. I'm interested in hearing what the AW tech says.

 

Alright so the tech support guy didn't come today either, apparently the parts weren't shipped and they told me either by tomorrow afternoon or the morning after.. Not exactly next business day tech support .. bearable though..

 

For me it looks the same as your video, it looks that is normal, it moves, but if you try to pull it it's firm (obviously if you try harder it will get off) I don't believe it's a problem.



Sent via Tapatalk 2 via Sony Xperia S

 

Just got my 14 today, power jack does move around like in your video. Still requires a good pull to get the cord out though.

 

so what happened with the tech support guy?

Nexus 4 via Tapatalk 2

 

Still no one.. This is getting very annoying.. Going to call them today!

 

Ok so they finally came. He took out the thing that the power cable fits into and it fits tightly into it so he said that it is perfectly normal.

 

Good to know. I started freaking out today about the wiggle and luckily found this thread.

 

Found I have the same exact movement after receiving a 14 I bought used. I wonder if there is anyone out there with a power jack that is actually wiggle-free. I've been used to the solid movement free jack on all my other AW's inclusive of M17x R2 and M18x R1. Pretty sloppy build if it is the norm.

 

perhaps the 'wiggle' is meant to be like that on the aw14 and so it is infact the norm. and if you don't have a wiggle, you have a dodgy build

 

Hahaha, yeah...maybe. Just doesn't feel right. It looks like it's about to fall out, even if it doesn't.