UK Supplier Of Laptop Components - HDMI Port

[RetroComputingGrotto]

I've got a HP 255 G7 with a broken/worn out HDMI port that I need to replace.

For whatever reason, the company I work for does not allow us to buy parts from eBay so I'm looking for a UK based company that supplies things like HDMI ports for laptops so if anyone uses one then can you please let me know?

Thanks

[Stevedb]

Re: UK Supplier Of Laptop Components - HDMI Port

Maybey digikey?

[reformatt]

Re: UK Supplier Of Laptop Components - HDMI Port

I don't know any supplier (Digikey, Element 14 etc) that lists ports by laptop model. You need to know the original part number to get anywhere with that usually. If you have the schematic, then use any part number listed to search from those vendors.

I usually get these things off Aliexpress, or a dead donor board.

[RetroComputingGrotto]

Re: UK Supplier Of Laptop Components - HDMI Port

Maybey digikey?

Thanks! I'll take a look

I don't know any supplier (Digikey, Element 14 etc) that lists ports by laptop model. You need to know the original part number to get anywhere with that usually. If you have the schematic, then use any part number listed to search from those vendors.

I've been looking in service manuals for any kind of part number, no idea why I didnt think about looking on a schematic so thanks for that

I usually get these things off Aliexpress, or a dead donor board.

We can't use Aliexpress either unfortunately - I'm a bit apprehensive about using ones from a donor board in case I damage/melt the plastic part of the HDMI port.

[reformatt]

Re: UK Supplier Of Laptop Components - HDMI Port

In the PC space, motherboards are considered a whole service part, like a screen or keyboard. You get nowhere asking for something like a USB or HDMI port, and you get told you need to replace the whole board. It keeps the servicing side of it cheap as you can just get monkeys to swap things out. We used to call people like that "board jockeys" when I worked at a TV station years ago. This was considered an insult to those techs that avoided component level repair. Now it is the norm, not the exception, but I digress.

So harvesting off donors is absolutely essential. Especially if you just need a one off (or you can't use other sources like Aliexpress etc to source them). It does take practice (this is why junk boards are great) and what nozzle/temps/air flow work with your hot air station. In the case of HDMI ports (and USB-C ports with concealed pins), you heat from the reverse side of the connector. If you have the board inverted on the bench when you get to reflow temp, a slight wiggle/tap will make the connector fall out. Normally the plastic will be untouched.

Low melt solder like Chipquik makes this far easier too on some connectors where the pins are exposed. That stuff is brilliant.

[RetroComputingGrotto]

Re: UK Supplier Of Laptop Components - HDMI Port

In the PC space, motherboards are considered a whole service part, like a screen or keyboard. You get nowhere asking for something like a USB or HDMI port, and you get told you need to replace the whole board. It keeps the servicing side of it cheap as you can just get monkeys to swap things out. We used to call people like that "board jockeys" when I worked at a TV station years ago. This was considered an insult to those techs that avoided component level repair. Now it is the norm, not the exception, but I digress.

So harvesting off donors is absolutely essential. Especially if you just need a one off (or you can't use other sources like Aliexpress etc to source them). It does take practice (this is why junk boards are great) and what nozzle/temps/air flow work with your hot air station. In the case of HDMI ports (and USB-C ports with concealed pins), you heat from the reverse side of the connector. If you have the board inverted on the bench when you get to reflow temp, a slight wiggle/tap will make the connector fall out. Normally the plastic will be untouched.

Low melt solder like Chipquik makes this far easier too on some connectors where the pins are exposed. That stuff is brilliant.

20+ years ago I qualified as an Electronics Servicing Engineer where I was taught to fix motherboards down to component level - (until now) all my subsequent jobs taught me not to repair a motherboard but to replace it so for all these years I've barely used my electronic repair skills so having to re-learn lots!

It's a shame it's company policy to not use Aliexpress or eBay as the parts I tend to need are pretty much all on there (including the HP HDMI port I need)!

We have a couple of boxes of 'Spares and Repairs' laptops for me to practice on so thanks for the tips regarding using a hot air rework station to remove said components, I'm going to spend some time today just randomly taking of ports to gain some experience (and slowly build up some spare parts)!