I need engineering help!

[h***@oddkarma.com]

Sort of...

I have a retractable ethernet cable which comes with an adapter that lets
you convert the ethernet plug into a regular RJ45 phone plug.

I tried it for the first time and it's cool. But the problem is the
adapter is now stuck in my laptop.

This is the cable:

http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=PA225U

You can see the adapter in the bottom left hand and upper right hand
portion of the image.

That black thing is stuck in my laptop's modem phone cable socket and I
can't get it out! I've tried wiggling it, nudging it, forcing it,
everything. I tried leaving my laptop on all night hoping the heat would
loosen it. Nothing. My thumb's sore now.

The problem is that the plastic adapter is what's stuck in, not the cable.
I can't just snap it off.

The very tip of the adapter itself seems to be embedded into the port or
socket or whatever it is is called on the modem. So it almost seems like
I'd have to snap the adapter off and scoop it out.

I've examined the other adapter I have, and I can't see any pieces that
could have gotten stuck though.

______________

[a***@MIX.COM]

Post by h***@oddkarma.com
The problem is that the plastic adapter is what's stuck in, not the cable.
I can't just snap it off.

So plug in a cable, then use that to pull it out.

Otherwise maybe a small screwdriver and needle nosed pliers
would be handy here.

Too bad it didn't get stuck earlier, before I was last down
there.......

Post by h***@oddkarma.com
The very tip of the adapter itself seems to be embedded into the port or
socket or whatever it is is called on the modem. So it almost seems like
I'd have to snap the adapter off and scoop it out.
I've examined the other adapter I have, and I can't see any pieces that
could have gotten stuck though.

Maybe there's some foreign material in there wedging it in ??

Anyway if yours is like the Thinkpads the phone socket is a cheap-o
removable item that changes depending on what country you're in, so
you may have the option of removing the whole thing (socket and the
adapter stuck in it) so it would be easier to then extract...

Billy Y..

[Blair P. Houghton]

Post by a***@MIX.COM

Post by h***@oddkarma.com
The problem is that the plastic adapter is what's stuck in, not the cable.
I can't just snap it off.

So plug in a cable, then use that to pull it out.

Ya.

There's another possibility: It's snagged on one of the contact wires.

Pulling it out may just twist the wire out of the computer.

--Blair
"Great. A suspense story.
Keep us posted."

[a***@MIX.COM]

Post by Blair P. Houghton
"Great. A suspense story.
Keep us posted."

Well, doing that probably requires getting that thing un-stuck.......!

Billy Y..

[h***@oddkarma.com]

Finally resolved it. Stuffed a really thin nail into the socket and
pulled with the full force of god's wrath.

Man that was a pain. Not gonna use anyh more adapters, no matter how
cool they look.