T40p Left Palmrest Latching Problem

[davidashaw]

The left palmrest of my T40p does not latch (lockdown) at the corner. If I apply upward pressure to the palmrest above the PCMCIA Card slots, the whole left forward corner of the palmrest lifts up. Is this normal? I also have the common problem of left palmrest flex and creaking. I have read on other threads that a business card can solve this problem, however I fear tha,t with my situation, it will only resulting in lifting the palmrest instead of removing the play and flexing.

Is my palmrest defective? Can my latching problem be corrected or do I need to order a new palmrest from IBM?

Thanks,

David

[atlacatl]

It sounds like your TP is probably missing the corner screw. To check, peel off the littel black sticker on top of the screw - If it's there is probably loose - If not, well, call IBM and tell them...

Removing this little black sticker doesn't void your warranty, as far I know...

[davidashaw]

I may have misunderstood, but I looked at my T40p and could not find a screw location or black sticker anywhere near the left foward corner of my ThinkPad. I have the T40p model with the ultranav pointer and touchpad. Could you explain further?

David

[G-Man]

Check out this video. It should help you locating the stickers and the screws underneath them.

Regards,
G-Man

[davidashaw]

Hi G-man,

Thanks for the clarification. I pulled off the tape and the screw was installed and tight. This is one of those T7 Torx screws so I couldn't remove it, but I was able to use a flat tip jewelers screwdriver to confirm that the screw was indeed tight. I just received an IBM 802.11a/b/g Mini-PCI card to replace my a/b model and am now in search for the T7 Torx screwdriver or 1/4" bit in order to replace the card. I'll check out the problem as to why the left palmrest corner screw will not secure the palmrest to the base before I call IBM. Do you or anybody else have any other ideas as to why the left palmrest won't fasten securely? Has anyone else experience this problem securing their palmrests?
Thanks,

David

[ian]

This is possibly a long shot, but if the screw is indeed tight, it may only be tight in the lug into which it screws - there's nothing to say the lug is still connected to the underside of the palmrest...do you see what I mean? If, for some obscure reason, the laptop where ever to have been dropped on a corner, for example, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the fixing lug stayed put, but that the palmrest moved, thus snapping the lug from where it fixes.

You will only know when you take the whole palmrest off - and no doubt it won't be this at all - sorry, but it is possible, just unlikely.

[atlacatl]

BTW, you probably already knew this, but, if you swap the a/b card on your machine, you "technically" void the warranty on your machine.

What voids your warranty is the removal of the palm rest. Hence the security screw.

So, if you do swap the a/b card, use gloves or make sure nothing looks like you opened it. So2, if you do send it for a check up to get the palm rest fixed, send it FIRST to get the palm rest fixed and then, swap the card.

I have a t40p (2373-G1U) with the a/b card in it as well...

[s0larian]

I doubt opening the TR7 Torx screws (what it really is, a T7 Torx is a little bit different) voids the garantie. In fact, because the palm rest of my T40p had a little crack I called the IBM service and they sent me a new palm rest (on garantie) to exchange it myself. First the IBM support guy wanted me to send in the computer, but then after a check in his database he agreed that the palm rest for my T40p is a CRU part (which means customer can replace it).

[atlacatl]

Mh?

I thought it would - Since, the a/b card in my laptop shows as a non-user-replaceable part in my computer and I'd need to take the screw off.

Perhaps you have a different warranty - Oh, well...

[eriqesque]

I doubt opening the TR7 Torx screws (what it really is, a T7 Torx is a little bit different) voids the garantie. In fact, because the palm rest of my T40p had a little crack I called the IBM service and they sent me a new palm rest (on garantie) to exchange it myself. First the IBM support guy wanted me to send in the computer, but then after a check in his database he agreed that the palm rest for my T40p is a CRU part (which means customer can replace it).

Maybe in your country this does not Void the warranty as you are not bound by the FCC.
But in the States it does in fact void the warranty(if they find out)

Taken from the support page for parts at IBM

NOTE: The Palm rest in the models with IBM Dual-Band 11a/b Wi-Fi Wireless Mini PCI adapter is not a Tier2 CRU since it is secured with tamper proof screws.

http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.ws ... MIGR-46474

Scroll down to 20 and at the bottom of 20 it states this.

also stated on the removal instructions page here
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-51459

[mattfromomaha]

I can't believe that it would necessarily void the warranty.

The touchpad button on my T30 dumped a while back and I called for a new touchpad, which is secured to the keyboard bezel, which is a fairly intensive replacement. The tech was going to setup onsite service per my warranty, but I asked him to just send it to me since it's easier on my schedule to replace it at my convenience rather than schedule a tech around my class and work schedule. The part isn't a CRU, but I told him I was still comfortable with the replacement, and he sent the bezel out to me with no problem.