Removing T41 keyboard bezel problem

[kosse]

Hello forum members,

I am disassembling my T41 14" following IBM's official maintenance manual but I'm having problems with the keyboard bezel. I've removed the three screws that are holding it in place and it lifts off except for the left side of the bezel that is stuck. I found the reason for it: two small plastic clips that prevent the left side of the bezel from lifting up. Here's a picture, I marked the area where the clips are:

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4994 ... 006nw1.jpg

I'm at a loss what to do with those clips. There's simply no room between the chassis and the heat sink to be able to lift the bezel up. Is there some trick to do it? IBM manual doesn't even mention those clips!

I appreciate all help.

kosse

[kosse]

I think I just solved the problem. I summoned up my courage and used traditional brute force. I even managed not to brake the bezel.

I used at least half an hour trying to pry it out and after I made the thread and decided to try just once more it came off. Oh well

[underclocker]

I've had that problem, too. Make sure you've removed the scew that holds the bezel to the PC Card cage, then you'll have to put some sideways pressure on the left side of the base, near the fan outlet area, and wiggle then lift up on the bezel. It will unclip.

Unfortunately, sometimes a cliip might break, so you have to be as careful as possible. If the clip breaks I'm not sure it affects the reassembled machine much at all, due to the securing screw being present.

Maybe this happens because of the heat from the fan, possibly the plastic deforms a little due to the constant heat or perhaps is just slight differences in manufacturing, because not all are tough to remove.

Good luck.

[andyP]

EDIT: Now irrelevant

snip... I've removed the three screws that are holding it in place and it lifts off except ....snip....

If you have only removed 3 screws, you need to remove the other 5 at the front, they are hidden under the "house" shaped screw covers, (stickers). You can remove the covers carefully using the tip of a sharp modelling knife.

[kosse]

Thank you for your input guys. I just installed a Pentium M 755 and it works fine. Now I just have to put this thing back together..

[John H]

You replaced the CPU? How? Do you have instructions?

[kosse]

You replaced the CPU? How? Do you have instructions?

Well, basicly I just switched the old 1,6Ghz Banias chip to newer 2Ghz Dothan.

There are maintenance manuals on IBM/Lenovo website that give step-by-step instructions how to do it. BIOS update might also be needed but I just relied on my luck and it seems this machine had enough new version as it recognised Dothan right away.

[John H]

Thanks for the info. It looks like I'll have to open the T40 (again!) to replace the power plug, which has wobbled loose and become intermittent, so maybe I'll upgrade the CPU, too. Last time I opened it I replaced the system board with an upgrade to T41 or T42 (forget which) because it was same price as T40, and transplanted the old CPU.

[richk]

Next time you take it apart, the way to ket the keyboard bezel off is to remove the 3 screws and stick something sharp (like a little straight screwdriver) between the case and the place where the tab for the bazel catches, just to the left of the place the screw attaches the bezel to the PC card frame.