I finally installed my new Hard Drive. What a pain!!

[thinkpadhk]

Hey all,

Have any of you changed the hard drive in your thinkpad T42?

Well, I recently received a brand spanking new 40GB hard drive to replace the one in my brand spanking new T42 2378-FVU. (it was making annoying clicking noises).

Anyway... did anyone else have a FREAKIN' HARD time pulling out the hard drive from the laptop? Jesus, it literally felt like I was ripping the laptop apart. It took a good 15 mintues for me to pry it free from the slot and my thumb even started bleeding under the fingernail! It honestly felt like I was ripping the plastic apart.

I finally got the thing out, but now my thumb is totally bruised and it kills like crazy!!! Did anyone else have such a hard time pulling out the hard drive? Do you think I might have damaged something?

Thanks.
hk.

[ellinj]

I had no problems.. I did note however, that the lid had to be open before it would slide out easily.

[jdhurst]

I do hope, as noted, you had the lid open. On any like ThinkPad I have owned (T23, T30, now T41) the hard drive comes out very readily. It should not have to be forced, and I hope nothing was damaged.
... JD Hurst

[LumberJack]

In general I would think that if your really forcing the thing out there must be something wrong. I have opened up my X31 and a T41 without much problem.

LJ

[KillaByte]

The first time I tried to get my HDD out it was a little tricky, too but now it's easy going. My guess would also be that you didn't open the lid before, did you?

[thinkpadhk]

Yeah I did open the lid. The instructions clearly tell you to do so. And it's pretty obvious.

Hmmm... so this is strange. I wonder why mine was so [censored] hard to pull out? Now I'm all worried.

[Leon]

don't worry if things are working o.k...... tolerances WILL vary...it will probably come out easier the next time....

[Daniel]

Wasn't too hard although I did give it a lil bit of force.

[BillMorrow]

gentlemen..

i too have noticed that the HDD IS a bit tough to slide out (occasionally) since it is a close fit..
there is also a small rubber "shock absorber" (i think) just at the far end of the top of the HDD bay..
on one occasion a corner must have been poorly applied since when i tried to replace the HDD it rolled up into a small impediment (much like a carpet that one is rolling up) and made the HDD impossible to replace..
i had to work it with a loing thin screwdriver to "unroll" the edge and then press it hard against the upper side of the HDD bay..
the reason for all this, here and now, is: when replacing the HDD it is probably best to have the thinkpad upright since there is a tiny bit of up/down play and the HDD should not be allowed to catch this "shock absorber" (i think) thing..
BTW, it is small and thin but probably does provide some sort of protection to the HDD in a fall..

[mdarnton]

Mine was hard, and it's not gotten any better. It helps a bit that I now know that the external plastic part pivots, working like a prybar, rather than coming out straight. But it's still hard. View it as an advantage: good contact.

[JHEM]

Hmmm... so this is strange. I wonder why mine was so [censored] hard to pull out? Now I'm all worried.

The only thing that pops into my mind is that if the wrong screws have been used to secure the HD to the caddy, the screws may bind in the "tracks" they ride on in the bay.

Regards,

James

[RonS]

Wow - I'm assuming you removed the hard drive locking screw first?

[thinkpadhk]

Thanks to all the responders.

My thumb still hurts a bit but I think I'm now comfortable with the fact that it was just a tight fit (due to unknown reasons - perhaps manufacturing tolerances). Anyway, the new hard drive works like a charm and hasn't made any of the annoying clicking noises... yet.

I'm keeping my fingers (and bruised thumb) crossed.

RonS:
Hardy har har.