Will T41 run without the lid?

[DBrown67]

This may sound like a silly question... but I do have a genuine reason for wanting to do this. Basically I am working on a project where the T41 sits inside a control case. The controls are linked to the T41 inside the case via USB hub and of course I'm using an exterior monitor. All is fine except that it's a bit of a pain firing the system up. I have to open the case first then open the laptop lid to reach the power switch.

I was going to tap into the power switch separately and wire it to the outside case. But of course that isn't possible the way the keyboard is designed. I can't use a docking station either as the case is finished and there is no room to fit a 2" high station in there. The laptop just fits neatly inside as it is.

This leaves me thinking of a "half way house" solution....the possibility of removing the lid (so doing away with the original LCD completely) and just using the exterior monitor. Is this possible? Or will the laptop refuse to boot if it detects the original screen is missing? I know some laptops work like this but not sure if it's an industry wide standard design. I don't really want to try it out in case I'm wasting my time.

[91011]

It will run without the lid attached, I was using a T30 as a media server for a long time that way. If your machine is on a wired LAN you might look at using WOL. After dust became a problem, I put the lid back on and now power-up from another machine.

John

[DBrown67]

It will run without the lid attached, I was using a T30 as a media server for a long time that way. If your machine is on a wired LAN you might look at using WOL. After dust became a problem, I put the lid back on and now power-up from another machine.

John

What will I be left with? Just the video ribbon? I was thinking of tucking that round underneath the base out of harm's way.

[Harryc]

No, the video ribbon cable remains with the LCD assembly once removed. If you put the bezel back, you'll be left with holes where the hinges were.

[DBrown67]

Well it worked! Took me about an hour to do the job following the very detailed and clear instructions on the Lenovo website. I was surprised how easy the Thinkpad is to work with.

I even managed to retrieve the wireless antenna from the removed lid so I still get wireless access when the pc is in Windows mode. Thank you for your help!

[poshgeordie]

Just done this on a T40. I need a cheap PC for work and being too mean to spend any money put one together based on a gash T40 bits. I also bought a beautiful Illiama 17" display for peanuts on eBay.

I removed the LCD cable and fitted the top bezels and keyboard and it is one of the smartest micro 'desktop' PC's I've seen - it's the size of a keyboard and trackpad so can't get any smaller than that. Wireless is via a PCMCIA card.
When I first saw it I couldn't help thinking there's a real market here. Real performance is that when fitted with a Dothan CPU, a reasonable amount of memory, and a big HDD, is going to satisfy the needs of most users in a 'busy' environment.
And for even more 'grunt' do the same on a T60 or newer model still!
The only improvement I'd make is to add the various indicator LED's but this gets a little more complex since I'd need a modified LCD cable which just carries these 'signals' and to then modify an inverter so I only have the indicator 'bits' off it. Well maybe not!

I also would like to get rid of the VGA cable to the monitor, and I'm sure there are VGA transmit / receive modules which will send the VGA signal to the monitor.
Then only wired connection is to the AC Adapter but if you use a battery.....!

Getting back to your on off issue, this should be quite easy to solve. Pop off the plastic bezel around the I/O and audio and Thinkpad switches. Underneath the I/O switch you have access to the printed circuit board I/O switch contacts, consisting one track above the other which when pressed together will make the 'on' connection.
I think it would be possible to pick up these points and simply solder a couple of wires which you can then run to an ordinary panel mounted press switch.

If I've got time tomorrow, I'll pull an old keyboard apart and get back.
Just seen you're from Leeds which is just down the road from Newcastle - if you're not handy with a soldering iron, I'd be prepared to modify a kbrd if that would help - and provided it's feasible. Let me know if interested.

Oh and welcome to the forums too!

[poshgeordie]

Just pulled a keyboard apart and It's do-able but tricky to solder a couple of wires onto the press contacts under the I/O button.

I haven't got a camera to hand but I'd suggest doing it this way:

1. Remove the top bezel - there's a series of clips along the top which snap out using a small screwdriver.

2. Remove the button top and mechaniism underneath and the green rubber cone.

3. You'll see the switch as two track layers above each other.

4. I'd suggest removing some of the surrounding black plastic by melting out the three plastic welding dots on the underside which are around the I/O switch contacts. Snap off the plastic.

5. Work out how to get to the contact layers cutting away any clear plastic around them as necessary to expose the two contact tracks.

6. Slip a piece of paper between the two mating contact pads so they don't 'join' together.

7. Solder a couple of thin wires on the contact tracks.

8. Reassemble and test.

Another way but which requires a steady soldering hand is to pick up the two pins on the ribbon connector which goes into the m'board. I've buzzed them out and it would be OK for someone's who's competent at soldering. I 'll do a diagram later of the pins for anyone who's interested.

[craigmontHunter]

[quote

I also would like to get rid of the VGA cable to the monitor, and I'm sure there are VGA transmit / receive modules which will send the VGA signal to the monitor.

The theatre in my school has one of those for when we had a projector on the catwalk. It is old, so there might be newer, smaller ones available, but it is the size of a wireless router, and attatches to the computer with a regular VGA cable.

[DBrown67]

Thanks for the offer PoshGeordie. I appreciate it. To be honest the way I have it now is fine. I have to open up the case first but it is designed to open up anyway. Now I can hit the power switch with the lid removed. I don't mind this really. Before I had to also open up the laptop as well and I had cables and sh!t in the way. Was a bit awkward with the space I had. Much, much better now the lid has been removed.

[celinedrules]

Well it worked! Took me about an hour to do the job following the very detailed and clear instructions on the Lenovo website. I was surprised how easy the Thinkpad is to work with.

I even managed to retrieve the wireless antenna from the removed lid so I still get wireless access when the pc is in Windows mode. Thank you for your help!

Can you point me where on the Lenovo site you found these instructions?

[yak]

Can you point me where on the Lenovo site you found these instructions?

Every ThinkPad has a so called Hardware Maintenance Manual. The one for T41 can be found here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 46464.html

Other can be found on lenovo.com, just enter "<model> hardware manual" in the search box on their website.

[rkawakami]

Here's the main index for the HMMs: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 39298.html

This is also a great resource for some of the simpler hardware issues: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... PAD-MOVIES