IT'S ALIVE!!.... almost

[ManlnBlack]

Alright fellow thinkpadders, I have a few questions as well as a few solutions I've come across.

Left hinge roll cage area breaking (thankfully, mine isn't broken, but I thought it was): http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... &view=next --mcsound
flimsy upper left area on keyboard in 15 inch t60's: http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... 88#p523588 --dr_st

I had someone tell me that having a little bit of play in the hinge is expected, but on all other thinkpads that I've tried, the hinge was rock solid. Mine has a little bit more than 1cm of play, however it is only present between 90° and 110° (this doesn't affect my productivity at all, it's just that one of the reasons that I bought a thinkpad was for the rock solid construction; namely, the hinges). If someone has any idea on what I should do in order to fix this, I would really appreciate it. However, I am extremely weary of overtightening my hinge, as breaking the roll cage is far more hindering than a flimsy hinge.

I currently have an SXGA+ model. Could someone who has both an SXGA+ and a UXGA model post them side by side? I want to know if it's worth watching ebay for one.

And now, to the latch. Should I be closing the laptop from the center? I find that one of the latches clicks by itself when I close from either side.

As I am exclusively a Linux user, I would like to know if it's worth getting an atheros card (flashing middleton for sata II and penryn anyways, so whitelist isn't a problem).

To summarize, a standard frankenpad build (4:3 T61 14" motherboard in 15" T60) needs (all ordered and shipped):

• 1. PC Card/Expresscard assembly FRU: 42X3830
  2. T61 14" Motherboard (Merom CPU included); FRU: 42W7648
  3. NMB keyboard (I got a crusty Chicony); FRU: 39T0928
  4. Core 2 Duo T9300

All that's left is for me to find pictures of where to file down the frame for the motherboard to fit.

I apologize for being overly critical or meticulous, I have a very particular taste in electronics.
Thank you for your help.

[RealBlackStuff]

All T60 machines have hinges from either Kato or Reel.
T60 hardly (if ever) has problems with them! They usually happen on the T61 series.
If you find your hinges too wobbly, just replace them both.

I apologize for being overly critical or meticulous, I have a very particular taste in electronics

Then why did you buy a Merom motherboard instead of a Penryn one?

For the chassis-mod, see here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 76#p721576

[ManlnBlack]

Bought the Merom board because my understanding is that they both can run penryn CPUs. Also, penryn board was triple the price.

And, of Kato and Reel, which one would be better?