Thinkpads Forum

I unscrewed the 4 necessary screws to put in my extra 1 GB on my new 200772U T60. I put the palmrest on but I didn't notice it wasn't set completely near the space bar/trackpoint button area, and I started to put the screws on. The middle screw wouldn't catch unless I squeezed the palmrest against the rest of the laptop. After screwing in all the screws, I flipped the laptop over and I noticed it wasn't set properly. I undid the screws played around with the palmrest for 10 minutes and finally got it set in properly. I screwed the screws in and now the middle screw is a little loose. It doesn't grip as tight as the other three screws. My concern is it will eventually loosen and fall out completely. I probably messed up the threading of that middle screw.

My question: is the threading only at the palmrest? I notice ALL the screws only had some discolouration near 1/3 of the tip, which to me means only 1/3 of the screw is actually catching the threading. If I ordered a new palmrest will I be able to screw the third screw in more snug?

Sorry if it sounds a bit confusing. If anyone needs more information from me, please let me know.

Thank-you,

JD.

I have the same problem. I also had to squeeze the palmrest down for the screws to finally engage with the threads in the palmrest (in answer to your question, yes, I do believe the threading is only in the palmrest). I didn't look at the palmrest in excruciated detail before I took the palmrest out, but after I did and put it back together, I noticed that the palmrest parts on both the right and left side aren't completely flush with the rest of the laptop (the parts right next to the arrow key indentations on the left side of the laptop as well as the right).

I figured what the hell and kept it as it was. What I did notice is that the screw on the rightmost part of the notebook was a little loose no matter how hard I pressed the palmrest in. But I believe it was a mistake on my part as I screwed up the threading inside the palmrest after removing the palmrest numerous times. I'm quite convinced if you order a new palmrest, the loose screw in question would be more snug as the threading is in the palmrest.

I removed the palm rest to replace the memory on my T60. I also got lots of practice as I had a second computer to do as well. What I noticed is that it's very important to be patient and carefully align and refit the palmrest before attempting to install the screws. The palm rest should fit snug against the computer upon replacement. It may take a couple of tries to get it into place. Once in place, the palm rest will stay there until you install the screws. It's really important that you fit it flush with all surfaces.

Since these are small screws, not much torque should be applied when drawing them down and then tightening them. It's also important to insure that they are "started" in the threads before applying pressure. If things are going properly, no pressure need be applied to the palm rest. It will stay in place while you insert and tighten the screws.

So my suggestion to each of you is to remove all screws. Remove the palm rest and carefully inspect the holes that contain the female threads. Then carefully inspect the screws for damage to the threads. Quite possibly a new set of screws may resolve your problem. If not, a new palm rest is required.

I had a similar problem when I installed extra memory in my T60p - when I replaced the palmrest the front edge of it would not snap into place fully. Luckily I noticed this before replacing the screws.

I finally figured out that you need to tilt the palmrest when you install it. The front edge has several little catch blocks that need to go into place first, and they will not snap in if the palmrest is flat. You need to tilt up the back of the palmrest and get those blocks in place, and then lower the back of the palmrest.

Geary wrote:I finally figured out that you need to tilt the palmrest when you install it. The front edge has several little catch blocks that need to go into place first, and they will not snap in if the palmrest is flat. You need to tilt up the back of the palmrest and get those blocks in place, and then lower the back of the palmrest.

Your description is correct. In fact there is a movie on how to do this on the Lenovo site. Just type in "movie" in the seach field of the home page and it will bring up a list of movies for installing memory, palm rests, etc.

That is good to know about the movies, especially considering that the Hardware Maintenance Manual is wrong. (!) It doesn't show the necessary tilting at all.