Thinkpads Forum

Hey everyone - I just have quick question regarding the use of isopropyl alcohol to clean the T61p.

I was busy cleaning my precious with a dilute mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water (one tablespoon iso, atleast 9 of water, so less than 10%), when I noticed that the lid had a bulge in it.

It's not noticeable, given the black nature, but it's definitely there, and is quite large. It's seems more pronounced on the left side of the screen (near the LAN/modem ports) than the right, but it extends over there too.

Now, I know that isopropyl alcohol is a solvent, but I have been reading (and seeing) that dilute mixtures are great for cleaning all manner of computer products (including LCD screens). Have I made a major boo boo?

My question is really two fold: 1) Is it safe to use dilute mixtures of IA to clean my precious, and 2) is that bulge meant to be there? Am I being paranoid?

Looking at it from the back, there's a visible arc in the lid (comparing it to the bottom casing along the gap between), but from the front, it looks normal. From the top you can't really tell at all. Only at certain angles... I can't remember if it was there when I got the unit.

Dammit, dammit, dammit.

It is safe to use a 50/50 mixture of alcohol and water. Alcohol will not affect the plastics in a ThinkPad (so far as I know, and in my experience). ... JDH

Growly wrote:Looking at it from the back, there's a visible arc in the lid (comparing it to the bottom casing along the gap between), but from the front, it looks normal. From the top you can't really tell at all. Only at certain angles... I can't remember if it was there when I got the unit.

that's how the rollcage is designed.   it bulges out slightly in the middle to help comply when weight is placed on top of the lid.   if it were flat, weight would be able to push in on the lid where this design prevents that from happening (within reason, of course).

it's a feature, not a flaw.