Thinkpads Forum

I got a new-to-me T61 14.1" widescreen that I only have one problem with (and I failed to notice when looking it over). The keyboard on the right side flexes a LOT. Almost like something's not screwed down right. I know the previous owner had replaced the HD and memory - is it possible I just need to screw something down?

Download this HMM: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-67760
It will show you what screw goes (should be) where.
Check the bottom of the laptop, if there are any (keyboard) screws missing.
They'll have a minuscule picture of a keyboard next to them.
Don't mistake the drip-holes for an empty screw-hole.

Yeah, downloaded that already.

Here's something I noticed - if I remove the DVD drive and push up on the top of the empty slot it fixed the problem. So it's almost like the DVD drive is too slim for the slot and isn't supporting the keyboard under there.

Has anyone else seen that?

Remove and reseat the keyboard. While doing so, check that it sits right, and that any antenna wires under it are properly routed and secured.

Yeah, that was the first thing I did once I got the hardware manual. I'll try it again, but it seems like it's fine until it's all put back together. It's almost like there's something that's supposed to go between the bottom of the keyboard and the top of the DVD drive to stiffen it up.

It is possible that the keyboard or the chassis are a bit warped, creating a hollow point, and thus flex.

I have had similar problems with my T60. Consider the solution outlined in the following post:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 88#p523588

I'd love to find another similar box and check it. Perhaps there's something missing, like a piece of foam or something. No mention in the hardware guide though.

So here's an interesting update.

We have a lot of Thinkpads around here. I played with a couple of 14" widescreen T400s. Slight keyboard flex like my T61. But I just found one identical to mine, a 14" T61 widescreen. It does not demonstrate the upper-right-quadrant keyboard flex. It's someone's old laptop...I wonder if they'll let me take it apart.