Ultrabase will not detach from X31

[ozoneraider]

The lever will not disengage the ultrabase from my x31. Apparently there is a broken part inside of the ultrabase as I hear something small rattling around inside it. Is there a way to get it off without destroying it?

Computer is in warranty but ultrabase (purchased refurbished) is not.

If I can't get it off, I may end up putting it on eBay...

thanks, Bob

[stgreek]

The lever will not disengage the ultrabase from my x31. Apparently there is a broken part inside of the ultrabase as I hear something small rattling around inside it. Is there a way to get it off without destroying it?

Computer is in warranty but ultrabase (purchased refurbished) is not.

If I can't get it off, I may end up putting it on eBay...

thanks, Bob

Maybe you simply haven't unlocked it? There is a latch at the bottom that locks/unlocks it. Also, I believe all ultrabases make that rattling noise, I dont think anything is broken.

[mpcook]

1. Mine makes a slight rattling noise, it is brand new and operates perfectly otherwise.
2. Make sure the lock tab on the bottom of the base unit is pushed to "unlock". Otherwise, the lever will not move.
3. The base unit is held on by two little latches or "fingers" on either side toward the back. These "ungrab" the laptop when the lever is pulled. If the lever is broken and not doing it's job any longer, it may be you can force the base unit off the laptop. It might either break the fingers on the base unit, or the spot where they grab the laptop. Either way, your base unit will still work, but may not stay attached when you move the combined unit around. YMMV and no guarantees expressed or implied.

Good luck and let us know how it goes, just in case we ever face this ourselves! I have noticed the base unit is a fairly flimsy piece of plastic and have worried about this very occurence!

--Mike

[ozoneraider]

I'll report back after I have had a chance to try this. I sure don't want to break any pieces on the bottom of the laptop, though.

[Ed Taft]

I've just encountered the exact same problem, right down to the broken piece rattling around inside. The release lever, which unlatches the ThinkPad and pries it off the UltraBase, has become disconnected from the internal mechanism.

There doesn't appear to be any way to disassemble the UltraBase from the outside; apparently, the assembly screws are located on the side that faces the docked ThinkPad. I wonder if anyone has learned of a secret method for releasing the latches without breaking something.

[JHEM]

A strong, thin piece of monofilament needs to be winkled down between the X31 and the Ultrabase from the back and extending to either side.

Then grasp the ends and firmly draw them towards the front of the combo by sliding from side to side and then forcefully when you meet resistance. You'll need to draw the ends until the monofilament is literally up against the front edge of the combo. The latches face backwards and release forwards.

You should be able to just shift the latches enough to disenage.

Barring a good result from the above, you'll have to get something long and thin to go in on either side and lever each catch free.

Regards,

James

[Ed Taft]

Thank you for your great suggestion. The monofilament went in easily and tripped the latches with no problem. That solves my immediate problem that my X31 was trapped in the UltraBase.

Now I just need to figure out how to take the UltraBase apart. I removed all the visible screws and the release tabs on the rear panel. But something in the vicinity of the release lever is still holding the top plate onto the base. Who knows, perhaps that has something to do with the release mechanism being broken.

[BillMorrow]

look for tabs that fit into slots on the inside..
ibm usually uses screws and tabs or latches around the endges to hold parts together..
another thing you can do is grab the HMM for the X30 series and see if there is a blow up picture of the base or disassmebly instructions for the base..

[verktyg]

The X3 Base is a piss poor design, especially for something Made in Japan.

My X31 came with the X3 Base. It takes 3 hands to remove my x31!

The plastic cover on the right front tab on the X3 that hooks into the lip on the front of the X31 was dinged from the factory, which made removal difficult.

Last month I had the base attached so I could use my CD drive. When I went to remove the X3 Base, it hung up. I eventually got it off but the plastic lip on the bottom of my X31 broke away.

This is an even cheaper, stupid design! A little piece of plastic less than 1mm thick on the bottom of the X31 is all that the X3 Base front tabs hook into.

My X31 is still in warrantee but everything else works OK so I don't want to chance returning it to have the case bottom replaced. I'll just have to be careful when I use the X3 Base.

Chas.

[ozoneraider]

I have decided not to fix the utrabase since I will be selling the laptop in another few months anyway. For now, I just use a thin table knife to slide between the laptop and base to release the hooks.

[CRSO]

It's a little late but I just had the same problem on a fiends X30 with the Ultrabay.

I took your advice on how to get it unstuck. I did it using dental floss and it worked pretty well.

After that, I felt bad because she was worried her boyfriend might get mad about it breaking (it's his notebook) so I decided to open it up!

Well, after getting all the screws out (9 total and all on top), the unit top comes right off after you work it around the releases and tabs.

All it was is a little pin that holds the levers together came out. The pin is simply held in place by the pressure of the screws and is not secured otherwise. I can see that if you move the lever when the laptop is on it's side or upside down, it may fall out of place. Simply put the pin back in place and tighten the lid up again.

Whola!

[ParatoOptimal]

JHEM,
Thanks so much. Mine locked up. Floss unlocked the right (when facing the front of the X31) latch before the floss broke.
The left latch is right beside a post. The floss was probably pulled against the post.
String angled to the left did it.

It's strange that I could pull the lever with the switch in the locked position.
Now, with the X31 off the X3, the lever can be locked and unlocked.
I don't notice anything rattling around, loose inside.

Does this happen when the X31 is placed on the x3 incorrectly?
Should one or the other be off or unplugged when placing the X31 on the X3?