X31 Unstuck X3 Ultrabase, now beeps, then continuous

Message

blue2 · #1 Post by **blue2** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 7:53 am

I had the classic X3 Ultrabase symptom yesterday (first time in years), when the Ultrabase would not remove and the release latch showed little resistance. Following instructions on threads here, I used a monofilament to successfully trip the latches and remove the X31.

I then disassembled the ultrabase to see if it was just the spring/pin that had dislodged. Unfortunately, the plastic piece that holds a small cylindrical metal slug is broken, so once the latch is pulled, the plastic no longer holds the metal slug part of the gear in place.

So I resigned myself to temporarily leaving the base attached to the dock until getting a new one. After many attempts, I got the Ultrabase re-assembled. However when I re-attached the X31 and re-booted, I was greeted by a few short beeps from the ultrabase followed by a continuous beep/whine. I tried it again a few additional times, but it still whined incessantly.

I see that it is correctly reading the DVD burner in the ultrabase and all connections seem to be working. Trying the blue undock button (I never use it) successfully stopped the noise (but cuts off the ultrabay, though not any of the ports I discovered). So is this a short circuit? Did opening the base now screw up the undock circuitry (blue button)? Does anyone have any suggestions on what to check/do? Thank you.

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:52 am

I'd get a new Ultrabase and not use the old one until you do.

blue2 · #3 Post by **blue2** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:16 am

I appreciate the suggestion, but I'm still trying to understand what is the cause of the beep. Is it the undocking mechanism? Is it a short circuit? Is it due to something else?

As far as I can tell, the ports and ultrabay in the dock are all working. So that is what led me to believe it is somehow related to the undocking mechanism.

Obviously, the ultrabase worked before this, aside from the problem of it being stuck which was mechanical. So what issue could taking off the base cover and then re-assembling it have created?

Of course, I will get a new base, but until I do as I'm traveling, it would nice to have use of the base leaving the X31 attached to it.

Terrahawk · #4 Post by **Terrahawk** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:03 pm

If it is the same as the X2 Ultrabase, then the continuous beeping is used as a warning when you undock the UltraBase before pressing the Undock button. I would say that the sensor that detects whether you are pulling the release lever without having pressed the undock button first is falsely triggering.

#5 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:13 pm

In other words, take it apart again and put it together the right way this time

.

blue2 · #6 Post by **blue2** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:06 am

Harryc wrote:In other words, take it apart again and put it together the right way this time .

Well, suffice it to say that if I knew what I had done wrong, I wouldn't have done it

Hence, I deferred to those who know more, as in the immortal words of Clint Eastwood, "A man's got to know his limitations."

The wiring to the sensor was not touched so I'm not sure why or where it is stuck in the undock state causing the incessant beep. Unfortunately, there is no diagram in the Hardware Service Manual nor in the X3 Ultrabase manual. So I was hoping that someone might have a better clue of where exactly to check and what to do.

Terrahawk · #7 Post by **Terrahawk** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 3:22 pm

The sensor only detects that the latch handle is being moved. The interpretation is up to the rest of the Ultrabase hardware. What you will need to check (probably with a multimeter) is that the sensor's output has two states - one that triggers the beep and one that does not. When the lever is in the "in" position, the sensor should not trigger. When the lever is moved towards the "out" or "unlatch" position, the sensor should trigger.

If the outputs of the sensor do not do that, then you may need to have a closer look at it.

blue2 · #8 Post by **blue2** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:55 pm

Ok, thank you for that helpful explanation. I will check that.

jtt3011 · #9 Post by **jtt3011** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:16 pm

It would be helpful if IBM/Levono provided more detailed information about just what is under the cover of the X3 Ultrabase, both electrically and mechanically. The files that are available to download are less than useless.

blue2 · #10 Post by **blue2** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:43 pm

jtt3011 wrote:It would be helpful if IBM/Levono provided more detailed information about just what is under the cover of the X3 Ultrabase, both electrically and mechanically. The files that are available to download are less than useless.

That was my issue. No diagram in the X31 Hardware Service Manual nor any useful info in the X3 Ultrabase manual. So that's why I was hoping that someone might have a better clue of what exactly was under the hood.

X31 Unstuck X3 Ultrabase, now beeps, then continuous

X31 Unstuck X3 Ultrabase, now beeps, then continuous

Who is online