My X40 restoring project - Some questions *PICS*

[Tasurinchi]

After my topic here about the deplorable state of the X40 I bought some days ago, I've decided that I will try to restore her and bring her back to life.

I started today with the disassembling (my first time doing a full disassembly). Removed the hard drive, keyboard and the upper case, then when I wanted to remove the LCD FPC cable (which btw was missing the two screws) I found that the motherboard connector looked "shiny", like it had oil or something similar...

So here comes question #1. Is this normal? Is this something that can happen due to the age of my X40 or was a mistake done by the previous owner? I took a picture of it but it's difficult to see and photograph with my basic camera:



I cleaned the connector using a paper tissue, the LCD cable felt oily as well...

The keyboard is in relative good shape, but the mouse keys at the bottom are very loose. I've opened the left one I see this rubber part (key spring is the right word?) is broken:



So here comes question #2. Any trick how to fix it? I've seen in Ebay that some sellers offer key replacements, but I'm not sure yet if these ones can be bought as well. The mechanism looks very different from the "normal" keys. I haven't seen key springs being offered separately.

After cleaning the upper case under hot water in my kitchen I put everything back again. Now cleaned, the X40 looked somehow more decent. I even managed to install Ubuntu 9.10 on it. The hard drive is still defective and there is a constant warning on the top that the HD may fail, but I was browsing about 90 minutes without any incident. I'll post some photos later...

So now I have to:
- wait for my new HD to arrive
- get a new LCD/Bezel
- get a new keyboard/palmrest bezel
- repair the keyboard

After that I hope to have a new shiny X40. I will create a LF topic in the marketplace, but if any of you have one of the parts mentioned above, feel free to PM me. The LCD will be the expensive part, but as I'm not in a hurry I will wait for a good offer or for a broken X40 with a LCD in good shape.

Thanks in advance and cheers from the Alps!

[sjthinkpader]

The KB is a membrane KB. So the rubber piece is just the plunger. If you have a scrap KB, you can take the replacement from it.

[Tasurinchi]

If you have a scrap KB, you can take the replacement from it.

Well, actually I have another KB, but when I tried to take out the right mouse key (to replace the key spring) I broke it and I broke the middle mouse key as well (I'm still to newbie).

Then put the new key spring in my keyboard and it's still not working well. It's better than before but still not ok. I guess the key itself is damaged. So I guess I will need another keyboard and replace it completely...

Cheers...

[sjthinkpader]

Yes, I've broken key tops trying to fix them too.

Key top design is different between the three KB suppliers so you will need a scrap KB from the same vendor as the KB you are trying to fix. The way to release it safely is to push the key top forward while lifting.

[Tasurinchi]

Key top design is different between the three KB suppliers so you will need a scrap KB from the same vendor as the KB you are trying to fix

Thanks for the hint! That's news to me. How do I find out which supplier has made a specific keyboard? I've taken a look at the backplate of my keyboards but cannot find any brand. May be I'm looking at the wrong place? So basically if you don't know the supplier of a specific KB, trying to exchanges key is more a matter of luck?

And what will happen if I order some key replacements from Ebay? Look like they just offer "generic keys", but still have to ask them if they replace these mouse keys as well.

Cheers...

[sjthinkpader]

The www.lenovo.com KB FRU/CRU list should have the vendor listed.

[Tasurinchi]

Not a single comment about the wet Mobo connector????

I'd like to know if this can be a problem before ordering a new LCD replacement...

[Harryc]

Look, here's the deal. You mentioned this laptop was previously owned by a mechanic. You also mentioned grease all over everything and oil on the LCD cable. By the looks of the LCD it is possible oil did the damage there as well. It is impossible for someone not in front of the machine to guess exactly what was spilled, so lets assume you're correct and it's oil. There are many worse substances to be spilled inside a laptop because oil is non-conductive. Personally I'd have returned the machine, but since you seem intent on resurrecting it, my advice would be to dismantle the machine down all the way and give the systemboard a bath in an electrical component cleaning solvent or minimally isopropyl alcohol and use a soft bristle brush to give it a scrub. Let it dry a couple of days and reassemble the machine. If the LCD is working now, there is no reason to believe it would not work after that process.

[Tasurinchi]

Thanks Harry, that helps. As a side note, I've actually disassembled the machine and cleaned the board very carefully using a dry cloth and "absorbed" the oil in the cable and the connector using a paper tissue. I was afraid an oiled cable could ruin a new LCD replacement (or even be the cause of the stains in the LCD).

Cheers...

[craigmontHunter]

Speaking from past experience, I would do what Harryc said, and wipe everything down. On the dell computer I have, the fan was really loud, so I oiled it, and it fixed the fan,but for a couple of months after that, whenever I put it on its side in a bag, it would leak oil. the other issue is that it will potentially attract dust to clog up the machine.

Good luck

[Tasurinchi]

the other issue is that it will potentially attract dust to clog up the machine.

Thanks for the hint. I will have to disassemble the X40 for sure again, (as I plan to change the upper case and replace the LCD), and I will check that there is no more oil & dust around. I think I got completely rid of both.

Cheers...