X31 Cracks How to Fix?

[ParatoOptimal]

My baby has a crack on the left, front corner of the palm rest.
It runs across the corner from the left to the front.
It wasn't there a day ago. I haven't dropped it or banged it.
It's always in a padded shoulder bag with the hinge side down.
I place it on my car seat bottom down and then lay it flat.
Once, a while ago, it flopped down from the car seat to the floor.
There was no damage.
Does the plastic dry out and become brittle?
Is there something I could do to prevent the crack from becoming worse or someway to repair it?
I'm totally pi$$ed off!

[billp117]

It is all in how you pick it up. Also, you need a PC card in the top slot to help beef up the palm rest. You can either take it off and use crazy glue or just order another palm rest. I broke mine (X31 I owned a couple years ago) and it looked best with a new palm rest. They are not that expensive and easy to replace. Don't pick it up with your fingers at the corner...that is a good way to crack the plastic. Good luck.

[billp117]

Oh yes...I forgot to mention "don't drop it".

[ParatoOptimal]

Where did you buy your palm rest replacement?

I pick it up, out of the case from the middle, front and either put the hinge edge on the table or I grab one side with my other hand and move my first hand from the front to the other side to hold it from both sides before placing it on the table.

THEY say to hold it from the sides and not from the front but many cases are too snug to do that. You have to start pulling it out from the front. Of course, when in the case, THEY say the hinge side should always be down. Of course, if you use a backpack, the left OR the right side is DOWN and you grab it by the side to pull it out.

[billp117]

I did a google search and found a retailer selling it for about $20. But, you might check on eBay. I had good luck with both new and used.

When it is closed it should be pretty safe. When you open it the left front part of the palm rest is at risk. If you put a pc card in the top slot that will protect the skinny piece of plastic. The plastic and design of the palm rest leaves a lot to be desired. That said...the X31 is a pretty nice laptop.

[misfit]

If you put a pc card in the top slot that will protect the skinny piece of plastic. The plastic and design of the palm rest leaves a lot to be desired. That said...the X31 is a pretty nice laptop.

Thanks for that tip. I just got an X31 and, after reading that I've put a USB2 PC Card in there (even though I don't need any more USB ports).

Cheers,

[RealBlackStuff]

You can also look for a dummy PCMCIA card, to fill the gap, if required "reinforced" with some stiff carton. Works a treat.

[misfit]

You can also look for a dummy PCMCIA card, to fill the gap, if required "reinforced" with some stiff carton. Works a treat.

Good thinking as the card gets quite warm so consumes power, although I wouldn't know where to find one locally. Oh well, at least I know to look for one now.

Cheers,

[RealBlackStuff]

I'm using a black plastic Dell dummy, which has a number 65414 stamped on it.
Looks like the 0120C as depicted here: http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Latitude-D800- ... 0612450185
except on my card, the slot-holes are further to the right, near the 'sticking-out' parts.
see this one: http://cgi.ebay.it/Dell-Inspiron-PCMCIA ... 0478433876

[misfit]

I'm using a black plastic Dell dummy, which has a number 65414 stamped on it.
Looks like the 0120C as depicted here: http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Latitude-D800- ... 0612450185
except on my card, the slot-holes are further to the right, near the 'sticking-out' parts.
see this one: http://cgi.ebay.it/Dell-Inspiron-PCMCIA ... 0478433876

Awesome! Thanks, I didn't know that these sort of things were available. I'll also look for a 'double' one if there is such a thing as my T43 has the little door missing from the PC Card slot and it's very annoying.

All the best,

[ParatoOptimal]

I got both a PCMCIA Card and a USB Card adapter.

The USB Card adapter doesn't have any plastic protruding from the case. So, it's flush to the side of the X31 and looks like it's part of the X31.

The PCMCIA Card is 802.11n. I have noticed a marked improvement over the n-draft USB dongle I used to use.

The Card slot on the X31 is more towards the center of the laptop.
The T41's Card slot is closer to the front corner of the laptop.
The front corner is where mine has two cracks. So, any card device doesn't seem to help firm-up that area.

[ParatoOptimal]

Do you leave your PCMCIA card in the slot when your laptop is in whatever bag you use to transport it?

[billp117]

Yes...leave one in all the time.