Thinkpads Forum

My X301 was dropped on the ground while it was inside a laptop-bag. The impact wasn't very hard so I thought it got away with only a small hairline crack in the palmrest. But the other day when I tried to remove the battery to insert a SIM-card I found out that it will not release.

The battery releases on both sides, but it's stuck just underneath the trackpad. Tried applying some force but that doesn't help. Has anyone else had the same problem? Trying to figure out a way to get it to release. If anyone could post a picture of the release-mechanism under the battery that would be great

I checked both my X301 batteries -- one is (I think) 4 cell and has two latches -- one is (I think) 9 cell and has one latch --

The light-weight (?4cell) battery with two latches is VERY difficult to remove -- (My X301 has never left my desk or been dropped, so this must be the way this battery functions) -- I had to use a small screwdriver, but even then it was difficult to remove -- the process seems to be (as noted by the numbers 1 and 2 on the bottom of the machine):
1) unlock right latch --
2) unlock left latch and hold latch in far-left position --

The battery still does not pop out -- by trial and error, it seems to follow:
3) while holding left latch in far left position, use small screwdriver to lift up left side of battery --
4) while still holding left latch in far left position, use screwdriver to lift up right side of battery --
All very clumsy

The larger (?9cell) battery has only one latch and is easier to remove -- but still needed the small screwdriver to manuver the battery up and out -- not easy at all --

I took photos of the latch mechanism on the inside of the machine -- there are two latch mechanisms on the machine (one on far left, and one just right of center) even though the larger battery only has one latch -- I don't know how to upload photos to the Forum, but if you pm me, I can email them to you --

I still think I had enough problem getting the battery out, that if I had dropped my machine I might also believe I had jammed the battery in -- not the case for me

welcome to the forum!

i'm curious if the dummy SIM card was jarred loose and is hanging up on the battery.   i don't know if this is physically possible but it's something to consider checking.

Thanks for your description! Sent you a PM with my email to get the pictures.

Forgot to mention I have the large battery with one latch. Have tried to lift up the battery on each side using a credit card, but I just end up bending the battery on each side and it still not releasing.

It seems to be stuck where the SIM card slot is, so it could be possible that the dummy card is blocking it. Or the latch mechanism in the center is broken somehow.

I wanted to remove the palm rest to see if I could get a better view, but the screws to remove it is of course under the battery