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T420 Running Hot?

T400/T410/T420 and T500/T510/T520 Series
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gfuller
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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#31 Post by gfuller » Mon Mar 05, 2018 9:17 pm

Trying not to sound dumb here... but how would I access TPFan on my T42?
ThinkPads: T420, T42

RealBlackStuff
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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#32 Post by RealBlackStuff » Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:11 pm

Installing it first comes to mind...

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#33 Post by Thinkpad4by3 » Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:42 pm

Then running the program.
Thinkpad4by3's Law of the Universe.

The efficiency of two screens equally sized with equal numbers if pixels are equal. The time spent by a 4:3 user complaining about 16:9 is proportional to the inefficiency working with a 16:9 display, therefore the amount of useful work extracted is equal.

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#34 Post by gfuller » Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:54 pm

:lol: :lol:

Where would I get a copy of this TPFan?
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#35 Post by Thinkpad4by3 » Mon Mar 05, 2018 11:01 pm

1: Go to google
2: Search tpfan
3: Click first link
4: ???
5: Profit
Thinkpad4by3's Law of the Universe.

The efficiency of two screens equally sized with equal numbers if pixels are equal. The time spent by a 4:3 user complaining about 16:9 is proportional to the inefficiency working with a 16:9 display, therefore the amount of useful work extracted is equal.

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#36 Post by gfuller » Tue Mar 06, 2018 12:27 am

ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#37 Post by Thinkpad4by3 » Tue Mar 06, 2018 6:33 am

Yes.
Thinkpad4by3's Law of the Universe.

The efficiency of two screens equally sized with equal numbers if pixels are equal. The time spent by a 4:3 user complaining about 16:9 is proportional to the inefficiency working with a 16:9 display, therefore the amount of useful work extracted is equal.

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#38 Post by gfuller » Mon Mar 19, 2018 3:11 pm

Sorry to break this topic back open.

I know I'm going to sound like a real big idiot by asking this:

But I've never had my T420 apart - is there anything special I should know about? Is there a special type of screwdriver I may need?

Since this is my daily driver, I'm going to need to exercise real care. I'm going to try to pick up some thermal compound sometime later this week from my local Best-Buy, and I'm going to do the work in my grandparent's basement as they have an air compressor that I can use.
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#39 Post by Thinkpad4by3 » Mon Mar 19, 2018 3:24 pm

If you have a screwdriver a bit better than one you find in a goodie bag, you'll be fine. If it is your first time, get a small bit set with #1,#0,#00,#000 Phillops head its and a few flatheads and you should be good to go. Any basic set should have those for around 10-15$

Also, Ive disassmbled TP's with free junky screwdrivers but they are a bit fiddly if you don't know how to use them right.
Thinkpad4by3's Law of the Universe.

The efficiency of two screens equally sized with equal numbers if pixels are equal. The time spent by a 4:3 user complaining about 16:9 is proportional to the inefficiency working with a 16:9 display, therefore the amount of useful work extracted is equal.

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#40 Post by gfuller » Mon Mar 19, 2018 3:38 pm

Thinkpad4by3 wrote:
Mon Mar 19, 2018 3:24 pm
If you have a screwdriver a bit better than one you find in a goodie bag, you'll be fine. If it is your first time, get a small bit set with #1,#0,#00,#000 Phillops head its and a few flatheads and you should be good to go. Any basic set should have those for around 10-15$

Also, Ive disassmbled TP's with free junky screwdrivers but they are a bit fiddly if you don't know how to use them right.
I've actually used (and I know I'm going to catch flack for this) a magnetic screwdriver which you can easily swap the heads on to replace the hard drive in the T420 and many other machines. (Never had any problems using it.)

My concern is: will it reach? I've found with some electronics the screwdriver is either too big and won't fit into the hole, or the head bit is too big and won't catch onto the screw properly and can (in some cases) strip the screws.

As mentioned, I'm just trying to get all of my "ducks in a row" before I start tearing my daily driver apart. I hate surprises. I will have my T42 with me in case I need to "call for help" if something goes wrong. Hopefully that doesn't happen.
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#41 Post by RealBlackStuff » Mon Mar 19, 2018 4:07 pm

I have a few of these Phillips #0, they are perfect: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... d=53089736
They are good for almost 99% of all ThinkPad screws.
I use this Phillips #00 for the rest: https://www.doitbest.com/products/319257 (scroll down a bit)

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#42 Post by Thinkpad4by3 » Mon Mar 19, 2018 4:48 pm

The W700 AFAICR uses some P1 bits for the hinge assmebly. The hinges have 4 screws holding them in each :o .
Thinkpad4by3's Law of the Universe.

The efficiency of two screens equally sized with equal numbers if pixels are equal. The time spent by a 4:3 user complaining about 16:9 is proportional to the inefficiency working with a 16:9 display, therefore the amount of useful work extracted is equal.

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#43 Post by gfuller » Fri Mar 23, 2018 12:27 am

I ended up buying a screwdriver set with a Phillips #0 and #00 for about $17 at my local Ace Hardware.

I purchased the thermal compound and a anti-static wrist-strap at my local Best Buy today. While the thermal compound is no "Arctic Silver" or the really good stuff, it should be sufficient. It is Thermaltake TG-7 compound. As for the anti-static strap, I don't have any and decided to pick it up while I was there.

http://personal.garrettfuller.org/images/misc/tg.jpg
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#44 Post by thinkpadcollection » Fri Mar 23, 2018 12:37 pm

Good, but do not forget to take this fan off the heatsink. Cutting the tape and cutting off melted over plastic pins heads then extract the built up rug of dust off the fins. Blowing dust out is not right way without dissembling the fan and good time to lift the rotating fan out of housing then use engine oil to lubricate lightly in the opening of bronze sleeve bearing and put rotating fan back in. I use pieces of shipping tape to keep fan in place.
Photos of dust build up.

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop-r ... f-freezes/

https://www.google.ca/search?q=notebook ... M2lR5AFaM:

How to oil a fan properly: Does not matter if the fan spin easily or not, just good insurance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewbMYAB0qwM

I wish the Lenovo made fan easy to service with screws instead of melted plastic pins and tapes. And better yet removable fan from heatsink via screws.

thinkpadcollection

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#45 Post by axur-delmeria » Fri Mar 23, 2018 1:45 pm

I remove the melted plastic by carefully cutting it with a box cutter.

To reattach, I put a small drop of super glue on each of the plastic pins. Works well on the X60/X61 fans I've cleaned. :D
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#46 Post by gfuller » Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:58 pm

I'm actually working on it right now. I've got all of the screws out except for the ones at the bottom near the latch, which are being stubborn and won't turn at all. Any ideas on what to do?
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#47 Post by gfuller » Sat Mar 24, 2018 4:46 pm

It's dumb question time again.

I got keyboard removed. Now to remove palmrest. Any good way to remove it without damaging plastic or clips?
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#48 Post by Thinkpad4by3 » Sat Mar 24, 2018 5:44 pm

Those clips are surprising hard to break. Gently go from the center and unclip outwards on the top and work to the bottom of the palmrest. Pull up firmly but slowly. It should resist quite a bit until it pops out. Also, the palmrest gas to be pulled towards the front of the machine, wiggling the parts under the hinges.
Thinkpad4by3's Law of the Universe.

The efficiency of two screens equally sized with equal numbers if pixels are equal. The time spent by a 4:3 user complaining about 16:9 is proportional to the inefficiency working with a 16:9 display, therefore the amount of useful work extracted is equal.

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#49 Post by gfuller » Sat Mar 24, 2018 6:01 pm

Palmrest assembly is still not off...

To make matters worse, I dropped a screw (For the wireless LAN card) down into the machine, where it's just rolling about. :oops: :oops:

Currently feeling like an even bigger idiot than usual.

Been working for two hours and still not where I need to be. Since this is my daily driver, I can't afford to fudge it up.

P.S. may have stripped two screws. :oops:

Also, I don't have a spudger.
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#50 Post by gfuller » Sat Mar 24, 2018 7:02 pm

Update: palmrest finally came off. Speaker and screen came off easily. Now to the heatsink, the reason I'm there.

I'm probably going to have to remove the magnesium frame to fish out that screw.
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#51 Post by gfuller » Sat Mar 24, 2018 7:29 pm

So, I've got the heatsink/fan assembly off. I applied thermal grease already, but now have to remove the CPU to get the magnesium frame out to (hopefully) retrieve the one lost screw.

I've unlocked the CPU carrier. How can I easily remove the CPU without damaging it?

I've already applied thermal grease to the heatsink. Will I need to reapply it when I reassemble?

Never taken this computer apart, and the computers I've went to this level of disassembly with were desktops. So please excuse my high level of ignorance.

[If you could not tell, I'm becoming frustrated. I like to learn but this is my daily driver, and I need to get it fixed tonight. Plus, so much has went wrong]
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#52 Post by Thinkpad4by3 » Sat Mar 24, 2018 7:41 pm

Shake the machine and use a magnet to get the screw out.

Grip the sides of the CPU with your fingers and pull it straight out. If you cant pull it out, VERY CAREFULLY use a tiny screwdriver to get it up enough to get a fingernail in. do not use force!
Thinkpad4by3's Law of the Universe.

The efficiency of two screens equally sized with equal numbers if pixels are equal. The time spent by a 4:3 user complaining about 16:9 is proportional to the inefficiency working with a 16:9 display, therefore the amount of useful work extracted is equal.

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#53 Post by gfuller » Sat Mar 24, 2018 7:58 pm

Well, I have a slight problem. I shook the machine and couldn't hear the screw rattling anymore. I'm worried that it may have pinged off to never be found again.

But I'm going to check, because it would've fell down onto the mainboard and could possibly cause a short.

I'm so nervous to remove the CPU... that is something that I've never removed before...
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#54 Post by thinkpadcollection » Sat Mar 24, 2018 8:01 pm

Have you taken the fan off the heatsink assembly? This is needed to do this job to remove built up dust.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#55 Post by gfuller » Sat Mar 24, 2018 8:12 pm

I did.

Now the concern is finding the lost screw for the wireless LAN card. The screw fell into the drainage hole and I'm worried it may have fallen out. I need the wireless to work.

CPU was removed and carefully laid onto the plastic butter lid that I'm using to store screws. I'm using anti-static protection.

Do I need to remove the magnesium frame? As much as I'm worried the screw fell somewhere, I'm worried it may cause damage. If so, how can I remove it easily without removing the base pan?

If I can't find the screw, how can I secure the wireless LAN card so that it worksm
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#56 Post by thinkpadcollection » Sat Mar 24, 2018 8:38 pm

Remaining external base screws are the ones that holds the base case on.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#57 Post by gfuller » Sat Mar 24, 2018 8:41 pm

I *think* I may have found the screw under the laptop. I didn't remove the frame.

I'm reassembling right now. I guess I'll find out if I don't have enough screws.
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#58 Post by thinkpadcollection » Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:00 pm

All sliver small screws are for LCD plug hold down, and another bracket, WIFI card, heatsink guard and battery compartment plus 2 sliver flanged screws at two corners of trackpad where upper set of buttons are.

I have T420 also and like it but getting old for me as I would like to have USB 3.0 but not via expresscard, I needed to hunt down newer generation of ivy bridge or later even broadwell but this will not be Dell. If I look for a 12.5" I will look at HP from my shortlist of models, for Lenovo, with quad CPU that will be T530, T540/p.

I will not consider the 12.5" X series as they only have 1 socket memory slot that hurts iGPU performance.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#59 Post by gfuller » Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:29 pm

I'm taking a break. I didn't anticipate on it taking this long.

My screws ended up getting mixed up in the container, so I guess I'm going to do trial and error.

I still don't know if I found that screw; I don't hear any rattling. I guess we won't know until I either don't have enough screws, can't find a screw for the wireless LAN card, or I plug it in and it causes a short. :(

I guess you learn by failing. I'm learning a lot, but I'm being discouraged by the minute
ThinkPads: T420, T42

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Re: T420 Running Hot?

#60 Post by Thinkpad4by3 » Sat Mar 24, 2018 10:36 pm

Lose a screw, miss a screw. I haven't done a major laptop repair yet without having one extra screw. Be thankful you are on a Thinkpad, because I had to do a motherboard replacement on a HP Pavilion.


http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/186/003/ ... 300jpg.jpg


Basically, the rule for Thinkpads are:

If it is holding together a frame or a hinge/stress bearing part, use a long black screw.
If it is holding down plastic, it is a short black screw.
If it is holding down a metal part to another metal part i.e: LCD bracket, WLAN card, etc. it is a short silver screw.

The HMM should have it all listed for you to some degree.
Thinkpad4by3's Law of the Universe.

The efficiency of two screens equally sized with equal numbers if pixels are equal. The time spent by a 4:3 user complaining about 16:9 is proportional to the inefficiency working with a 16:9 display, therefore the amount of useful work extracted is equal.

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