Thinkpads Forum

Hello,

I got myself a 600x from ebay as a backup notebook, and I have come to like the sturdy little computer. It is a used machine, and while it is working fine and most of it is in a good shape, the base cover is rather messy, all scratched up and missing the port covers. So I ordered a spare base, which I will use to replace the ugly part next weekend.

I have the right tools, I have the service manual, I am somewhat patient and I have successfully taken apart and reassembled other fiddly gadgets in the past. However, I have never taken apart a notebook before, and the manual is mostly about replacing specific internal parts, not the outer shell. While I am prepared to go by the book, transplanting the internals one by one from one base into the other, I thought I'd first ask if there are some tricks to simplify the process, or maybe some undocumented pitfalls to avoid.

Thanks,
Björn

Grey Area wrote:Hello,
I thought I'd first ask if there are some tricks to simplify the process, or maybe some undocumented pitfalls to avoid.

The only thing that i think of is use a magnetic #1 and #2 phillip screwdriver. Other than that the manual will guide you thru all the process.

Good luck!

Grey Area wrote:I got myself a 600x from ebay as a backup notebook, and I have come to like the sturdy little computer.

Ah, another one sees the light! (See my .sig)

Grey Area wrote:I thought I'd first ask if there are some tricks to simplify the process, or maybe some undocumented pitfalls to avoid.

The one best thing that I've found that helps greatly in the disassembly of the laptop is a desk drawer organizer. You know, something that is designed to fit inside a pull-out office drawer and has multiple sections for paper clips, tacks, pencils/pens, etc. As you follow the Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM) and begin removing screws and small pieces of hardware, put a piece of paper (small Post-It note works great) in the bottom of an empty section of the tray with the name of the part or the FRU. Put the screws in the tray with that paper and continue on with the disassembly. This way all of your parts are in one place and can easily be put away if you get interrupted.

Since you are planning to swap the base out, you will have to follow the HMM almost entirely to the end in removing all of the parts. If you are careful to document what each set of screws are for, then I think you will not have any problems. It has been awhile since I pulled a motherboard out of a 600X, but it's not too bad.

One thing I just remembered: On the bottom of the 600X, each screw that you need to remove is highlighted with an arrow. If you look closely, you will see that not all of the arrows are the same length. This is an indication on the length of the screw that goes in that hole. The "<" is the shortest screw; the "<--" is the next longest; and the "<-----" is the longest. Took me several times taking the laptop apart to see that and figure it out...

Thanks for the good advice, both of you. I have a good supply of screwdrivers, stickers and trays, so I hope I will be able to get the machine apart while keeping track of everything. And good to know about those arrows, that will certainly come in handy.

Thanks again, I'll see how everything turns out once the part has been delivered.

Björn

A couple of head's up.
As mentioned, the screws on the bottom that you need to take out have arrows - if there's no arrow, you don't need to remove it.
Therre are two screws on the bottom only visible with the hard drive out, and two more only with the CD out. There is also a screw near the battery terminal.
On the top of the keyboard there is a screw under a black "dot" near the logo; it is the only one on top you need to remove.
To get the keyboard off you need to gentle push inward on the sides to release detents that hold the keyboard to the base.
AND- VERY IMPORTANT - be very gentle and careful with the ribbon cable from the speakers; it will shatter if you barely giggle it. I've had more success in lifting up the keyboard and removing the main keyboard ribbon cable FIRST, then moving the keyboard towards the front so you can see the speaker ribbon; then grasping the speaker ribbon cable to lift STRAIGHT UP.