Cleaning | Rebuilding T41 | *** Completed ***

[floppydisk]

Hi all,

A little project this weekend, going to take apart my T41 and clean it up with some refurb. parts:

- CPU cooling fan
- battery holder w/ VGA output attached
- yellow power supply connector
- new speakers (no sound for years)
- new screws at the back (a package containing all screws)
- new T41 keyboard
- (sourcing) new bigger IDE HDD

The top cover is the worst which i couldn't source any refurb. parts to replace, but it looks like taking the LCD apart is not going to be fun at all. Anyone have experience on that?

Thanks.

/g

[poshgeordie]

The top cover is the worst which i couldn't source any refurb. parts to replace, but it looks like taking the LCD apart is not going to be fun at all. Anyone have experience on that?

When I clean up any laptop I use Mr Muscle Window Cleaner which is a non abrasive water based cleaner (for windows!).

No need to take the screen apart. Place the screen upmost on a flat surface and spray a little in the middle of the screen and wipe with kitchen paper towel. Be careful none of the liquid leaks under the edges of the LCD or it will leave a mark which can be seen when the screen is in used.

On the lid top cover, if you have any sticky residue or glued on labels etc, use a cloth wetted (but not soaked) in methylated spirits and gently rub over the area. For very sticky patches use the cloth to soak over the area and the glue should then come off easily. Rubbing can wear through the rubber outer surface so be very careful but using meths gives a great almost as new finish to the rubber, though it won't remove deep marks.

Finally use Mr Muscle to remove the general dirt on the top cover - spray it over and wipe with paper towel and you'll be surprised at how well it cleans up.

I also use Mr M for all the other plastic parts with Meths to remove any sticky residue.

[floppydisk]

Hi guys,

Just to post some pictures after the rebuild work on the T41:

- Refurb. T41 Cover [Basically a paint job by someone else]



- New T41 Keyboard



- Cleaned Ports



- Refurb. Battery Holder w/ VGA Port [Shiny = ) ]



- Just to show how rusted the old printer port looks like



- A small crack after opening the LCD panel to replace the cover

[Tasurinchi]

That looks really nice, almost like new. Congrats!

Don't you have some pictures how it was before the refurbishing?

[floppydisk]

I should, here're some pictures with the old parts aside:

- the old T41 cover, keyboard and battery holder



- the old VGA connector is so rusted like the printer port



- the old cover has some chipped paints here and there



now i gotta go find the 'IBM Thinkpad' sticker on the cover

/g

[Brian10161]

Really clean looking T41 now, came out really good!

I always like seeing old laptops take on new life, truly being "green" hehe

As for the stickers, not too hard to find them. I can vouch for this seller, I purchased a couple of the new style stickers for an X60 I refurbed a while back.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/IBM-Thinkpad-T40 ... 27b1624d68

Decent price too.

[kaede]

if u still looking the cover let me know. i have 1 unused.

[stevebez]

No need to take the screen apart. Place the screen upmost on a flat surface and spray a little in the middle of the screen and wipe with kitchen paper towel. Be careful none of the liquid leaks under the edges of the LCD or it will leave a mark which can be seen when the screen is in used.

The better way to do this is to spray the cleaner on the cloth, not the screen. It is the same way you are supposed to clean the glass on framed art.