T42 battery latch not locking properly?

[Thinker]

I picked up a T42 last week and I am in love with the machine, but I noticed something and I'd like to know it it is normal.

The battery latch that sits to the left of the battery doesn't lock. When it is "locked", the notch sits between the locked and unlocked icon. This also happens when no battery is installed. The other latch locks fine, by the way.

I'd like to know from other T42 owners if this is normal.

Thanks.

[K. Eng]

This occurs on my T40. I don't think it's normal, but it hasn't posed a problem for me over the last 2 years.

[Thinker]

Thanks for the input. I'm sure it is not a serious problem, but I'm just curious to know if it is normal or not. I seem to remember somebody saying this is normal behavior.

Anybody else care to comment, especially T42 owners?

Ruben

[kaplanfx]

I just checked my T42, and the latch does not line up with the symbol on the base that shows the closed locked, but it is clearly in place. Sounds like normal behavior to me.

-kaplanfx

[Thinker]

I just checked my T42, and the latch does not line up with the symbol on the base that shows the closed locked, but it is clearly in place. Sounds like normal behavior to me.

-kaplanfx

Ah, thanks. When you say that it is in place, does it click? Mine doesn't click. It has a spring that sets it towards the locked position, but it doesn't click.
The other latch has no spring, but it clicks into the locked or unlocked positions.

Any T42 users whose left latch is different?

[mdarnton]

My T41 latches are different, in just the ways described. Never had a problem with it, functionally, even though it looks strange.

[BobsThinkPad]

On my T42 the latch is positioned between the locked and unlocked icon by the spring but it can be slid over to the locked position to lock the battery in place. Just slide it over with you finger. Very little pressure required. Hope this helps...Bob

[Thinker]

My T41 latches are different, in just the ways described. Never had a problem with it, functionally, even though it looks strange.

Yes, it really looks strange. Like you say, it shouldn't be serious, because it seems the other latch would prevent the battery from falling out. However, if this behavior is as common, I am wondering if it is responsible somehow for the reports of loose batteries in the T4x series that have been posted here before.

One more thing, if you wouldn't mind checking (this goes to all T4x owners whose left latch acts the same way). Can you actually slide the latch to the lock position if you exert some force on it (See BobsThinkPad post)?

Thanks.

[Thinker]

On my T42 the latch is positioned between the locked and unlocked icon by the spring but it can be slid over to the locked position to lock the battery in place. Just slide it over with you finger. Very little pressure required. Hope this helps...Bob

Bob,

Actually, I can't slide my left latch to lock. Weird! Would you mind checking to see if you can actually slide it into the lock position when no battery is present? I want to rule out battery differences that could affect this behavior.

Thanks for your valuable input!

Ruben

[BobsThinkPad]

Hi Ruben,

I checked if the latch could be moved to the locked position with the battery removed and it can. Hope this helps...Bob

[kaplanfx]

It turns out that if I put the battery in and do nothing it snaps to the midpoint (where the battery is securly lock) but if I push it straight on it will actually lock all the way over.

-kaplanfx

[Thinker]

Hi Ruben,

I checked if the latch could be moved to the locked position with the battery removed and it can. Hope this helps...Bob

Hi Bob,

Thanks for that information. I will try to see if I can slide it into the locked position without the battery in. Maybe I'm just being too careful with it, and I need to push a little harder. No big deal, I just worry about stupid things such as this.

Ruben

[Thinker]

It turns out that if I put the battery in and do nothing it snaps to the midpoint (where the battery is securly lock) but if I push it straight on it will actually lock all the way over.

-kaplanfx

kaplanfx,

Thanks for the info. Like I said in the previous post, maybe I am just not pushing hard enough. Is there any trick to make it lock? Should I push up on it while I try to slide it? How tough is it to do that? I just want to make sure that I don't end up screwing it up, it wouldn't make my Thinkpad happy ( or me, for that matter)

Ruben

[kaplanfx]

When I first tried to slide it, it seemed like I'd have to force it if it would slide at all. Turns out I just needed to gently push it from straight on instead of trying to slide it from a 90 degree angle like I had been before. Its really hard to explain without being there in person but it is in fact quite easy to do and should not take too much pressure.

-kaplanfx