T42 assembly problems

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fitchkap · #1 Post by **fitchkap** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 3:37 pm

I have just received my 2nd T42 that replaced the first. Model is 2378-FVU. Both of them appear to have some part of the base assembled improperly as the bottom bulges out maybe 1/8" or 3/16". This affects the larger of the two hinges so that it is cocked and then makes the laptop difficult to open, definitely a 2 handed operation. Since my replacement appears to be assembled exactly like the first, I am wondering if there is a manufacturing issue. I would hate to get a 3rd one just to find the same problem. Prior to this I had a T41 and it was fine.

Has anyone else, especially those with new T42s had this issue? Is it common or should I try for #3? They say 3rd time is the charm...

Thanks for the info.

admsteiner · #2 Post by **admsteiner** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:07 pm

Looking at my 2378FVU and I don't have anything bulging. Could you elaborate where on the base? I have no problem opening my laptop one handed.

fitchkap · #3 Post by **fitchkap** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 10:58 pm

If you look at the backpanel where the parallel port is, the gap between it and the lcd is about twice as large at the inside edge (where the battery touches) and the outside edge. Placing a straightedge against that vs the section at the other side of the battery shows the middle of the bottom case to have a very pronounced bulge. It is almost as if the processor or something roughly in the center of the case is too thick, and they just tightened the screws down all around the sides.

If you close the lid, and look at the unit from the back, the large hinge is definitely tweaked, I think that is where the extra friction in opening the lid comes from. If I try to open it with one hand, the friction overcomes the weight of the unit, and everything lifts off the table. You need 2 hands, one for the lcd, one for the base.

The reason I suspect it ain't right is my T41 was perfect. What worries me is I sent one back for this and the replacement is identical. I could probably post a picture if it would help explain.

Since it may not be obvious to everyone, I was hoping by explaining it, others may look to see if they have a problem. Who knows, maybe it is a single assembler on the assembly line and I was just lucky enough to get them both times.

Thanks.

admsteiner · #4 Post by **admsteiner** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:19 pm

Now that you mention it, I do see that. It is the same on my laptop. I can still open it one handed, but it is not a very smooth opening, the base does move a bit.

--Adam

PS: I guess we'll see what the other folks say

lhsa · #5 Post by **lhsa** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 12:01 am

if you see some of my earlier posts, my 2378-FVU had the bulge in addition to the raised right side keyboard and a large uneven gap on top of the optical drive. so much for quality.

i was so bothered by the construction i returned it for a 2379-DXU (15" screen) which has none of the above problems.

admsteiner · #6 Post by **admsteiner** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 12:43 am

I don't have a raised right side keyboard or a bulge by the optical drive. Just the back.

What does everyone else say/think? Should I (and fitchkap) return them? Are all the 2378FVU's problematic?

admsteiner · #7 Post by **admsteiner** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 1:03 am

I just called IBM about it and they said that they didn't have the exact model there to look at, so they couldn't verify the problem as a design flaw. I could either send it to the depot for them to fix or return it for a new one. Neither of which I'm keen on doing.

Here's what I'm wondering. So far we have 3 people with 2378FVU's that have had this bulge. Is there *ANYONE* out there with a non 2378FVU that does/does not have this bulge? Specifically, with a 14.1" LCD. Or, conversely, someone with a 2378FVU that does not have it.

I'm wondering if the heavier weight of the 15" LCD (see lhsa's reply), or the slightly different chasis design eliminates that gap. I can still open my thinkpad one handed, and the slight movement of the base appears to come from the strength of the hinges. Does anyone's thinkpad just open with the slightest pressure?

[Edit 2:32AM ET - I posted a message on ibm.ibmpc.thinkpad concerning the gap. I'll keep everyone up to date with what happens there. Hope this isn't against board policy

].

dclee012 · #8 Post by **dclee012** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 7:41 am

i have the fvu at another office, but i have the dxu (15") right in front of me. i can tell you that opening the case is also takes two hands: one to open the lid, and one to hold the base down. the extra friction, i think comes from overly securing the lid/screen to the base. i would rather have it tighter than loose, so it doesn't just fall over to 180degrees by itself. there isn't a pronounced buldge though. and i can only imagine it wearing off over time.

for the raised right side of the keyboard, it's the misplacement of a foam strip underneath the keyboard by ibm. i suppose they decided the aluminum keyboard shouldn't rest on the rest of the inside, so it's spaced for a small buffer and rested on a thin foam strip. you can just realign the strip or add something to it, with similar properties. if you take it in for service, they would probably add another strip to it.. that's what i did.
as for the uneven gap on the optical drive -- all t41/42 i remember having it. at least the ones i've worked on..

i do worry about the monitor cable though. it seems too fragile to be exposed like this. ie. i can poke at it (which isn't advisable) when the case is closed...

Skywing · #9 Post by **Skywing** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:28 am

i have one of the 3VUs in front of me at the moment, and i have no problems what so ever with it, perfectly smooth one handed opening

admsteiner · #10 Post by **admsteiner** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 9:26 am

They monitor cable is the only issue, but I don't think it will end up being a problem, at least not for me. I'm curious is anyone has a 2378-FVU without the problem. We have a 3VU now (immediately prior response by Skywing) without it.

fitchkap · #11 Post by **fitchkap** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 10:54 am

Is the 2374-3VU a 14.1" or 15" screen? I cannot find it on the IBM website.

To be fair, my T41 (2379-DJU) did have the extra gap at the cdrom.

I am leaning toward replacing my 2378-FVU with a 2379-DXU. IBM has dropped the prices considerably and my replacement may end up a better deal.

Leon · #12 Post by **Leon** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 11:12 am

14.1"

sswany · #13 Post by **sswany** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 1:38 pm

I have a 2378-FVU and I just sat here staring at it for a while and finally realized what you meant and I too have the weird gap. Like it slopes down toward the center. Never really noticed, but I do see it. My screen opens great (one handed if you're gentle). I dont have any weird problems with the keyboard though. I have the same gap on my optical drive also. Never really noticed it either, but I figure it's maybe for other drives that are a tad bigger (i.e. dvd burner, or perhaps the spare battery)?

I have never really sat and stared at my laptop that closely, but it seems to be built very well, so I dont have any problems with their weird design as long as it works as well as it does.

GoyoNeuff · #14 Post by **GoyoNeuff** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 7:10 am

I think that I've the same problem.

Can somebody post pictures explaining this issue better?
I bought my T41 from Newegg.com and I don't think they will exchange it because this "problem". Do you guys think that I can get IBM directly to exchange it? I don't know, this "problem" is not a big thing (like a mobo problem, or processor, or something like this), so I don't know if IBM will be willing to exchange mine since I didn't buy from them direclty.

Thank you all,

K

EnsignRicki · #15 Post by **EnsignRicki** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:01 am

I have a 2373-GVU. Here is a picture of the gap between the lcd and the base near the larger hinge with the lid closed.

http://www.vibrahost.com/imagehost/uploads/gap1.jpg

Do I have the problem everyone is talking about?

sswany · #16 Post by **sswany** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:20 am

That's the big problem everyone sees. I see it, but I dont think it's that much of a problem.

tselling · #17 Post by **tselling** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:25 am

Is the rear bezel behind the keyboard seated properly? There are plastic tabs on the bezel that fit into slots on the Thinkpad base. If they are not seated properly I have seen various T4x models exhibit a bulge. Easiest way to tell is to remove the battery to be sure the tabs are in the slots. May not be your problem but worth looking at.

admsteiner · #18 Post by **admsteiner** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 12:42 pm

That looks like it.

--Adam

GoyoNeuff · #19 Post by **GoyoNeuff** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 1:17 pm

I've the very same problem that the one EnsignRicki is showing on his picture. I'll check your advise tselling, but I don't think it is.
sswany is right, it is not a BIG problem, but still...it is a problem when you paid near 2000 bucks (and I'm poor student

) for your machine...you're expecting "perfection", aren't you?

I also noticed that my battery feels like if it doesn't tie up very well once I plugged it. It has a little space and it moves a little. What do you guys think, it is that OK?

K.

EnsignRicki · #20 Post by **EnsignRicki** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 1:38 pm

So I called up IBM and asked about the gap. I gave the tech the url to the pic I posted earlier and he said the test machine he was looking at looked the same and as long as the hinge wasn't rattling or anything it should be ok. Besides I can open the laptop just fine one handed and I'm really not keen on sending it back as it has a perfect a screen with no bad pixels. I'd hate to get a replacement and chance getting a screen with bad pixels.

GoyoNeuff wrote:I also noticed that my battery feels like if it doesn't tie up very well once I plugged it. It has a little space and it moves a little. What do you guys think, it is that OK?

K.

No it's not ok. I have the same issue and told the tech about it. He double checked to ensure it was the sanyo 9 cell battery (which it was). He said he would send me the sony 9 cell battery instead since it fits better. If I were you I'd see if my battery was a sanyo and if so have it replaced with the sony.

Nabeel · #21 Post by **Nabeel** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 2:26 pm

I have the FVU, I don't have that gap in the back. Well I might, but I can open the lid correctly and fine with one hand. I have the spacing at the cd drive, but I think that's normal. I saw a bunch of pictures of other thinkpads, and they had it too.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.a ... 52&head=36

Look at the third picture down of the right side. So it's probably normal.

I have the Sanyo battery, and no problems with rattling. Guess I got lucky.

fitchkap · #22 Post by **fitchkap** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 9:05 pm

To EnsignRicki,
Your gap is what I noticed on two (returned) 2378-FVUs, only mine were I think worse. It was very pronounced without the battery installed. It was so bad that the hinge above the parallel port connector was obviously not a 90 degree angle to the lcd. I believe that contributed to the hard to open nature of the laptop. I returned both simply because I knew something was stressing the plastic to do this and I did not want to find problems down the road. I was amazed that all 4 feet still actually sat on a flat surface:-). I returned mine for a 2379-DXU, hopefully that one won't have this issue.

I saw another post of a comparison of the 14" and 15" laptops. The picture of the back of the 14" looked perfectly straight. That really confirmed to me that something was not assembled properly.

Nabeel · #23 Post by **Nabeel** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 9:27 pm

Did you guys lock the battery into place? Mine doesn't rattle when I lock it in.

EnsignRicki · #24 Post by **EnsignRicki** » Fri Jun 25, 2004 11:09 pm

Fitchkap, please let us know how the replacement turns out.

GoyoNeuff · #25 Post by **GoyoNeuff** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 12:01 pm

hi All!!

i found two dead pixels, is this enough to ask IBM to exchange my machine? I bought it from Newegg.com, but it has 3 years warranty.

my battery number is 08k8192, or at least that was the only number that i could found. it is sony or sanyo?

How i can post pictures of my T412379DJU here, I want to show you guys the gap that I've and see if it is normal or what?

Thank you all for this valuable help!!

K.

#26 Post by **K. Eng** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 4:22 pm

My T40 exhibits this. I re-examined my ThinkPad after reading this thread. When my ThinkPad is sitting flat on the desk, the LCD housing is very slightly bowed upwards (concave up).

After a year of use this hasn't caused any problems. Single handed opening works fine.

EnsignRicki wrote:I have a 2373-GVU. Here is a picture of the gap between the lcd and the base near the larger hinge with the lid closed.

http://www.vibrahost.com/imagehost/uploads/gap1.jpg

Do I have the problem everyone is talking about?

Nabeel · #27 Post by **Nabeel** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:07 pm

GoyoNeuff wrote:hi All!!

i found two dead pixels, is this enough to ask IBM to exchange my machine? I bought it from Newegg.com, but it has 3 years warranty.

my battery number is 08k8192, or at least that was the only number that i could found. it is sony or sanyo?

How i can post pictures of my T412379DJU here, I want to show you guys the gap that I've and see if it is normal or what?

Thank you all for this valuable help!!

K.

You need at least 8 pixels I think it was to be eligible for warranty service. Talk it over with NewEgg, tell them the machine is defective, otherwise they don't allow you to return it, only for the same thing, IIRC.

admsteiner · #28 Post by **admsteiner** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 8:39 pm

K. Eng wrote:My T40 exhibits this. I re-examined my ThinkPad after reading this thread. When my ThinkPad is sitting flat on the desk, the LCD housing is very slightly bowed upwards (concave up).

After a year of use this hasn't caused any problems. Single handed opening works fine.

Great, exactly the info I was looking for. Thanks a lot K Eng

--Adam

GoyoNeuff · #29 Post by **GoyoNeuff** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 9:43 pm

admsteiner, so do you think that is better to live with this machine as it is with 2 death pixels, this rattling battery, and the bended framework? If I've paid ~2000 bucks, I'd like to have "perfection", don't you think?

I really want to call IBM, ask them to exchange it, but I'm afraid to get a NO because i bought it from other place (newegg.com). This machine is working perfect, but I don't know, too much money for these "small" things....plz advise...

K.

admsteiner · #30 Post by **admsteiner** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 10:07 pm

Goyo, I'm hardly an expert. I've only found these forums a few weeks ago and there are others, much more qualified than I, that can do this. I would say try to return it. You have a 30 day RMA anyway, I'm not sure, but I think with newegg you might still work through IBM. Just tell them you want to exchange it. They should do it no questions asked I think.

If you're paying that much for a machine, go for perfection. The rattling battery you will still have (do what I and others did, RMA it for the Sony,and ask by the FRU number), the bended framework everyone seems to have, indicating that is the design and it is not a flaw.

Let us know what you do and how it goes.

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