Need Help on Advanced Dock

[drblue]

Hi Guys,

I need your help on my ThinkPad Advanced Dock, which is my first full-size docking station.

I recently bought a T60 (my 7th ThinkPad!) along with a mini-dock for office and an advanced dock for my home office. While I like how solidly built the advanced dock is, I am not so excited about the noise generated by the main fan. From what I heard, it is not as bad as the previous model (Dock II). But, it still seems quite loud (it is louder than my Sony VAIO desktops). So I am trying to find a way to end this problem, and need the advice of experienced users. Here are my questions:

(1) I heard some users of Dock II disconnected the fan (or exchanged it with a better one). Is it OK to disconned the fan? Wouldn't it damage the hardware inside?

(2) More importantly, how can I open the box? The screws used to seal the box are not the usual philps, but are strange STAR-SHAPED screws. Does anyone know where I can get a tool to remove these weird screws?

(3) If I want to change the fan with a quiter one, do you have recommendation for a replacement?

I would really, really appreciate your advice on this!

Thank you!!!

Best wishes,
drblue

[RonS]

There are wires visible through the fan vents. I simply reached through with a knife and cut one of them. After several months of continuous use, no ill effects.