Replace lid assembly and lcd on T42-help!

[lehua]

The whole lid assembly was smashed on my computer. Have decided to try replacing it myself - they want $750+ to fix it!

I've order the cover kit and found a new lcd on ebay. Do I also need the clear plate listed in the HMM? Does this go over the LCD?

The hinges are good on my old one and the wireless still works. Will I need to change these out? And finally, what else might I need?

Thanks!

Thinkpad T42 2372-M3U
14.1" SXGA

[EOMtp]

First, remove the "top" from the "base". Do NOT skip this step.

The "clear plate" is nothing more than the decal with the symbols that light up at the bottom right of the LCD panel. You can use a razor blade to lift up the right side of the existing decal, remove the stick-on decal from the broken LCD cover, and transfer it to the new LCD cover bezel. Same goes for the small decal on the outside of the cover, where lights show.

You may need the inverter card, if that was broken.

The LCD cable is specific to the type of LCD panel, i.e., XGA or SXGA+. If you are replacing the broken one with one of the same resolution, then you may use the existing LCD cable -- if it is not damaged. Note that the light for the keyboard is part of the LCD cable. The LCD cable is attached to the LCD panel via a very thin (flat) connector which has a 2"x2" piece of heavy white tape on it. You need to remove the tape before you can disconnect the cable from the back of the LCD panel.

There are miscellaneous pieces that you will need which do not come with the LCD kit. Transfer them from the old cover. You will see what they are: one is a small piece that fits in the bottom left corner, the other is a tubular snap-in-half "sleeve" for the LCD cable at the point where the cable exits the cover, the latch and lever parts for opening the cover, etc. -- all easily transferred from the old cover.

You will need the old hinges, antennas, and screws -- they do not come with the LCD kit. There are no clips or other fasteners that you need to worry about. The top bezel "snaps" into the top cover. Start with the top of the bezel in place at the top edge of the back cover, the bottom opened at 45 degrees, and slowly and methodically rotate the bezel down toward the bottom of the cover.

Make sure to remove the protective cover of the double-sided tape around the perimeter of the inside of the bezel.

Good luck!

[GomJabbar]

I have replaced the entire lid (LCD + cover) on a ThinkPad 600E, but I have not had a reason to open my T42 yet, so I can't give detailed instructions. The main thing I remember from the 600E was the ribbon cables are delicate (I broke one). When you need to separate ribbon cable connectors, do not pull much on the ribbon cable itself. Instead get a small blade to separate the connectors. Be conscious of electrostatic discharge. Ground yourself to a metal frame component before touching other parts that may be damaged by static electricity.

The clear plate is the plate over the indicator icons at the bottom of the display (Wireless, Bluetooth, Num Lock, Caps Lock, Hard Disk, Power, Battery Charging, and Sleep). I would think you could still use the old one. There are some black covers over the screw heads that are not necessary, but should be replaced for appearance sake. The Hardware Maintenance Manual has instructions for disassembling and assembling the ThinkPad.

Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T40/p, T41/p, T42/p

Here is the Parts list with the latest part numbers, if you need it. Click on the links in the page for the LCD service parts.
System service parts - ThinkPad T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p

[hobbes]

I just had a tech out to replace the LCD on my T42. Well, actually I had 2 techs out since the first guy screwed it up. From seeing everything those guys went through it seems like a pretty ambitious undertaking. There are all sorts of clips and wires snaking throughout the whole assembly that are pretty fidgety. It was hard enough that the first tech (theoretically he was trained) couldn't get everything back together properly.

Good luck and pay a lot of attention to where exactly every wire and clip is when you disassemble it.

[dino]

I've changed the lcd on my t43 and it isn't the easiest job. I would only recommend it if you are handy. Some tips from my 3 hour tour.

Start with a large clear work area.

Becareful removing plastic parts, some are tricky. So don't push/pull too hard because there should be an easier way.

Get a much of cups to put screws in. Line them up in a row and work your way down. Put the parts next the cup where the screws came from.

It might help to take a pictures to help reassembly, especially where the wires and cables go.

Good luck

[zverg]

Dino gave some good tips, definitely separate the parts/screws out over a large area and keep the screws with the parts. Putting them in a row in the order that you removed them is a genius little idea, something I wish I had done. I just replaced the screen hinges on my T42 last week so it's all still fresh in my mind. Replacing the hinges requires a complete disassembly of all that stuff. I'm guessing a replacement top cover will come with the screw cover stickers since the screen hinges part number included them. I didn't put any of the plastic covers on the screws for the screen, I really like the way it looks with exposed screws

[lehua]

Thanks for all the tips. I am quite handy with tools, etc. and often find myself taking things apart to figure out how they work.

EOMtp: Your tips were not mentioned anywhere in the HMM - thanks! I think most of the smaller parts should be reusable as, amazingly, everything still works. A tribute to the build on these: This had a very large vase fall from about 6 ft up and land right on the top during the earthquake last week. I can see the image on the unbroken part of the lcd, all lights work and the wireless antenna works and the computer is fine.

I set up a table just for this job - had a pile of petri dishes that I was able to use to keep each assembly separate. Taking apart was easy - it's the putting back together I'm worried about (there was a toaster once...). It's not worth having repaired so a new puzzle for me. If I can't make it work again you'll see the remains for sell

haven't done the actual top yet. Ordered exactly the same lcd (I think so, it had the right part no.). Saw reference to tapes, etc. I guess to hold down wires? Can I reuse those? And should I replace the inverter card or, since it is working, just change it over.

Again, thanks for all the tips -

[EOMtp]

Use the inverter that you have; if it still works, then there is no reason to replace it.

"Tape" is nothing more than small pieces of foil or Scotch tape to hold the antenna wires in place while you ressemble the LCD cover. If you route the wires properly, then you don't even need tape. If you want to use tape to make the wires stay in place while you replace the bezel, then use any type of tape you have: masking tape, Scotch tape, electrical tape ... it does not matter.

Notes:
1. The grey antenna wire (from the top of the LCD cover, routed around the left side) passes just under the left side of the sliding spring-loaded latch. If it is not routed properly, then the latch will bind. Make sure the latch moves freely and the spring-loaded action is smooth before you finalize the top edge.

2. The antenna wires do not pass under the LCD panel anywhere. The LCD panel sits directly against the topcover. If the antenna wire(s) are caught under the LCD panel anywhere, then the bezel will not mount tightly and properly.

3. Make sure the top two corners of the bezel fit and latch into the top cover. When correct, the fit is absolutely perfect. Once you have the corners in, snap the middle section of the top edge together -- there are 3 or 4 snap points along the top edge of the cover. Continue by rotating the bezel into place and snapping the sides and the bottom edges into place as you progress.

Good luck!

[lehua]

Mahalo nui for all the tips. Will be receiving the parts next week - you may see more posts when I start putting it back together.