How common is this crack in T2x systems *PICS*

[nikki605]

One locally bought T23, and one T23 off eBay both had the same crack. The eBay one also had a crack near the 'Cursor Right'.
The front left corner cracks both occurred well before I got them (deducted from the 'dirt' in the cracks), so I don't know why or how.

I bought a brand new bezel for my own T23, and put my 'old' bezel (without any cracks) on the eBay T23, then sold it.
The crack in the 'local' T23 I repaired with 'LockTite' and it's still holding after 8 months. (I know because I sold it to a friend of mine).
The secret must be lying in over-torqueing the screw that holds the bezel near that corner.

RBS - Do you remember which Loctite adhesive you used? After letting someone else use my T21 for just a few minutes, I now have a cracked bezel near the right arrow key. The Loctite website lists 9 products for "plastic."

[nikki605]

Well, I went to my local Ace Hardware store and picked up some Loctite All Plastics Super Glue. I repaired the cracked bezel and got the TP back together (I'm typing on it).

Now all I have to do is see if the repair holds up.

[RealBlackStuff]

If all the other screws are properly fitted, and you don't hold the TP by the left corner (and/or the right corner), that Loctite should hold.
I've repaired them with KrazyGlue also and it seems to hold well.

[nikki605]

I've always been careful when picking up my TP, never just by one front corner or the screen. I try to tip it back slightly and get my fingers under, diagonally opposite corners. I also don't want to flex the motherboard and risk popping one of the inductors off.

The day the bezel was broken, it was sitting on a flat table, powered up and idling. The person who went to use it, wanted to move it to the left and just put their fingertips on each side to pick it up and move it sideways. Well, doing it that way put the pressure of 3 fingers right along that thin part of the bezel, just above the DVD drive and SNAP! It was all over. It even bent up the front right corner of the keyboard which I had to "reform" before reassembling everything.

I know its 7 years old, but its been a great machine and I'm not ready to part with it.

[RealBlackStuff]

Was that King Kong in person, who lifted that TP?

[nikki605]

My 14 year old nephew who has skinny, pointy fingers. He may have tried to slide it also, and the rubber feet dug into the tablecloth causing him to use more force with his right hand.

But, like you said, hopefully this repair will hold.

It could have been worse - at least he didn't drop it!

[hamerboy1]

Hi all, new here but have been reading for some time. Lots of usefull information on this site. Have one that is cracked on both sides but have 5 that don't have any cracks.

[nikki605]

Welcome to the site! You're right, lots of great people here willing to share their knowledge.

Its only been a short time, but so far, my Loctite repair is holding up. We'll see if it lasts as I start traveling with it more.

[virge]

So far no such cracks in any of the T2X machines that have passed through my hands (1 T21, 1 T22, 2 T23).

[ajkula66]

None of the T2x machines I've had lately had this crack, but I've seen it a zillion times (along with the other one) and would say that it's fairly common.

[RealBlackStuff]

There must be quite a few of them with the 'Fn-crack', because the market for used T23 palmrests is drying up.
Unfortunately the T20/21/22 palmrests don't fit on a T23.

With the help of LocTite (All Purpose Super Glue) or KrazyGlue or similar, some of them can be repaired, and the repair will hold in most cases if you remember NEVER to lift a T2x by its corners.

[Turbo1dr]

My T23 also has the Fn crack along with the corner crack that looks exactly like the one in the picture.

[Davemci]

My t22 had the same crack as pictured. I bought a replacement keyboard bezel from eBay. It looked fine but as soon as I tightened the screw a crack appeared. It was probably there all along but I didn't see it until the screw flexed it a little.

[RealBlackStuff]

Been experimenting with a T20/T21/T22 palm rest, and after a bit of modification with an Xacto knife and/or Dremel you can make it fit on a T23.

[tj701]

My t-23 has the same crack t-21 no cracks (t-21 has bigger problems for me)

[Majestic]

I've got a T-23 with the same crack. When I got it used, the hard drive was dead and I attributed the crack to the previous owner dropping the laptop on that corner thus trashing the drive. Maybe not.

I tried a Super Glue fix, but the crack only re-appeared. I finally Super Glued for a second time and then applied a thin coat of JB Weld. So far it's staying together.

[nikki605]

The patch job I described in my posts above is still holding. I can certainly see the crack, but I have handled the T21 very carefully since.

This TP will turn 9-years old this coming summer (bought it new in 2001). I would say I got my money out of it.