X41T harddrive cover/stylus holder

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control · #1 Post by **control** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:19 pm

So I've gone through 3 of these now and they all seem to have problems holding the stylus like they should. I've found the problem, and would like help trying to fix it. I've attached pictures of the important part that clicks the pen into place and ejects it. It is a little piece inside the harddrive cover, relatively easy to get to and disassemble. It's just one screw to get the harddrive cover off (with laptop off since it also pulls out the harddrive), and one screw to get this part out. The hardest part in reassembling is putting the spring back into place and even that isn't too challenging. If anyone out there has a perfectly working stylus holder and is willing to take some time to take a picture of what their part looks like I would be very appreciative. I just need to know which little corners I should shave off or which little corners to add some padding to.

http://imgur.com/Hh5H5.png

sjthinkpader · #2 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:45 am

One end of the "U" shaped pin goes around the groove one way clockwise. The right side (extended) is no problem. The two points on the left side (hold pen position) has to be off set so the pin can go clockwise. The bottom one in your photo actually looks better than the top sample.

My catch assembly has a bit of grease in the groove so the pin can go around smoothly. This grease looks very similar to the grease for my SRAM bicycle twist shifters, which is available in bike shops.

control · #3 Post by **control** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 1:18 am

sjthinkpader wrote:One end of the "U" shaped pin goes around the groove one way clockwise. The right side (extended) is no problem. The two points on the left side (hold pen position) has to be off set so the pin can go clockwise. The bottom one in your photo actually looks better than the top sample.

My catch assembly has a bit of grease in the groove so the pin can go around smoothly. This grease looks very similar to the grease for my SRAM bicycle twist shifters, which is available in bike shops.

Thanks, I am using the bottom one now and it works i'd say 1/3rd of the time. I shaved a little off the plastic bit that holds the pin because it gets caught and won't eject sometimes and I think that fixed it. The problem now is that it doesn't always get caught at the little groove on the left side, I have to keep pushing the pen in until it gets caught, which is not perfect but its a lot better than before. Anyway, thanks for the response, you guys don't disappoint.

sjthinkpader · #4 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 3:24 am

You guys are famous for the bridge that fell down, lol. I had dinner at the Shenanigan's on the water last time up your way.

sjthinkpader · #5 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:25 pm

control wrote:...
Thanks, I am using the bottom one now and it works i'd say 1/3rd of the time. I shaved a little off the plastic bit that holds the pin because it gets caught and won't eject sometimes and I think that fixed it. The problem now is that it doesn't always get caught at the little groove on the left side, I have to keep pushing the pen in until it gets caught, which is not perfect but its a lot better than before. Anyway, thanks for the response, you guys don't disappoint.

If you look at the bottom one, the left side just after the first turn should not have that hook like thing. However if you shave it off, there may not be enough off set to ensure the pin will negotiate the 2nd turn clockwise. If you can manage to fill it in may be best.

As for the top one, you may be able to improve it by improving the offset in the 2nd turn. I've marked them with black lines here:

control · #6 Post by **control** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:02 am

Thanks, working pretty well now. I'm using the bottom one only slightly shaved off some of that corner. I put it back together not expecting it to work yet, but it does now about 99%.

I wasn't here yet when the bridge thing happened but the vids look pretty awesome. Galloping Gertie we call it, didn't know it was here until my physics teacher talked about it. Hey at least we're known for something. Thanks again for all the help.