How does one unlock the ultrabase/dock w/o a key?

[BobA]

I have three X6x ultrabase/docks that are all locked .. and no keys. Is there any simple, cheap way to unlock them? They all have CDRW/DVD drives which I would like to remove. There are screw covers on the top - but I'm not really ambitious enough to go inside the dock .. yet (unless someone tells me .. "5 minutes and you're done").
Bob

[rkawakami]

Besides the obvious locksmith solution, I'd say your other alternative would be to order a replacement key from where the factory suggests, however it's not "cheap":

http://www.itxchange.com/itxchange/correlationNum.asp? (about $20 per key)

My problem is similar: I have six unlocked X6 Ultrabases and I don't think I have keys for any of them.

[thewhippingboy]

i am not advocating anything illegal so if these are your ultrabases and you're feeling adventurous, you could try to find a basic lockpicking kit. These locks aren't exactly high security so it shouldn't be too hard of a diy with the right tools and guides to help you.

[EOMtp]

I have three X6x ultrabase/docks ... not really ambitious enough ... (unless someone tells me .. "5 minutes and you're done") ...

6 minutes and you're done with the first of three; 4 minutes each for the other two!

[BobA]

I have three X6x ultrabase/docks ... not really ambitious enough ... (unless someone tells me .. "5 minutes and you're done") ...

6 minutes and you're done with the first of three; 4 minutes each for the other two!

Well, 30 minutes for the first (I guess I'm not a fast worker) and the second - but that's because I had trouble putting it back together before I found the secret (step E). The third one took 15 minutes.

Oh - by the way, these are my bases. I also don't advocate doing anything illegal - though you can't get to the screws if there is a Thinkpad on the base. Fortunately, mine where just locked with no Thinkpads on top.

For anyone else's info, it's not that bad .. and here are the steps (I wish I had taken pictures - next time if I have to do more):
A: Remove the 14x screw covers over the 14 small screws. There are 4x larger covers that don't need to be removed as they don't cover anything - strange.
B: Remove the 14x screws and lift the lid off of the base. I found I had to lift the left side first - then the right side snapped off.
C: Unscrew the silver nut holding the key tumbler in place - then the silver plate (don't have a name for this) that moves the lock/unlock lever.
D: Move the lever to the unlock position and replace the silver plate and nut. The silver plate fits over the bolt with a square hole - so that when the bolt turns, the silver plate turns and moves the internal lock/unlock lever to .. lock or unlock. When I put the plate back on, I rotated it 90 degrees so it's in the unlock position (even though it looks locked). If someone gets a key, the key will lock and unlock the base - 90 degrees different from the etching by the keyhole on the outside of the base.
E: Replace the lid over the base. If you merely place the lid on, there it one latch that won't work correctly unless you follow this instruction - The latch closest to the lock has a plastic part attached to the lid. It must be realigned with the base unlocking mechanism. I moved it all of the way to the left - then placed the lid on the base while holding the eject lever in the eject position. Once the lid was on, I tested the eject lever to make sure it ejected all of the latches.
F: Replace the screws and screw-covers.
I'm willing to bet someone can get that down to a ten minute job .. Maybe next time I have to do that. If someone REALLY, REALLY wants pictures (ie, my explanation isn't good enough), let me know and I'll take the 20 minutes to do that .. someday .

Hope this helps -- Sincerely -- Bob