Touchpad Button Not Attached

[ParatoOptimal]

I replaced the palm rest on my T41. I had to remove the keyboard to do it. My first attempt found the replacement palm rest to have a broken corner and missing screw hole. I ordered another.

I got it all back together only to find that the right touchpad button is NOT attached. How do I secure it. Does something snap-in or slide-into place?

Thank you

[ParatoOptimal]

Now I've damaged one of the tabs that's at the right, outermost corner of the button.

Something must flex to allow these to slide forward and backward into their slots.

[RealBlackStuff]

Stop going at it like a head-less chicken.
Bookmark this: Hardware removal and installation - ThinkPad T40/p, T41/p, T42/p, T43/p.
Now take some time out and WATCH these movies how to do it.

[ParatoOptimal]

I did that. I pushed a bit on the back of the touchpad button to scootch the keyboard forward. The button is off now. Is there anything I can do to fix it or should I just break off the damaged tab or glue it (may not be possible as it's so tiny and still sort of attached) and use putty or tape to hold the button in-place to use it?

[ParatoOptimal]

Do I need this hinge?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Key-Hinge-Latch-Cli ... 4cf54523ac
The seller is in the UK. I'm in the U.S..
I didn't notice a hinge go flying off when I was working on it.
If there was one, it should be on the floor or somewhere in the room.

[ajkula66]

That's for a key as far as I can tell...not for the buttons...

[RealBlackStuff]

Just replace the whole key (from USA): http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-T40-T4 ... 0134627013

[poshgeordie]

Fitting key mechanism: Download How To's and Info list, and from there the keyboard key doc.

<EDIT> Should read download the how to's and info list IN MY SIG! - apologies.

[ParatoOptimal]

Great minds think alike. That's the same ebay seller I contacted. He said the buttons don't need a "hinge".
So, my button should just snap-on. It didn't and I've weakened one of the tabs. Maybe it only needs one tab to hold it into place. I thought the curved connector would slip forward and the tabs would drop into their slots. But too much force the other night caused some damage. It seems if I order another button, I'll get what I already have but with two sturdy tabs and no magic to attach either.

[ParatoOptimal]

Thanks, poshgeordie but it's not a letter/number key. It's the right touchpad/mouse key abouve the touchpad.

[poshgeordie]

Ah right! However I think the same principle will apply when refitting the key mechanism as for an ordinary key (as per the keyboard key how to).