T40p Body Damage: Warranty/Part Replacement question

[macmac]

My beloved T40p 2373-G1U suffered some body damage at the hands of another

Look here, but beware if you have a weak stomach for these types of things
http://pages.infinit.net/macmac/damage.jpg

Anyways, I was wondering...there's no way IBM will fix this under warranty correct?

So...do any of you know where I could get a replacement part?

Or how much getting the whole underside would cost if done by IBM?

Thanks for your help! I'm hoping to get her back to as-new condition

[BillMorrow]

don't even TRY to get ibm to fix that under warranty..
your s/n will be noted and bad things might happen if a real warranty need arose in the future..

gram the HMM, get the FRU # and then get the cost from ibm boulder parts operation..
they have a web site or call them 800-388-7080..
buy the part (probable cost $100 to $200)

either that or live with it as some sort of badge of honor wherin your thinkpad took its licking and keeps on ticking..

[mattfromomaha]

macmac,

Your Hardware Maintenance Manual is: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... 2p2252.pdf

On about page 218 you'll see a schematic of the notebook and can find the actual part numbers below that. There's a lot of base cover models available, so be sure to locate the correct one for your model. You may also want a screw kit, 13R2916 and possibly the base misc parts, 13N5104. I personally recommend searching Google for these part numbers and ordering from whoever is cheapest. Getting them straight from IBM probably would be more expensive.

I've replaced some plastic on my T30 before because of stupidity (I tried to use a chemical to clean off the sticker residue from the Pentium/Windows stickers and that chemical stained the plastic) and it can be intimidating, but if you are careful and follow the manual everything will go fine.

Also, if you need any help deciding exactly which parts you need, post more pictures and we'd be glad to look.

[JHEM]

Anyways, I was wondering...there's no way IBM will fix this under warranty correct?

Only if you have the accidental damage warranty from IBM.

Regards,

James

[macmac]

Thanks for your help everyone!

The damage is in the bottom right front corner, where the little plastic grills are.

Looking at the .PDF, it appears I have to change the entire underside...

Base cover assembly 2373 Part Number 13N5542 on page 230.

Don't particularly feel like doing the repairs myself, so I might just purchase the piece, and get an IBM-authorized repair shop to install it, outside of warranty.

Is this a bad idea? Will they take down my S/N in this circumstance also, as Bill mentioned?

[MadeInJapan]

It's not a difficult repair to do yourself if you follow the maintenance manual...but if it were me, and the Thinkbad worked correctly I would probably just live with it. Many times if something else goes wrong with your laptop that is covered under warranty and you have to send it in to IBM Warranty Repairs, they will fix/change that broken part anyway while they are fixing the part(s) covered under the warranty...just my 2cents from experience.

[macmac]

Really?

I didn't know that...

That's also pretty cool, especially since my warranty is until February 2008

[Leon]

Bill only meant the Serial # issue IF you tried to get it fixed as a warranty claim. Let us know how things work out for you.

Please add Location and other applicable information to your profile. Not required, but appreciated.

[macmac]

I'm from Montreal, Canada. Nice to make your acquaintance!

By the way, my concern with not getting it fixed on my own, is that one day, should something actually fail, I don't want IBM telling me they are not responsible because the laptop suffered a drop.

I've actually never dealth with their customer service, which I hear is top notch, but my experience with other makers is that they would try to use that as an excuse for not covering repairs under warranty, because I can't prove to them that the laptop was 100% functional after this slight incident.

[Leon]

you know, now that I give it a second thought, it's best not to take the chance, as what you hypothesize COULD happen,and there is no way to predict or know.....I would fix it myself before it goes in for any warranty work...

[BillMorrow]

i suggest a local repair dealer..
who are much more lenient with such nicks and dings..

i one had a 760CD that had NO unbroken case parts..

yet it still worked and i think it was a good example of just how tough thinkpads are..

[macmac]

Hey Bill, since you're the IBM guru, do you of any resource where I could find all/any IBM-authorized repair centers in my area (Montreal, Canada) ?

I've been trying to google it, and even search IBM's website, but no luck.

[BillMorrow]

there should be a page on the ibm site that will take a postal code for service centers..

but if it were me i would grab the phone-book and let my fingers do the walking..

call any ibm dealer and ask who is the local serviceing dealer..
then pick the best one..

or call the ibm help line..