How To Fix The Raised Media Bar

This issue is fairly common amongst new m17x's. Essentially the issue involves either the internal hardware, or a chassis misalignment (I have yet to take it apart to figure out which) pushing the media bar (As in volume -, volume +, mute, pause, play, etc...) ever so slightly out of the case.

Usually this isn't an enormous problem, and will really only bother you if you possess a minor amount of OCD. However in some rare cases the obtrusion can be significant enough to touch, and occasionally graze the screen surface.

While you can call Dell and have them send a "Tech Expert" to your house to fix it for you... I hear a lot of times this can result in them actually leaving you with more problems than you started with. You have been warned.

The fix is pretty simple, and cost me about 10$ at home depot (unless you already have the materials lying around your house). Don't worry about ruining the aesthetics of your beautiful machine with superglue smeared all over the place. If you're not a moron, you won't even be able to tell it's there.

You will need:

4-5 Q-Tips (You probably only need 2, but mistakes happen...)
Superglue
Acetone or Isopropyl alcohol
Paper Towels

Pure acetone works best, but significant amounts of it can be found in nail polish remover.

Find a neat, well lit, and ventilated place to work. Superglue and acetone contain wonderful chemicals that are quite efficient at destroying brain cells.

Most brands of superglue dry in around 10 seconds. This means that 10 seconds after your glue leaves the bottle, you had better have the media bar where you want it.

Let us begin!

1) Begin by laying 1 or 2 paper towels to the right of your laptop. This is purely to protect the surface you're working on.

2) Without depressing the media bar into the case, add 2-3 drops of superglue to the raised edge of the media bar. You don't have to be too cautious with the glue, but don't spread it around like jam.

3) Now press the media bar into the case. Adding the glue and then pressing the bar down ensures that the glue is in the the crack, and not an sitting on top.

4) While holding the media bar down with one hand, use a Q-tip, and not your finger, to quickly run along the crack in 1 (maybe 2) motions to remove the majority of the excess glue. This will leave some amount of superglue residue, so it doesn't have to be perfect.

5) Wait about 10-20 seconds just to ensure that the glue has set.

6) Remove your finger from the media bar. If it slowly raises back up, then you probably did something wrong. Try repeating steps 1-5, ensuring that the glue does get into the crack, and that it has dried. If it stays, then you're free to go to step 7.

7) Using another Q-Tip, dip the head into the acetone. Tap the head lightly on the paper towel to remove some of the acetone. You don't want it to drip. Now wipe over the excess glue residue a few times until it is dissolved. If there is still residue, get a clean Q-Tip and try it again. Don't be too vigorous with your wiping, as you may get acetone into the crack, and dissolve all your hard work.

8) Finally dampen the edge of a paper towel with some water, just to wipe away the mineral residue from the acetone.

Tada! You're done.

If I missed anything, let me know!

 

Nice guide, thanks

 

What about when you need to disassemble the thing, there will be issues.

 

Well, the media bar is at the far front panel. For most it shouldn't get in the way. And if it does, just a little more acetone on a Q-Tip should clear that up in about 2 seconds. The acetone does not harm the grained panel out of which the media bar is made, nor the soft touch rubber.

 

from what i've seen, the problem is the connector cable. if it sits in the wrong place it will cause the media panel to raise when pushing a botton.

 

The issue is constant, regardless of button pushing.

 

well for me just crimping the cable connector fixed it for me. don't get me wrong, i like your idea but i've taken the system apart a few times and the cable seems to be the under lying problem.

 

I should clarify: the issue is constant for me*

 

Will nail polish remover with acetone harm the soft touch?

 

To use any type of glue on your system is the stupidest thing to do. Especially where is the first step on opening your system. Just call dell and have it replaced until it is fixed the way it should be… You will damage your system and avoid your warranty!!

 

Previous owner did the absolute worst job I've ever seen in my life . It looks like he plastered model cement underneath the bar. It got on the keyboard surround trim as well as all over the soft touch as well. I'll get a pic.

Candidate for worst touch up on an Alienware.

 

If you are interested in replacing them, PM me and I will give you a link on ebay from a guy I bought those parts from. It will cost you little above $100for the items (media bar + palm rest) + shipment. I bought spare for me, just in case

 

Pm incoming im definitely interested.

Tried nail polish remover just now to no avail at all. That stuff is dried rock hard. Didn't harm the soft touch either and it has acetone in it. I figured why not I was thinking I could always carbon wrap it. If I get spares I may wrap all the parts for fun see how it turns out although I'm worried the extra thickness will make the screen contact it when shut.

 

PM replied.

 

Tried nail polish remover no luck at all. Will try pure acetone later

 

Nail polish remover is a less concentrated acetone. I would advise against it as it will attack the plastic.

 

Not worried at all. If it eats the plastic I will sand the soft touch and do a carbon fibre overlay. Last option is just to replace parts. There is no way I leave my m17x looking like a guy with 5 thumbs tried to superglue the media bar.

 

He he, that's true!