Stuck Drive Problem On X220

Hey everyone, I have an x220 that I bought recently and love, but more recently I've been having issues with it. I get a blue screen every time I boot now, and it's because the SSD I put in isn't being detected.

I know the Vertex 3 has this issue and it was fixed in a firmware update, but the problem is that I can't remove the drive from the hard drive bay to update it on my desktop. I didn't use any SSD mounting bracket when I put it in so the SSD is physically stuck in the bay and I've tried everything to get it out. I've tried applying hot glue to the SSD casing and putting a metal beam in the glue, so when it cooled, I could just pull out the drive. But the issue seems worse than I anticipated. Is there any way I could remove the back of the laptop so I can just pull my SSD out? I really want to be able to use my laptop again.

Also, an alternative solution is to externally load drivers for the Vertex 3 SSD (so I can just load the OS once to update the SSD), but I'm not sure if such a solution exists.

 

Tried speed tape "duck tape". ? Thats what I had to use on my 1.8 SSD drive to get it out of x300 for a firmware update. Better than clippers or anything else.

 

Is the problem friction or is it because it's locked into the bay? If it's just stuck b/c it won't come out easily I'm okay with using as much force as necessary, but if it's physically locked in, I'm a bit iffy about pulling too hard.

 

You could try removing the X220 bezel so you get a clear view of the internals and guide out the SSD from the bay. Use the X220 Hardware Maintenance Manual for reference on how to safely dismantle your machine.

 

If you remove the keyboard, the hard drive is quite visible.

 

Seems like a real good reason not to use the 9.5 mm drive for those that have and are posting that it can be done.

You will get folks in trouble like the OP.

Perry

 

I would tend to agree. The more you push the envelope, the more likely you are to find yourself in trouble.

 

Inserting the OCZ Vertex 3 SSD in did look like an one-way trip. There are a couple of plastic bumps that prevent the drive from back coming out.

That being said, I think I noticed a couple of ppl on another thread that managed to get the SSD back out. Maybe they can tell us how.