X230T touchpad connector

Hi all,

Hoping someone can help.

Have an x230T which I got back in Oct. Within about a month the screen stopped functioning in tablet mode, but would work in normal laptop mode. I got it fixed from Lenovo via an almost magical one-day depot repair (covered in warranty).

Once I got it back, I proceeded to install an mSATA card. Reassembly went great except that the tiny little plastic clasp that holds the touchpad connector in place cracked and eventually broke. Despite my best efforts in getting the touchpad connector into place, it didn't lock in.. so logically the touchpad didn't work. I sent it back into Lenovo hoping that they might be able to simply replace the connector.

I just heard back from them and apparently in order to fix that clasp, they have to replace the entire system board.. Which is not covered under my 2 year depot warranty. Cost to replace: $700.
I will try to see if there is any way they will relent, but I'm not hopeful. In this case, they will blame my not being careful or something I'm sure. Which I can't really combat.

I was wondering if anyone might know if I can get hold of that clasp myself and fix it. Alternately, any tips, thoughts, or strategies to deal with Support would be good too
Worst case, I guess I could use the track point.. But that's a bummer.

Thanks in advance.

 

There is no fixing ZIF connectors, once they break off you need a new motherboard (hence the 700 dollar quote they gave you).

 

Quick question. Some eBaying showed me that ZIF connectors may be referring to to the parts that you sort of snap into the board. The part I'm talking about holds the touchpad ribbon in place. The ribbon goes into a little socket and a plastic piece with teeth then snaps it into place. This plastic snap on is what has broken off and hence the ribbon isn't held in place.

Sorry to harp the point, but I feel like it maybe possible that this part is replaceable. It literally snaps on, doesn't seem like something you'd have to replace a whole board for.

Apologies for being a doubting Thomas, but I'm just wondering out loud. Thanks in advance for under and answering

 

Why are they not covering a system board replacement?

 

If you read OP's original post, when he was installing his mSATA drive, he broke it, which would fall under CID (customer induced damage).

Those plastic parts come pre-attached to the motherboard. I personally don't have the time or patience to place them back on, if you had the skills I'm sure you could get another one on, but RMA'd a damaged motherboard to Lenovo won't solve the issue at hand, it is CID (customer induced damage).

 

Was afraid of something like that; this really bums me out on a 1 month old laptop

I'm fairly certain I could get another one on if I got the correct part.. but I don't even know where I would find something like this. Dunno where that delicate touch went when I was reassembling the laptop

I'll keep looking to see if there are any possibilities out there -- if anyone else does have inputs at all, I am all ears.

 

take a picture of the broken part we could probably work through some possible fix up.

 

OK great, will post back in a couple of days once I have my laptop back in hand (still with Lenovo).

 

Finally got my laptop back from Lenovo, so here are the pix of the internal area with the ribbon inserted into the connector, but no ZIF locking mechanism to hold it in place and ensure contact:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9324114/DSC_5383.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9324114/DSC_5385.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9324114/DSC_5387.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9324114/DSC_5388.JPG

(Edit) couple of clarifications: The part that is broken would have come on top of the blue ribbon. The picture shows how the blue ribbon inserts into the slot on the mobo. A flip lock (not shown) fits into the slot and locks down on top of the ribbon. The pic below shows how the flip lock fits into place. This flip lock has cracked, and broken. I think the remaining piece must have been lost in my sending this laptop to Lenovo.



Hoping someone can help.

Thanks in advance.

 

this fix would take a lot of trial and error, but i have found the supplier for the actual part.

P-TWO Industrial

Get in contact with them and see whether you can get something from them.