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    t420 maintenance - advice?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by iphetamine, Aug 4, 2014.

  1. iphetamine

    iphetamine Notebook Evangelist

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    I've had the t420 for about 4 years now, is it time to open it up and clean it? It works ok, but sometimes I hear a dim roar and feel hot air coming out. Sometimes 2 or 3 keys get stuck I don't recieve a tactile feedback.

    Any suggestions or I go with "don't fix if ain't broke" route?
     
    iphetamine, Aug 4, 2014
    #1
  2. ajkula66

    ajkula66 Courage and Consequence

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    Yes.

    You could try cleaning out the keyboard as well, and if you have to swap it they are both inexpensive and easy to replace.
     
    ajkula66, Aug 4, 2014
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  3. jedisurfer1

    jedisurfer1 Notebook Deity

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    agreed keyboards are very cheap, it's 2 screws and push up towards the screen then lift up (see youtube). Take the dust out, get a new keyboard and that machine will last a long time. Last of the true thinkpads.
     
    jedisurfer1, Aug 4, 2014
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  4. Babel-Babble

    Babel-Babble Notebook Geek

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    I recently replaced the keyboard and entire palm rest piece on my T420 due to extreme wear over the past 3 years. The last of the old school ThinkPad keyboard style, and I'm keeping mine around for a long time. I purchased an extra keyboard just to be safe.

    Opening it and giving it all a good blow out is rather easy; just download the hardware maintenance manual or check for videos on YouTube. The first time, you'll freak over the plastic cracking sounds, but those are normal.
     
    Babel-Babble, Aug 4, 2014
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  5. Oscar590

    Oscar590 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Where did you guys purchase replacement keyboards from?
     
    Oscar590, Aug 5, 2014
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  6. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    eBay or the marketplace forum on ThinkPads.com are good bets.
     
    ZaZ, Aug 6, 2014
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  7. Babel-Babble

    Babel-Babble Notebook Geek

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    I got mine off Amazon, but I've also used eBay in the past.

    The most important thing to do is to remove your current keyboard and check the FRU# on the back to make sure you order the same one. Some keyboard FRUs, even on the vaunted T-series, don't have as stiff a backplate as others.
     
    Babel-Babble, Aug 7, 2014
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  8. iphetamine

    iphetamine Notebook Evangelist

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    should I get 16gb of ram, would that increase performance? which speeds and voltage?

    I already have 8gb. What information do you need?

    Any specific software needed to properly detect if I need to open the laptop up and clean or change thermal paste?
     
    iphetamine, Aug 16, 2014
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  9. jedisurfer1

    jedisurfer1 Notebook Deity

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    hwinfo is great for getting all the sensors and telling the temps. I can't imagine you need more than 8gb unless you have some virtual machines, huge database, photoshop or CAD. Plus you'd have to buy all new 8gb dimms.
     
    jedisurfer1, Aug 16, 2014
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  10. iphetamine

    iphetamine Notebook Evangelist

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    What do you guys think?
    temps.PNG
     
    iphetamine, Aug 16, 2014
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  11. ajkula66

    ajkula66 Courage and Consequence

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    Temps seem fine to me.

    With that said, given the age of the machine, I'd still re-paste it.
     
    ajkula66, Aug 16, 2014
    #11