Exactly where is the lid-shut sensor?

[hellosailor]

I've found that even if the power manager settings are set to "do nothing" on lid closure, the computer is still affected by this. For instance, Windows Media Player (poor thing) will st-st-stutter if the lid is closed while it is playing. Now, I understand the computer is using this switch to turn off the backlight when the lid is closed, but I want to be able to manually DISABLE THE LID SENSING, so it won't interrupt software that is running. (It has interrupted more than Media Player, yes.)

And yes, this problem of "Do nothing" still does something, has endured for 2-1/2 years across numerous BIOS and OS updates. I can only presume it is a BIOS flaw that Lenono doesn't care about.

Poking around with a small magnet, I've found there is a small magnetic sensor (maybe a reed switch?) and magnet either in the screen frame or the body, just about where the WiFi indicator light is. I've been into the computer before, I'm not afraid of that, but am reluctant to take the screen apart since I know how delicate they can be. So before I go hunting...

Does anyone know exactly what Lenovo put where, to sense the screen closing? Is there a small magnet in the screen frame that I can simply remove to disable this? Or...??? Specifically what, where?

[EOMtp]

EDIT: Deleted. No longer applicable since this thread was moved to this forum.

[hellosailor]

Thank you!

Can I assume, if I pop out the two black "dots" in the bottom of the frame, there are two screws behind them and then the rest just snaps apart with a little prying? Anything particularly delicate to watch out for?

[rkawakami]

I have not (yet) taken any of my X60 systems apart but it should be fairly easy to do. Follow the instructions in the Hardware Maintenance Manual:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-62866 (X60(s)/X61(s))
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-66749 (X60t/X61t)

You probably should not have to remove the entire lid assembly from the base in order to just remove the bezel. The plastic dots are simply stick on screw covers. Use tweezers or a thin flat-bladed screwdriver to lift/pry them up, covering the area with your free hand in case they fly away. The HMM indicates that there are three screws to remove. The Thinkpad LCD bezels I've taken apart before have catches along the edges which snap into the lid. There's also an adhesive pad or double-sided tape that keeps the bezel firmly attached to the rest of the lid assembly. You may have to use some care when separating the two.

[hellosailor]

Screws *and* one-shot tape. I guess that's someone's idea of a tamper-seal.<G>

Thanks.

[Harryc]

I know in T60's the switch for lid open is build into the inverter and the magnet is in the keyboard bezel. I'd be shocked if the X6X's are not the same, unless we're talking about a tablet here ... then I have no idea. Ray, take yours apart and check .

[rkawakami]

Hmm... dangling a metal chain along the bottom edge of the LCD bezel causes it to "stick" just to the right of the area where the LCD ribbon cable goes from the base into the lid (above the F6 key). It appears that the X6 systems reverse the positioning of the magnet and Hall-effect switch.

I should have searched the archives earlier...

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=79514
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=32361

edit: And if it makes any difference, this is on my 1707-5DU X60.

[Harryc]

There you go, it's just the opposite on the X60's. Go figure.

[hellosailor]

OK, mystery solved.

They use a hall-effect sensor and a magnet. The sensor is a tiny (1.5mm square?) black speck, mounted under the bezel on the green electronics board (about 1/2"x5") that carries all the LEDs for the indicators. A white "10" appears above it.

It is located about 3mm to the right and 3mm above the Bluetooth ED. There is a vertical raised strake on the bezel in that general location.

WHen the lid is lowered flush, that spot comes down flush onto the main case in a spot almost exactly at the reaer edge. If you take the battery out, you can see where it makes up. And there is a piece of rear trim which looks a bit like:

--------------------[o]-----------------

through which you can see part of a stamped "MITSUBISHI" part number, at least on mine.
There's apparently an inexpensive disc magnet, about 3mm wide, captive in a slightly lareger piece of black plastic (the square around it) and the whole thing appears to have tow plastic rods or clips extending out sideways that are clipped or (?) attached to the rear edge of the main case.


It wouldn't pry off easily, I suspect part of the rear case has to be disassembled to get it out. But I'm also wondering, if I can get a little piece of mu metal, or even good magnetic iron, and slide it over that magnet...maybe that will be enough to disable the hall effect sensor from tripping.


Unless someone knows an easy way to get that magnet out. I only do one autopsy per week, union shop and all.<G>

[EOMtp]

EDIT: Deleted. No longer applicable since this thread was moved to this forum.

[hellosailor]

eo-
I did lift the bezel. And I'm telling you, the compoment inside the bezel IS NOT MAGNETIC but if you move a magnet close to it, the screen backlight turns off. That confirms that the component inside the bezel IS A SENSOR NOT A MAGNET. And since it does not attract magnetic metals--that doubly confirms it is the sensor, not the magnet.

The spot under on the main body, next to the battery, DOES attract magnetic metal. And placing a magnet next to it doesn't turn off a thing.

Maybe they built mine backwards, but the sensor is definitely in the screen bezel on this T61p. If you've seen documentation elsewise, then there's been a running production change as well, because there's no doubt or question which is which on this machine.

[Harryc]

@ hellosailor, I see the confusion here. You posted in the wrong forum, the X6X forum. Everyone assumed (and rightfully so) that you had an X60 machine. Now we see you have a T61P...whole different ballgame. I'll move this thread.

[hellosailor]

"Sorry 'bout that Chief." [M. Smart.]