Case Mod 3400c

[raoulduke]

In advance of the Minnowbook idea, I got a 12.1" Lenovo Thinkpad x61 from a bunch of years ago.  I've gutted it and fitted it (crudely at the moment) into the 3400c case.

There are a couple of concern I have that are based on general knowledge - and my general ignorance.  It seems I tore an ancillary part of the display ribbon (the display had a physical problem so I'd planned to buy another x61 anyway, but for the moment I've just taped it back on - I don't plan to turn this thing on for a little while).  This and one other ribbon/wire seem to go or come from nowhere - to random parts of the plastic case.  I'd guess they're grounds but they don't seem to be grounded.

So question 1 - and I can post pics later - is this side-offshoot ribbon that goes to plastic likely to be a ground or what?

(Also what would not grounding the screen do...?)

Question 2 - does anyone know what is grounded on the 3400c?  Those metal parts or is that like IR/RF shielding?

Also the screen on the x61 is physically quite a bit different, but of relevance here it has no tabs to actually screw into the 3400c case.  So is my best bet there to glue on tabs and drill holes in the tabs?

The x61 also has both SD and PC Card slots but it appears OS X cannot recognize either (I'm aware of how to create drivers but they seem to need info that's supposed to show up in profiler so oh well for the moment).  For sure OS X cannot boot to either.  Kind of ironic.

 

[markyb86]

The 'random cord to nowhere' is/are probably wifi antenna(s).

 

[raoulduke]

Surprisingly still works. You might be right about the WiFi wires. I'm honestly not sure but the wires from the WiFi card do go to the screen

 

[raoulduke]

The first real problem looks like it's going to be the hinge incompatibility.  I'll post some pics tomorrow.  I'm probably going to need some logical help with that, because the x61's screen won't work without significant modification, I think.

Actually the original hinges are attached to this grey plastic superstructure around the screen, so I'll probably do a transplant.

 

[Byrd]

Please post pics and we can suggest   I suspect something like exterior double-sided tape used for automotive trim might be a good way to neatly attach the LCD inside the bezel (think very long thin strips along the silver borders to attach).  This stuff sticks like anything.  A dremel, small hand files and/or scapel are other essential parts for a case mod like this.  I'm assuming the LCD is the main drama to install - what with the bottom casing being quite cavernous to fit Thinkpad guts?

 

[raoulduke]

I will tomorrow.  I'm exhausted now.  That tape idea is good.  It fits okay but not too snugly.  The real problem is going to be extending the display cable or rigging a different case stiffener (I don't know what it's called) to screw the screen hinges into.

The LCD turned out not to be that big a deal.  The problem is that the stiffener includes the module bay, which both balances the screen (when you fold it up or down) and blocks the motherboard.  I've broken off pieces of it (this case is going to have to be a dedicated rough draft at this point lol, although it had no working board anyway).  So I've gotten the motherboard in but there's going to be an issue with the battery (I'd likely have to just redesign the battery).  The other real problem is that the display cable isn't going to be long enough.

I'm going to get another thinkpad, but that's not going to directly help with the cable.  Pics tomorrow.  I admit this was a stupid idea.  But I had a case.