How to open IBM Thinkpad 755C caddy to replace HDD ? \ VOGONS

How to open IBM Thinkpad 755C caddy to replace HDD ?

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First post, by Violett'Blossom

Posted on 2019-05-09, 10:30

Violett'Blossom Offline

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I have this laptop coming next monday and the hdd thats inside is dead however it's still inside.

I would love to replace it, however I don't know how to open the caddy without any damage.

Any help is appriciated.

XP machine: Phenom II X4 965, 4890 Crossfire
Main: TUF Dash F15, I7 11.gen, RTX 3060 6GB

Reply 1 of 7, by oeuvre

Posted on 2019-05-09, 13:49

oeuvre Offline

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ThinkPad hardware maintenance manual is your friend http://ps-2.kev009.com/ohlandl/books/tpvol2.pdf

HP Z420 Workstation Intel Xeon E5-1620, 32GB, RADEON HD7850 2GB, SSD + HD, XP/7

Reply 2 of 7, by Intel486dx33

Posted on 2019-05-10, 01:22

Intel486dx33 Offline

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Be very careful. The plastics on those old IBM laptops is very brittle. I will be surprised if it survives shipping.
You will probably have to replace the battery for sure.
I have one of those IBM 755c thinkpads but the display went bad. You can still find refurbished displays on eBay.
Also those use special 17mm IBM hard-drives. I tried to use a CF card once but the thinkpad would not boot.
So I had to use and original IBM hard drive. I think that hard-drive is Incased in a plastic case.
You can pry open the case with a small screw driver.

Last edited by Intel486dx33 on 2019-05-10, 23:47. Edited 2 times in total.

Reply 3 of 7, by oeuvre

Posted on 2019-05-10, 13:39

oeuvre Offline

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I've had several old ThinkPads come in just fine... as long as it's packed properly, shouldn't be an issue. As for plastics, no they tend to be better quality than many other laptops from the time.

HP Z420 Workstation Intel Xeon E5-1620, 32GB, RADEON HD7850 2GB, SSD + HD, XP/7

Reply 4 of 7, by Intel486dx33

Posted on 2019-05-10, 23:56

Intel486dx33 Offline

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IBM kind of made these Hard-drive caddies tamper proof.
But you can pry one open with a small pick and screw drivers.
Don't break the tamper proof seal.

I think IBM designed these hard-drives to be replace-able with the caddy.
They are easy and quick swap-able.

IBM P/N's
125MB Hard Disk Drive 84G6663
200MB Hard Disk Drive 85G7606
360MB Hard Disk Drive 85G7608

Reply 5 of 7, by Violett'Blossom

Posted on 2019-05-11, 06:26

Violett'Blossom Offline

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Thanks for all of this information 😀 I really appriciate it. 😊

XP machine: Phenom II X4 965, 4890 Crossfire
Main: TUF Dash F15, I7 11.gen, RTX 3060 6GB

Reply 6 of 7, by Violett'Blossom

Posted on 2019-05-11, 06:28

Violett'Blossom Offline

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Intel486dx33 wrote:
Be very careful. The plastics on those old IBM laptops is very brittle. I will be surprised if it survives shipping. You will pr […]
Show full quote
Be very careful. The plastics on those old IBM laptops is very brittle. I will be surprised if it survives shipping.
You will probably have to replace the battery for sure.
I have one of those IBM 755c thinkpads but the display went bad. You can still find refurbished displays on eBay.
Also those use special 17mm IBM hard-drives. I tried to use a CF card once but the thinkpad would not boot.
So I had to use and original IBM hard drive. I think that hard-drive is Incased in a plastic case.
You can pry open the case with a small screw driver.

I wanted to ask which CF card have you used and also which adapter ? 😊

XP machine: Phenom II X4 965, 4890 Crossfire
Main: TUF Dash F15, I7 11.gen, RTX 3060 6GB

Reply 7 of 7, by Violett'Blossom

Posted on 2019-05-11, 06:33

Violett'Blossom Offline

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Location: Ternopil, Ukraine

I will try to use Sandisk Ultra II 2gb and 2.5inch latpop cf adapter.😊 I have seen one working with ide to sd card here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0ANCchZGZg 😕

XP machine: Phenom II X4 965, 4890 Crossfire
Main: TUF Dash F15, I7 11.gen, RTX 3060 6GB

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