Replacement trackpoint part?

[nathris]

I was testing out the other trackpoints that came with my T400 the other day, and when I took one of them off, the black piece that fits the track point cap onto the little nub in keyboard came with it. When I tried to pry it loose it went flying off, bounced twice, and like all small, critical pieces do when they hit the floor, disappeared.

I haven't been able to find it, and without it the caps won't fit. I've looked around but it seems nobody offers a replacement. They just have the caps.

Apparently I can't even contact customer support to ask if they have a replacement, since my laptop isn't in warranty, so I'm asking here instead.

[Maliha Community Moderator]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

If I'm not wrong, that's part of the keyboard and it doesn't come loose unless it's broken. You'll need to replace the entire keyboard if you want to use the trackpoint again, sorry! 

I had an old IBM keyboard with broken trackpoint holder, wasn't able to fix it.

[nathris · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the reply, but you're wrong.

I managed to find the part. Somehow it ended up inside a box. Its not actually attached to anything (which is why it came out so easy) but it simply snapped back on and everything is working fine now. Its no different than a key really. Just because a key falls out it doesn't mean you have to replace the entire keyboard 

[Maliha Community Moderator]

Glad to hear it and thanks for reporting back the solution! I tried it on an old broken keyboard of X40, on it the trackpoint holder once removed cannot be put back, it was stuck on the chip with some kind of adhesive. Bad news is that it too flew somewhere when I was removing it, however I couldn't care less about it since the keyboard is already busted.

[Mark_Lenovo Administrator]

nathris,

Technically you are both right in parts...

I can't say for certain that all ThinkPad keyboards have used the exact same strain gauge design and component supplier for the trackpoint in all keyboards.   Many current versions do include a small rectangular adapter that snaps onto the smaller square stem of the trackpoing mechanism.

This small adapter obviously does exist, (you are correct) but is not intended to be removed along with the rubber cap.  If it comes loose, it can be pressed gently back into place and then the new rubber trackpoint cap / cover installed onto it.

Maliha is correct that we don't have a part number for this small plastic part as it is not intended to be removed / replaced.  If lost, it would need to be scavanged from other keyboard or the keyboard replaced.

Most importantly in this case, I am glad that you found yours!   

Best regards,

Mark

[tempestdash]

Is there any way to obtain this part without buying a keyboard? I have have purchased 4 separate keyboards for my wife's X60t and each time my toddler son has pulled it off and lost it. I can find SCORES of red nubs on the internet, but this VITAL, IRREPLACEABLE part is unavailable. If there were ANY way to get this I'd buy 20.

-td

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

@tempestdash, this part is not sold separately.

[howardroak]

Please let me know if you find something. I have exactly the same problem.
Thanks. Marc

[-30-]

"my toddler son has pulled it off and lost it."

QUOTE       tempestdash.

What makes you so sure that he's "lost" it; he may be ingesting it!

[PolandEngineer]

Hello everybody.
I came here with the same problem. TrackPoint of my X200 started to work badly because this small black holder was broken.
In meantime i have found easy solution for it.
You need only shrinkable tubes (not sure, is it correct name).
Just heat two layers of them on small screwdriver, cut and fit
Greetings from Poland.

Link to picture

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