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https://ibb.co/rbTXjCn https://ibb.co/yNt75LZ https://ibb.co/xmr3GSf I inserted a wrong misfit sim card tray into my Thinkpad T440. The tray engaged into interlocked i could not pull out. After I pull out with a certain amount of force, I pulled out the sim card tray and along the above gold metals. I feel really stupid. Can this be repaired?
Hi, The SIM card reader is mounted on the systemboard. To gain access to the SIM reader you’ll need to remove the systemboard. Here’s a link to the hardware maintenance manual for your laptop, taken from this webpage (select p.2 at bottom of list and then scroll down to find the entry) Scroll to p.86 to view the necessary pre-requisite steps and then the procedure to remove the systemboard. That was the easy part. Once you have access to the reader you’ll have to determine what type and configuration of SIM reader was used and then try to find a compatible replacement part. (I cannot find any information, part numbers, brand name etc, as to what type was used) Once you have the part you’ll need SMD (surface mounted device) soldering tools and skills to effect the repair. Perhaps it may be easier to take the laptop to an authorized Lenovo service repair centre and ask for a quote to replace the SIM card reader. They may have access to more information regarding the SIM reader etc and also the necessary tools and expertise to perform the repair. You may be able to lower the cost of the repair by taking just the systemboard, thereby reducing the labour cost by reducing the amount of time that the repairer spends in dis-assembly and re-assembly of the laptop. The downside of this is that the repairer can’t test the repair and ensure that you have a fully working laptop upon completion and perhaps will offer no guarantee.
If you can solder, then you could try to fix the contacts. From the looks of that motherboard on eBay, you will have to taker the motherboard out. According to T440s fru_list, SIM tray is a separate part(Its FRU 04X5345, description is “SIM Tray”), but it isn’t CRU (customer replaceable unit) in the parts_list. I suspect that Lenovo won’t/can’t do it because their repair facilities don’t have the necessary equipment and skills. You may find a local PC repair shop or similar facility that specializes in doing such precision work. While the problem came to SIM card reader, you should be careful as it is a more precision work.
Hello! I have the similar problem - I bought a T440p with a messed up sim card slot. It looked terrible, I decided to remove everything….but I wonder what I could replace it with now. @jayeff: Do you have an idea which (maybe non-Lenovo) part could be soldered here?
For most people, it’s not the end of the world outside of hurting the resale value. For example: I don’t want a WWAN card on most Lenovo laptops after it’s ~18 months old or it just has to come with the deal - that’s because many of them tend to use older network technologies that are close to death, especially pre XX40 models. The cards are whitelisted, so I can’t decide that the cards sanctioned by Lenovo are too old to bother with, but I can buy any card I like as I can with a Dell Latitude. It’s generally not something that’s cared for after it gets to be too old. In this laptop, the current card the US models use is the Sierra Wireless EM7355 (FRU: 04W3801). It’s an LTE card (which is good) and outside of regional issues one card is used with these machines so it’s nowhere near as bad, but even then it’s not something people always care about - especially if you take my attitude and don’t care if it comes with one, but if it doesn’t NBD. In the past, it was done with a few specific cards and after 18-24 months, they’re all either dated and not worth having (unless you NEED IT) or in the case of a 36+ month machine, all obsolete (usually 3G GSM or CDMA). On top of that, the cards are highly regionalized - not an issue for most but can be a pain for travelers. I have yet to buy ex business hardware where someone sunk money into WWAN hardware - much less find it in the hardware roster. It’s that rare of an option. I have the same rule with Dells but to a lesser degree since they don’t have a WWAN WL and if I can use it, I can fit something like an E6X40 card in the same PCIe slot if it’s known to be technologically compatible; I draw the line when the laptop is so old it’s MiniSIM based like the E6X20/30 series. Unless you NEED a WWAN card, I wouldn’t risk it over a part few people seldom care about after 24-36 months. Get a MiFi hotspot if you really need it like the rest of us with old laptops who want a backup. You’re at 96 months/8 years with this, so you’re at the point buyers like me will just ask for a price break and use a MiFi hotspot the one or two times per year they probably need it. You may not even be ABLE to buy it anymore and unlike old machines, you can’t flash the BIOS - Intel Boot Guard ruined that. Are you doing this to protect yourself from losing $50-60 worth of lost resale value (which will be completely lost if you ruin it since it’ll be a parts machine) or do you need it?
