IBM Thinkpad maintenance - how to access hard drive?

Thinkpad.  Laptop, right?  These are generally not user-maintainable.  This is for a good reason.  The components are small and easily breakable.  The hard drive is also a special type.  You can't just throw any hard drive in there.
As far as going up to a 30G goes, what OS do you have and how do you plan to copy over the OS and programs.  This generally isn't as easy as slaving the drive and copying everything over.

Thinkpad cases do utilize "snap catches" in various places to assist the screws in holding it all together tightly. You can find these by running a fingernail or such along the seam - when you come to one, you will have to apply a little bit of pressure to open the snap. I would be cautious as you can break something (usually the catches) if you do this improperly.
Concerning the compatibility - I would recommend you go to the IBM website which will give you all the details about your particular model to determine if the drive will work or not.
Good luck.

The hard drive is compatible with the laptop.  I made sure - it's an IBM model, just higher capacity.  Someone told me the keyboard may have to be removed?  I'm not sure - I just want to be careful about removing the case.  I even found details on IBM's web site about the drive settings and installation, but nothing on any "trick" to removing the case - it sure looks like it is "stuck" and I'm not sure what to do.

As far as copying everything from the old hard drive, that's not an issue.  If I can get the drive installed and recognized by BIOS, then I'll fdisk it and re-set all the software back on it.  My biggest concern is just physically replacing the drive.

I watched the guy replace my keyboard an a Dell that I had.  It was quite easy.  Remove the case screws, remove the keyboard screws, unplug the keyboard and reverse the procedure to put everything back in.
Have you taken out the battery and any removable peripherals to verify that there are no hidden screws?

The older Thinkpads did have the hard drive underneith the keyboard. The newer models are not constructed like this. You may have to literally split the case in half. Tell me if yours is the type that looks like it opens at the keyboard?

My Thinkpad model is: 2611-450.  It's an i-series and the hard drive is underneath the keyboard with no access through any cover on the bottom.  There are two removeable covers underneath the laptop: one for memory and one for the built-in modem card.  The keyboard does appear to be a key aspect of this... and I was wondering about that.

Have you checked those covers for hidden screws?

Although I beleive you are going to have to split the case and not just raise the keyboard - I do not know for sure on your model. I would go for the manual if nobady else can say for sure.

My Thinkpad model is: 2611-450.  It's an i-series and the hard drive is underneath the keyboard with no access through any cover on the bottom.  There are two removeable covers underneath the laptop: one for memory and one for the built-in modem card.  The keyboard does appear to be a key aspect of this... and I was wondering about that.

Oops - re-post - ignore that... they should do a redirect to avoid that.  I just hit reload.

I'm not sure what to do - I feel really stupid ordering a manual just because I can't seem to get the case open... this is frustrating...

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WISDOM - Did you ever figure out how to open that laptop?  I am trying to change a hard drive out for a friend who has this same laptop and can't seem to get it open.  I have changed every part on plenty of other laptops and all have been much easier than this...