Thinkpads Forum

I have a T42 with the video problem, so I can strip out the WiFi, HD (although I'd need the caddy/cover), ac adapter and ram for an x31. So, I'm looking for an inexpensive X31 in good working condition. I'd actually like an x24, but upgrades seem pricey (old ram, etc), so it seems that an x31 is a good bet. x31's in working condition seem to go fairly regularly for less than $300 even with RAM on ebay, but I thought I'd try here first. Things I don't care about, and in fact welcome for reduced price:

- pressure marks on screen (nothing too drastic that would make it less usable)
- a few dead/stuck pixels, or even a dead/stuck line off to the side
- minor cracks/missing plastic that don't impact use
- weak hinges as long as they do hold up the screen reliably.
- 1.2 ghz processor (I think that is the slowest one they made?)
- dead battery (with price reduced so I can spend $40 on ebay for a new one)
- no media slice (but wouldn't turn it down)
- no OS/COA - I have a retail XP Pro I can use, although I'll probably be running Ubuntu on it.

That said, it has to work 100% - don't want an unreliable machine...I just don't really care what it looks like. My ebay feedback (78) is 100% positive under jeffbl. Can pay with non-CC paypal (does this matter? it seems like they take their 3% no matter what, but it seems to come up here all the time). I'll be using it for web/email/document creation, and want something inexpensive I don't have to worry about.

thanks!
-jeff

So I actually won an auction for an x31 on ebay for $220 shipped, but it has no HD caddy/cover or battery. So I'm now just looking for those two items.

thanks,
-jeff

Definitely head back to eBay for the caddy/cover. They're available for ~$13 shipped.

If you find a good source for the battery, let me know.

I splurged and bought this one for a dollar more since it ships from PA instead of China, so should arrive more quickly:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... &rd=1&rd=1

I'll make sure the machine works well on AC before pursuing a battery on ebay...perhaps by then someone on this forum will find one hiding in their closet.

Or, if anyone has suggestions for a reputable dealer on ebay for batteries, let me know. There are two that are interesting that I see right now.

From compaqparts, a "slightly used" genuine IBM battery - I submitted a question to find out exactly what this means and what their warranty covers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 37422&rd=1

Second, these guys at least appear to use name-brand cells, and I think they got one good review on the forums here a while back:
http://cgi.ebay.com/4-46A-IBM-Thinkpad- ... dZViewItem

jeffbl wrote:I splurged and bought this one for a dollar more since it ships from PA instead of China, so should arrive more quickly:

Funny... I just bought an X22 hard drive cover from the same seller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0141860535

And what did I get? An X31 cover! Contacted the seller and instead of going through the hassle of returning the X31 cover I simply ordered another X22:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0145349709

I'm probably going to eventually end up with at least one X31 system. Since I like to get parts and repair systems (read: I'm cheap!), most likely the system I buy will not come with a cover so I'm covered . BTW, both orders took a week to get to me after paying for the auction.

jeffbl wrote:Or, if anyone has suggestions for a reputable dealer on ebay for batteries, let me know.

The one guy I get my T2x batteries from is "xreplay" or "getgoingstores". Both are the same person (Tony). Don't know if he handles X3 equipment; there's nothing being offered at the moment.

The other place I've dealt with is batteryrefill.com. They sell re-celled (say that fast five times) original IBM batteries. Used them for my 600 systems, may be using them soon for T41. Some drawbacks are that you get a battery that has scars and it might take two weeks before you get your order.

rkawakami wrote:The other place I've dealt with is batteryrefill.com. They sell re-celled (say that fast five times) original IBM batteries. Used them for my 600 systems, may be using them soon for T41. Some drawbacks are that you get a battery that has scars and it might take two weeks before you get your order.

This is what I'm planning on doing for an X30 battery. Do you have any word on the life of the battery that you get back?

I ended up getting this battery from CBK_USA on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... &rd=1&rd=1

The shipping said Priority Mail in the auction, but they they sent a shipping confirm (same day - very fast) for First Class, so I'm a little bummed since it is going cross country. Anyway, they are about $10 more expensive than other non-OEM batteries on ebay (e.g. YOCK and ones that look identical to Yock in the picture), but CBK_USA got a mention on the forums here and I don't see any "blinking orange" posts like I see for Yock.

I'll follow up here when it arrives...hope I won't regret not going with a genuine OEM battery...

I received the x31 caddy/cover, and unfortunately, the cover screw doesn't appear to be long enough, and possibly has threads that are too coarse as well. Anyway, I can't get it to work. The cover fits in place just fine, but the screw just spins and spins without engaging. If I try to screw it in without the cover in place, it starts going in very hard, but I don't want to push it for fear of stripping the threads in the laptop. I've emailed the ebay seller, but no response yet. Disappointing...

I also received the battery - quite quickly despite the first class rather than priority shipping. The first time I charged it, the battery meter was wacky - the time left to complete charging kept increasing until it was over 10 hours, then suddenly the battery shot up to 100%. After using the battery all the way down, it charged again just fine. I got hours of life out of the battery (didn't time exactly - the thinkpad meter said over 4 hours) so I'm pleased with the battery so far.

Since I like to get parts and repair systems (read: I'm cheap!), most likely the system I buy will not come with a cover so I'm covered Smile . BTW, both orders took a week to get to me after paying for the auction.

Ray, you're a man after my own heart! I'm cheap too, maybe even cheaper than you... but I do love to repair "broken" things

jeffbl wrote:I received the x31 caddy/cover, and unfortunately, the cover screw doesn't appear to be long enough

FWIW, I have exactly the same problem with the one I got for my X30. I haven't pursued a solution, because I think it'll be okay without it.

Thanks for letting me know you had the same problem - lets me know I am not doing something really dumb... I am concerned about the drive popping out since I tend to grab my X31 near the HD to pull it out of my bag. Plus, I didn't even need the caddy - already had one, so I'd especially like the screw to work on the cover! Contacted the seller again, and still no response. Will try once more, then leave negative feedback.

Got a response from ebay seller lypctech, who I bought the caddy/cover/screws from. They sent a new cover screw that works fine, so all is well. The responder said that he had to check with the shipping department, so perhaps the error was there. Anyway, it took a few emails to get a response, but once they responded, they quickly sent the correct screw.