SOLD!beautiful hi-end A31P, works, has serious issues

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ajkula66 · #1 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:58 pm

I must be out of my mind for refusing to part out someone else's A31P and actually make money on it, but I guess I'm too much in love with them, and would like to see this one saved...

ThinkPad A31p 2653-H5U

Original description: P4-M 1.7GHz (512KB), 256MB RAM, 60.0GB HDD, 15.0 UXGA(1600x1200) TFT LCD, 8x4x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, 802.11b(MPCI), Modem(MPCI), Ethernet(CDC), Bluetooth(CDC), Security Chip, IEEE 1394, TV out, Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

This has been brought to me in barebone form, and I'd prefer to sell it as such, although I do have all the parts to complete it to almost any specification. I'd rather not be bothered with it, but if that's what it takes to get this one back on the track, it can be done.

The bad:

This machine has developed a "garbled screen" issue. For those less familiar with A31Ps, this points to a bad/failing video chip. The difference between A31Ps and T4 series, however, is the fact that you can not minimize this by making a machine sit in one spot and never move it, or by putting a "post-it" on the card itself. The possible good news is that re-flowing the solder usually works, and for much longer period of time than it does with T4s. Right now, the machine will boot with blotched screen about 4 times out of 5. It tolerates Linux a lot better than XP, for whatever reason. I've actually configured the video card in Linux, set it to maximum resolution and it has been running for hours now without any issues. But I know better than to claim it will necessarily happen again on the next boot, or at all.

The good:

This example is in outstanding physical condition, at least 9 out of 10 in my book. Superficial scratches on lid, and on the bottom, along with VERY minor shine on the keys. UXGA FlexView LCD is pristine, or pretty [censored] close to it-no dead pixels, pressure marks, leaks and other nonsenses. Downright beautiful.

Conclusion:

The easiest-and most profitable thing to do-would be to part it out. But I refuse to do it-for now. In my not so modest opinion, this is too much of a nice example to be scavanged for parts and fleabayed.

All of this being said, I'd honestly prefer to see this go to someone with patience to work on it. My eyes and my hands have gotten way too bad for me to even try to attempt to do anything with it.

Obviously, if you buy it, you can do what you want with it. I'd like to be notified if it gets fixed. Don't bother telling me that you've cut it out in pieces. If it becomes a donor shell for a good motherboard, I'll be happy as well.

Pictures will be taken tonight, and available from tomorrow. I'll try to make them as clear as possible for everyone to see what I'm talking about.

I don't have an asking price, but here's what I do know:

a) If I choose to part it out, LCD will go for $125 at least.
b) Plastics, given the condition they're in, are worth anywhere between $50-75
c) Whatever is leftover (board, cards, etc) is worth anywhere between $25-50.

As a parts unit, this is worth at least $200. As a whole, I'll be accepting less than that.

I want this one saved. God knows that I've got other machines that I'll make money on.

Thanks to everyone who was patient enough to read through all of this...

wearetheborg · #2 Post by **wearetheborg** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:06 pm

Does it include the HDD/battery/ etc ?

ajkula66 · #3 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:18 pm

It can include whatever you want, but not for the aforementioned price...

That's why I've stated BAREBONE...as in:

- No HDD
- No media drives
- No battery
- No AC adapter
- No RAM

#4 Post by **schen** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:52 am

You've got PM.

ajkula66 · #5 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:54 pm

PM replied to.

cure · #6 Post by **cure** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:56 am

Can you point me to information about the "garbled screen issue"? I have a 570e which seems to have it and I have made no progress in permanently fixing it, though I have discovered many little tweaks to live with it on a daily basis. Thanx.

ajkula66 · #7 Post by **ajkula66** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:15 pm

First of all, the laptop is pending sale.

Second, the garbled screen issue is described here:

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_w ... led_screen

I haven't heard anyone mentioning a 570/570e with that issue, although I've seen my fair share of funky video problems on them in not so recent past...

Good luck, cure.

proaudioguy · #8 Post by **proaudioguy** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:51 pm

I'm interested if the sale doesn't go through. I've already fixed one by reflowing it. Unfortunately my A31 doesn't have a flexview screen and it's only 1400x1050. I would love to give it to my son, while I upgrade!

ajkula66 · #9 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:07 am

I'll keep you in mind when the next "garbled" one comes along, because I believe that this one is gone...

#10 Post by **schen** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:19 pm

proaudioguy wrote:I'm interested if the sale doesn't go through. I've already fixed one by reflowing it. Unfortunately my A31 doesn't have a flexview screen and it's only 1400x1050. I would love to give it to my son, while I upgrade!

I'm the mystery purchaser with the MO on the way to George. Can you elaborate on what you did to "reflow" the GPU solder? Did you do the individual pins or use an oven? How would you characterized the difficulty? I'm really interested in getting this machine up and running.

ajkula66 · #11 Post by **ajkula66** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 5:59 pm

The laptop has been sold and the thread can be locked.

SOLD!beautiful hi-end A31P, works, has serious issues

SOLD!beautiful hi-end A31P, works, has serious issues

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