Can I be this unlucky?

[fullauto]

Geesus....I bought a new T43p (2668B1U) with 15" screen, 1.86MHz CPU, 1GB RAM and 60GB-7200RPM HD last December from Lenovo and the machine has been a NIGHTMARE!

The machine was first delivered without the wireless network card, which did not show up for another 3-4 weeks. Right out of the box the Trackpad did not work; but since I use the stalk anyway I didn't get too concerned.

When I got the card, I went through the installation procedure (a freakn' joke - the procedures shipped with the card were for a different type of Thinkpad- but that is a whole other story) and ended up stripping the screws that hold the case together!

Hold up...I know what you are thinking...that I must be some double left-handed clod.

No so. I have been in and out of computers since 1983, and I use precision screw-drivers that are like jewelers' tools.

Well, after I got the wireless card working and I started using the machine I noticed the bloody fan noise. Look, I know this is something of a subjective issue, but MY fan noise is off the charts. It makes my T43 sound sickly. I tried the FanControl app and it turns off the fan alright, until things heat up to the new threshold (50 degC in my case) and bam...we are off to the airboat races again.

Then, after about 10 days, the keys in the "famous" IBM keyboard start sticking and grinding...

I am writing this in the middle of Jan. 2006, ladies and gents, less than two months of light usage of this new T43!

Is anyone else having these kind of problems?

Wow. This can't be a real IBM machine....

John
Houston, Texas

[TimWang]

You know, for the fan control utility, you can custom set the fan speeds so that when the threshold is hit, the fan won't turn on full blast.

As for your other issues, I suggest you take it up with a support rep. and voice your concerns. They may send you a replacement keyboard and help you solve the other problems with the Thinkpad. Personally, I've been using my Thinkpad for more than 4 months and so far, I have not had a single thing go wrong with the machine. Not even any software/driver issues

[aki]

OKay, i never bought the T serie before and 3weeks ago (i think) i bought 1. a secondhand T40p but it still has waranty 1year left. I discover the chassi (under) is missing 1plastic piece to hold the battery. I called the IBM support, next morning the tech came . the same morning i call the ibm and told them about USB contact, 1 of them is dead, and the tech came day after WITH A NEW MOBO.

now that is what i call S E R V I C E . a nextday service is wow . btw, sorry about your t43.

[fullauto]

I was really hoping that my experience was the exception.

Anyway, after some haggling it looks like IBM is going to come through with a new machine.

Hats off to IBM service!

There is apparently some old-school IBMers still in the picture.

[davidspalding]

Unusually bad combination of issues. I had no idea that if you bought a system with a wireless card, that LEnovo would send it to you separately and leave you to install it. Really?? Outstanding example of bad salesmanship.

Glad you're getting a replacement. Considering it's a 43p, I'd have returned it or demanded immediate remedy on the second issue. (I.e., it's not a cheap machine.)

[BillMorrow]

installing the wifi card AFTER you get the thinkpad is something new, for sure..

a crappy keyboard as described is highly unusual..

give lenovo a chance to answer these problems..

also, FWIW, AKI's experience with a tech coming to him the next day is most likely due to that used thinkpad having an onsite warranty upgrade...
something i always suggest as well worth the $169~ investment..

[christopher_wolf]

Well, I can say that I always would recommend getting a 3-year/onsite warranty (Thinkpad, Powerbook, etc). I have, however, never heard of installing the WiFi card after you get the Thinkpad; that is a new one on me. You may be able to get Lenovo to send you a better keyboard depending on who you talk to as well.

[fullauto]

I spoke to Lenovo this morning and, sure enough, they said they are going to replace the machine.

I got lucky because I was outside the 30 day return period. Of course, the bloody wireless card didn't show up until the end of the first 30 days, and I really didn't use the machine much before then.

Man, I was [censored] when the machine showed up without the card installed. But then I found out that it was "User Installable" or something to that effect.

Yeah, as long as you have a prayer cloth and [censored] good karma when when you try to back out the little screws that hold the case together.

Why would anyone use such crap screws, especially for something involved in a "User Installable" component?

This is my first Thinkpad (for which I have lusted for a long time).

Yikes.

Thanks for all the replies.

[davidspalding]

Screws were fine and dandy on my T43 ... have had the keyboard off and on four times or so.

Sarcastic suggestion: don't use a power drill. And don't torque down on them by hand, either.

[cerebral_mamba]

If you have one of the keyboards made in China, then you have a pretty bad keyboard, at least when compared to the Thai made excellent one. I had replaced my CHICONY keyboard with the Thai one myself and there is a lot of difference. I really don't understand why Lenovo is still putting in the CHICONY keyboards.

You can get all information here at:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=2177

[fullauto]

Mr. Spalding, do you mean you DON'T use your pneumatic tools to work on your T43?

Seriously, brah, I stripped the screws while I was backing them out.


Also, I checked the FRU part numbers for my keyboard and, surprise, surprise, I have one of the NMB keyboards.

I am actually starting to like the grinding "metal-on-metal" sound that my Ctrl key produces though...makes my machine sound badass.

Who knows, after a while I might start keeping the fan cranked to full speed all the time and really impress my wimpy DELL-using friends.