IBM service question....

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mtbiac · #1 Post by **mtbiac** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 5:34 pm

I had to send my t42p in to IBM for repair (bad wireless a/b/g card supposedly, caused allll kinds of problems). Anyways - I'm wondering how long the turn around time is? I called them wednesday evening at 10pm and 9am on thursday DHL delivered a box for the t42p and the picked it up later that day. Here is info from the repair status webpage:

Repaired product to customer: Awaiting carrier assignment

HP 08/13/2004 12:34:00 E Hold for parts None provided
BO 08/13/2004 12:34:00 E The last status applied was backed off
OS 08/13/2004 07:01:00 E Machine being repaired
AK 08/12/2004 01:32:00 E Airborne processing request to ship container
AK 08/11/2004 19:13:00 E Airborne processing request to ship container

Should I expect this on Monday or ??? I'm not sure what this "hold for parts none provided" means. I'm leaving thursday morning VERY early for college and need this thing ASAP so I can get it setup and make sure everything works. Is this going to happen or am I screwed? Anything I can do to get IBM to speedup the process (seems like its going pretty quick)?

THANKS

mtbiac · #2 Post by **mtbiac** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 7:19 pm

anyone know what this means? please?

Leon · #3 Post by **Leon** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 8:03 pm

it sounds like they thought a part was back ordered, but then had it and did he repair. I'm fairly certain you'll have it on Monday.

Marc_G · #4 Post by **Marc_G** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 10:31 pm

Actually, to me, it seems like the machine was originally listed as being repaired, then that status was backed off due to lack of a part. The repair in progress time stamp was early in the morning, the backoff/none provided was later in the day, right?

Leon · #5 Post by **Leon** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 12:07 am

oops... welcome to the forum "carefull reader"... I was reading backwards

mtbiac · #6 Post by **mtbiac** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:26 am

[censored], what should i tell them to do if the part if backordered? i really cant wait for that to get back in stock. is there another wireless card that will work WELL and is somewhat equivalent to the IBM 802.11a/b/g? i only really need the b and possibly the g

mtbiac · #7 Post by **mtbiac** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:23 am

I'm trying to get IBM to give me the Intel Pro 2200BG card because I have a feeling that the a/b/g is still going to give me [censored] after I get it replaced. However, they lady at the repair center said they'll only replace the wireless card with an identical replacement. Anyone have tips for getting the 2200BG installed? or any other tips?

i'm so upset because I leave thursday morning 8am for college, and I NEED THIS LAPTOP!! I've had it for like 10 days and its been nothing but problems.

HELP!!

thanks guys

#8 Post by **K. Eng** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:28 am

IBM offers the Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG, but this is a relatively new product and I have read here and at Ars Openforums that it has driver problems. The IBM a/b/g part is IMO the best wireless solution for ThinkPads at this time.

Mine has always worked flawlessly.

I'm not sure what you can do, aside from calling IBM a lot and letting them know you need the machine back ASAP.

mtbiac wrote:is there another wireless card that will work WELL and is somewhat equivalent to the IBM 802.11a/b/g? i only really need the b and possibly the g

mtbiac · #9 Post by **mtbiac** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 1:42 pm

the part is backordered until September, but I NEEEEEED a working laptop for college, i'm leaving thursday morning 8am. They're sending the laptop back to me (i'll have it tmrw) with the broken wireless. Is there ANYWAY I can call regular tech support and get them to send me a 2200BG? the repair lady told me it was user replaceable and i've heard of others doing this, so shouldnt be a problem, right? Is the a/b/g able to be taken out by me? i build computers and am pretty tech savvy so... oh and doing this wouldnt void warranty would it? cause warranty is very important... ahhhh HELP! this is by far my worst laptop experience EVER

thanks for the tips.

ZPrime · #10 Post by **ZPrime** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 2:22 pm

IBM/Intel b/g can be had for less than $50 on eBay. Buy one and install it yourself.

Send IBM your broken Philips a/b/g and have them give you a functional replacement whenever they get back in stock. When you get the replaced a/b/g, sell it on eBay for 50+ (they tend to go for 55-ish or more, plus shipping).

You'd make a profit, albeit slight.

Personally I think you'd be screwing yourself too, as the a/b/g is a superior card. Intel's wireless solutions are less than spectacular.

mtbiac · #11 Post by **mtbiac** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 3:07 pm

yeah, I guess I need the a/b/g IBM card. Is it true that they aren't user-replaceable on the T42p's?? If they were, I'd just call and try to get them to send me another one, but the first time I called the tech rep told me they weren't which is why I sent it in in the first place.

ARGH, I'm starting to hate big blue....

ZPrime · #12 Post by **ZPrime** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 3:22 pm

IBM HMM wrote:1120 Mini PCI adapter
For access, remove these FRUs in order:
“1010 Battery pack for 14.1-in. LCD models” on page 72
“1020 Battery pack for 15.0-in. LCD models” on page 74
“1040 Hard disk drive” on page 76
“1060 Keyboard” on page 80
“1100 Palm rest for 14.1-in. LCD models” on page 89
“1110 Keyboard bezel for 15.0-in. LCD models” on page 91

Note: When unplugging the antenna jack, do not pull the cable; it might snap. Unplug the jack by pulling the tab with your fingers.

It's fairly straightforward, although it looks like you have to rip the machine half-apart to get to it. Well, not really, you just have to take off the keyboard and perhaps the palm rest or keyboard bezel. The battery is screw-less, and the HDD is a single screw and a yank.

If you haven't seen it yet, you need to snag the IBM HMM (hardware maintenence manual) for the T4x series.

HMM wrote:About this manual
This manual contains service and reference information for IBM ThinkPad T40/T40p, T41/T41p, T42/T42p series (MT2373, 2374, 2375, 2376, 2378, and 2379), and ThinkPad Dock II (MT2877) products. Use this manual along with the advanced diagnostic tests to troubleshoot problems.

It has the entire factory parts list in it as well as diagrams on how to open up and replace everything. Think "factory service manual for your car" and you'll have the HMM in a nutshell. The difference is that the HMM is free. IBM rules.

mtbiac · #13 Post by **mtbiac** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 4:50 pm

great, thanks. Does this mean that the a/b/g is user replacable on the t42 series or just 41/40? IIRc the rep said it wasnt which is why I sent it in for repairs...

thanks

IBM service question....

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