Did anybody buy from pc_and_camera ebay store?

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syhead · #1 Post by **syhead** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 1:17 am

I ordered a T42 from that store. They have a fairly good feedback

The unit I got is a "recertified, brand new machine", factory sealed, with 1 year warranty from IBM.

I wonder if this means that my TP will be a brand new one, or a "like" brand new one.

here's their link:
http://stores.ebay.com/PC-AND-CAMERA_W0 ... ayZ2QQtZkm

csv96 · #2 Post by **csv96** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 1:57 am

It's refurbished, usually a customer returned unit.

syhead · #3 Post by **syhead** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 2:06 am

Too bad then... they make it seem better than that. Here's their description:

Brand New Factory Sealed IBM Recertified Product:
These remanufactured products are sold by IBM with a W-Claim classification, which means that they are in brand new condition. These are brand new items which were either, (A) shipped to an IBM reseller or end user and then returned unused, or (B) a custom ordered configuration which was cancelled or (C) brand new odd lot or overstocked inventory. They are carefully tested and recertified as new by IBM and come in a IBM factory sealed box. Computers include the original factory software load including OS and have a Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA). They come complete with all original accessories and documentation and have an IBM Factory Domestic and International Warranty. ThinkPads have an IBM One Year EasyServ Warranty, Intellistations and desktop computers have an IBM one year On-Site Warranty next business day, and monitors have an IBM One Year advanced replacement warranty.

They say unused in the description above. To me, unused means never booted. The box may have been opened, but the computer should have never been booted by the costumer. But who knows!!!

by the way, here's what I got:

P M 735 1.7GHz, 512MB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon 9600, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

Price: 1,449.00
I miss the multi-burner and some more RAM, but I guess I can get an external and way faster one.

plucky duck · #4 Post by **plucky duck** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 2:09 am

recertififed means used from what I understand.

syhead · #5 Post by **syhead** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 2:20 am

plucky duck wrote:recertififed means used from what I understand.

that's what I though, but their description (see post above) is more encouraging...

I guess I'll have to wait to see... It would be great if I could find someone that bought a similar machine from them...

Anyway, I'll let you guys know the condition of the machine once I get it. I hope I do not get disapointed!

IR0NMAN · #6 Post by **IR0NMAN** » Mon Jan 03, 2005 4:42 pm

Yes, keep us updated !! I'd like to know too...

christer w. · #7 Post by **christer w.** » Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:52 pm

I feel that I can add to this on my first post. I received my T40 from PC and Camera based on good feedback and years of good luck with ThinkPads (760XL and 560X).

My unit showed up very promptly and in good condition. 1.5 Mghz Pentium M, 14" 1024x768, 512 MB RAM, 40 Gig HDD, XP Pro. $1249 plus 40 for shipping. Sealed bag with IBM manual, troubleshooting guide. AC adaper was wrapped up in that way that they only look when having not been used. I upgraded to Service Pack 2.

I suppose the sellers could have gone to great lengths to make my laptop "appear" new and sealed when it wasn't, but seems like a lot of bother. IBM is selling the same units off their Used / Refurbished site for about the same money. If my unit wasn't a return to IBM, where did these guys get it? As far as the unit being a so-called "W" unit, meaning it was an un-sold return? Who knows?

To all appearances, my unit appears to be completely new. No smudges or any appearance of wear on the palm rests. No scratches on the bottom - hard to disguise! My daughter who is completely in to gear saw it a week after I got it, opined that it must have been un-used. Enough said.

This notebook is superb. Nothing like the TP keyboards. Just before getting this, I had the hankerings for getting into the Apple world, but alas, many of the sites that I use in my work are un-usable with Apple, even if using IE. Very disappointing! OS X is superbly elegant and friendly to use! Oh well...

The T40 is a more than acceptable alternative.

I do have a question that I wonder if anyone else has dealt with. My unit came equipped with the Cisco 350 mini-pc wireless card. From a past life in the wireless world, I know that the Cisco unit is a superb one, but perhaps a little over the top for a home consumer. The configuration utilities, site surveys, and graphical signal strength displays are dazzling, if a little useless when trying to connect to an AP 20 feet away

Anyway, I am having a problem switching from one wireless network to another. For example, I will be surfing at home off my stepson's Airport. My neighbor's AP is apparently very close to my home, so sometimes the unit decides to connect to his network. I cannot get the unit to dis-connect from his to connect to mine. I then take the laptop to another location. I open the "available wireless networks" dialog box. I see the new networks nearby showing great signal strength as well as the home network even though I have traveled far from it. I click on one of the new ones and hit the Connect button. The sysem churns away and after a few seconds tells me I am connected. Only I am not! No matter how many times I try, I get the message that I am connected but nothing happens; I cannot connect. If I re-boot on the other hand, the wireless card finds the new network and all is well.

In Windows 98, ipconfig allows you to release the assinged IP and 'renew' the lease on it, allowing you to change from one IP source to another. Not having much luck with XP. There is a 'repair' feature, but it seems so vague! There is nothing to indicate anything is going on. finally tells you that the repair 'failed'. This is progress?

Anyone else having any sort of experience similar to this. Anyone using the Intel card and NOT having this problem? For 50 bucks, seems like a cheap fix if it works better.

syhead · #8 Post by **syhead** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:39 am

wow
thanks Christer. I can't wait to see what I will get! Hopefully, something like yours (brand new). I'll keep everybody posted.

As for the wireless stuff, sorry I can't help. I don't know much about these wireless cards.

Have you tried finding information at http://www.dslreports.com/forums/all ??? It's a great site.

xtypestereotype · #9 Post by **xtypestereotype** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:49 am

These units are used for no more than 30 days...
IBM has a 30 day-no-quesitons-asked return policy so these units are returned by people who were for any reason not satisfied with the product.
I don't think there is much wear/damage one can do to a laptop in a 30 day period so i reckon most of these units would be in a like-new condition...
Some people might even return it after just trying it out for a few hours...

Wish you luck anyways

#10 Post by **BillMorrow** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:37 am

i have returned more than a few, still sealed, new..

and a few with stuck pixels that failed my pixel test..

its a gamble..

buy an extended warranty from someone..

twitch · #11 Post by **twitch** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 7:01 am

i bought a t42-1.7/512/9600/1400*1050/wifi from them. just sent the wire transfer and should have it in a week or 2.

couldnt resist at 1/2 the price here in aussie.

syhead · #12 Post by **syhead** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 3:05 pm

twitch wrote:i bought a t42-1.7/512/9600/1400*1050/wifi from them. just sent the wire transfer and should have it in a week or 2.

couldnt resist at 1/2 the price here in aussie.

You got the same model I got. $1,449.00, right? The two things I miss in these specs are the multi-burner and some more ram (1Gb would be ok). I will upgrade the ram eventualy. As for the burner, I figured it was cheaper to get an external (and waaay faster) one.

Still waiting here... I guess it will be cleared by Canadian customs today.

z2000 · #13 Post by **z2000** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 3:58 pm

[quote="syhead"]I ordered a T42 from that store. They have a fairly good feedback

The unit I got is a "recertified, brand new machine", factory sealed, with 1 year warranty from IBM.

I wonder if this means that my TP will be a brand new one, or a "like" brand new one.

Actually, If you see the model with XX i.e. 2373 6XX or xx1 etc. It means refurbished. My experience for refurbished is good enough. I was bought one T40 for my wife on 2003 from PC connection. Its come sealed box and all thing is new. you can't see any sign of use.

z2000 · #14 Post by **z2000** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 4:05 pm

christer w. wrote:Anyway, I am having a problem switching from one wireless network to another. For example, I will be surfing at home off my stepson's Airport. My neighbor's AP is apparently very close to my home, so sometimes the unit decides to connect to his network. I cannot get the unit to dis-connect from his to connect to mine. I then take the laptop to another location. I open the "available wireless networks" dialog box. I see the new networks nearby showing great signal strength as well as the home network even though I have traveled far from it. I click on one of the new ones and hit the Connect button. The sysem churns away and after a few seconds tells me I am connected. Only I am not! No matter how many times I try, I get the message that I am connected but nothing happens; I cannot connect. If I re-boot on the other hand, the wireless card finds the new network and all is well.

Christer:

Did you try to use "IBM access connection" to do so? You can setup different config there and switch them easy. It also can solve the problem with your home AP. I use IBM A/C well and config to three different Wifi setting......

syhead · #15 Post by **syhead** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 10:43 pm

I received the T42 and have been playing with it for one day.

It is brand new, not one scratch. I couldn't event see a print on it. I didn't find any dead pixel. Confirmed that my warranty for 1 year is ok. Checked with IBM and they told me I cannot buy more warranty because it is a refurb... Too bad... I guess I'll have to rely on the Mack (argh) warranty.

The keyboard seems good, it flexes a bit on the right-low side. It that common? Oh, the case also flexes in that same region. Nothing serious actualy.

I'm very satisfied. However, I warrant caution to other buyers. If you want to try this seller, try to get a current model. That way you're more likely to get a brand new machine.

Now I have to learn how to make the image of my disks and put it on my external backup hd... couldn't find a way to select were the image would be written... Anybody could help me?

z2000 · #16 Post by **z2000** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 6:42 pm

Your T42 should come with R&R ( Recovery and Rescue)
If so, from start ->program->access ibm ->IBM rescue and recovery, open it -> backup now, then you will find it.

Also, on this group (access IBM) there have two functions: 1 you can make your own Recovery CD. 2, you can make a boot CD call " rescue media" - if you have problem with your MBR and can not use Access IBM. you have to use thsi bootable CD to bootup from R&R area.

gtratter · #17 Post by **gtratter** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 7:04 pm

I bought my T40p from the a little over a year ago and added the Mack 3 year warranty - I am very happy with the machine

syhead · #18 Post by **syhead** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:20 pm

z2000 wrote:Your T42 should come with R&R ( Recovery and Rescue)
If so, from start ->program->access ibm ->IBM rescue and recovery, open it -> backup now, then you will find it.

Also, on this group (access IBM) there have two functions: 1 you can make your own Recovery CD. 2, you can make a boot CD call " rescue media" - if you have problem with your MBR and can not use Access IBM. you have to use thsi bootable CD to bootup from R&R area.

Thanks z2000!

I did everything you said... worked just great. Turns out I don't need Norton Ghost anymore eh!!!

I created the boot disk and the 6 recovery discs. I also made a complete back up (all folders and partitions), using my external HDD.

One intersting note: I could not see the back up files in them y external HDD. But something is there, because it has less free space now. Am I worng or are the files hidden? I wonder how can I checlk the, out and see when they were created.

BigWarpGuy · #19 Post by **BigWarpGuy** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:25 pm

Usually recertified means not only refurbished but also tested to be working. IIRC.

smugiri · #20 Post by **smugiri** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:58 pm

Just bought a re-furbished T40p from pc_and_camera on eBay: paid Thusday about 3pm, they shipped by DHL about 5pm, sent me a tracking number that Friday. I had the machine 9am Monday. It was in perfect shape double boxed with the IBM box still sealed inside another box.

came with a 1 year IBM warranty and a 3 year MACK warranty. Run my pixel test, the screen is perfect, machine looked pristine. I am using it right now to write this and I am as happy a camper as can be

I cannot figure out how to create the recovery disks however, there is lots of info on this site about how to do this and I will work slowly over the next couple of days to figure it out how to do this for the machine that I have.

Doctorroe · #21 Post by **Doctorroe** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 5:06 pm

I too purchased a T42 from them. Mine came sealed with absolutely no signs of use whatsoever. I even had the IBM plastic coating on the screen from the factory. I powered the unit on and let it self-install all the OS and features. Then I did the SP2 upgrade. All is great!

As far as the wireless problem that someone described. I used to have the same problem. Mine would be a beast to switch betwen WAP's. There is a little utility that saved me. On my unit, it contacts the IBM support through a utility called ACCESS IBM MESSAGE CENTER. I have it setup to look for updates, drivers, etc for just my system. It came up with a fix for the wireless card that is installed in my system. It described the problem to the tee. After downloading the patch, poof, the problem went away! This little Message Center delivers me things daily in a little tray icon that really is important.

My 2 bytes worth ...

Nomad-Man · #22 Post by **Nomad-Man** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:44 pm

Any of you get one of these from Pc & Camera with any bad pixels?

Also what the heck is the MACK warranty and what does it cover.
How does it work and have you had to use it...?

#23 Post by **aamsel** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:30 pm

The Mack warranty is one of those old "scary" New York camera shop warranty packages.
They have been around for many years.
When you buy a camera or other item from a dealer, the Mack warranty is just one way for the electronics dealer to make more profit on the sale.
Found at:
http://www.mackcam.com/warranty.html
I personally would not consider it much of a warranty, although I have never considered buying one, and never will. Waste of money, IMHO.
It has a deductible, you pay shipping to get it there, and accidental damage is not covered.
They may fix the notebook fine, and they may not, I have no idea.

Andrew
Austin, TX

Nomad-Man wrote:...Also what the heck is the MACK warranty and what does it cover. How does it work and have you had to use it...?

thsu01 · #24 Post by **thsu01** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:44 pm

Good "Review" by WHO?

THE STORE OWNER?

#25 Post by **aamsel** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:22 pm

I am sorry, I don't understand your question?
Are you asking me about what I posted concerning the Mack warranties?
Please restate your question.
Thanks,

Andrew
Austin, TX

thsu01 wrote:Good "Review" by WHO?

THE STORE OWNER?

Did anybody buy from pc_and_camera ebay store?

Did anybody buy from pc_and_camera ebay store?

Re: Did anybody buy from pc_and_camera ebay store?

Recertified?

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