Sometimes pays to ask the right questions on eBay about T23s

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#1 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:02 am

Saw this tonight:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0134876679

No real need to go to the link since here's the pertinent details in the auction description:

"This is an IBM ThinkPad Laptop T23. When plugged into an ac adapter unit turns on but does not post. As is. No warranty. No returns. Specs are:

* Processor/ Pentium III M 1.13 Ghz. * LCD Monitor/ 14.1 in. (Intact but not tested) * Hard Drive/ None * Memory/ None * Optical Drive/ None * Keyboard/ Good condition * Modem/Nic/ Both installed * Battery/ Not included * AC Adapter/ Not included

Note: As with all used laptop some scratches or signs of wear may be evident. Stock picture not of actual item."

Not "posting" can be many things but that last statement (stock picture) usually means there's something else not mentioned, at least in my experience. Sent the seller the following:

"Hi! Couple of questions: 1) What is the full seven-character type number from the bottom label? Format is 264?-??? 2) Any cracks in the case? Common locations are near the Fn and right arrow keys. 3) If the correct memory is used (PC133 CL3) does it show any signs of powering up? Fan spin? Display light up? Beeps or error codes on screen? Thanks!"

The response:

"Yes the fan spins and power light comes on. Used the correct memmory PC133. Both near the fn key and right arrow key are cracked. Type is 2648"

Well, two out of five ain't bad (didn't get the full type number nor any details about the screen's backlight or error codes).

dsigma6 · #2 Post by **dsigma6** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:43 am

You gonna buy it?

I like how you state your away status in your sig...You are pretty much a Doctor around here.

#3 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:09 am

IMHO, what would be helpful is if someone like you Ray were to create a list (maybe add it to the FAQ) by machine type of common problems to look out for in used Thinkpads. For instance I would not have known about the common cracks problem on the T23.

dsigma6 · #4 Post by **dsigma6** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:53 am

As if he's not already doing enough!!??

#5 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:15 am

dsigma6 wrote:As if he's not already doing enough!!??

There's no rest for the weary...

#6 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:51 am

Well, for a quick rundown on the T23s (and by extrapolation, other T2x systems)...

- keyboard bezel near Fn and right arrow keys tend to crack (as the bezel is thinnest in those locations), usually when....
- a mounting tab on the Ultrabay guide rail breaks. This is the one that is screwed to the back of the laptop.
- front left corner of the keyboard bezel cracks at the corner of the hard drive bay; no idea why this happens other than being dropped on this corner
- general disconnect of some parts from the motherboard, assumed (by me) to be caused by board flexation and/or use of lead-free solder; usually presents itself as power-on/boot issues or system freezing; also can be...
- bad MiniPCI modem card

For T21 and T22 (possibly T20)
- "blink of death"; still trying to figure out the root cause of this one; I'm leaning toward flex/solder as the problem

And no, I'm not going to buy/bid this one.

P.S. Did I miss anything ?

Purcy · #7 Post by **Purcy** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:16 pm

rkawakami wrote:
P.S. Did I miss anything ?

Yeh, where are you going?? Inquiring minds want to know

Sometimes pays to ask the right questions on eBay about T23s

Sometimes pays to ask the right questions on eBay about T23s

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