T30 Advice Needed

[DrGrafix]

Hi... I haven't been around for a while, but I'm back seeking advice. I have a T30 Pentium 2.4 with the faulty memory bank, so I'm running on only 512M of RAM. This T30 has the SXGA+ 1400 X 1050 resolution, and it also has the upgraded wireless G internal wifi card as well as a upgraded 60 Gig HDD. I'm debating whether to sell this or maybe give it to my wife. I have no idea if this is worth selling, and if it is... what should I ask. I bought it on this board from a fellow member and it's physically in amazing shape. It almost looks new, the display is perfect, and I also have a matching black IBM mini laser mouse. The battery lasts maybe 45 minutes, maybe a little more. If I sold it I could include the extra 512M memory to bring it up to 1G, and I would include a very serviceable Targus-type ballistic nylon bag. Installed software includes Windows XP with SP2, MS Office 2003, Photoshop 7, Visio 2000, and typical utilities.

So what's it worth? Is it relegated to a parts machine? I see these displays are selling for just over $100 online. Is it worth fixing the memory bank thing?

Thanks in advance for the advice...

Mike

[RealBlackStuff]

Getting some proper flux and a soldering iron is not expensive at all.
If you are handy with a soldering iron, it takes about 20 mintes to 'do' the RAM slots on a T30.
You could also ignore the non-working slot, and buy a 1GB PC2100 or PC2700 RAM module.
It's then up to you to keep it or pass it on to the wife.

[DrGrafix]

Hey... I'm willing to try a fix, I have precision Weller with fine points, is there a how-to pictorial that I can follow? Last time I though about this it was a mystery fix and only a couple of people had the ability to do it.

Getting some proper flux and a soldering iron is not expensive at all.
If you are handy with a soldering iron, it takes about 20 mintes to 'do' the RAM slots on a T30.
You could also ignore the non-working slot, and buy a 1GB PC2100 or PC2700 RAM module.
It's then up to you to keep it or pass it on to the wife.

[RealBlackStuff]

see here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=69243
and here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=73443

[DrGrafix]

Sounds like I could handle it... but I wish there was someone who actually took some pix of what they were doing.

[astinsan]

I have done it... If you have a jewlers sight glass look at the front (closest to the user) right and left legs of the sodimm connector. Use a flashlight to help cast a shadow. You will see the legs that have lifted. Do not use flux. This is un needed and may cause you to cause a short between neighbouring legs. Just heat the loose legs and solider them again. Be careful not to over heat the legs. You will lift the board trace if you apply to much heat. I used a 11 watt soldiering iron. Mine had 3 loose legs in the front (close to the user of the computer) right side.

Take your time and it is going to be easy. You have to make sure you use a magnifying tool like a jeweller glass. You can get them for under 10 bucks from sparkfun.com. a simple magnifying glass will not do the job. It isn't good enough to see the legs.

[Harryc]

What is a good soldering iron that anyone can recommend for this type of repair? I've been using Radio Shack irons and they are junk. One new one I have doesn't get hot at all. Manufacturer/model/wattage/tips/source would be appreciated.

[jronald]

Go here
http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/w ... ron%20Kits
Look down to the W and WP series.

Ron

[Harryc]

Thanks Ron

[Harryc]

How's this 12W iron for a choice? Frys seems to have a good collection of Weller Irons and tips.
http://www.frys.com/product/64252?site= ... IN_RSLT_PG

Also I opened one of my old toolbags, and I found a relatively unused Weller SP23. It's 25W and develops 750°F/400°C temperature
Is that also usable for a T30 slot repair?

[RealBlackStuff]

For T30s I use this 15W iron from the Shack: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2062728
I used a file to sharpen the tip. Works a treat with CircuitWorks CW8100 flux

[astinsan]

I have used the portable battery powered wellers (that you can get from home depot for under 20$). These have a great advantage.. The tip is closer to your hand making it easy to keep your hand steady.
If you get a plugin cheap iron get the red weller type. They have thermostats in them. This will keep the heat where it needs to be.


Its not going to be a big deal.. Anyone with patients can do this. Who knows.. maybe it will spark off a new hobby in electronics.

[Harryc]

Red Wellers eh...I have the cheaper Orange one. I saw the battery operated model in a few stores in passing. It looks like it might also have a very tiny tip which could be an advantage.....

[Tasurinchi]

but I wish there was someone who actually took some pix of what they were doing.

I wish you luck! That's a very nice T30 you have there and even with 1GB it should run ok with XP or a Linux distro. My vote goes to keep the T30 for the wife

One more thing... try using google to see if you can find any photos out there in the www...

[jronald]

HarryC
You can use the 25 watt, but you need to work fast. Use the finest tip you can lay your hands on and work quickly. One other thing, you need to work quickly. Oh and one other thing, work fast.

Its easy to over heat the area with a 25 watt. Did I mention you need to work quickly?

Ron

[Harryc]

Thanks Ron. I am a firm believer in using the right tools for the job. So I will look for a low wattage weller fine tip...and a good Jewelers Loupe, and a flux pen.

[jronald]

Weller makes an 11 watt also.

Ron