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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:59 pm
by comptiger5000
Gorgeous machine! And I don't really care glossy vs matte. However, when working under certain lighting, glossy becomes a mess of glare and reflection, while matte isn't too bad.
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:45 pm
by ajkula66
A very pretty machine...you are to be congratulated once again, Harry...
The prices of T61 units have gone down by quite a bit, but I don't perceive that selling this one in a $650-675 range should pose much of a problem...
My $0.02 only...
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:09 pm
by Harryc
Thanks for the kind words everyone. Pics are up on the repair.
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:16 pm
by doog
Harry
Good Job!! Another ThinkPad saved
Also thanks for taking the time...to take and post pictures of the project.
Looks like it will make someone a nice machine.
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:49 pm
by Harryc
Thanks Doog, I appreciate it.
This machine is now for sale. Cheers to the lucky buyer.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:20 am
by Puttagee
Hi Harry,
Awesome job, I just noticed the thread the other day and kept checking in to see your status. That was a pretty quick turn around. Great pics too, now I know how to take my T61 apart.
Good luck with the sale.

Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:18 pm
by Harryc
Puttage, thanks ! Now if everyone tells their friends and relatives about this great machine/deal we'll sell it in no time.
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:27 am
by Harryc
So now we're looking for ideas for a next project. What would the membership like to see?
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:31 am
by RealBlackStuff
That was a fantastic jobbie on that screen. Looks great!
Would you care to do a CCFL replacement, or an ATI gfx reballing?
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:02 am
by Harryc
RBS, thank-you. Well, we've already done both a CCFL replacement and a reball in previous projects, so I am not opposed to it, although the reball was a send out job. I really don't want to get into buying heat guns and digital thermometers. If someone donates them, that is another story. I was hoping that we'd find something that has not been done before in one of the projects though, at least a machine type that has not been repaired yet. We haven't done a complete system board replacement yet as an example. If the members want to see an actual GPU reflow, or a T30 memory slot repair, that is doable but I would defer to someone who has actually done those repairs to run that particular project. So volunteers are welcome. Personally I'd really like to see a T30 slot repair project run by an expert. I can work with a volunteer to arrange funding and to advise on other details. Also, we haven't done any 'older' Thinkpad projects. I have an expert waiting in the wings to run a project on vintage Thinkpads if anyone is interested in a project on a 770, or a 600 for example.
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:45 am
by RealBlackStuff
Great idea with the T30 memory slot repair!
I second that!
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:46 pm
by DrThinkpad
To me, an X2x series project would be a good idea.
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:59 pm
by Harryc
DrThinkpad wrote:To me, an X2x series project would be a good idea.
I've always wanted to get my hands on an X24. It seems like a great little machine. Do you have repair experience with them?
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:46 pm
by sparta.rising
I'd like to see any X series
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 7:23 pm
by DrThinkpad
Harryc wrote:DrThinkpad wrote:To me, an X2x series project would be a good idea.
I've always wanted to get my hands on an X24. It seems like a great little machine. Do you have repair experience with them?
Not much apart adding RAM and switching HDD

Nothing against the T30 idea though, I like it too

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:26 pm
by RealBlackStuff
I think we have a forum member richk who has done these T30 repairs.
Maybe he is willing to share his expertise?
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:09 pm
by ajkula66
I like the T30 idea...and would definitely like to see X31 as a project as well...
My $0.02 only...
Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 5:52 pm
by Harryc
Folks, we have an offer from a member of $450 plus actual shipping for the T61. As usual I would need 2 or more members to approve this offer in order to proceed. I am simply the provider of information in this transaction. I neither approve or disapprove of the offer.
Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 3:06 am
by basketb
With that offer, how much would be left for the next project and/or could be donated to help with the forum migration?
(as a comparison (and by no means have I kept track of other T61 prices at all), a similar T61 though with overall better features just sold on ebay for a little less than $600,
link.)
Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:06 am
by Harryc
How much would be left -
Old Balance $61.12
LCD Purchase $ 97.98
Current Balance - $36.86 (Negative)
Amount owed to Harryc on sale of laptop - $36.86
Amount invested to date on T61 Project -
Laptop $263.78
Battery/AC Adapter $25.00
LCD $97.98
Total $ 386.76
Proposed T61 Sale $450
Negative Balance - $36.86
Balance Remaining $414.14
Also, about donating this fund to the forum (or forum migration), that is not an option at this time. I spoke to site owner Bill Morrow recently and he does not need the proceeds from these projects for the site. So, my proposal is that when we are done, a worthwhile 'starving student' type or charity be the recipient of the money or laptop. We can discuss the selection process then, or now if someone has a good idea. Meanwhile, I would like to continue these projects, and I believe that the membership does as well ...
I am still looking for approval or denial of the offer on the table. I need to get back to this bidder today.
Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:16 am
by underclocker
Regarding the sale for $450 plus shipping, I would do the following;
1) counter at $500 or $525 plus shipping ($550 is realistically the lowest this should sell for)
2) sell it on eBay!
(Maybe the price in the ad should be lowered?)
Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:42 am
by Harryc
underclocker, ok thanks for the response, which I will take as a rejection of the $450 bid. Your others ideas have been noted. Anyone else?
Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:18 am
by RealBlackStuff
I too think that $450.- is too low.
Perhaps put some more stress on the (valuable) 2 years warranty left.
That alone is worth about $130.-
I'd second underclocker's proposal for at least $525.- + shipping
Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:29 am
by Harryc
Ok then. I will counter with $525 plus actual shipping. Thanks Gentlemen.
Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 5:04 pm
by Harryc
The bidder would like to think about the counter offer. Meanwhile the machine is still available and the price has been dropped to $550 plus actual shipping.
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:38 am
by Harryc
We've had an offer from another member. It is a multifaceted deal, so please consider it carefully. The member is offering the choice of #1 or #2 below ...
Offer #1
----------
$250 cash plus -
Thinkpad R61e Model 7650-84U 15.4 WXGA with 1Gb. All other options as they came out of the factory are intact. Warranty expires 12/10/2008, can be extended.
Product: ThinkPad R61e 7650-84U [change]
Operating system: All [change]
Original description: Celeron M 540(1.86GHz), 512MB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 15.4in 1280x800 LCD, Intel X3100, CDRW/DVD, 802.11bg wireless, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, Secure chip, 6c Li-Ion, WinXP Pro
Offer #2
----------
$250 cash plus -
Thinkpad z60t Model 2511-E6U 14.0 WXGA with 1Gb ram. All other options as they came out of the factory are intact. Warranty expired.
Product: ThinkPad Z60t 2511-E6U [change]
Operating system: All [change]
Original description: P M 750(1.86GHz), 512MB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 14in 1280x768 LCD, Intel 900, CDRW/DVDRW, 802.11abg wireless, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, IEEE 1394, Fingerprint reader, 7c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro
Again, I am simply the provider of information in this transaction and I have no opinion one way or another, but I would like to point out that the R61e has a Celeron M 540(1.86GHz), and the Z60T has a P M 750(1.86GHz). We have not done a CPU upgrade project yet ... just food for thought. Also, not having seen these machines, and based solely on the reputation of this member, I am assuming on your behalf that the condition of these machines is very good to excellent. I need two members to approve/disapprove of either offer.
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:49 pm
by underclocker
I haven't done the research, but if the CPU can be upgraded on the R61e, as with some other Celeron equipped ThinkPads, I'd accept Offer #1.
It'd be an easy upgrade to a Core CPU and it should sell for over $300 when upgraded (maybe that or more before the upgrade!)
Both, #1 and #2, are nice offers.
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:09 pm
by Harryc
Underclocker, thanks for the affirmative reply. To answer your question, at least one model of R61e came with a T7300 (2GHz C2D) and another came with a T5670 (1.8Ghz C2D) (per tabook). T7300's are $120 to $150 on EBay. T5670's are not listed on EBay. Looking at the parts manual, it lists a broad range of Mermon & Penryn CPU's and many different system board part #'s for the Intel GM960/965 chipsets, so the board would have to be researched.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 68171.html
Anyone else? I'd like at least one more member to approve or disapprove.
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:56 pm
by Harryc
Anyone? Please?
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:52 pm
by proaudioguy
RealBlackStuff wrote:Could you clone your own T61 Vista HD and change the Windows key to match the COA?
Or use the COA from the Restore CDs if you can find that?
Alternatively, how about making Restore CDs from your own T61 Vista?
The number on the COA is NOT on your computer unless you do a clean install from a hacked i386 folder and enter it yourself. The recovery discs put the same number in every machine. It's also self activating so it does not need to be activated.
That being said, IF Harry still had his T60 he could clone the drive and partition OR create a set of rescue discs. Then on the new drive he could use the recovery option and have a fresh install.
I wish I had known about this thread. I just stumbled upon it. I don't have a T6x (yet) so I almost never come around these here parts. I am trying to figure out if I can get a T61 maxed out with a broken screen then put an IPS UXGA in it.