Thinkpads Forum

I have a dead T60

TYPE and SN tag is removed from the base;

laptop is dead, probably motherboard

any ideas on how to get type and SN off of it?

You may guess the TYPE from its spec. But I think it is an impossible mission to find out the SN if you can't bring the T60, at least the motherboard, back to life.

Unsolder the EEPROM, solder it onto a good mobo to read out.
Can't think of any other way.

All I can think of is the MAC address. Perhaps Lenovo keeps a database of MAC (Ethernet) addresses that includes the original serial number for the motherboard? There should be a MAC address label on the mobo, if the one on the case is missing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_address

This is also a possible way to find out, but you'll also need Lenovo's help; all of the major components have a barcode on them, e.g. hdd, battery, odd m-pci-e etc. I know that they do a parts look-up and find the barcodes of the original components, so theoretically if the item was supplied originally with the ThinkPad, it may be possible for someone at Lenovo to work the search backwards.

oddly enough I was told by their rep, they do not have database where the MAC, motherboard SN, wireless card are cross matched to laptop product id and/or SN

Call IBM back and ask to speak to someone in a group called "entitlements". They are the ones that are supposed to figure out if you have a valid warranty.