Bought a used (Shady) T61P, Need some help.

[Rofflesaurrr]

So I've acquired a T61p off of eBay for $200. It was advertised as having 2 problems: shutting off after 15 seconds, and missing BIOS information. Problem 1 turned out to be a missing bracket holding the GPU heat-sink down. I temporarily fixed it with a piece of plastic until the part arrives (yellow circle in pic). Problem #2 is beyond me. I assumed the TPM chip was enabled and I'd have to reset it. Wrong. It was advertised as a 6460-8WU laptop. Upon receiving it, I found that to be incorrect. It doesn't have the WUXGA screen, just the WSXGA+. It also was missing bluetooth, fingerprint reader, and it had a Windows XP sticker on it, not a Vista Business sticker.

What also gets me is... they removed the 2 stickers on the bottom with the model and serial #'s. When you go into the BIOS, it shows a UUID of all zeros, and no system serial #. I'm okay with the WSXGA+ screen. Everything is already tiny with 1680x1050. I can't imagine what a WUXGA screen would be like.

I would return it, but the computer looks like it's never been touched before. There isn't a scratch on it, or and shine on the keys. For $50, i've ordered everything it was supposed to have, minus the WUXGA screen.

Here's my questions:

1. Is there any way I can out find the serial number or model/type? There's a sticker on the frame but I think it's irrelevant. (See picture)

2. The service manual says to apply new labels when replacing the bottom case. Where can I get these?

3. Once serial number is found, how can I put it and the UUID into the BIOS? (There's screws missing. Maybe the motherboard was replaced and would cause this?)

4. It came with a Atheros Wireless N card. I see that as an option in the manual. Should I keep this, or go for the Intel 4965AGN?

5. There's a random wire in the picture that looks like it would go to the modem, but there's no place to plug it in. What is this? (Se red circle)

6. Is it possible to have Bluetooth and Wireless USB at the same time? It looks like you can have a Bluetooth light or a WUSB light on the screen, but not both. However, it's completely possible to put the WUSB card in the unused slot along with the UWB antenna. Would this cause a hardware conflict?

http://mysite.verizon.net/rofflesaurrr/ibmt61p.jpg

This computer is definitely weird. It looks as if the motherboard has been replaced, but the computer doesn't look like it's ever been used. The WiFi card was even in the wrong slot. The nuts on the VGA port are missing, and the PCMCIA slot was missing. I have no idea what model/type it actually is. Is there anything else I should check? Is it safe to assume it's a T61p and has the 256MB QuadroFX 570M? All I have to go by is the sticker on the screen that says T61P. I can't install Windows 7 until the HDD gets here.

I've ordered the following:

- Seagate 500GB 7200rpm SATA HDD
- 4GB OCZ DDR800
- Sierra Wireless MC8775 (With IBM FRU)
- Wifi/WWAN Antenna Kit
- Bluetooth Daughter Card
- Screw Kit
- CPU Bracket Kit
- Indicator Plate with BT and WWAN
- SIM Card Slot
- PCMCIA Slots
- Palm Rest with Fingerprint Scanner

This is a great computer so far. It runs Ubuntu from a thumb drive nicely. Sorry for the long post.

Admin edit: Removed HUGE inline image and replaced with link. Please keep images <50KB and also post a note in the subject line (i.e., *PIC*)

[jetmn]

I am willing to bet it is stolen, that is why they killed the serial #'s. I wouldn't worry about it too much, I don't think I have ever needed the SN on mine before. It would be nice to find the Type number though, that is needed for looking up parts. I think the only place that has it is those stickers on the bottom.

[Rofflesaurrr]

I don't think it's stolen. I bought it from a reputable company on eBay. I believe it was some sort of liquidation company. I bought other things from them too, and they felt it was necessary to remove the labels. It's just annoying.

[RealBlackStuff]

Go into Lenovo's site and play a bit with the Type/Model numbers.
Start with Type 6460 Model 05U, which has this:
Product: ThinkPad T61p 6460-05U [change]
Operating system: All [change]

Original description: Based on 6460-CTO: T8100(2.1GHz), 2GB RAM, 160GB 5400rpm HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD, 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Business

TYPE 6460 is only one type (out of many for) T61p. If you enter MODEL CTO in the BIOS eventually, you'll be covered for most drivers.

Apart from its provenance, to decide what it is we need to know more, foremost the screen size and what CPU and GPU. Maybe Turbo-mem and WWAN.

[craigmontHunter]

You need the Hardware Maintence diskette to chance the serial number, and that is a lenovo internal assett (If lenovo didn't say you can, you can't have it)

[Rofflesaurrr]

It has:

Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 2.4GHz
15.4' WSXGA+ Screen
Atheros/IBM A/B/G/N
Secure Chip
Windows XP Pro

That's all I know because that's all it came with.

It has the cooler for discrete graphics, so I'm assuming it does in fact have a nVidia Quadro 256MB.

I've gone through Lenovo's website, and so far it's not a 6459,6460,6461,6462, or 6470... unless it's a 6460-CTO or something.

[bill bolton]

they felt it was necessary to remove the labels. It's just annoying.

There is no legitimate reason for doing so if they hold good title to the items concerned.

The serial number on the frame may be for this unit....

• Warranty information
  
  Type: Model: Serial number:
  6460 64G L3A4269
  
  Status: Expiration date: Location:
  In warranty 2010-07-26 SWITZERLAND

• Product: ThinkPad T61 6460-64G
  
  Original description: T7100(1.8GHz), 1GB RAM, 120GB 5400rpm HD, 15.4in 1280x800 LCD, 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Business 32

You quite possibly have a FrankenPad, that is not in any standard configuration and was not manufactured in its current form by Lenovo... hence no model and serial numbers etc. It may have been "manufactured" from parts of other systems etc.


Caveat emptor!

Cheers,

Bill B.

[Troels]

Hi,
I'm not really much into the T61/p compared to the T60/p, but everything seems very similar.

2) You get a plethora of different ones when ordering a new base cover. They are pretty much identical to each other, except they have slightly different markings and logos. One of them has the model number of the WWAN card written onto it, the other is just an empty sticker. You also get a blank, white piece of adhesive paper on which you can write the machine type and serial number.
I don't know if they fit the T61p base, but i have a couple of stickers from when i needed to replace my T60p base (the laptop sleeve slipped out of my hands while in momentum...), so if any of them (sans the white sticker and two of the other stickers) is of interest you can have a set.

EDIT: Just re-checked. There are multiple smaller labels measuring approx 2.5" x 1.5" with a notch in it, since it is mounted near a screw location. But there was only one large label in the box with the Lenovo logo and a lot of text. Bummer.

4) Keep it. It has better signal reception.

5) The connector looks just like the one going to the modem. IIRC the connector on the modem is facing downwards with its opening facing the screen. You'd need to remove the modem to install the connector i think.

[Rofflesaurrr]

Yeah, I have no idea. I verified that I do in fact have a real T61p. I downloaded some program on my USB Ubuntu OS that displayed the hardware specs. It listed a QuadroFX 570M.

I'm just one of those people that like everything to be original as possible. When I go to the junkyard for car parts I pick up some of the smallest stupidest things just so everything will be as it was from the factory. I just wish I didn't have blank information in the BIOS. I guess when I'm looking for drivers I can just look up a 6460-CTO right?

I did the same warranty lookup where it came up with the 64G model. None of those specs match mine at all. Maybe someone replaced the magnesium frame with a used one.

If you flash the BIOS, does it transfer the UUID and Serial # to the new BIOS version, or do you have to enter it manually?

[richk]

Assuming it wasn't some crook that erased the chip with the serial and UUID, the all-zero UUID means it was a new or factory rebuilt motherboard. The same dealer-tool that changes the serial number generates the UUID on a virgin board. The UUID is unaffected by BIOS updates. Only the Depot can make labels. Dealers and service providers cannot.

[Rofflesaurrr]

If I called Lenovo, do you think they would be able to provide me with some kind of label kit?

[ajkula66]

Not likely...

If I had that machine in my house, Lenovo would be the very last ones I'd be calling for anything...

The moment I receive a unit with serials erased, especially if that was done in BIOS as well, that machine goes back, and if the other side seems unwilling to comply, I threaten with law enforcement...never failed so far.

My $0.02 only...

[RealBlackStuff]

Closest WSXGA+ I can find is:
6460-DVU where they swapped out the T9300 CPU for a T7700
or
6457-8LU but that came with Vista Ultimate 32 (with possibly an option to downgrade to XP Pro)

[Rofflesaurrr]

I think the palmrest may be from another T61. The FRU doesn't match any of them in my service manual. So maybe it did have a fingerprint scanner and Vista on it.

When I take it apart completely, i'll be able to see the FRU # on the base cover. Assuming it hasn't been replaced, it should tell me what model I have. According to the service manual, each model has a different base cover # for some reason.

[sktn77a]

You could call Lenovo with the serial number and ask them to tell you what they can about the unit (serial numbers are unique). They may be able to offer some help. Have you tried that "other" forum?

[misfit]

I'm with ajkula66 / George on this one. I wouldn't have that machine in my house. I'd be chasing the seller for either a full refund or for a replacement machine that isn't so suspicious.

The only reason people steal laptops is because other people buy them. To me a person who buys a laptop of uncertain provenance or knowingly buys a stolen laptop is simply enabling a thief. I'd be gutted if someone stole my main machine and ready to do some serious damage if I were to find the person.

That said it *could* be legit but as you say "shady" yourself I think that you'd best hope that the police never have occasion to check your electronics. Nothing says "I've been stolen" like an absent serial number. It's not like you can show a receipt to prove ownership as there'd be no serial listed on it.

Good luck.

[TTY]

serial numbers are unique

One would expect them to be unique, but i doubt they are on ThinkPads. I just tried parts and warranty lookup with the S/N Bill Bolton supplied. I specified two different models, 6460 and 6457. Two different computers turn up, with different ends of warranty and different components.

[Rofflesaurrr]

The sticker that's on the magnesium chassis: It has a type and serial number. Is this referring to the computer as a whole? Or are those just part numbers for the chassis? The serial number number could be the correct one for the computer, but the type # isn't in the correct format and doesn't come up with anything on Lenovo's website.

[ajkula66]

The numbers on the frame are part numbers, and are not related to serial number.

Several different machines can have the same serial number, but not under the same model number, thank you Lenovo because this was NOT the case in the IBM days...

[Rofflesaurrr]

I went through every configuration possible on Lenovo's driver lookup page, and none of them match. Then I went to the warranty information page, and typed the serial number from the sticker on the frame. I tried the serial number with each of the 8 different type #'s it could be. The only one that made sense was this one:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... yle=lenovo

This has to be mine.. 6459-CTO... located in United States... and out of warranty..

All the other possibilities are either in other countries, have wrong hardware configuration, or are still under warranty. Noone would have sold a T61 with problems if it was still under warranty.

So i'll write this serial # into the BIOS, and have it generate a new UUID.

I'm waiting on the PCMCIA slots to come in the mail tomorrow, and then I can put it all back together.

And I need to get a label kit.

[ajkula66]

Rofflesaurrr wrote:

Noone would have sold a T61 with problems if it was still under warranty.

I've bought a number of ThinkPads on fleabay "with issues" that were still under warranty. You'd be surprised how many people - businesses included - are clueless or couldn't care less about the warranty status of the machine they're getting rid of.

Hate to sound like a broken record, but while you seem fairly confident that the laptop in question is legit, a lot of details point in the opposite direction...

Good luck.

[Rofflesaurrr]

Like I said, I bought it from a large company/liquidation center that's been in business for 10 years. I highly doubt they've been selling stolen goods. It's most likely just an out of warranty laptop that someone partially replaced the motherboard on.. and left it at that.

If someone could tell me why there's two modem cables, and only one port on the modem card, that would be great.

[bill bolton]

It's most likely just an out of warranty laptop that someone partially replaced the motherboard on.. and left it at that.

You can't "partially replace" a plannar.

Cheers,

Bill

[RealBlackStuff]

Stereo-modem?

[Rofflesaurrr]

You can't "partially replace" a plannar.

Cheers,

Bill

Haha, I meant that they put a new one in, but didn't finish putting it back together (i.e. missing PCMCIA slots, Heatsink bracket missing, missing screws, etc.)

[bill bolton]

but didn't finish putting it back together (i.e. missing PCMCIA slots, Heatsink bracket missing, missing screws, etc.)

More strong evidence that it is a FrankenPad

Cheers,

Bill B.

[Rofflesaurrr]

More strong evidence that it is a FrankenPad

Cheers,

Bill B.

Yeah. I don't mind it having a new motherboard, and a bunch of stuff missing. I paid less and bought what I wanted. It's like a ghetto CTO system.