Thinkpads Forum

I've got good working machines that I'd rather not take apart, so I'm trying to come up with a way to test bare motherboards with the minimum of parts. Any input you all have is appreciated.

Here's what I think I need to boot to an external monitor:

1. AC adapter
2. Docking station
3. CPU
4. Fan/Heatsink

Of course, to fully test it, I will have to try out a panel, keyboard, and drives. Right now, I'm just looking to see the minimum to boot to BIOS. I recently replaced the internal frame on my T60 and that was a big PIA! Would rather not do that again just to test boards.

For a CPU, get yourself a T1300 SingleCore (Intel SL8VY), cheap as chips for under $10.- on eBay. (Thanks underclocker for this tip)
Got mine here, offered $8.- which was accepted: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... SI:US:1123

External monitor is not a good test. There are problems that cause no video on LCD while external is OK. I use either a T1300 or Celeron 420, an LCD assembly and a keyboard

I have a spare LCD panel and cable and I just ordered an inverter. I may have a Celeron 420 (thanks for the tip richk!) at home. If not, then the T1300 looks like a deal. Thanks for the link RBS.