Is It Worth Saving My T60?

[sweat]

The left keys on my touchpad have stopped working (I now need to carry around a mouse with me). the wireless adapter is flaky and the PC slows to a halt. Oh and the battery only lasts 50% of its original life.

So, what I should I do with my T60? Is it worth the attempt of reinstalling Windows and see if that helps? As far as my tech guy at work can tell, the touch pad problem is hardware and not software related. Do I hunt down new hardware on eBay and replace the touchpad? Or, do I just get rid of the laptop all together?

My office has ordered me a new laptop so this would be one to keep at home. We don't absolutely need it, but given its relative light weight, it would be nice to keep around, if it actually worked.

Thanks in advance.

[dr_st]

Well, the T60 has a trackpoint in addition to the touchpad. Does that work? (even if you do not like using the trackpoint, it is good to know cause it may help determine the scope of the problem).

If it is just the touchpad, you should be able to fix it by replacing the palmrest, which is neither an overly expensive, nor an overly complicated process.

Flakiness of the WiFi may be a hardware issue, but can also be caused by the driver or the power management settings. Even in the case of a hardware problem, the WiFi adapter can be replaced, also without breaking the bank.

"PC slows to a halt" is more often than not a software issue, and can be remedied by careful tracking and sorting of the active applications/services, searching for malware, etc. An easier, though more extreme solution of reinstalling the operating system also helps a lot in these cases.

Finally, the battery situation is just normal wear and tear. Batteries are consumables and degrade over time at a variable rate, depending on your usage patterns and luck of the draw. If you need a new battery, the Lenovo outlet often offers good ones at very low prices.

All in all, if you really like the machine, and if all the core components of it work (as seems to be the case), I see no reason why you cannot get a few more years of life out it, at a relatively small expense.

[emeraldgirl08]

If you don't want it anymore ... ahem

Seriously though a mousepad is not expensive and your wireless card can easily be replaced as well if need be. I would put an WTB here in the marketplace. People tend to take better care of their equipment here and will sell you something in decent condition versus Fleabay.

[sweat]

I can move the cursor around without problems. If I press on either the left trackpad keys, either the one above or just below the actual trackpad, nothing happens. Sometimes they work, most of the time they don't.

If I needed to replace that part, the wireless card and the battery, how much would I be out - ballpark number. In terms of speed, I've done a pretty good job of limiting what starts up and malware scans are coming up negative. Hard drive is about 75% full - could that be an issue. I'm also running 1 gig of ram instead of 2, but am not playing games - just web surfing and some MS Office stuff.

Thanks in advance.

[ZaZ]

A new keyboard will probably cost you about $30 and a new battery $40 in the outlet. That seems like a reasonable investment for a notebook that still offers very good performance. I'd agree there's a pretty good chance your wifi card is fine and it's the software mucking things up. Even if the card is bad, replacements are available on eBay for $10. If you're running XP 1GB is fine given the usage.

[sweat]

I found three keyboards that appear to be compatible. (39T7118, 39T7178, and 39T0958). Does it matter which one I buy and if not, how do I chose? If I can't find from Lenovo, do I buy new from one of the online retailers or just try my luck with a refurb either from a retailer or on eBay. (I'll try the forums here as well).

As far as the slow speed, here are two images showing what is happening at startup. If you have suggestions about what to disable, please let me know.

img]http://www.netsweat.com/Art/StartUp-Screen1.jpg[/img]
img]http://www.netsweat.com/Art/StartUp-Screen2.jpg[/img]

[Harryc]

We don't allow inline pics without a warning in the subject line, and even then only one small pic please. Breaking .img tags

[ZaZ]

You might want to post in the marketplace forum to see if anyone has an extra keyboard. Quicktime and good are a couple I'd unload. If you got the time, a clean install can help too.

[sktn77a]

I think you need a palmrest, not a keyboard - they're available here or on e-bay for $15-$30 plus shipping. I doubt the wireless problem or the slowing is a hardware problem - should be cured by a clean install of windows (MS or Lenovo).

[John H]

Boy, that T60 sounds pretty bad! I think you should sell it to me for $15 (including shipping).

[RRHODY]

I have been using IBM/Lenovo laptops for many years and many different models (the old butterfly keyboard, most of the 700's, a 240, T2X, etc.). I reluctantly gave up my 600X in the name of progress and have been wishing for that same feel and build quality. IMHO the T60 comes pretty close to that beloved 600X. I would not give up too easily on finding ways to keep the T60 going.

[sweat]

I think you need a palmrest, not a keyboard - they're available here or on e-bay for $15-$30 plus shipping. I doubt the wireless problem or the slowing is a hardware problem - should be cured by a clean install of windows (MS or Lenovo).

The problem is with the touchpad buttons. I've reversed the buttons the right buttons seem to work okay, though I do need to push down on them fairly hard. By palmrest, are you referring to the plastic piece that goes around the touchpad?

As far as the wireless card, I did one clean install about 8 months ago and still have the connection problems, which is why I think the wireless card is the problem.

[sweat]

Are the any Thinkvantage programs that I can disable from startup without any ill-effect on my PC? I want to try cleaning that up as long as I'm trying stuff short of a total reinstall of Windows.

Thanks.

[spurgeon]

Are the any Thinkvantage programs that I can disable from startup without any ill-effect on my PC? I want to try cleaning that up as long as I'm trying stuff short of a total reinstall of Windows.

Thanks.

while i'm no expert on thinkpad hardware, i've done enough reinstalls to tell you that there's nothing like a fresh install of windows.

And with the recovery software/partition included in with your thinkpad, it's hilariously easy to reformat - just hit the blue thinkvantage button during startup - and it practically holds your hand through the process. don't even need to hunt down drivers!

[hhmcsv]

I can move the cursor around without problems. If I press on either the left trackpad keys, either the one above or just below the actual trackpad, nothing happens. Sometimes they work, most of the time they don't.

I had this problem with my now scrapped T40. The problem was solved easily by dismantling the palmrest and cleaning the little rubber pads that constitutes the contact media to the printed circuit board. When these little rubbers get filled with fine dust over time, they loose the ability to make contact. At first, you have to use harder pressure, at last no action at all.
All you need is a small screwdriver, Kleenex tissue and a electronic contact cleaner (spray).

[tockki]

If you need a keyboard.

PM sent.

[TPA]

I had this problem with my now scrapped T40. The problem was solved easily by dismantling the palmrest and cleaning the little rubber pads that constitutes the contact media to the printed circuit board. When these little rubbers get filled with fine dust over time, they loose the ability to make contact. At first, you have to use harder pressure, at last no action at all.
All you need is a small screwdriver, Kleenex tissue and a electronic contact cleaner (spray).

Re-seat connectors while you are there.