Thinkpads Forum

Hi guys,

Haven't been posting in a while, changed jobs, started my own business and just a few minor complaints about my Thinkpads and 3000 N100

But now I'm wondering if I should stick with this 3000 or not. My Thinkpads have never failed me (apart from a bad HDD), but this machine is driving me nuts. I've had it from new and this has happened so far:
- top plastic around keyboard shows cracks just above the PC-card slot
- paint coming off around the edges of the fingerpad
- fingerprint reader only works within 10 seconds after Windows logon use (this is probably a software issue, never got it to work)
- annoying fan is always on and not controllable by the software mentioned here
- 3 keys spontaneoulsy broke off, unfixable
- spacebar works poorly, so do other keys now and then. After cleaning it works fine for 1 hour to a few days
- HDD was bad after just a few months
- had to sent back several memory sticks (Kingston)
- never got Bluetooth to work (not a big deal, but still)
- very poor battery life, capacity was down to just 15 minutes of flash-less surfing after 6 months of normal use

Just for the record: the laptop spent about 98% of it's life in the same place! I used to be a software programmer and I'm not afraid of changing a front drive axle of my Volvo.

Besides from the "normal" issues with this thing (unreadable screen outside, sound from speakers really hurts my ears) I now stumbled upon a more permanent problem. The notebook won't take memory installed in the highest bank (=not closest to main board). I've had to sent back 3 memory sticks to Kingston (which were replaced under warranty) and decided to upgrade from 1,5G to 2G (since this is the max for this machine if I'm correct). Today I woke it from sleep and I noticed performance was poor (once again ). Checked the RAM: 1G... Tried all possible combinations (1 and 2 sticks in 2 banks). The second bank is not taking any memory. When I install just one stick in the top bank it won't boot at all, just a black screen with brief HDD and fan activity.

Conclusion: second bank broke

Can't find anything on the web, or this forum. I guess it must be a main board issue?

Is it worth to find a new main board and install it (can do it myself)?
Is it worth a shot to try Crucial memory?

Or shall I just destroy it wth a big hammer and get the frustration out of my system?


Any advice welcome!!


R,

Here's a vote for selling it for parts and getting a T500 or R500 on ebay or the outlet.

Thanks!

I guess the community agrees since the lack of other replies.

What is a reasonable prince for this machine sold in spares? I just bought a 3000 C200 (dead main board) for spare parts...

Feel free to make me an offer via PM.


R,

thuur wrote:Thanks!

I guess the community agrees since the lack of other replies.

I think the lack of replies is due to lack of experience with the 3000 series machines. Heck I've never even seen one in person.

Harryc wrote:I think the lack of replies is due to lack of experience with the 3000 series machines. Heck I've never even seen one in person.

Better keep away if you're a happy Thinkpad user


Just spotted the Thinkpad Edge 15, besided from the cheap finish I can't find a reason not to buy it...


R,

Is the maximum RAM 3GB or 4GB?

Thanks

I've heard of so many issues with 3000 N100 machines, that I have no choice but to conclude that this was a particularly bad generation. It was essentially Lenovo's first entry in the 3000 series (at least in the worldwide market), and I guess they lacked the experience to do it right.

Already the next installment (3000 N200), while externally almost identical to the N100, has had far less reported issues. The later machines in the series seem quite alright as a low-end budget laptop, quite on par with some low-end Compaqs, Acers, Dell Inspirons.

However, the N100 is just not worth it it seems - I say dump it.

It sounds like you've had a bad time with it. Missing paint and cracks (non-structural) are minor cosmetics to put up with. It's amazing how many serious problems you've had. Perhaps you got a lemon. I don't see an unused memory bank would go bad without a power issue or physical drop with breakage.

I can only guess that the motherboard is bad or power control across the motherboard or other shorts have caused damage. I remember someone had a ThinkPad that was jam packed with "kitties" or "dust bunnies" that wreaked havoc with performance and all sorts of heat and electrical issues. Once they were removed, it worked fine.

You've had this open. So I'm guessing no dust bunnies, shorts, burns or bloated capacitors were present. It sounds like it's time to retire it. You could seek a motherboard, power or fan replacements on ebay if it's cheap and easy to do. I suppose there's no guarantee which replacement will work if any.

If the cost of parts is more than $100, I'd say retire it. Maybe it'll run well enough on Linux with one bank of memory holding 1GB or 2GB if it takes it to give to your kids. I say $100 because you could get a used dual core laptop for around $250. Rebuilding your 3000 could be a learning experience or a PINTA or a waste of time and money.

I got a 3000 N100 at auction that has worked flawlessly. I'm running Ubuntu on it with 1GB RAM.

Good luck!

Motherboard prices on Ebay (U.S.) seem to be $101 to $150 plus shipping.
Shipping could kill the deal. Some have only a 7 day return period. You'd be rushing to complete a fix you're new at.
You also need a new keyboard.

If the need for a dual core doesn't necessitate keeping the 3000, you could go with a nice, used Pentium M ThinkPad.

My vote is for taking it apart and giving it a good cleaning.
Don't put any money in it unless you notice an obvious and cheaply fixable problem to solve all it's problems.

I wonder if (as "Parato Optimal" suggests) you have a lemon. My daughter has had hers for 15 months and it has not had a single problem except for her complaint that it runs slowly, I would guess that would be fixed by geting rid of Vista and putting Win 7 on it. The one thing I noticed was how quietly it ran and how infrequently the fan came on. Quite the reverse to yours. I believe you can put 2 2gig sticks in but not sure if it has the same problems of recognizing more than 3gig. as the T60.

Sorry to read about these problems you're having. I'm not sure how to advise, but I will say that I have a 3000N100 that had a pub pint of water dumped on it ab 3 years ago, and it still works great. It's in every day use.

To stick to topic thuur, I agree with FredGarvin - dump it, it's not worth the trouble

By "DUMP", don't simply dump it in the trash. Parts of it maybe salvageable.
There's a marketplace forum here. People maybe interested in purchasing parts you wouldn't think have any value ...
LCD, hinges, keyboard, top/bottom case, RAM cover, HDD cover, battery, optical drive. If you're not comfortable dismantling it, having a carcass lying around and many trips to the post office, sell the whole thing as-is for parts.
Did you say it is a 3000 n100? I maybe interested in a couple of pieces. I always circulate parts/equipment around. Someone can always use it more than the land fill can use it. I stretch every last drop of usability out of old tech. Someone who can't afford to buy tech will always appreciate it.