An A31p I was destined for...?

[Medessec]

So... I purchased this auction initially not thinking much of it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181249893206?ss ... 1439.l2649

I just wanted to see what an A31 was like, and I figured if an A31p was to go for that cheap, I could probably try and fix it, or run it to a monitor and play around with it before selling it for parts.

HOWEVER:
http://www.medessec.info/m/A31p.JPG

First thing I did before powering it on was peel back the hatches to see what it had-and it turned out one of the RAM chips was deseated. After shoving that back in, patching the A31p back up, and powering it up, it showed the BIOS screen and I was just astonished. What an absolute hand of luck.

Aside from the slight wear on the keyboard, few scratches and scuffs on the lid, and the Windows XP sticker being buffed into a mirror, the machine's in remarkably excellent shape, with all original hardware and being 100% functional. Pentium 4-M 2.0 GHz, ATI Radeon 7800 AGP 64MB, 1600x1200 UXGA screen that's blistering bright with no apparent flaws, 1GB of RAM, DVD/CD-RW combo, Floppy Drive, even the battery seems to hold a full charge.

I have a few questions: Now that I have this... what should I be doing with it? I understand it's a great machine to connect the new with the old, I had a G-series to do that with. And also-how good of a deal did I get? I haven't seen A31s or A31ps change hands too often... and I've never taken enough interest in the A-series to monitor prices on ebay.

[RealBlackStuff]

That's an outright steal!
The A31p went to the ISS for many years, it was that good!
If you have any questions, ask our A31p-guru George/ajkula66, he'll be with envy!

[ajkula66]

Very nice looking machine - congrats. An absolute steal. I'd pay double of what you did just for a good board any day of the week.

That's a second generation A31p - I'd guess 2653-R3U or R4U - with security chip on board but no wireless or bluetooth.

Leave the poor thing on and don't ever turn it off or let it go to sleep if you want it to last.

Plug it directly into LAN of some kind, run XP or a light Linux on it and call it a day.

Vista/W7/W8 are a no-go, as are any PAE-requiring Linux distros.

Enjoy!

[rkawakami]

So... I purchased this auction initially not thinking much of it:

You're welcome . Had that item on my eBay watch list but decided at the last minute not to bid on it. Probably would have entered a $20.88 eSnipe. You got a great deal.

Typing on a 2653-N6U right now here at work and I'm using another A31p at home which I think is a 2653-N3U I bought for $42 back in December 2012. System prior to that was an ex-NASA machine purchased for $120 in Feb. 2012 but the screen died earlier this year. I normally would not have paid that much for one but it possibly had some history behind it. All my A31p systems are running WinXP and are used for general web browsing, office document generation (Word/Excel/Powerpoint) and program development (C/C++ compiler duty). Both work and home systems are mounted in a docking station or port replicator. I used to lug the work system back and forth but got tired of doing that. Work system is hibernated each day, while the home system is on 24/7 (except for the random times when it suffers from a video corruption, falls back to 16 color VGA and has to be re-booted ).

ref: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 03#p675803

[Medessec]

You're welcome . Had that item on my eBay watch list but decided at the last minute not to bid on it. Probably would have entered a $20.88 eSnipe. You got a great deal.

Lol. It's always hilarious to go between ebay and this forum with my adventures of misfortune or great fortune... close calls with T60s and that regrettable hold-back with Saucey getting that loaded W700ds.

Really though-thanks, because I probably wasn't intent on bidding much higher. I really haven't touched the A-series at all before, and had no interest in it, but after using this thing for a bit I can clearly see why everyone has their respects for these things. It is really a case of, "Wow. Why did I never have one of these?"


I will probably leave it on as long as I can while I play around with it a bit, running games and other weird stuff. But then after that, I'll consider selling it or packing it away with my prized T43p. Depends... but I have no real-use for it as a machine. I do really like this machine... I'll have to clean it up and make sure it's kept nice.

[ajkula66]

I will probably leave it on as long as I can while I play around with it a bit, running games and other weird stuff. But then after that, I'll consider selling it or packing it away with my prized T43p. Depends... but I have no real-use for it as a machine. I do really like this machine... I'll have to clean it up and make sure it's kept nice.

I'll probably get to fixing (sort of ) my own A31p over the next weekend. Presuming I'm successful it will sit on the pedestal of a glorified typewriter with an astounding screen. I just can't get over that keyboard. Perfect fit for me.

For those hanging onto these oldies, I'd say that Linux is the way to go once XP reaches its EOL support...I have yet to find a distro that properly supports the ancient GPU, though...

If I go really nuts I might just try OS2/Warp on it...we'll see.

Good luck with yours, whatever you decide to do with it...

[Medessec]

For those hanging onto these oldies, I'd say that Linux is the way to go once XP reaches its EOL support...I have yet to find a distro that properly supports the ancient GPU, though...

If I tuck mine away for safekeeping, I'll probably keep the XP install it has on it now. All the drivers are installed, all of the functions of the laptop seem to work just fine. In fact... because I got it for such a steal and it's fully functioning at the moment, I'm probably leaning towards keeping this laptop.

Sounds like you're especially partial to this particular model of Thinkpad... and after seeing exactly all the awesome hardware the A31p has, I'm not surprised. It's absolutely awesome I finally got my hands on one of these, and only better that it's an A31p. As much as I'd like to pass this down to someone who would use it, I feel more like it'll be at home with the T43p. If it cleans up really nice, both those machines together will make a fantastic 4:3 Thinkpad Legacy time capsule.

I forgot to mention the label on the bottom: Type 2653-RLU.

[ajkula66]

Sounds like you're especially partial to this particular model of Thinkpad...

I most certainly am. My favourite one of all times, bar none.

and after seeing exactly all the awesome hardware the A31p has, I'm not surprised.

Now just try to turn the clock back 11 years and imagine the absolute awe some of us were in when it first came out...

I forgot to mention the label on the bottom: Type 2653-RLU.

Sounds like a part of a large corporate order...

ThinkPad A31p (2653-RLU)
P4-M 2.0GHz(512KB), Not installed(RAM, HDD), 15.0 UXGA(1600x1200) TFT LCD, open bay, Modem(CDC), Ethernet(CDC), TV out, Li-Ion battery



I've got boxes of A31p bits and pieces, and a lot of plastics in near mint condition. If you need anything, it's yours for the price of shipping. Just drop me a note.

[Adda]

Very nice A31p, congratulations, and welcome to the club of A3x/p aficionados!

I still have a working Frankenpad A30/p with the cooler from an A31, the fan only spins 10 secs at the time, then stops for minutes at the time, unless I'm pushing it though, but never above minimum fan speed.

Linux with the LXDE uter interface, flies on a ThinkPad X20!!! flash is slow, but basic web browsing with scripblock and flashblock and you are set.
Remember to use custom and rather aggressive fan control, to keep the system from varying much in temperature, and not go much above 60C if possible.
You may want to find a piece of aluminum, to put between the GPU and the cooler, to help it along.

[Medessec]

Remember to use custom and rather aggressive fan control, to keep the system from varying much in temperature, and not go much above 60C if possible.
You may want to find a piece of aluminum, to put between the GPU and the cooler, to help it along.

That's really what people do here...? Sticking Aluminum inside a laptop is quite scary for me... but if it really helps, and if someone wants to explain exactly the right way to do it, I might end up doing that. But again-I'm probably not going to run it a lot, since I want to keep it nice.

I've had the chance to open it and inspect the cooler-should I replace the thermal paste or is it alright to leave it? Other than that, the cooler and the fan were extremely dusty and I've taken care of that. I've also wiped down the other really dusty bits with alcohol wipes.

[RealBlackStuff]

Anything that old should get fresh thermal paste!

[Medessec]

Alright, I'll be sure to apply some AS5 as soon as I get to it.

[Adda]

To get GPU cooling in A3x/p machines, take it apart, and remove the cooler.

Then look at the underside of the cooler, that is above the GPU, it should be the part of the cooler that houses the fan.
On the underside of this area, you'll see that there are some arms sticking you from the underside, leading to a platform with the fan on it.
These are elevated preventing us from getting something in contact with all of the GPU and the cooler, except maybe a thermal pad of the right thickness.

In my case, I used a piece of aluminum, that covered half of the GPU and had the right thickness, to be clamped between the fan housing, without compromising contact with the CPU.
To test, put a very thin layer of thermal paste on the CPU, put the metal piece on the GPU, mount the cooler.
Check if the aluminum piece is clamped, so that it doesn't slide around easily.
Unmount the cooler, and look at the cooler paste to determine if the contact between the cooler and CPU has been compromised by the addition of the aluminum piece.

If the fit is good, put cooler paste on one side of the aluminum piece, put it on to the GPU, put paste on the CPU and on top of the aluminum piece, and mount the cooler.
The paste will help keep the aluminum piece in place, I have had no problems at all, and the underside of the laptop feels cooler, especially under load.

Here is a picture of the result, I don't have much cooler paste left, so it's not coming off at this time.
http://cdn.head-fi.org/d/db/db31d436_AUT_7702.jpeg

[ajkula66]

^^^^^ That's a rather adventurous approach. Never have I tried aluminum, but I guess there's a first time for everything. Might get to it this weekend.

There's also a set of thermal rubbers that IBM used to sell for these. Unfortunately, they're out of stock and places on the web that actually have them are looking for $100 per kit...

[Saucey]

Toss in a music CD and let those speakers blare the music!!
Nice buy!! The A31s have an interesting keyboard layout, I like how Thinkpads have that small 45 degree angle cut on the edges.

[Temetka]

The A31's seem like very nice XP machines.

Why do people recommend to not turn them off?

[rkawakami]

It's presumed that the thermal cycling that occurs when the machine is turned on and off leads to a weakening and eventual failure of solder bonds in either the graphic controller or video memory.

[Medessec]

Tried out the A31p's speakers, I'd say nearly beyond impressed. Sound quality was alarmingly crisp for something that looks like a thicker, better-equipped and better engineered R-series. Probably only surpassed by the D900T, best speakers from any laptop I've heard ever, although that isn't really fair... as it's a Porta-Note.

I haven't been able to get the S-Video In to work with anything... is there software in particular I need, or would VLC's capture work just fine?

[ganon11000]

I used a piece of copper out of a dead Compaq F500s heatsink that the perfect size and used arctic MX-2 on BOTH sides of the copper. My IR Thermometer was reading about 40oC on the gpu and the cooler proving it works. I turn mine on and off because it's used every 3-4 weeks for this or that that needs XP.#

I'm going to keep XP when support ends because there will still be anti-virus programs for a while and it's so old it doesn't really matter if it gets a virus, I don't keep anything important on it!

[Adda]

I used a piece of copper out of a dead Compaq F500s heatsink that the perfect size and used arctic MX-2 on BOTH sides of the copper. My IR Thermometer was reading about 40oC on the gpu and the cooler proving it works. I turn mine on and off because it's used every 3-4 weeks for this or that that needs XP.#

I'm glad it works, lets hope it will make your A31p last longer.
My A30 doesn't seem to mind that I have played WoW on it, extensively, maybe because of the GPU cooling trick.

[ganon11000]

I'm glad it works, lets hope it will make your A31p last longer.
My A30 doesn't seem to mind that I have played WoW on it, extensively, maybe because of the GPU cooling trick.

I played games like AoE3 and TM United with no issues :p

[Medessec]

Gaming on an A31p? The only games I'd figure playing on it is Worms, Halo CE(and it doesn't even have all effects for that) and maybe Warcraft III.

RTS games I'd imagine would run the poor machine ragged... especially since I play C&C Generals.

[Adda]

An A30 can run WoW, Morrowind and Spellforce, but these games really push it to the limit, but you know how it is, it's fun to see it do it anyway, with a fan that only spins intermittently

An A31p should manage those games just fine, especially Spellforce, great game.

[A31]

Oh crikey, I remember those A31s, haha! I had one.

I enjoyed it whilst it lasted, mine died eventually though - I remember it used to reboot when I pressed the power button and I think that indicated a bad motherboard (I got it used anyway for free so I can't complain).

Looks like you got yourself a nice deal. I agree with the comments regarding the OS. I did try Vista on mine but it was slow and Aero wasn't supported either, so it looked a bit ugly. So I went back to XP and used that. Never tried 7 but it would have looked pretty ugly since Aero wasn't supported.

[Medessec]

I wouldn't have minded Windows Vista or 7 without Aero, I just switch it back to classic Windows and enjoy the Windows 9x nostalgia, that's what I do on my G41. But by the looks of it-Vista or 7 would only bring the A31p closer to it's demise, so XP's fine for me.

[A31]

I wouldn't have minded Windows Vista or 7 without Aero, I just switch it back to classic Windows and enjoy the Windows 9x nostalgia, that's what I do on my G41. But by the looks of it-Vista or 7 would only bring the A31p closer to it's demise, so XP's fine for me.

Yeah Vista ran slowly on my A31 if I remember correctly (it was 4 years ago though, so!) so I'd just stick with XP. I think that's what I used on my A31 for most of its life.

I never tried 7 but I assume it would have run better than Vista did since Vista was a bit of a resource hog.

[ganon11000]

I wouldn't have minded Windows Vista or 7 without Aero, I just switch it back to classic Windows and enjoy the Windows 9x nostalgia, that's what I do on my G41. But by the looks of it-Vista or 7 would only bring the A31p closer to it's demise, so XP's fine for me.

Yeah Vista ran slowly on my A31 if I remember correctly (it was 4 years ago though, so!) so I'd just stick with XP. I think that's what I used on my A31 for most of its life.

I never tried 7 but I assume it would have run better than Vista did since Vista was a bit of a resource hog.

When I had a spare dying HDD I tied 7 and it was on but the GPU driver would cause BSODs all the time!

[A31]

Yeah, not surprised. The hardware was never designed for operating systems as new as Windows 7 of course and the latest drivers are pretty old.

[Medessec]

Radeon 7500/7800 and Vista/7 from my experience, do not mix at all. BSODs stem from a randomly fetched driver from somewhere... but every driver working on Vista/7 for those cards is like sliding a slider between poor performance and instability.

I'm thinking of making a video soon of all my older Thinkpads since I have a few... I may have to fetch a 600 for this too.

[ajkula66]

While W7 was in the RC stage, I was able to tweak the XP driver and it worked on my A31p like a charm, giving a stunning score of 1.9 in WEI.

Once the final version came out, that was no longer possible...boy was I pi$$ed at M$ and then some...