A20m from eBay -- Good Deal...

[underclocker]

Market update...

To fuel my hobby, I picked up an A20m on eBay for 102.50 plus 20.00 shipping.

It was listed as a 500 PIII with a 14.1" screen, but since that combination wasn't ever made by IBM, I figured it was at least a 600 PIII, which it turned out to be. (I could see that the screen was a 14.1" from the picture.)

It was listed as in cosmetically perfect condition.

Here's what came with it.

IBM A20m, Model 2628-4CU
600MHz PIII
14.1" 1024 X 768
384MB RAM
30GB drive
56K modem
DVD drive
CD drive w/IBM pouch
Mini-dock
Battery
Power adapter
Windows 2000 COA

It actually was in very good condition, but filthy. It was also poorly protected and a bezel and cover latch were damaged during shipping - the seller quickly reimbursed me for the repair parts. The battery, as stated was very weak, so I picked up a brand new, genuine, high capacity model for 48.00 on eBay.

I had a spare WiFi pc card.

Bottom line, for $170.00 (plus a minor hassle factor), I have a very nice spare machine. Not bad for a machine that was thousands when new and still runs XP quite quickly.

The A series are very solid machines. This one is six years old, let's see how much longer it will last.

[dsigma6]

at one point a few weeks ago there were a few on there at the same time, so prices were low. i was interested, but i've just got to stop buying so carelessly! that's a nice looking machine for its age, good luck with it! does the a20m have two drive bays?

[underclocker]

Thanks.

A20's have one fixed floppy and one ultrabay slot.

The 384MB of RAM was a big selling (buying!) point for me on this one.

[schen]

Congrats on the good deal. The key was getting one with not only RAM, but more than 256Mb to boot! Although I use the T23 myself, I love the As. They can often be found for a really good price right now.

The A30/31s are the only models with 2 open bays. the A2x are the old "3 spindle" type that include a floppy, an HDD, and a bay for the other drive although I've been told that there are "e" models that don't have the FDD.

[TeatroAbsurdoAshes]

Congratulation!
I picked up my A20m at some computer recycling center for 299 $ and still in excellent condition! Runs great on XP and just amazing, how this "old" machines operate! I love it and very good companion to my A22m...I us the "full" 2631 Docking Station with it! You can pick up for and about 30$ and give me a huge expended possibilityes.
I never was lucky with the Ebay...so good to hear somebody is!
have fun with it!
Sincerely: Puppetmaker

[dsigma6]

Congratulation!
I picked up my A20m at some computer recycling center for 299 $

You're ok with that price?

[underclocker]

If you discount the poor packing job, yes, I was lucky.

Following up on the battery, I received a brand new genuine IBM 9-cell 5400MAH battery from a seller from the UK via eBay. It took about a week to arrive and it is perfect and new, as described. It lasts a long, long time. Very nice for the price. Plus, it wasn't that much heavier than the original IBM 6-cell unit.

[3h]

Congratulations on the good deal!
A20m Thinkpads use PC100 SDRAM 144-pin non-parity SoDIMM memory, don't they? Do you know if it would be possible to use PC133 SDRAM 144-pin non-parity SoDIMM memory instead?

[underclocker]

My recollection is that some PC133 sodimms work, but not many. I think it has to do with the chip count on the sodimm.

Others may have more info or maybe a forum search will reveal more.

[tfflivemb2]

A20m Thinkpads use PC100 SDRAM 144-pin non-parity SoDIMM memory, don't they? Do you know if it would be possible to use PC133 SDRAM 144-pin non-parity SoDIMM memory instead?

My A20M wouldn't boot with any of the PC133 ram that I placed in it. I could only get it to boot with PC100. One of my 256MB PC100 sticks only registered as half....128MB.

[Kendas]

I'm betting that the memory you need is low density. High density PC133 144 pin soDIMM will not work not work with most older systems. The chipset itself is too new.

I know my A30 requires PC133 memory but it also requires low density chipset on it.

Not to endorse any manufacturer or web store but www.allmemoryupgrades.com has a memorey finder that can tell you exactly what kind of memory you need.

[tfflivemb2]

If I am not mistaken, there isn't a "low" density, so to speak with 128MB ram sticks. The low density came around with the 256MB sticks.

[Kendas]

You could right. I'm not a memory "guru" by any means... I just worked with/on computers when they still said Burroughs, or IBM on the front face, or took up at least half a room (the other half was the A/C ;}). I also work on my own equipment... Can't trust most current techs to know how to troubleshoot a problem. All they do is read the manual and replace parts that the manual says to.

I do know that the 128mb memory I had in this laptop came from a Dell. Bought from from Dell Direct and listed as PC133 144 pin low density soDIMM. It worked on this system until I needed more memory and opted for the 512/256 that I have now.

He states that his 256mb only registers as 128mb which leads me to believe he's trying to use high density when he needs low... High density memory used in machines that require low density usually either don't work at all or show only half the memory of the chipset.

[3h]

Thanks for the responses!