Thinkpad on couch + PCMCIA wireless card + gravity = :(

[waldog]

Hey guys - this is my first post here, but I've been lurking for quite a while. Nice forum!

Anyway, doing the math in my equation I ended up with a dead A21m. The wireless card is gone, and the PCMCIA cage was not good. I got a new wireless card, and picked up a cage from eBay. When I opened the laptop, I found the slot where the cage plugs into was physically broken. Since I had nothing to lose, I pinched the slot back into shape, installed the cage and let 'er rip.

Well, it worked. We've been using it like this for 3 months. Lately just moving the laptop around will lock it up cold. Back to eBay I found a motherboard and bought it. Easy enough to install, and the price was right. Reading the HMM I see I need to retain the system serial and set a UUID. I found out what you all already know - you cant download the Hardware Maintenance Diskette from IBM without being a paying business partner.

What I would like to find out is the following:

• 1) Will the system work if I just install the new system board, or will it lock on me? The replacement system board is a used board.
  
  2) If the serial MUST be set (I would assume so), is there any other way to do this?
  
  3) If not, is anyone interested in purchasing a Thinkpad?

Being the new guy on the block, I dont want to ask for freebies - I just dont think that's right. However if anyone has the Hardware Maintenance Diskette, I would be willing to purchase the diskette for a reasonable fee.

Thanks in advance,

dog

[underclocker]

Welcome!

You don't need the UUID or S/N set for the machine to work, but many people like it there.

Regarding the diskette...


There is some information (hint, links) on this page that might help you. They used to work anyway...

http://www.51nb.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=107134

[waldog]

You don't need the UUID or S/N set for the machine to work, but many people like it there...

Seriously? That is fantastic news! I was really worried about that. I dont care if everything matches or not. I just need it to work - the wife has become quite dependant on it.

Thanks so much for the info. I will check out the link. If I can do it right, why not?

dog

[waldog]

Checked out the links - 1.60 can be found, but the link to 1.69 returns a 404. I need 1.62 or above. Thanks anyway!!

dog