Thinkpads.com R51 Project - (Pic Warning)

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#1 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:35 pm

I've decided to start a new Thinkpad R51 project (with your help). My goal is to build a complete R51 machine as cheaply as possible (donations of parts welcome) and to document the process as I go along. To start, I've found as much of an R51 that I could find for as little money as I could spend. Enter, this EBay item -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=003

So, total investment so far is $61.11. The Toshiba is just an extra bonus, but might be fun to play with or we can sell it to pay for parts (your call). When I receive it, I will document it's condition, and then I'll ask for your input on how to fix/upgrade it. Hey, it's something different to try, might even be fun. To start with an 1836-BBU, that's not too shabby. It has an SXGA+ Flexview LCD.

Original description: P M 1.6GHz, 256MB RAM, 60GB 4200rpm HDD, 15 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 9000, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, IEEE 1394, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

The only part I have in-house is a 15" keyboard, thanks to the generosity of Kristian (long story). So assuming that the systemboard is good (unlikely, but hey we can dream), we'll be needing a hard drive, HD cover and caddy, battery, AC adapter, and a CD drive (Ultrabay enhanced) of some sort. Also assuming that the mPCI and MDC cards are intact.

I'll post back when the machine arrives. More to come ...

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:51 pm

Well, if that R51 comes with some memory or you have some on hand and you install a keyboard, then what I always do for my parts systems is first run memtest86+ on it for a couple of hours (assuming that it boots

). If that works, then I boot PC Doctor and run through the basic tests (CPU, systemboard, video, fixed disk, serial/parallel ports, fan, thermal sensors, ethernet, modem and wireless-if present, keyboard, mouse, CDROM), looping most of those for 10 passes. After that it's time to install an OS and play around with it.

I've always thought that systems sold without a keyboard meant that something was spilled on it

.

Good Luck!

#3 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:15 pm

Good points Ray. We'll add RAM to the list of unknowns, and we'll run and document a standard battery of tests. Spillage is one possibility, or maybe it was just sitting on a shelf and someone needed a keyboard. Then there's the possibility that it died for other reasons and someone grabbed the keyboard, or perhaps the keyboard went bad, someone removed it to try and fix it, then gave up. Two of the (4) possibilities mean it's dead

. 50/50 chance ....

spuddog · #4 Post by **spuddog** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:49 pm

So, you say "build a system as cheap as possible". I have a battery with 63% wear I will send you as a donation. P.M. me an address.

Scott

#5 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:54 pm

That's the spirit

. PM on the way....total cost of the project so far, $61.11. Thanks for the donation

#6 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:06 pm

I just thought of a way to make this project a bit more interesting from a members perspective. I really don't need another machine, so here is the proposal. After this machine is built and we've met the 'cheap challange'. I will put it up for sale on the marketplace forum at a fair market price. We'll take that money and start another project for a different model Thinkpad...and so on. If I do a decent enough job of documenting the fixes, it will serve as a library for each model as far as technical documentation and photos on real repairs for member reference...not to mention a reference on how to get parts cheaply. If and when it looks like we've exhausted this idea, we'll take the money from the remaining sale and donate it to Thinkpads.com.

mgo · #7 Post by **mgo** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:38 pm

Harryc wrote:I've decided to start a new Thinkpad R51 project (with your help). My goal is to build a complete R51 machine as cheaply as possible (donations of parts welcome) and to document the process as I go along. To start, I've found as much of an R51 that I could find for as little money as I could spend. Enter, this EBay item -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=003

So, total investment so far is $61.11. ...

I have a nice R51 that I bought new in box without operating system in around 2005. It's up and running XP, and will even run Vista pretty well on another hard drive I set up for it.

Nice solid machine with a great looking hi res screen.

Just thought I would add my little comment, and wish you good luck with the project!

ajkula66 · #8 Post by **ajkula66** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:16 pm

If you're willing to accept a perfectly working but rather unimpressive Travelstar 20/4200 let me know and I'll mail it to you next time I go to the post office...

Great idea, BTW...

#9 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:54 am

mgo, I agree with your comments on the R51. I've owned a couple of them as well and they are really great machines. George, excellent news on the drive. We'll take it, and thank-you!

Just to recap the project so far, members have donated -

Battery - spuddog
Atheros Wifi B Card - Gator
Hard Drive - ajkula66
Keyboard - Harryc
Recovery CD's - Harryc

That's a great start. Total cash investment in our project so far - $61.11

vanaya · #10 Post by **vanaya** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:02 pm

How about a port replicator II 74P6734 for diagnostic purposes. It is pretty universal so would help on future subjects

sarbin · #11 Post by **sarbin** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:13 pm

i've got an 08k8213 72w ac adapter you're welcome to.

#12 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:14 pm

Great idea Vic, if you're offering we're accepting

. I'll PM my address. Thanks!

#13 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:15 pm

Sarbin, you're on. Thanks for the offer. PM on the way.

sarbin · #14 Post by **sarbin** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:16 pm

this gonna be fun!

#15 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:18 pm

Agreed on the fun factor:)

Just to recap the project so far, members have donated -

Battery - spuddog
Atheros Wifi B Card - Gator
Hard Drive - ajkula66
Keyboard - Harryc
Recovery CD's - Harryc
Vanaya - Port Replicator II
Sarbin - AC Adapter

Total cash investment in our project so far - $61.11

Parts still needed - HD cover and caddy, and a CD drive (Ultrabay enhanced) of some sort. RAM is also an unknown at this point. R51's take PC2700.

#16 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:20 pm

Update - our project machine shipped today -

FED-EX tracking number: 266050710046083

sarbin · #17 Post by **sarbin** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:22 pm

@George...
does your hdd have a caddy and screws? i may have one laying around here somewhere, if it doesn't.

sarbin · #18 Post by **sarbin** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:56 pm

Harryc wrote:RAM is also an unknown at this point. R51's take PC2700.

dang... i've got 256mb of pc2100.

virge · #19 Post by **virge** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:25 pm

I need to order some misc parts from wibony (Ebay) so I'll just add a 15" HDD cover to the list. PM me with your address and I will fwd it to you when it arrives. It'll just take a while to come from overseas.

Also, I'm pretty sure I have a Toshiba AC adapter for the Protege that was part of the auction. I used to have a similar model. If you don't have an adapter to test with I can send that along too.

Andy

#20 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:42 pm

Nice offer Andy, thanks!. PM on the way.

sarbin · #21 Post by **sarbin** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:49 pm

sarbin wrote:@George...
does your hdd have a caddy and screws? i may have one laying around here somewhere, if it doesn't.

never mind... i searched and searched, but no caddy or screws.

#22 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:50 pm

Sarbin, I took a look around, and I have a caddy, but no screws...

sarbin · #23 Post by **sarbin** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:52 pm

Harryc wrote:Sarbin, I took a look around, and I have a caddy, but no screws...

i'll pull the screws from a drive i've got in an ultrabay adapter. it fits a bit tight with 'em anyway, so they're yours.

#24 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:18 pm

Good news, thanks!

sarbin · #25 Post by **sarbin** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:25 pm

what's left on the list?

#26 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:32 pm

CD drive (Ultrabay enhanced)

sarbin · #27 Post by **sarbin** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:34 pm

so it doesn't use ultrabay slim, right?

#28 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:38 pm

Actually it takes Ultrabay slim...it just leaves some spaces open around the drive. Fully functional though.

#29 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:50 pm

Got a bare, untested UJ-832B drive around the house. You think that would work?

Here's the details:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0254455277

It has a male-style connector on the back end of the drive. Like the top drive in the first photo of this post:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 585#251585

edit: Never mind... had a brain f@rt on this one

. The UJ-832B drive I have here has the female connector on the rear of the drive; like the bottom drive in that photo I referred to above.

#30 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:06 pm

I don't know much about the drive Ray, but it has the same connector on the rear of it as an Ultrabay Enhanced drive. Might be worth a shot

.

Thinkpads.com R51 Project - (Pic Warning)

Thinkpads.com R51 Project - (Pic Warning)

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