If you've ≥5 computers, do you use them all or feel guilty?

[lparsons]

I thought I might chime in, with my interesting collection between work and home.

At home:
My thinkpad R32
My wifes Dual-G5
A dell optiplex (running FreeBSD as a webserver)
A compaq Ipaq (not a PDA, a very small desktop)

That's only four, but I have six more at work that I am the exclusive user of:

(four that work)
Another mid-sized dell optiplex (my main desktop, running win2k)
A really small optiplex (hooked up to 21" SGI monitor for visuzalization, running win2k)
IBM IntelliStation M (hooked up to a mass spectrometer, running XP)
Another Intellistation M (for data analysis, running XP)

(two that don't)
An SGI Octane (hardware problem causes random crashes)
An SGI O2 (just needs a new hard drive caddy)

And to make things really interesting:
An SGI Altix cluster - 12 itanium CPUs, 24gb of ram (I am responsible for its care and feeding)

Seems like every time I turn around another computer lands in my lap...

[KristianJ]

As of the end of the week I'll (once again) qualify for 5 or more...I've picked up a deal on a HP nw8240 that I'll be able to add to the T42p, T42, Dell that I mentioned earlier in the thread, and desktop PC.

Of course, the last time I had 5 was back a couple of months where I had a Dell Inspiron 700m but had to sell that because things were slightly shaky financially. But because of my tax refund and an unexpected windfall, I can once again afford to splurge a little bit and test out a widescreen HP notebook.

I'm imagining it'll be reasonably similar to the Z60m I owned for a while at the beginning of the year - they're both WSXGA+, but the HP has a P M 770 CPU whilst the the Z60m only had a 750 (not that it would make a massive difference)

[j-dawg]

I qualify with six proper computers:
1. This machine, my desktop (Intel Q6600, Nvidia 8600 GT, 2GB RAM)
2. My old desktop/current server (AMD Athlon XP 2GHz, 512MB RAM)
3. My 450MHz "Sawtooth" PowerMac G4, which will soon be my mother's
4. The Thinkpad X24 in my signature
5. The Thinkpad X61T in my signature
6. A small Shuttle-based PC (Athlon 1.5GHz, 512MB RAM) with a CF hard drive that I have not set up to connect to my TV, despite meaning to do so for months.

I also have an HP Jornada 720, with Linux and IceWM on a 2GB CF card, which has started to collect dust thanks to my new old iPhone, a 16GB EDGE model unlocked and on T-Mobile. The iPhone is actually very impressive; it's much more usable for Wi-Fi internet duty (I am too cheap for a data plan) than the Jornada.

[thePCxp]

I currently have 5 computers (not counting my ThinkPad R50 boyfriend as my computers are considered our "kids"):
1. An eMachines 366 desktop, and that's my first computer (I named it Ray).
2. An IBM NetVista A22p with an IBM E74 monitor. (My second computer, which I named Richard.)
3. My ThinkPad R51 (which is my 3rd computer and 1st ThinkPad, which I named Steven).
4. An IBM 300GL PC (my 4th computer, which I named John).
5. My ThinkPad T41 (which is my 5th computer and 2nd ThinkPad, which I named Theodore but we just call him T.K.).

And that list is going to keep growing. I am going to be getting another ThinkPad soon (I might either be getting one of the new ThinkPads or a T60). I am also planning on getting more ThinkPads. I want to get a 2 T60's (one 14 inch and the other 15 inch), 2 R60's (same as the T60's), a ThinkPad Tablet, an R52, a 15 inch T4x, and the list goes on.

[denisky]

I have several computers at home:
1. IBM ThinkPad R51e (my main workhorse)
2. IBM ThinkPad X22
3. Acer Extensa 367T (has broken hinges)
4. No brand PC (running Debian 4.0 Etch as router)

Other machines:
5. IBM ThinkPad T41 --my Dad's
6. Aris (Malaysian brand) Laptop -- my Sister's


It would be 7 if I didn't sell T43.


I use my computers everyday, except Acer.

[kc7gr]

Let's see...

One each primary workstation, myself and my lady (2).

Dedicated systems for shipping and the lab bench, two Windows, one MS-DOS (and proud to say that the latter is a PS/2 Model 95 tower). (3)

DNS servers (2), both HP LP1000R's.
Mail server, another HP 1000R (1).
FTP/Usenet and Web systems, both Compaq Proliants, (2).
And, finally, Windows 2K Server-based domain controllers, (2).

Add the parentheses all up -- 12 active systems overall. This does not count my laptop, nor the systems I have for occasional testbed usage (probably another six or so, various types).

The servers are there because we're self-hosted for our Internet presence. I am, in effect, my own ISP. I would add that all the Internet-exposed systems (even the ones behind the firewall/router) are NOT Windows-based (I'm not that crazy). They're all running FreeBSD.

The lab systems are a bit unique, particularly the PS/2-95. There's lots of older Motorola software, used for programming and servicing their 1990's vintage radios, that absolutely requires MS-DOS.

Oh! One more... Once I get my big amateur (ham) radio station on the air, it will have a dedicated computer of its own, customized for heavy-duty digital work (signal processing, etc.), station logging and remote radio control. So, 13 active systems.

Keep the peace(es).

[Andrew T]

Here is the collection of computers in my house.

ThinkPad T61 (My primary computer)
IBM IntelliStation M Pro (for my parents)
Dell Dimension 8200 (sister's computer)
HP Pavillion zv5000 (my cannon fodder computer)
Dell Inspiron 3800
Gateway 2000 P5-75
Compaq Contura 410c (used to program my old Motorola radios)
2 Macintosh PowerBook 150

Former computer that my dad threw out because he thought it was useless:

RadioShack Tandy Microcomputer

That was about 10 years ago when he threw it out and I am still upset to this day.

[Miller88]

Used to have 5 pcs, but one died.

I have a gateway desktop pc for server

Dell 15'' laptop for "desktop" purposes - just sits on my desk really and I do games on it.

Dell 14'' laptop for classes and "business"

Dell Optiplex 150 for figuring out linux

Used to have a gateway pc but it had motherboard issues

[BetterBob]

2 PC's that just sit there and are just there to hold networked drives.

1 Win Media Center PC, General home use

2 Laptops, 1 X60 tablet (my personal) and another dell i picked up from my brother.

[phr]

Thinkpad T61 (Ubuntu Hardy) - on my desk in the office, use every day
Thinkpad A22p (Fedora Core 4)- At home in my bedroom, use every day
Thinkpad X40 (Fedora Core 3)- At home, use for portability and travel
Asus EEE PC 701 (Debian/Xandros) - at office, use for preinstalled skype (I don't want to install this on my thinkpads because it's closed source)
Nokia 770 Linux tablet (Maemo) - almost never use, might give away
Sharp SL5000D Zaurus (Linux PDA) - might find a use for it sometime
Compaq 3100 PDA (WinCE, intended to run OpenZaurus) - piece of crap, battery died almost as soon as I bought it, display unreadable, never used it really
Thinkpad 770 - at home, replaced by A20p, in working condition after EZserv repair but sitting in the closet unused
Thinpad A20p - screen hinge broke, machine basically trashed from overuse, replaced with A22p from Craigslist
Thinkpad 240 - screen connector broken, unsuccessful repair nightmare, lost the battery, might set up as a music or mail server sometime
Thinkpad 755cx - in closet, sort of works but is flaky, replaced by Thinkpad 770 above
White box AMD K6 desktop, Debian 1.3 - taking up space at home, should recycle
Hitachi Visionbook Traveler subnotebook aka Thinkpad 235 (Windows 98 ) - almost forgot about this one, it still works and I used it once in a while for travel before I got the X40. Still a cute machine, might upgrade to Linux and come up with an application...

I'm sure there's some I'm forgetting...

[JeriC]

I use my desktop (Athlon 900) and - in the university or when lying in bed - my thinkpad (770, 233 mhz). I also have an old Siemens-Nixdorf-Notebook (P100) with broken screen which I use to play around with Win NT 3.51 & stuff, an old Powerbook G3 with broken display hinge & broken zipdrive (where I took the RAM from and put into my thinkpad, only 32 megs are left), and two 'half' PCs, i.e. without power supply.

[magura]

Having read and admired your impressive collections I now feel a bit less guilty and able to give you my list of "guilt items":

• 1. T61p (WUXGA HD, XP & Ubuntu) - this baby has just been for a week on my desk and I love it (though I do admit - no longer real TP...maybe because of the wide screen?) - going to make it an all-purpose-machine,
  2. T41p & dock (SXGA+, XP & Fedora)) - if not for the lousy (as for TP) LCD I would really be using it all the time...now my wife's going to take it over,
  3. R50p (UXGA IPS, XP & Debian) - If it were not for the faulty GPU (couldn't fix it) I would still be using it. Now it's waiting for a new mobo as I will ALWAYS miss its brilliant IPS LCD - impeccable and unequalled!
  4. T43 (XGA, XP) - gave it to my dad but then after he died just a couple of months ago I couldn't sell it...gladly my aunt agreed to use it
  5. T20 & adv dock (XGA, XP & RedHat) - this machine just doesn't want to stop working. I would love to get old the way it has still brawny after all these years... The fabulous IBM's titanium cover has really done the job
  6. 560 (SVGA, 98SE) - still keep it as it was my first TP and it's working!
  7. 380z (SVGA, 2000) - a whale of a TP but still use it to setup my LPG-powered cars (LPT, RS-232, USB - anything you need)

I use T61p and T41p on a daily basis and 380z just as a tweaking tool for my cars. My wife uses T20 to browse the web.
I have to admit, however, I really miss my R50p and its great IPS and will definitely try to revive it as soon as I get a good deal on a new mobo.

[pianowizard]

This day has finally come! I started this thread on Oct 24, 2006, when I had 10 computers and felt guilty about not using all of them. Since then, I have been constantly trying to downsize my collection. Yesterday I sold a Compaq desktop (1.3GHz Duron) for $25, and today a Dell Dimension 8200 (2GHz P4) for $40, both through Craigslist, and now I only have 4 computers! I no longer own "5 or more computers"! All 4 of my current computers get used heavily, so I have no more feeling of guilt. The Dell Dimension B110 and Thinkpad T42 are at home, and the Dell OptiPlex GX280 and Thinkpad 240Z are at work. I do have two additional computers that I bought with my own money -- both of them Dell OptiPlex GX280 -- but they are used in my lab for research and so I no longer consider them my personal computers.

If you still have too many computers, try to downsize like I did! It will make you feel good!

[dorronto]

This day has finally come! I started this thread on Oct 24, 2006, when I had 10 computers and felt guilty about not using all of them. Since then, I have been constantly trying to downsize my collection. Yesterday I sold a Compaq desktop (1.3GHz Duron) for $25, and today a Dell Dimension 8200 (2GHz P4) for $40, both through Craigslist, and now I only have 4 computers! I no longer own "5 or more computers"! All 4 of my current computers get used heavily, so I have no more feeling of guilt. The Dell Dimension B110 and Thinkpad T42 are at home, and the Dell OptiPlex GX280 and Thinkpad 240Z are at work. I do have two additional computers that I bought with my own money -- both of them Dell OptiPlex GX280 -- but they are used in my lab for research and so I no longer consider them my personal computers.

If you still have too many computers, try to downsize like I did! It will make you feel good!

CONGRATS....

Ron

[topmahof]

okay, i guess it's my turn.

3-x41s, one in the van that runs the gps. (i can't see the little screen anymore on the little garmin. 1 goes with me on the boat to the island and it plays the music for parties and gets me online nicely. 1 for the parttime service tech that helps me when i get jammed. (i own a service company for hot tubs). oh yeah, the 3rd one is a spare.

1-x40 that i keep for a spare for when the ol' lady drops hers on the floor.

1-x30 that i put together on a bet when somebody bet me that it couldn't have a g speed wireless card. i play with it once in awhile.

2-x32s primo condition. 1 is set up on a base and is used as a desktop. the other one is used for traveling.

1-gateway 2.6 desktop that doesn't get used much anymore. i just like the x32 better.

1-dell 3.2 desktop that i use to infect with viruses and then try to get rid of them. 100% success rate so far, (knock on wood)

i have a x40 that i bought for parts off of ebay and i didn't even turn it on, i took the screen off coz i needed it for the ol lady's x40 (another story) and after i had it all apart i found a linux disc stuck in the cd-rom drive in the base that came with it. so i hooked it up to a monitor and [censored] if it didn't boot to bios. so it's sitting here waiting for a monitor but it works.

oh yeh, i almost forgot, 1 apple IIe that i rescued from my original job that still works.
1-texas instruments that hooks to a tv that has basic. it took me 2 days to write enough code to bounce a ball from wall to wall. so i guess i qualify as a ham and egger packrat.

[Unknown_K]

I have a ton of computers besides the Thinkpads in my sig. Stuff like PC XT/286/386/486/P1 Mac 68K and PPC, Amigas, etc.

To me the computers are like a library, you pull one off the shelf when you are in the mood. And I collect software for each platform I own.

[ZaZ]

I used to have 10+ years ago running websites and whatnot. Over time I got rid of them one by until I was down to one, my T42 with a dock. I liked that I only had to maintain one computer. Around that time I started to think what happens if my T42 does down? I bought a cheap AMD desktop and a week or so later, the hard drive went on my T42. It got fixed in a few days, but I was glad I had the other machine to fill the void. Now I'm up to four. I got my X200 of course. Then I got an AMD quad desktop just cause the X200 ain't going to cut it for coding blu-rays. Then I got a couple low watt AMD Linux media servers. All see fairly regular use. I'm one of those if don't use it I'll get rid of it types just cause I don't like to have things unless I use them.

[crashnburn]

I have a bunch.. I think 5 laptops. I've offloaded from 2. Now I have 3 + Lotsa Ext HDD + a NAS. I need to get down to two..

Its hard to play between them all.

[dr_st]

I guess one can say I collect computers, but in a narrow sense. I don't typically get a computer that I have no use or no need for, just for the sake of collecting. However, every once in a while, I need a newer, stronger machine. So I buy one. I don't upgrade existing ones. And I never throw away / retire the old ones, if they still work.

Some exceptions being the past Thinkpads in my sig. The 2623-D3U was sold the moment I got my 2007-QPG, since that was the one I wanted to begin with. The lovely Z61t I purchased from GnatGoSplat here was eventually sold off, since it was really not used at all, and a pity to waste.

I guess this Z61t was the only time I actually purchased a machine for the collector's instinct - I wanted to inspect it, play with it a bit, fully intending to sell it a bit down the road. And I still miss it and somewhat, partially regret selling it. In fact, now, a year and a half later, if I still had it in my possession, I would find a use for it as a multimedia center (a need which did not exist at the time). A bit insulting to a lovely portable machine like the Z61t, so maybe it's better that it has a different owner now.

The X32 does not count, as it was never really mine - it belonged to my wife (back when we weren't married yet) , and I was merely helping her maintain it and eventually sell it, as she upgraded to the X61 (in my current Thinkpads list).

So let's get down to what machines I have right now:

Primary desktop (Intel QX9650, 4GB RAM, 9600GT, attached to DELL U2410 monitor, running Vista Ultimate x64)
This is my main rig, used for everything from browsing to games. This is the computer which I use most frequently when at home.

Primary laptop (T60 2007-QPG, T7200, 2GB RAM, docked and attached to DELL 2209WA, running XP Pro)
My primary laptop, used most often as a desktop replacement in my office (when I want to work in a separate room, or when someone else is using the main machine. Used for the same general tasks, including casual gaming. Also I often take it with me to coffee shops and trips, and I appreciate the gorgeous Flexview screen. The screen was the primary reason why I got this machine, despite the shortcomings in portability compared to 12-14" units.

Primary work laptop (T410 2537-R46, Core i5-540M, 4GB RAM, 160GB SSD, Running Win7 Enterprise 64bit)
It was time to refresh my machine, so I got this one. I feel so lucky that I skipped the T61/T400 refresh cycles, as this machine is so much prettier and nicer. The company does not allow foreign machines on its network, so all work-related tasks are done from this machine, whether when actually at work or working from home / cafe / whatever via VPN (which I actually have been doing less and less nowadays, that I live close to my work. On my desk this is generally attached to dual almost identical 19" MVA monitors - IBM L191p and Lenovo L192p.

Secondary work laptop (T60 1952-F76, T7200, 2GB RAM, Running XP Pro)
This was my first corporate-issued laptop, now 3.5 years old. I like it so much that I insisted and they let me keep it as a secondary machine. The SXGA+ screen has advantages over the WXGA+, and while it's not nearly as fast, It is still plenty fast enough with the 7200RPM HDD and with me taking care of it. Sometimes I work on it from home (where I have a docking station for a T60, but not for a T410).

Primary office desktop (Intel QX6700, 4GB RAM, 17" CRT, running Win7 Ultimate x64)
My mom needed a more powerful computer which has finally been assembled. After I installed Windows, all the updates and basic applications, I started a simple stress tests, and the motherboard died (el-cheapo Gigabyte G41M-ES2L). Replaced with a new one of the same kind, this one seems more stablem passed a long stress test without issues and has been working for a couple of months now.

Wife's laptop (X61 7673-CTO, T8100, 2GB RAM, running XP Pro)
Her personal machine, the one she uses for most her work and everything else (except playing games, that's what my main desktop is for). She has a thing for ultraportables and has been using them as her only computers for years.

Old desktop (Intel P4 3.0GHz, 2GB RAM, 6600GT VIVO, with a 19" CRT soon to be replaced with DELL 2007FP, running XP Pro)
Bought in 2004, this used to be my primary machine for everything back when I was still officially living in my parents' house. Work, browsing, entertainment. Nowadays it is what I mostly use when I visit, still quite capable for casual work/games. The video card has VIVO capabilities, and was bought especially for this quality - I've used it to convert a large portion of my old VHS tapes to digital format, for preservation. This machine is connected to a 7.1 surround system, which I proudly installed in my old bedroom by running wires everywhere.

Old laptop (T42 2373-F7G, P-M 745 1.8GHz, 1GB RAM, running XP Pro)
Used to be my primary machine when I was a M.Sc. student living at the dorms, and stayed in this role up until the main desktop was bought. After that, was "relegated" to the role of primary laptop, until I got the T60. At this point I gave it to my sister, and she now uses it as her own main rig. She still lives with our parents, so I get to see the machine and use it every once and a while when I visit. I still have warm feelings towards this one - it's a great computer. I have a docking station for it, and eventually may "donate" the DELL 2007WFP for my sister to use with it.

Very old laptop (Compaq Evo N610c, Intel P4-M 1.8GHz, 1GB RAM, running XP Pro)
I got this laptop from a program I participate in while doing my B.Sc, and used it for a while as my main laptop, until the T42 was bought. It went unused for about a year, and then when I installed WiFi at parents' place, it became their downstairs computer. My dad mostly uses it to browse the internet on the couch. The battery is dead so it never leaves its place at the coffee table.

Ancient desktop (AMD K6-II 500Mhz, 256MB RAM, Voodoo 3000, connected to some 17" CRT running Win98 SE)
This machine has been running from the year 2000. Hard drive has been upgraded for extra space, and motherboard has been replaced after original one died. I think one of the optical drives was replaced also, but other than that - still original parts. Back when it was bought - it was the only computer in the house, and we were all sharing it (but my mom did not use computers back then, my dad barely did, so it was mostly for me, and for my sister. Now it is good for two things - my mom's typing in Word, and me playing old DOS/Win9x games.

[pianowizard]

Primary desktop (Intel QX9650, 4GB RAM, 9600GT, attached to DELL U2410 monitor, running Vista Ultimate x64)

Congrats on finally getting a 24" 1920x1200 LCD! How do you like it? I haven't seen this model in person but have read that the screen has a sparkling appearance that annoys some reviewers. My 3008WFP also sparkles but based on what I have read, it's a tad less severe than the U2410, and it doesn't bother me. What does bother me a little bit, however, is that the left side of the monitor has a blue/green tint whereas the right side looks more purple/red. It's LG's rather than Dell's fault because other brands using this panel have this issue as well. It doesn't affect what I do, but I bet photographers would hate it.

[Norway Pad]

I guess I can join the >5 computers Club as well.

Main computers:

ThinkPad T60. T2400 1.83GHz, 2Gb RAM, 15" Flexview, ATI X1400. Advanced MiniDock, running XP Pro. Moving up to be my main laptop, as soon as I get all the applications I had on the T43 installed. Later this year I plan to swap the harddrive to a SSD, and install W7.

Homecomputer, Pentuim 4, 3.0 GHz, 2Gb RAM. Dual boot with Vista Ultimate and XP Home Edition from two separate SATA drives. This one is left behind in Norway, so very limited access to this one.

Lenovo S10-2. Intel Atom 1.67GHz, 2Gb RAM. Running XP Pro. This is used mostly with Skype, as it's is very portable, and has the benefit of a built in camera and excellent battery life.

Retired computers:

ThinkPad T43. Pentuim M 1.75GHz, 15" Flexview, ATI X300, 2Gb RAM. Advanced MiniDock, running XP Pro. My previous main laptop, now replaced by the T60. But still used regularly, as I really like this laptop.

ThinkPad T42. Pentuim M 1.6GHz, 15". 1Gb RAM. Running XP Pro. This one is left behind for my mom in Norway. Set up with a Logitech webcam, for her to use as a Skype computer. It is used twice a week and never moved, which is a good thing GPU-wise.

ThinkPad T30. Pentuim 4 1.8GHz, 512Gb RAM. Running Linux Mint. To replace my old work 360Cs, I got a brand new T30 from work in 2002. When I quit, it had to go back, so I bought an identical T30 used. Since I had so many other laptops running XP, I installed Linux Mint on it, just to experiment and getting familiar with the Linux world. Not used very much..

ThinkPad 360Cs. 33MHz. Running Win 95. This is one that I used for work back around 2000. With some special PLC software installed and a serial port, it was used for connecting to PLCs and used as a terminal emulator until it stopped working. My boss gave me this and a spare parts 360Cs, and I managed to build one that was working. Luckily my old work hard drive with PLC software and AutoCad could be used. Booted up a couple of times every year. Used for typing documents in Wordpad for Win 95 and transferred via floppy disks. Just because I can.

Old homecomputer, AMD K6, 455MHz. Running Win 98. This has been retired for the last five years, but it still worked when I booted it up last year.

[dr_st]

Congrats on finally getting a 24" 1920x1200 LCD! How do you like it? I haven't seen this model in person but have read that the screen has a sparkling appearance that annoys some reviewers. My 3008WFP also sparkles but based on what I have read, it's a tad less severe than the U2410, and it doesn't bother me. What does bother me a little bit, however, is that the left side of the monitor has a blue/green tint whereas the right side looks more purple/red. It's LG's rather than Dell's fault because other brands using this panel have this issue as well. It doesn't affect what I do, but I bet photographers would hate it.

I Like it a lot! It's big but not too big. Just a tad taller than the 2007FP it replaced, but you would only notice in direct comparison. Other than that I just gained extra horizontal space, without sacrificing any of the vertical, so I'm happy.

Sparkling is inherent to IPS panels, as far as I understand. The only people really bothered by it is the small percentage of the population that is sensitive to this effect. There have been discussions on these forums, and I've known a couple outside here as well with this type of sensitivity. They just cannot bear to use an IPS panel. However it is true that some monitors may have the effect more pronounced than others. I can see it on the U2410 (and all my IPS screens), I just don't care.

The tint effect has actually been a major complaint with the U2410, but apparently in REV A01 (which I have) they improved quality control a bit, so there have been far less complaints. I cannot really see it. Most of the DELL IPS monitors I've seen had some amount of tint, which can be observed as a different coloring of the white, but typically only on a pure white background, and only when you are looking at it. I imagine you are right that photographers might be upset by it.

And indeed you are probably right that it's somewhat LG's fault, except maybe DELL has some looser QC procedures. Interestingly, now that I think of it, I've only really seen and used IPS panels manufactured by LG-Philips - all my Flexviews on Thinkpads and all the desktop monitors by DELL.

[RealBlackStuff]

I recently replaced the CCFL on a 15" IDTech IPS panel from a T43p.
Didn't see any 'yellowing'.

[pianowizard]

This day has finally come...now I only have 4 computers!

OMG, this number is threatening to drop to 3! That's because my T42 is starting to show the dreaded GPU issue! This morning, while I was typing a Word document on this machine, the screen suddenly froze and turned all white, and then several verticle lines appeared. None of the keys were responsive, and so I had to force the laptop to power down by pressing the power button for several seconds. After letting the laptop cool down for about 20 minutes, I powered it up and it gave the infamous long-short-short beep, and nothing appeared on the screen. Then I applied pressure to the area between the space bar and the mouse buttons, and got the machine to start up normally.

This issue developed even though the mobo was replaced by IBM just before I bought this T42 back in Aug 2007, and even though I haven't moved the laptop much in the last three years. Like I have said many times on this forum, the T40/41/42 were probably the least reliable Thinkpads ever made.

[dr_st]

This issue developed even though the mobo was replaced by IBM just before I bought this T42 back in Aug 2007, and even though I haven't moved the laptop much in the last three years. Like I have said many times on this forum, the T40/41/42 were probably the least reliable Thinkpads ever made.

Which mobo is it (which GPU)? Has the board been manufactured around 2007, or was it an old unit? Does it have the red epoxy dots?

[pianowizard]

You know, I actually don't feel too bad because I see this as an excuse to buy a new laptop! Right now, my dream laptop is a Sony Z Series with 13.1" 1920x1080, though it's way too expensive for me. So, if this T42 does die, I would just go without any laptop at home until I come across an affordable Sony Z Series.

Which mobo is it (which GPU)? Has the board been manufactured around 2007, or was it an old unit? Does it have the red epoxy dots?

2373-B09 (based on 2373-3VU) original specs: P M 725, 512MB RAM, 60GB 7200rpm HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon 9600, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, IBM 802.11a/b/g wireless, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion Batt, WinXP Pro

I opened up this laptop several times before (to upgrade the RAM and the LCD panel) but never looked for the red dots. And I don't want to open it right now. So, I don't know the answer to your question. The laptop was shipped in around Jul or Aug 2004, but I don't know the age of the board. I only know that the previous owner had the board replaced just before the 3-year warranty expired in early Aug 2007.

[dr_st]

Oh, I did not mean to ask you to open the laptop. But if you ever do happen to do it, you can check for the dots around the GPU.

Then again, it doesn't really matter. It is commonly accepted around these parts that the presence of the red dots is an indication of the newer soldering process that was used in late T42 and all T43 units, and that this soldering process reduces the chance of GPU failure. But it is also known that it does not eliminate it 100%. T42 units with red dots fail. T43/p units also fail, just not as much.

[pianowizard]

But if you ever do happen to do it, you can check for the dots around the GPU....But it is also known that it does not eliminate it 100%. T42 units with red dots fail.

The T42 froze again just now (when I moved the laptop while watching a video), so I decided to try the paper trick, which of course required me to remove the keyboard, palmrest and wireless card. Yes, the GPU has a small red dot at each corner, and so we can add 1 to the tally of red-dotted T42's whose GPUs have failed.

I put a folded business card between the wireless card and the GPU. Should I also put some between the wireless card and keyboard?

[moronoxyd]

Since then, I have been constantly trying to downsize my collection.

My collection is'n as big as your's was, but I too am trying to avoid collection more machines than I need.


Currently I own 5 computers:
- ThinkPad R61: everyday use at home
- ThinkPad X60: mobile use
- ThinkPad X32: backup, currently used by a friend of my sisters who's computer broke down
- ThinkPad T23: not really used
- desktop computer: games, videos
(plus a few more desktops that aren't working, but some of them would only need just a few minutes of work)


I want to sell one of my Thinkpads, as I obviously don't need all of them, but which one?
Up until a month ago, the answer was simple: The T23, as it was the oldest.

But since then, I got a WiFi lid with SXGA+ panel for little money, and now I don't really want to part with this gem. Especially since this was my first ThinkPad.
So I might decide to sell the X32. We'll see...

[thePCxp]

In my previous post, I found out that I didn't post what I use my computers for and the list has also changed since then. So lets start again:

1. eMachines 366i2 desktop with eMachines 15" monitor (named "Ray", 1999): Currently is in storage because I had to move to a smaller place where I can't have it around.
2. IBM NetVista A22p with IBM E74 17" monitor ("Richard", 2002): This is my main desktop.
3. ThinkPad R51 ("Steven", 2004): Is currently in need of a new system board (fell victim to the "loose GPU" problem) and a new LCD screen (a FlexView!) . Once I get it up and running, I will be using it along with my T60.
4. IBM 300GL PC ("John", 2005): Like the 1st one is currently in storage.
5. ThinkPad T41 ("T.K.", 2007): I got it as a barebones unit back in 2007 and is in need of a new system board, battery, AC adapter, palmrest, keyboard, and hard drive. Once I fix it up, I will be using Windows XP Pro and Linux in it. It will be the first time that I will be using Linux.
6. ThinkPad 600 ("Bobby", 2009): I got this from a relative and is currently being used as a supplement to my T60.
7. ThinkPad T60 ("Justin", 2010): This is currently my main computer.

Aaron and I are planning on getting more. My (our?) next ThinkPads will be a W510 (or whatever 15" W series there will be at the time of purchase) which I will be using for music production, Photoshop, CAD, and 3-D work, and an L412 (or whatever 14" L series there will be at the time of purchase) to use along with my W mostly to do daily, routine tasks and to keep track of things.