Couple of rhetorical quesions about a T23 on eBay

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#1 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 1:59 pm

So here I am, perusing the current offerings on eBay this morning and I bump into this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0139863043

First off, "free shipping" always catches the eye, yes? Along with a $0.01 starting bid. Anyway, here's the complete written description (system configuration is listed in a section just prior to this):

IBM T23 LAPTOP COMPLETE
DVDROM
SCREEN IS PERFECT NO BAD PIXELS, NEEDS NEW INVERTER
NEEDS NEW BATTERY
ALL OTHER PARTS ARE COMPLETE, EASY FIX
BUY IT NOW
NO RESERVE!

Along with these sparse details is a picture of the laptop on a table showing a widescreen movie (MI2, perhaps?). Surrounding the laptop are what appears to be a floppy drive, some other Ultrabay optical drive, a couple of PCMCIA wireless cards, a mouse (IBM maybe?) and an AC adapter. As mentioned, the Item Specifics section says the system has a 1.13Ghz processor, 128MB of memory, a 30GB drive, a DVD drive and is running Windows XP Pro. The only important detail that's omitted is the screen size, but from the looks of the nicely lit screen, it's got to be a 14.1" display. The bezel around the display is very thin. Can't tell if it's XGA or SXGA+. So, what's wrong with this picture?

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:15 pm

The (2) problems I see are only (1) positive feedback as a seller, then the inverter thing. I'd ask how they determined that the inverter was bad. If the LCD powers on for a bit (long enough to start a DVD obviously)then blanks out, it could be the inverter. Otherwise, the description says "BUY IT NOW" but it is not a "BUY IT NOW" auction. Also why advertise a DVD ROM drive and show a floppy drive in the Pic. I smell a hijacked account.

#3 Post by **Kyocera** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:24 pm

looks like there is a movie going, because that does look to me like tom cruise, also if there is a red tint at bootup that could be pointing towards the inverter, maybe that's how he/she determined the inverter may be going out.

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:28 pm

I doubt that it's a hijacked account. Doesn't seem worth the effort to try to sell something that's only going to bring in $200, max. But I'm not a scammer and that's what I think it's worth, so maybe those are not valid points. Personally, I think it's just a case of an inexperienced seller.

You are on the right track about the display however...

qviri · #5 Post by **qviri** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:28 pm

rkawakami wrote:Along with these sparse details is a picture of the laptop on a table showing a widescreen movie (MI2, perhaps?).

The Matrix...

And that mouse is an IBM.

#6 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:39 pm

Kyocera wrote:... also if there is a red tint at bootup that could be pointing towards the inverter, maybe that's how he/she determined the inverter may be bad

I always thought red tint indicated an LCD backlight on the way out. I figured an inverter was a bit harder to diagnose, that's why my advise was to ask pointed questions about how they determined it was bad.

#7 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 3:49 pm

Yes, I would say the red/pink tint is a backlight problem and not an inverter. I've put a known good inverter into a system with a red LCD and it didn't help. Nor did the inverter in the red system transfer the color to a white LCD. I suppose it's possible that a marginal or weak output voltage/current from an inverter can seem to cause a display to turn pink, but the same thing can be accomplished by turning down the brightness. My HNU currently has this problem. At full intensity the screen is white with almost no redness to it. However, if I turn down the brightness to the lowest setting, the bottom corners of the display start getting very red. I've tried putting a different inverter in there but it still does the same thing.

In my experience, the inverter is a simple thing to figure out. It either works or it doesn't. No backlight? Swap in a known good inverter. If the light returns, that was the problem. If the light doesn't, then it's the CCFL in the panel, the LCD cable, the lid switch or something on the motherboard.

The reason why I brought this eBay item up was the wording (which I've seen many times) of the perceived problem with the laptop:

Needs new xxxxx
Easy fix

If it's so easy (and cheap in this case, if it really is the inverter), why sell the thing?

compnerd4 · #8 Post by **compnerd4** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 3:54 pm

looks way too fishy!

pianowizard · #9 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 3:59 pm

rkawakami wrote:If it's so easy (and cheap in this case, if it really is the inverter), why sell the thing?

Perhaps the seller has many other laptops that work perfectly so he doesn't need this any more.

I don't find this auction that fishy.

compnerd4 · #10 Post by **compnerd4** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:03 pm

pianowizard wrote:
rkawakami wrote:If it's so easy (and cheap in this case, if it really is the inverter), why sell the thing?
Perhaps the seller has many other laptops that work perfectly so he doesn't need this any more.

I don't find this auction that fishy.

i dont know he could just fix the inverter and sell it for ALOT more!

#11 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:21 pm

Okay, I probably should have said:

"why sell the thing in the condition that it is in?"

Maybe it's just my inquisitive nature that says that if he/she is so sure that the problem is so simple and easy to cure, why not fix it (for about $10-15) and sell the machine without any cloud over it? Saying that it has problems and it is an easy fix in the same breath seems, well, lazy to me. I'll admit that the seller hasn't really defined what's wrong with the system that led him/her to suspect the inverter. Maybe it isn't all that bright, or blinks out sometimes or it's red, or... who knows.

Hmm.. I guess I should probably ask them point-blank. I normally don't pepper eBay sellers with questions on auctions that I know I'm not going to bid on.

edit: Here's what I just sent

Hi! Several questions: I'm curious... what's the problem with the system that leads you to believe that the inverter needs to be replaced? Also, what's the type number from the bottom of the system? Should start with 2647- or 2648-. The three letters/numbers after the "-" is important as that will tell me the configuration of the system as it left the factory. And are the other pieces of equipment shown in the photo included (wireless cards, floppy, another Ultrabay drive, mouse)? Thanks!

I may have the retract my previous statement about not bidding on this if he/she comes back with a type number that appeals to me

compnerd4 · #12 Post by **compnerd4** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:32 pm

rkawakami wrote: (wireless cards, floppy, another Ultrabay drive, mouse)?

Man gotta have that mouse eh?

SaberX · #13 Post by **SaberX** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:42 pm

That same e-bay seller also has a Dell on there also...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0139871265

Another great deal if thay are real.....

Moderator edit: Shortened URL as it made my SXGA+ scroll!

#14 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:43 pm

If it's a genuine IBM mouse, sure. I use one at work with the A31. It would be nice to have one at home as well. Or maybe just throw it into the laptop bag. Honestly, I'm so used to the trackpoint and buttons on the T2s systems that I don't miss a mouse or touchpad. Speaking of which... this doctor is about to scrub for surgery on a couple of T41s. Be back later tonight...

#15 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:46 pm

SaberX wrote:Another great deal if thay are real.....

Eh, stock (and small) photos do not make a good impression on me...

pianowizard · #16 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:49 pm

rkawakami wrote:this doctor is about to scrub for surgery on a couple of T41s. Be back later tonight...

Congrats on finally getting something newer than the T23!

#17 Post by **gator** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:56 pm

pianowizard wrote:Congrats on finally getting something newer than the T23!

True to spirit, he got 5 of them!

pianowizard · #18 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 5:07 pm

gator wrote:True to spirit, he got 5 of them!

Wow, I thought "a couple of" meant "two"!

#19 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 9:59 pm

T41 story now posted in this thread. And yes, only two are working at the moment. I was planning on two, with the possibility of a third one but I'm going to have to really work for it.

Oh yes, the eBay seller replied to my message, and as most of them do, didn't really provide what I asked:

Its a 2647, The display was turning red for awhile fianally went out, still works with a monitor, I do have a wireless card/ external, comes with infared mouse, and docking station
Otherwise it just needs a battery and away it goes!

<rant>
Yes, I KNOW it's a 2647 or 2648!!! What's the last three characters!???!!! Did you not read my original question??? I get this ALL of the time with sellers.
</rant>
So, the display is not working now, which means the picture is useless and misleading.

edit: Well at least (s)he posted my question to the auction page. Maybe somebody else will be able to get a definite answer as to the type number.

#20 Post by **KristianJ** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 10:44 pm

rkawakami wrote: <rant>
Yes, I KNOW it's a 2647 or 2648!!! What's the last three characters!???!!! Did you not read my original question??? I get this ALL of the time with sellers.
</rant>

I don't get it all the time, but I usually include "XXXX-XXX" or something to that effect in my question to try to make it as obvious as I can regarding what information I want about any lapops I might be looking at. There was an auction I saw a couple of days ago where 3 potential buyers asked what the type number was and the seller's responses didn't get much further than "It;s an IBM Thinkpad.

#21 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:38 am

I've worded it as:

"What is the full seven-character type number from the barcode label on the bottom of the laptop. It should start with "2647-" or "2648-" and has three numbers/letters that follow? This information can be used to tell me the configuration of the system as shipped from the factory."

or

"Hi! Can you please tell me the complete type number located on the bottom of the laptop? It's on a barcode label and is in the format of "2647-xxx" or "2648-xxx". The "xxx" will tell me how the laptop was configured when it left the factory."

And what do I get as a reply? Yup, "It's a 2647". Drives me NUTS!!! I'm actually much happier when the seller DOESN'T even reply to my question than when they tell me what I already know.

#22 Post by **KristianJ** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:00 am

rkawakami wrote:I've worded it as:

"What is the full seven-character type number from the barcode label on the bottom of the laptop. It should start with "2647-" or "2648-" and has three numbers/letters that follow? This information can be used to tell me the configuration of the system as shipped from the factory."

or

"Hi! Can you please tell me the complete type number located on the bottom of the laptop? It's on a barcode label and is in the format of "2647-xxx" or "2648-xxx". The "xxx" will tell me how the laptop was configured when it left the factory."

And what do I get as a reply? Yup, "It's a 2647". Drives me NUTS!!! I'm actually much happier when the seller DOESN'T even reply to my question than when they tell me what I already know.

*scratches head* I give up too

I'll post a question to see whether I'm the lucky person who can get the definite answer

Website · #23 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:31 am

I'd be hesitant only because of having to replace the backlight...it isn't the inverter...

#24 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:28 pm

Even more maddening is when you get a dyslexic seller, as in this one where I asked:

Hi! You can determine the system type number (2647-xxx) by holding the F1 key while turning the system on. This will access the BIOS setup screen. The line "System-unit serial number" will contain the type number in the first seven characters. Can you tell me what they are? Thanks! P.S. You can then simply press the power button and turn off the system.

The seller had stated that the barcode label was missing from the bottom of the laptop so I provided instructions on where to find it in BIOS. I got the information the next day and the auction description updated to reflect the type number (2647-U67)

According to IBM/Lenovo, a 2647-U67 does not exist. However, a 2647-6U7 does!

tfflivemb2 wrote:I'd be hesitant only because of having to replace the backlight...it isn't the inverter...

Yes, with the description that it got redder and finally went out, it's probably the CCFL. Not something I'd fool with unless I knew for a fact that it was an SXGA+ panel. Which is the reason why I always ask for the type number. Most likely it would not have been changed out for an XGA screen, but I can always use the argument that I'd like a partial credit or refund if it does turn out that somebody has swapped the display. That hasn't happened to me yet <knocks on wood>.

#25 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 2:51 pm

Well, this morning when I was going over my.eBay page I noticed that the auction had been deleted out of the system (it wasn't in my completed listings). Doing a little search reveals why:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0141948729

It's the same system with this additional note from the seller:

NO NIGERIANS OR ANYONE BESIDES THE USA MAY BID ON THIS ITEM, THIS THE 3RD TIME IM LISTING THIS ITEM...

(caps are his, not mine)

Think I should try my type question a second time

?

Couple of rhetorical quesions about a T23 on eBay

Couple of rhetorical quesions about a T23 on eBay

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