Thinkpads Forum

I just got a 356ED at a yard sale for $15.00! It came with a case, external floppy, User's Guide, power supplies for house & car, a bunch of dust, and another one that doesn't work.

This one does work, and the only thing that makes it less than perfect is the internal modem. It doesn't have one, and while the User's Guide shows the removeable panel in front of the PC card slots, it doesn't say what it's for of anything about a non-PC card modem. There is a double row connector on the system board, so it's obvious it was supposed to have this option, but was it ever made? If so, where can I get one?

When I turned it on with the mouse plugged in (using a USB to PS/2 adapter that works fine on the 360CSE) it wouldn't start up with only the external monitor. It would use only the LCD or both. What was I doing wrong?

I have a 365x (not a 365ed), so perhaps my thoughts will not apply to your Thinkpad.

Are you sure there is an option for the computer to start with external monitor only? I think it would lead to major confusion which would occur if it were set for that, but you did not happen to have an external monitor at the time. The screen would be blank, and the user would have to assume the computer was dead.

As for the modem, I have no idea since mine doesn't have that extra plate, and my user manual specifically refers to the option of using a PC Card modem. See if you can find an IBM part number for the modem you're looking for. It may be in a hardware maintenance manual ("HMM") available thru the links in the stickies at the top of the message board.

I think the User's Guide is generic. Mine only says "365" and refers to options "some models" have and others don't.

The internal connector, a female 20 pin miniature double row, is behind the battery, very close to the memory board.

The 3/8" square removeable panel is in front of the PC card door.

I don't see what else it might be for, if not a modem. I think the hole is too small for an ethernet connector, and that seems like a less likely option than a modem. It's too old, and the wrong shape, for USB. What else is there?

Very odd. I never noticed it before, but my 365X does have that little cover in front of the PC card slots. I pried it off (losing some skin in the process) and there's nothing there. I can see the edge of the battery and the edge of the circuit board, but nothing else is close by. No connector in there.

I'm wondering if the case was carried over from one model to the next, and mine had that cut-out even though there was no option to put anything there.

I suspect that your theory is right... it's for a modem... no other standard connector would fit in there. Interesting mystery.

FWIW, my owner's manual is specifically for the 365X and 365XD.

Look on the system board just behind the battery connector. Mine has a 20 pin female miniature double row connector there, about 3 3/4" fom the cutout. The board would be aout 4" long and 3/4" wide, very small but typical of a laptop modem.