IBM Thinkpad 2100 (Type: 1161) - PLEASE HELP!

[NC_Transactions]

I recently found one of my friends old IBM Thinkpad 2100 a.k.a. Thinkpad 1161, and the specs are as follows:

1. Intel Celeron 550 MHz
2. 192MB RAM
3. 6GB HDD
4. 13.3" TFT
5. 24x CD-ROM

There was no use of the laptop, so I figured I could fix it up a bit and sell it for whatever it's worth. I was told by him that the PCMIA slots went dead because of over-use. Also, the laptop does not turn on without the AC adapter. When I first plugged in the AC adapter, I noticed that the laptop would stay on ONLY if I held it in place. I opened the laptop and found that half of the AC adapter port on the motherboard was broken.

Therefore, I am either going to have to find this very rare piece from someone, or buy a whole another motherboard itself. I would rather I find a new motherboard since the PCMIA slots are also dead. I have included a picture of the motherboard, and where the problem is. NOTE: This is not my original motherboard, but is one identical to it, and shows you just what I am in need of in red (the AC Adapter port)

Any suggestions? Is there any way to fix this problem, instead of having to replace the adapter port that is cirlced or is there anyone who can sell me a motherboard for the 1161? Any help is appreciated!

[/b]

[Bruce Guttman]

Is the connector damaged? Or are some of the soldered connections to the system board broken? Or is it somewhere on the System Board?

If it is one of the first two, any power connector filched off a DC/DC card for a barrel-connector can be soldered in place. You might even find these things at an electronics parts store like Radio Shack.

From what you have shown, the system board doesn't seem to have any daughter cards, so you would have to replace it in toto if you can't just solder back a DC jack.

Hope this helps.

[NC_Transactions]

Thanks for the response!

The connector is halfway broken, and the pin that goes into the end of the AC adapter (the little silver pin that's in the center of the yellow connector) is also missing. Therefore, I am going to need to find just that peice which I think CAN be soldered back into place.

Can you please tell me exactly what I should look for because I'm a bit confused about what you meant by "any power connector filched off a DC/DC card for a barrel-connector". If you could maybe give me a part number off of Radio Shack's site, or Google it since I'm sure you know what you are referring to. If you can provide me with whatever part needs to be soldered, I can easily do the rest!

Thanks in advance!

[MadeInJapan]

I've seen these barrel shaped connectors on eBay...take a look. I think just searching for ThinkPad AC connector worked. If the board itself is broken there too and not affecting other solder points or wired sections, you can use some epoxy glue and small strips (one on each side) of epoxy cloth to re-attach the piece, then solder the new connector in place, or vice versa. Good luck.

[NC_Transactions]

Hmm... I'm afraid that the eBay search didn't bring any results. I even tried just searching AC connector, but no luck.

Again, the only other thing wrong with the board is that the PCMIA slots, as I am told, do not work because they have been over-used one too many times. Aside from that, seeing as how when I first got it the system was running Windows 98 flawlessly, the board is fine. It's the AC connector that I am concerned with.

[MadeInJapan]

Can't find one for Thinkpads, but this may give you some ideas:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 25528&rd=1
I was wrong...what you want to search for it "DC Power Jackl."

[NC_Transactions]

MdeInJapan... ... ...

I'm literally speechless. You have just made my day! That is the EXACT peice that I am in need of. Wow, I cannot thank you enough!

I found one that seems to be compatible with Thinkpads. It can be found at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... gory=31531. I am going to purchase it, and will let you know how it turns out. Thanks a million to you MadeInJapan, and of course Bruce Guttman for all the help! You don't understand the ammount of time & money you have just saved me! Happy holidays to you, and I will be sure to let you guys know how everything went.

[MadeInJapan]

You're quite welcome. I and Bruce too, I'm sure (speaking for him) enjoy helping other Thinkpadders and that's why we frequent these boards. However, hold your thanks until after you get the piece and after you solder it in. Many times when these parts break, the break is only the surface and there are other issues under the break that essentially requires replacement of the system board or, if you're lucky, just the section of the board with that part (if it's a board in parts). However, for your sake, I sure hope that this item will fix your computer and that you're up and running again.

Please let us know how things went....and if you have pictures of the process along the way, please post them to help someone else out in the future (maybe not the same computer, but many of these are similar enough that your process could help many).

[AlphaKilo470]

Your PCMCIA slots, before concluding they are completely dead, I want you to check a few things. First, before booting your computer, hold down the F1 key and turn on your computer. Keep the F1 key held down until you get the BIOS screen. From here, there should be an option to test or diagnose hardware. From there, choose the option to test your PCMCIA. If you get errors, the slots are dead, if not, then you have a software problem.

[NC_Transactions]

Sorry for the delay, my Comcast was down for a while and other things came about here and there keeping my weekend pretty busy. I received the DC connector and had my cousin come over and give me a quick tutorial on how to properly solder in things. He had to head back to his dorm, so I sat there for the next hour and a half, first de-soldering the original broken connector in the motherboard, and then soldering in the new one. Upon doing so, I tested the system out, and... ... the IBM logo appeared on the LCD, and the AC adapter was in very securely. I can even shake the laptop or play backyard football with it and it will stay on.

As for the PCMCIA slot, XP seems to recognize the PCMCIA slot, but I do not have a card to test it out with. I did do as you asked Alpha, but did not find much help from the boot menu setup. I have listed it up for auction over eBay, which was my intention to begin with, and the auction is scheduled to begin on Monday, the 3'rd at 10:15 PM. Just search under the seller "nctransactions" on eBay if you would like to see the auction or are interested. Having said that, I am MORE than satisfied with the way things turned out, and want to again thank everyone that helped me out.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!