Need advice on 600Xs for non-geek--please read whole post

[vineyridge]

I have two 600Xs. One is a 450 mhz that ran Win98SE (Laptop 1) , and the other is an recent ebay purchase. The ebay one is a 650 mhz with speed step that ran XP (Laptop 2).

I bought Laptop 2 because on Laptop 1 the screen went dark and the serial port had died long ago. I was using Laptop 1 with an external monitor and trackball, a port replicator and a SIIG PCMCIA Firewire/USB2 Cardbus Combo Card, and it was working fine, but I wanted to upgrade and have it portable. Thus the purchase of Laptop 2. Both batteries are good and will run the computers.

I switched the XP and Win98SE hard drives back and forth and was using Laptop 1 with the port replicator and Laptop 2 as portable and put in whichever HD I needed at the time, and all was well in 600X land.

Took a 250 meg stick of memory out of Laptop 1 and put it into the Laptop 2 or vice versa and was using maxed out memory on whichever machine I was using at the time.

Laptop 2 died during a work session. It was running fine and then suddenly it went dark and still. So I went back to using Laptop 1 with the monitor, external trackball, port replicator and maxed memory, and worked with both HD; and all was well until ....

I thought Laptop 2 was permanently dead. It will show a yellow light (round one inside the case under the screen) until the "on" button is pressed. Then it dies. I can't recall but don't believe that either square power indicator light on the outside of the case light at all. Because Laptop 2 was dead, I decided to scavenge the trackpoint cap from it and put it on Laptop 1. Big mistake. When I pulled the cap off Laptop 1, I did pull it straight up, but the tiny nylon pin that is the actual pointer broke off and now there is a square hole where the trackpoint used to be. The broken piece will insert in the hole, but doesn't work.

When I took the trackpoint cap off Laptop two, the nylon piece that the cap is pressed onto came off, but the little stick is intact. I hope I managed to save the cap and cap, but right now I can't find them.

Laptop 1 needs the trackpoint stick to operate. It won't boot without it, even though the external trackball is connected.

Can you guys help me diagnose what the screen problem is with Laptop 1, whether the trackpoint can be repaired and whether the serial port can be replaced? What would these repairs be likely to cost at a repair place?

What is likely to be the power problem with Laptop 2?

I need something that can run what's on the HDs. I have a lot of money invested in 600x --the LS 120 drive for the UltraSlimBay, the port replicator, etc. I have a PCMCIA Firewire/USB 2 Combo Card for Cardbus. Laptop 1 has a CD-ROM reader drive, and Laptop 2 has a DVD reader.

Should I even consider getting these fixed? I've contacted a repair place in Memphis that has been around a long time and claims to be able to fix laptops. It says it does work "nationally."

What should I pay for a working 600X on ebay when I have all these parts that can be used in another one.

What do the experts think about this Thinkpad 600X dilemma?

Jane

[Harryc]

I would buy a keyboard for Laptop 1, than I'd remove the LCD from laptop 2 and install it on laptop 1. Then I would try to see if I could fix the board on Laptop 1. Serial port....hard to say. Have you run any diagnostics on it to see if it's hardware or not? If you've never repaired a laptop, most of the above is going to be above your level of expertise. A repair outfit might not be willing to do all of that for you, you'd have to ask. Frankly if you don't want to get involved in any of that, sell them both for parts on EBay and buy a more modern reliable laptop. There are plenty for sale on the Marketplace forum.

[AKelley728]

When you say the screen is 'dark' on laptop 1, is it just the backlight? (Can you barely make out text if you shine it in a light). If so, then I would definitely move over laptop 2's LCD. While you are at it move the keyboard over too.

[vineyridge]

It's just the backlight. I'm fairly sure of that.

Is the trackpoint part of the keyboard?

I'm kind of bummed at losing the 650mhz Step Step processor.

I take it your opinion is that Laptop 2 with all usable parts and ports is not worth trying to fix.

I really need something that is capable of running the HDs. I also need something that is LS 120 functional, as I have a lot of stuff store on them that I never quite got around to moving. My XP Pro operating system is one of the HDs, and it's a pain in the butt to move that.

That's why fixing is an option.

[rkawakami]

Pull the MiniPCI modem out of the 650Mhz (Laptop 2) system and see if that makes any difference. It's located under the smaller of the two bottom panels. Often they go bad and can have symptoms of "no power" to "won't install an OS".

Yes, the trackpoint is integrated into the keyboard. See here:

http://www.rkawakami.net/ibm_600x/trackpoint/

The lack of backlight could be due to the following:

- burned out backlight; hard to replace by itself
- bad inverter; easy and fairly cheap
- lack of power to inverter; which could be due to
--- broken/stuck lid switch
--- bad ribbon cable
--- loose connection

Serial port interface is integrated into the motherboard. With the 600X I believe that control over the serial port is done with a special utility program:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIE-3AXE3E

I'm not sure if Windows will override the setting in BIOS concerning the serial port. I do remember that I had a hard time getting the serial port enabled on one of my 600X systems so that it would work within a DOS prompt under Windows (it does now but I don't want to mess with it ). Although my example may not be considered "normal" in that I also replaced the MiniPCI modem with a wireless card.

edit: P.S. sorry to be giving out some potentially "geeky" answers The serial port may also be controlled from within Windows using the Thinkpad Configuration Utility:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4ZFRG3

[vineyridge]

Is the Mini PCI modem THE modem? I've found the modem before. If I pull the modem from Laptop 2 (650mhz), will I need to install the one from Laptop 1 before I test it? Or can I just turn it on and if it's getting power it will boot with a modem?

If it is the modem that's the problem, shouldn't I just scavenge the one from Laptop 1 and go merrily on my way for a while.

Sounds like the power problem of Laptop 2 is a lot less major than the screen problem of laptop 1. As I said, I can scavenge most of what I need to create Laptop 3 by using parts from Laptops 1 & 2.

I'll let you know if the modem test worked. If not, Laptop 2 will go to repair in Memphis--and I hope it won't cost more than one of the refurbished ones on ebay.

[AKelley728]

It's just the backlight. I'm fairly sure of that.

As rkawakami it could also be the also be the inverter. Either way I would still recommend moving the whole LCD assembly over to computer 1, assuming the screens are the size/resolution.

Is the trackpoint part of the keyboard?

Yes

I'm kind of bummed at losing the 650mhz Step Step processor.

I'm more familiar with the T series, but you should be able to move it to Laptop 1

I take it your opinion is that Laptop 2 with all usable parts and ports is not worth trying to fix. [/quote] No Between the two laptops you have enough parts for one good, complete 600X. It's not worth it.

I would suggest taking a look at the IBM hardware maintenance manual - it's not as 'geeky' as you might think. At the very least move the keyboard over to Laptop 1 so you have a working machine. You're talking 30 minutes, tops to move the keybord. At some point you could get adventurous and move the LCD and even CPU over.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4DGNTQ

If you go the eBay route, I wouldn't pay more than $75, tops. It'll probably be less than getting your present ones fixed. If you decide to go the eBay route, let me know, and I'll gladly take your 'broken' 600Xs off your hands for a small fee

[vineyridge]

I did try the modem removal and nothing changed. Every time I flicked the off/on switch, the first round light to the left on the inside of the case flicked amber, but nothing happened. Case lights (battery and crescent moon) still show no power.

I switched the modems and same thing--nothing.

Laptop 1 boots and I can barely see the screen where it is telling me that it doesn't have a mouse. So that has to be the backlight.

I have already downloaded the 600X maintenance manual, and I'll be looking at the keyboard replacement on the 450/Laptop 1.

If I don't get Laptop 2 fixed, will the DVD reader work on Laptop 1? What sort of new driver will I need?

The second laptop is a 9-eu, and the 45 is 4-eu.

I just read the maintenance manual, and it sounds from what is there that they recommend replacing the system board whenever there is a power problem. I doubt if either of these are worth replacing the system board on, if I could find one.

Would any of you guys be interested in helping me put the two together to make one?

Thank you folks for your help. I'll be asking more questions as this process continues.

[AKelley728]

Laptop 1 boots and I can barely see the screen where it is telling me that it doesn't have a mouse. So that has to be the backlight.

It probably is, but can't rule out the inverter.

If I don't get Laptop 2 fixed, will the DVD reader work on Laptop 1? What sort of new driver will I need?

Yes it'll work. No new driver needed. Drivers are native to the OS - remember, you've been switching hard drives on these two for awhile. And W2K and even Win98 are smart enough to sense the switch. All of your other peripherals (LS-120 drive, etc.) will work seemlessly between the two machines.

The second laptop is a 9-eu, and the 45 is 4-eu.

I just read the maintenance manual, and it sounds from what is there that they recommend replacing the system board whenever there is a power problem. I doubt if either of these are worth replacing the system board on, if I could find one.

Ah, but you don't have a 'power problem' on Laptop 1, just Laptop 2.

Would any of you guys be interested in helping me put the two together to make one?

I would be interested - I'll send you a PM