DAT T21

[oeuvre]

I acquired a T21 from my uncle. It seems to work fine. I installed Windows 98SE on it. Everything works, but there are a few little issues.

Missing HD screw
Missing "T" on the keyboard
The right side of the keyboard isn't secured properly.

I don't really have a use for it, so I think I'll return it to him. It didn't turn on when I got it, but it turned out to be a weird RAM issue - in the 2nd slot, the RAM stick just pokes out. It doesn't lock in place.

http://i.imgur.com/6vzcmdN.jpg

[rkawakami]

Missing HD screw isn't all that important. I'd wager that the majority of the T2x systems that are still running are missing this screw. The hard drive cover, along with the pins on the drive, keeps the drive firmly in place so there's no danger of it falling out even if you tilt the laptop up.

The missing key on the keyboard can be replaced (in some cases) by buying a replacement keycap and frame. The only "gotcha" is that there are a couple of different designs due to the manufacturers of the keyboards. You could always replace the entire keyboard. A search on eBay should find several examples.

The right side of the keyboard is not held down by any screw. Most likely the system has the common crack in the keyboard bezel right next to the right arrow key. That crack in the plastic can sometimes be caused by a broken mounting tab on the Ultrabay housing. You can usually confirm this by looking closely at the right hinge when you open and close the lid. If that back right corner appears to move around as you manipulate the lid, then odds are the Ultrabay tab is broken.

The memory modules are locked into place by two "arms" that are attached to the socket. I believe that the T21 has plastic retention arms so one (or both) could have broken off. If they are metal arms, sometimes they can be bent out of shape so that the notches on either end of the memory module does not line up properly.

Even if all of these things are fixed, there's still one other (invisible) issue with the T21; the Blink Of Death. At some point, the laptop may simply decide not to power up one day. When you push the power button all you'll see is a brief flash of one of the LED indicators and that's it. No fan, no sound, no display on the screen... just the single blink of the LED. If you leave the system unpowered (disconnect battery and AC) for several days it may come back to life but there's no guarantees. And if it does boot up normally, there's no telling when it will stop working once again.

[oeuvre]

Wow, quite informative post. Thanks a lot.

He has another T21, that doesn't boot up. It also is missing the T key, so that's a bummer. It also seems to use the other style keyboard.

[oeuvre]

Okay, so I sorted out the RAM issue and it has those metal hinges. I fixed it by prying the arms a bit. Found a spare screw and used that for the HD screw. I gorilla glue'd the little crack next to the arrow keys and CD drive. So all it needs now is that T key (I found a keyboard online for less than $6) and a charger (I have been using my T42's charger).

[oeuvre]

http://i.imgur.com/GyT1ov1.jpg

And fixed!

[Temetka]

Glad you got it working.

What are you planning on doing with the machine?

[oeuvre]

Currently it's sitting on my desk and I'm not doing anything with it right now for it needs a charger (I sold my T42 and was sharing the charger between them). It has Windows 95 and I'm using it for older 16-bit programs and some MIDI stuff and older games.

[Temetka]

That should make a good retro gaming pc.

You can post a WTB ad here in the marketplace. I'm sure someone has a compatible PSU they can sell you.

[oeuvre]

I actually found one sitting in a relative's attic.

[Temetka]

Even better.