possible to identify T42 from picture (beware large picture)

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TJMacGyver · #1 Post by **TJMacGyver** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 4:33 am

I have a picture of a thinkpad t42 that i might buy on auction, and the only info I got is: IBM Thinkpad 2373. and the picture.

I wondered if someone would be able to give an idea of whats inside. here's the picture

thanks for your help
TJMacGyver

zverg · #2 Post by **zverg** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:14 am

Well it has the fingerprint reader so it is a newer model, and it's not a U.S. model (hence the keyboard layout). It's a 14" screen, has bluetooth and wifi (or do the ones without bluetooth still have the LED for it, I don't know).

it also has a lot of crumbs on it.. they didn't bother cleaning it up for the photo

#3 Post by **GomJabbar** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:22 am

You need the rest of the model number to know what features are built-in. A complete model number would look like 2373-5TU.

rabbarba · #4 Post by **rabbarba** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:05 am

danish keyboard if anyone wonders

dkrizic · #5 Post by **dkrizic** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:37 am

And it is *no* p-Model, because a T42p would be labelled so.

TJMacGyver · #6 Post by **TJMacGyver** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:28 am

OK, thanks.

do you guys know which is the smallest CPU that this model can be configured with? and which chipset/cpu model is in it?

it's because I'm not able to get anymore information(than the picture) before bidding on it.

how much would you guys gamble on it, knowing nothing other than what it looks like. and that it has no HDD.

#7 Post by **KristianJ** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:17 am

In my book, if it's just a pic I get to see before bidding, then I don't bid (especially if the pic shows a grubby looking TP). Unless there's some sort of return guarantee that the seller could include, then I would be rather hesitant to bid.

TJMacGyver · #8 Post by **TJMacGyver** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:55 am

It's an auction that is held by the police (stolen and found items that haven't been claimed)

But it's because i'm not able to be there when it's autioned off, so, if I want it, I will have to send in a bid online. and then I will get it as cheap as possible within the parameters of my bid.

Website · #9 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 12:28 pm

Given that there is no hard drive, and and unknown background (if the police have it, it could be stolen)....I would be careful on bidding. I wouldn't go over $450USD on bidding. If it is a T42, it might still have a remaining warranty. The problem with counting on the warranty would be that if it is stolen and the PD didn't check IBM AND Lenovo to see if it was stolen, then Lenovo won't send it back to you IF it was stolen. Though, I don't know if the receipt from the PD would make it yours.

EDIT: And according to ltbook.pdf, the slowest processor was a 1.6.

TJMacGyver · #10 Post by **TJMacGyver** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:24 pm

I belive that if I buy it from the PD-aution, it is rightfully mine. and I do get a receipt.

The catch is that I don't know if they're tested before they're sold, so I really don't know if it was found at the bottom of a lake or someone just forgot it in a café.

The harddrive is removed to ensure that the buyer don't get access to confidential data.

#11 Post by **Kyocera** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:59 pm

A friend of mine bought a Sony Vaio from a police auction and he had to get the system board replaced, (at AbsoluteRaleigh *plug for len*). I'm sure they don't test them nor do they have the time or resources to do so. This is a serious buyer beware deal.

My friend wound up paying over a grand total for a old used (and extremely gigantic) Sony Vaio. He didn't want to buy one of my great little 600 series, nooooo

.......Every time he pulls it out I crack on him.

grimmster · #12 Post by **grimmster** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:03 pm

I'd be cautios also. If the power onm password is set, your basically screwed right there.

#13 Post by **carbon_unit** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:15 pm

Beware not so much the Power On Password as the Supervisor Password. Power On Passwords can be cleared fairly easily, not so with Supervisor Password

TJMacGyver · #14 Post by **TJMacGyver** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 6:05 am

If I got a receipt from the police, which makes it rightfully mine, I would imagine that IBM support might help me if it should be password protected.

As for the warranty. The new model with fingerprint reader was released oct. 2004, which means the one on auction is max. 2 years old. Then am I right in asuming that there would be approx. 1 year left of the warranty?

#15 Post by **carbon_unit** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 6:37 am

IBM will tell you that if you have a Supervisor Password and you don't know what it is, you need to replace the system board and they won't pay for it. Expect that to cost ~$400.00.

#16 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 6:46 am

Some warranties are 1-year, and some are 3-year. Yep, if the Supervisor password is set, IBM/Lenovo can't help you - except to replace the System Board as carbon_unit said. Not everyone sets the Supervisor password, but you won't know until you receive it - if it's been set. I do not believe any warranty will cover a lost or unknown Supervisor password.

TJMacGyver · #17 Post by **TJMacGyver** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 7:46 am

hmmm.

OK, so if the supervisor password is set, I won't be able to use the thinkpad at all?

JHEM · #18 Post by **JHEM** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:10 am

TJMacGyver wrote:OK, so if the supervisor password is set, I won't be able to use the thinkpad at all?

Not without expending a lot of time, energy and money to have someone professionally hack the PW.

I'd give this machine a pass.

James

#19 Post by **carbon_unit** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:54 am

Unless you can find out if there is a password or not.
Press F1 at boot. If it goes into the BIOS with no padlock icon you are OK.

JHEM · #20 Post by **JHEM** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 12:17 pm

carbon_unit wrote:Unless you can find out if there is a password or not.
Press F1 at boot. If it goes into the BIOS with no padlock icon you are OK.

That would be fine if he could get his hands on it before the purchase, but he's considering buying it sight unseen.

James

TJMacGyver · #21 Post by **TJMacGyver** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 12:54 pm

hmm.

I have been reading up on the supervisor password deal.
and it is possible to remove (not easy though), if I should be so unlucky.
I think I'm going to gamble and bid on it, but not as much as i would before your posts.

Thanks for all your help
If I become an owner of a TP I will definetly come back.

#22 Post by **carbon_unit** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:30 am

JHEM wrote:That would be fine if he could get his hands on it before the purchase, but he's considering buying it sight unseen.

James

Yeah, those instructions were for the (remote) chance he could get the seller to check it for him.

possible to identify T42 from picture (beware large picture)

possible to identify T42 from picture (beware large picture)

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