Just bought A31, questions

[RWDPLZ]

Hi, I just purchased an A31 laptop on eBay that I plan on putting back together. eBay item # 160105758366

The unit needs a new screen, obviously. I downloaded and went through the Hardware Maintenence Manual, and found my model, 2652-M6U originally came with a 15" SXGA+ IPS screen, P/N 11P8206. What does IPS stand for? Can an SXGA+ screen be used in place of the SXGA+ IPS screen?

This laptop also didn't come with Bluetooth, it looks like that was only offered on the A31p models? Can the Bluetooth daughter card and antenna be added to my A31?

The computer originally had a 40GB hard drive. Is there a list of hard drives that will work with this model, or a specific hard drive type, like ATA100 or something? Would this hard drive work for instance?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822146046

Finally, I'd like to put a stick of 1GB RAM in, and add another later, since the limit appears to be 2GB. I've read that PC2100 AND PC2700 work in the A31? Is there also a list of compatible RAM somewhere? When I tried upgrading the RAM in my Thinkpad 770ED, it absolutely refused to use the Samsung RAM I bought without crashing.

[schen]

The computer originally had a 40GB hard drive. Is there a list of hard drives that will work with this model, or a specific hard drive type, like ATA100 or something? Would this hard drive work for instance?

Finally, I'd like to put a stick of 1GB RAM in, and add another later, since the limit appears to be 2GB. I've read that PC2100 AND PC2700 work in the A31? Is there also a list of compatible RAM somewhere? When I tried upgrading the RAM in my Thinkpad 770ED, it absolutely refused to use the Samsung RAM I bought without crashing.

Pretty much any (Parallel) IDE 2.5" drive will work. Most folks here have Hitachi, WD or Seagate drives in the 80-100Gb 5400 or 7200rpm drives which is kinda the sweetspot in the market right now. New Egg generally has very good prices and Brent Presley who deals in the "Marketplace" usually has drives to sell. Lots of folks have a great experiences with him.

On the RAM front; I don't think that there's a definitive list anywhere, but I (like lots of others) have had very little trouble getting the later Ts and As to take almost anything that has the right specs. I've personally have had both 2100 and 2700 in my machines and sometime mixed with good results.

I'll let somebody who knows more about those areas to answer the screen and bluetooth questions. Good luck with your resurrection. I really like doing that sort of thing too.

[Milos]

The unit needs a new screen, obviously. I downloaded and went through the Hardware Maintenence Manual, and found my model, 2652-M6U originally came with a 15" SXGA+ IPS screen, P/N 11P8206. What does IPS stand for? Can an SXGA+ screen be used in place of the SXGA+ IPS screen?

IPS = in-plane switching (of pixels)

This technology (IPS) provides brighter displays and wide viewing angle. These (IPS) displays were a huge improvement in screen quality when they came out, and are still top notch today. You should definitely get an IPS version of the screen (not sure if there is a non-IPS 15"), because it is way better on the eyes. I have the IPS on my A31, while my wife has a T41 (newer machine) with a non-IPS screen, and mine is way better.

There are two possible manufacturers (I think) for the A31 15" IPS display - IDTech and LG-Philips. My display is made by IDTech, and it is excellent. I just bought another display from ebay (listed as also by IDTech) for $75, and should be trying it tomorrow. The seller probably has many, so if you want, I can tell you how that looks and tell you the seller before you buy.

BTW, you have to be sure that the display you buy is compatible with the LCD cable you have (if any), and the inverter (power supply card also inside the screen) that you have. I have seen 3 inverter part numbers: 62P9872 and 91P7737 both work with my IDTech LCD, and on the web it also says that 26P8133 is equivalent to 91P7737, but I haven't tested that.

Milos

[RWDPLZ]

I ordered and today recieved the SXGA+ IPS screen, the 11P8206 listed in the HMM still new in the box, so that problem is solved. Ordered the hard drive, and a stick of RAM, a 256 MB Micron DDR266 PC2100 MT8VDDT3264HDG-265C3, with a Cas Latency of 2.5

Still wondering about Bluetooth? Can I add the daughter card and antenna?

[proaudioguy]

There will be no way to turn it off. The A31p has an off switch for the blue tooth. This is a requirement for being able to use it on an airplane. The WIFI antennas are located next to the screen and I have heard there may be some differences there albeit slight. No idea where the blue tooth antenna is located.

[RWDPLZ]

I don't plan to ues it on a plane, so that wouldn't be a problem, the antenna is buried in the motherboard part of the computer.

Just got the main unit in the mail, and have a couple more questions:

-The LCD inverter: there are two listed in the HMM for the SXGA+ IPS screen, 26P8133 and 62P9872, will either work?

-The Modem/Wireless mini-PCI card is gone, is there a drop-in replacement with wireless g?

Thanks for the answers so far!

[schen]

-The Modem/Wireless mini-PCI card is gone, is there a drop-in replacement with wireless g?

If you'll look in my sig. you'll see the Atheros card that I used in my wife's A31. No problems what-so-ever and it hooks up at the Super G 108 with my D-Link AP.

If you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate it if you'd post what you end up doing on the Bluetooth issue. I'm thinking of adding it to my T30 that didn't come with it originally so I can connect to my RAZR.

[RWDPLZ]

I just went through the HMM and the computer and took an inventory of what's there and what isn't. LOTS of screws, and some misc, small parts. The main thing missing is the inverter. Do any of these parts, like brackets d and g, complete a ground or something?



9 Wireless & Modem card 26P8472
15 Hard Drive Cover & Caddy 27L6768
18 DIMM Cover 46L6361
25 Ultrabay 2000 Guide Rail 26P9632
26 Hinge Cap 26P9643
Screw Kit 26P9646

Part of 46L3687 kit:
d LCD connector support
g MiniPCI guide
k insulator, keyboard CRU


Also, the Ultrabay 2000 cage has a plastic cover/tray in it that I can't get out? The pull tab for that one doesn't pop out like the Ultrabay Plus cage on the right, and once I get the tab out and pull it, nothing happnes. it looks like two of the screws holding the cage in are under that plastic tray. Any suggestions?

[proaudioguy]

G may or may not be necessary but d is a major source of rigidity. It helps hold your computer together.

[RWDPLZ]

I figured out the stuck Ultrabay problem: the part stuck in there was a blank cover, 26P9859. I started cutting it out with a hobby knife to the point I could get a pair of channel locks on it, and twisted the flat panel until it broke, being careful not to put pressure on the motherboard. It finally broke and I pulled it out. Now that I could access all the screws holding the bay in, I removed the bay and found the little black slider tab wouldn't retract, and teh pull tab spring had come off the bay. I reattched the spring, put it back in with the hole in the slider tab on the release button, and tried it out with the spacer and the floppy drive. Works perfectly now.

[ElbertR]

Regarding bluetooth, you can add the antenna which fits around the serial port.

You will also have to change add a small bluetooth button at the bottom of the screen next to the battery indicator. For this you will have to change the plastic strip ('clearplate') that says 'A31' or 'A31P' at the bottom of the screen. The contact for the button is on the LCD inverter, you you must have the right inverter for that.

To add the A31 bluetooth daughter card you will have to remove either the modem or the ethernet card.

Originally Bluetooth only came with models that also had a modem/wifi combo mini-pci card. Problem was that the wifi on this combo card was only 'B' and not the faster 'G'.
So if you want a wireless 'G' mini pci card and also want to be able to use a modem and the ethernet port you already have 2 daughter cards in use and don't have room for another card for bluetooth.

Below are some part numbers:

LCD Inverter 26P8133
Bluetooth Clearplate & button for A31p 46L5024
Bluetooth Modem Daughter Card BMDC 91P7315
A31P Bluetooth ANTENNA 27L0685

IBM did make modem/bluetooth combo daughter cards, but not for the A31.

I do remember reading posts from 1 member on this forum (A31PGuy) who claims he got a modem/bluetooth combo daugther card to work on a A31P. I tried 3 different combo cards but could not get the modem drivers to work on them (bluetooth worked).

Since I need a modem to send faxes or connect to the internet while on the road sometimes, I got myself an Ultraport bluetooth adapter which fits nicely on top of the screen when I need it (which is hardly ever).

Otherwise if you don't have an ultraport you can always go with a small USB bluetooth dongle which are very cheap to get on ebay.

[cpn]

I upgraded my A31 with the Combo BT/Modem card. I got the Bluetooth to turn on at boot plus, I reprogramed one of my web buttons to run the software to turn it on and off. You can read more about what I did at:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

[ElbertR]

I upgraded my A31 with the Combo BT/Modem card. I got the Bluetooth to turn on at boot plus, I reprogramed one of my web buttons to run the software to turn it on and off. You can read more about what I did at:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

Is you modem still working?

Even if it installed a driver it might not work. This was the case when I tried to use Combo BT/Modem cards on my A31P.

Try this test: Goto the Control Panel, Phone & Modem Options, Modem tab, select the modem & click properties. Goto the 'Diagnogstics' tab and click 'query modem'.
I my case I could not get a response.

I your modems works, great, I would love to know what driver you installed.