Thinkpads.com R51 Project - (Pic Warning)

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#181 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:40 am

Update - received the UB Enhanced CDROM drive from Underclocker. Tested with PC-Doctor for an hour or so and it is 100% solid (looks nicer than an Ultrabay slim drive too

). All tests passed. So, the project is good to go with an optical drive at this point. Thanks Underclocker!

DK6400Brian · #182 Post by **DK6400Brian** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:03 pm

I've had problems playing DVD's on my still running 770Z.

That was when I did a fresh Windows 2000 installation.
The problem was, that by default, the DVD drive is in PIO mode.
Changing that to DMA if available, solves the problem.

Nice project that I discovered just minutes ago.

#183 Post by **Harryc** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:42 pm

Next up ... I received the 10GB hard drive to day from RBS, thanks!. By the way I also received a $20 donation to the project last night from ajkula66, thanks George!

So, I am looking for suggestions on what to do with the 10GB drive. In my possession I have R50P recovery discs, and an OEM copy of XP. Oh, and I can install any version of Linux. Suggestions? Mind you, I believe a recovery partition would consume half of a 10GB drive.

ajkula66 · #184 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:55 pm

That thing will likely fly in Mint...my (biased) opinion only...

#185 Post by **underclocker** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:09 pm

Suggestion, yes! Sell the 10GB for whatever you can get - maybe $10 to $15? Add it to the nice $20 donation and grab a 5400rpm drive. On eBay, they seem to start in the low $30s - like this one --> http://cgi.ebay.com/Travelstar-40gb-40- ... 0294430157.

A fine FlexView R51 deserves a 5400rpm drive.

#186 Post by **Harryc** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:21 pm

Hmmm, both very good suggestions. I think it is time to move on to the next project though. So, I will take George's advice and install Linux Mint on the 10GB drive, and leave any potential upgrades up to the new owner. If all goes well I will put this machine up for sale in Marketplace tomorrow.

#187 Post by **Harryc** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:35 pm

While Linux Mint is installing here, I figured I'd take a few minutes to close the books on this project. Here's where we are at;

Total cost to date;

Actual costs -
$61.11 - R51 and Toshiba Laptops
$18.98 - Inverter
$19.98 - CCFL
$22.50 - Keyboard
Minus $11. donation
Minus $20. donation
------------------------
$91.57 Out of pocket cost

Here is a summary of original config vs. what's changed;

Original description:
P M 1.6GHz
256MB RAM >>Now 512MB RAM
60GB 4200rpm HDD >>Now 10GB 4200rpm HDD
15 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD
32MB ATI Radeon 9000
24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD >>Now CDROM Drive
Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI)
Modem(CDC)
1Gb Ethernet(LOM)
UltraNav, Secure Chip
IEEE 1394
6 cell Li-Ion battery
WinXP Pro >>Now Linux Mint

#188 Post by **Harryc** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:51 pm

Well, you have to love Mint. It installed without incident, boots up very fast, and wireless came right up with no tweaking. Very nice. I am loading the updates, and then we're done.

The machine is now for sale -
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

#189 Post by **KristianJ** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:08 pm

Looking forward to seeing the results of the sale, Harry. Certainly been interesting to look on and see what's happened to come to this point.

Good luck!

schiesz · #190 Post by **schiesz** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:29 am

Very cool project. I'm sorry I didn't see it until it was over. I'll be looking for the next project once this one sells... Your options are going to be pretty limited moving forward in the Thinkpad line since you are going to have to do another one with a flexview.

I mean, its not like you can go back to a normal screen after building one with a flexview under $100

#191 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 10:41 am

schiesz and KristianJ, thanks for the comments. Now that you mention it, now would be a good point to start discussing ideas for the next project. So, if anyone reading this has any particular machine or machines that piques their interest, lets bring the ideas forward and talk about them. Try to include a recommended source for the machine as well. We will take donations

Of course it depends on the R51 sale, but lets assume that our budget will be $250 to $300 as a starting point.

#192 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:33 am

Plan B implemented due to lack of interest in this laptop sale. Added a 40GB HD with XP Pro, and reduced the price to $280 plus shipping. To a potential buyer that is equivalent to a $60 price reduction.

Total cost to date;

Actual costs -
$61.11 - R51 and Toshiba Laptops
$18.98 - Inverter
$19.98 - CCFL
$22.50 - Keyboard
$40.00 - Hard Drive
Minus $11. donation
Minus $20. donation
------------------------
$131.57 Out of pocket cost

Here is a summary of original config vs. what's changed;

Original description:
P M 1.6GHz
256MB RAM >>Now 512MB RAM
60GB 4200rpm HDD >>Now 40GB 5400rpm HDD
15 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD
32MB ATI Radeon 9000
24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD >>Now CDROM Drive
Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI)
Modem(CDC)
1Gb Ethernet(LOM)
UltraNav, Secure Chip
IEEE 1394
6 cell Li-Ion battery
WinXP Pro

#193 Post by **KristianJ** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:34 pm

I've been pondering ideas of where to go next for the past few days, Harry. The tough selling conditions in the Marketplace aren't really helping (which is a shame, because I really think the pre-Plan B price was very reasonable). I don't know whether it'd be more sensible to stay in the Pentium M (or even lower end Celeron based R60) territory, or to go back a bit and tinker with an older machine (which would clearly bring in less "revenue" when it comes to sale time).

My 2 cents...

#194 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:44 pm

Kristian, agreed on the tough times for selling used Thinkpads. I think it's because there is a glut of used machines on the market due to the new line just coming out. The model we choose doesn't matter to me as long as it sells for more than the cost of the machine and needed parts combined. A member here has suggested an A31P, which may be a good choice because it's a recognized classic Thinkpad. X3X's seem to be very popular these days, so there might be alot of interest in the finished product there. Something like this one maybe.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0085313468

mgo · #195 Post by **mgo** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:13 pm

Harryc wrote:Plan B implemented due to lack of interest in this laptop sale. Added a 40GB HD with XP Pro, and reduced the price to $280 plus shipping. To a potential buyer that is equivalent to a $60 price reduction.

A couple of questions from a potential buyer (I really like the R51 screen! and keyboard!)

1: you mentioned a 10 gig hdd with mint on board. would that be available for extra cost?

2: I would like to max out the RAM. would it be possible to get that installed? extra cost, of course.

Thanks!

#196 Post by **schen** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:20 pm

Harryc wrote:Kristian, agreed on the tough times for selling used Thinkpads. I think it's because there is a glut of used machines on the market due to the new line just coming out. The model we choose doesn't matter to me as long as it sells for more than the cost of the machine and needed parts combined. A member here has suggested an A31P, which may be a good choice because it's a recognized classic Thinkpad. X3X's seem to be very popular these days, so there might be alot of interest in the finished product there. Something like this one maybe.

Harry,
If you are seriously considering an A31p I might have a great candidate for the buildup.

#197 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:22 pm

1.) Yes it is available at extra cost. How does $15 sound?
2.) Max RAM on this machine is 2x1GB PC2700. We can certainly install whatever you'd like. PC2700 these days is cheap after rebate.It would work out better if you ordered it and either shipped it here or to your address, then you ship it here. That way you can take advantage of rebates. I'll install if for free.
PC2700 at Buy.com

#198 Post by **KristianJ** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:30 pm

Harryc wrote: A member here has suggested an A31P, which may be a good choice because it's a recognized classic Thinkpad. X3X's seem to be very popular these days, so there might be alot of interest in the finished product there. Something like this one maybe.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0085313468

That looks promising indeed

A31p would be fun and not too financially "risky" (for want of a better word) because of the DDR RAM, and then there's George and the potential for him to have every A31p part ever made. If it were me, I'd probably try the X31 because I could imagine that obtaining a replacement 12.1" XGA X3x LCD would be easier and less costly than a UXGA Flexview LCD (if necessary - of course my hope is that a suitable candidate could be found with a near perfect LCD, no matter what model)

Radioguy · #199 Post by **Radioguy** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:36 pm

mgo wrote:1: you mentioned a 10 gig hdd with mint on board. would that be available for extra cost?

He already upgraded to to a 40GB 5200rpm. Wouldn't he would be dropping the price to go back to the smaller/slower drive, not cost more? (except for RAM upgrades, of course)

Oh Harry, you can shorten ebay links by taking the item number and popping into a search there, then chopping off all after the actual number:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0085313468

It saves having to horizontally scroll in threads.

#200 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:38 pm

schen wrote:Harry,
If you are seriously considering an A31p I might have a great candidate for the buildup.

I think it would definitely be a good exercise with the expertise we have around here on them. If you are serious, let us know what you have, what it needs, and what you'd propose for a buildout. Include potential costs, any potential gotcha's, and an estimate of what you'd like for the base machine.

#201 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:40 pm

Radioguy wrote:... He already upgraded to to a 40GB 5200rpm. Wouldn't he would be dropping the price to go back to the smaller/slower drive, not cost more? (except for RAM upgrades, of course)

Radioguy, I beleive mgo was thinking about getting the 10GB drive in addition to the 40GB already installed. mgo, if I am misunderstanding that please correct me.
Thanks for the tip on the links.

sarbin · #202 Post by **sarbin** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:25 pm

Harryc wrote: PC2700 at Buy.com

and at frys: http://shop2.frys.com/product/5475499
gotta act fast though!

sarbin · #203 Post by **sarbin** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:28 pm

A31p... a sentimental favorite of mine.

#204 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:42 am

Ok, we've had an offer to work on a donated A31P as the next project.

Condition;

- keyboard works, tested on another A31p
- battery in red, holds 30 mins charge
- missing optical drive
- missing RAM
- missing floppy drive
- missing hard drive
- missing AC adapter

General description;
Won't power on and boot. All the covers are in place. LCD looks very sound, unknown if it works.

This was donated by a member here. I'll let that person come forward to be recognized if he/she wants to do that. Thanks for the donation!

#205 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:46 am

Folks, we have a legitimate offer of $250 shipped on the table for the R51 machine as described in the Marketplace Ad. That is $55 or so less than the current sale price, considering that the current price of $280 does not include shipping. If I ship it for $250, the project will walk away with around $225. If (2) or more members agree that it is acceptable, we'll make it happen. The only fair thing for me to do in this transaction is to act as a non-voting third party agent. I need an answer before noon today in order to be fair to the buyer. If I don't hear from anyone in this thread, we'll let it go for the current offer.

#206 Post by **KristianJ** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:26 am

Harryc wrote:Ok, we've had an offer to work on a donated A31P as the next project.

Condition;

- keyboard works, tested on another A31p
- battery in red, holds 30 mins charge
- missing optical drive
- missing RAM
- missing floppy drive
- missing hard drive
- missing AC adapter

General description;
Won't power on and boot. All the covers are in place. LCD looks very sound, unknown if it works.

This was donated by a member here. I'll let that person come forward to be recognized if he/she wants to do that. Thanks for the donation!

Any donation's worth its weight in gold when it comes to things like this, I would say.

As for the offer, I've already said that I think the pre-Plan B price was reasonable, but if you don't hear from anyone else, I'd say do a deal. I just feel that in the current climate, you may be waiting a while before the current price can be met.

#207 Post by **dorronto** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:35 am

Harryc wrote:Folks, we have a legitimate offer of $250 shipped on the table for the R51 machine as described in the Marketplace Ad. That is $55 or so less than the current sale price, considering that the current price of $280 does not include shipping. If I ship it for $250, the project will walk away with around $225. If (2) or more members agree that it is acceptable, we'll make it happen. The only fair thing for me to do in this transaction is to act as a non-voting third party agent. I need an answer before noon today in order to be fair to the buyer. If I don't hear from anyone in this thread, we'll let it go for the current offer.

Not being invovled with this project I say a sale, is a sale, is a sale......

I put my T41p on Ebay now myself.........

Take it Harry and move on to the next project...

My opinion,
Ron

#208 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:08 am

Great, I'll tell the buyer we're on with the deal.

#209 Post by **underclocker** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:16 am

$250 DONE!

After the A31, you've got to try a T60. That would sell fast.

#210 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:35 am

underclocker wrote:$250 DONE!

After the A31, you've got to try a T60. That would sell fast.

Agreed on the saleability of a T60. Cost will be a challenge though. It's definitely a good idea.

Thinkpads.com R51 Project - (Pic Warning)

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