Thinkpads.com A31P Project - (Pic Warning)

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sarbin · #151 Post by **sarbin** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 11:03 pm

schen wrote:I donated my part of this project with complete faith and trust in Harry, in that he would do with the pieces what would be best for the project. I really don't think that many or any of us would have donated to the project if we didn't feel that way.

extremely well put, Stan.

while i've not been able to donate anything quite as substantial as you and George, i've sent off my contributions, some from my used parts bin and others purchased, with complete faith that Harry would use them to best purpose for the project. however and whenever needed. once i sent them, they became the property of the project... plain and simple.

basketb · #152 Post by **basketb** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 1:32 am

Has there been any decision made on what to do next? (I can't tell from reading the last few posts.)

As someone being somewhat familiar with the A, R, and T lines of Thinkpads, I'd actually like to see some work being performed on the unfamiliar X or Z lines. Needless to say that neither do I know what a suitable model would be in terms of worthwhile restoration effort and resale value nor could I contribute any parts

(not that I have contributed much to the last two projects

).

Another idea would be to built the "perfect" Linux machine. By "perfect" I mean that all Thinkpad features (e.g., graphics, power management, USB, Ethernet, wireless, etc.) are supported under Linux on that machine as well as they would be under Windows. (If I remember correctly, selling the first project with only Linux didn't go very well. So maybe a dual-boot machine would be nice.)

#153 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 3:47 am

basketb, you've some good ideas there. You're not the first one to mention an 'X' machine, so I think we should seriously consider that for the next project. Also being a Linux guy I can appreciate the perfect Linux machine as well. The immediate next step in the project is to sell the A31P currently on Marketplace, then as soon as I receive the CPU I need to test the donor board. If that works or fails we need to then make a decision about what to do with it. I guess that about sums it up.

sparta.rising · #154 Post by **sparta.rising** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 11:33 am

+1 for an X series

DrThinkpad · #155 Post by **DrThinkpad** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 12:09 pm

My vote goes for an X24/X23

#156 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 2:45 pm

Update: The 1.6Ghz CPU arrived today from basketb. (Thanks!). I put it in the A31P and it now powers up. In fact is sequences through the power lights normally, and the main power light remains on. The fan spins. The only problem now is that it does not POST. No beeps, (even with RAM removed), no LCD display (even on external), nothing. I tried reseating the CPU as well, no luck. So, while we did have a bad CPU, it must have taken out something on the board because it was a dead short, or there is something else that I am not thinking of. I even tried the old press/hold power button trick with all power removed. Any ideas before we pack this one in?

ajkula66 · #157 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 3:31 pm

That board is likely toast, since you weren't able to detect any blown fuses the first time you had it out for examination...

Try pressing on the GPU one last time and call it a day...

#158 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 4:15 pm

George, the GPU on these is directly under the fan, so you can't exactly get anything on top of it to push down.

ajkula66 · #159 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 4:31 pm

Harry,

Sometimes there's enough space to slip in a "post-it" or two...I should've been more precise...

As an alternative (only if you feel like it, you've been through more than enough with this one) remove the fan, press on GPU while powering on and see whether it does ANYTHING...

#160 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 5:13 pm

Ok George, I got it to post, but it wasn't by pressing on the GPU socket

. I pressed down on the CPU socket. Let me see if I can repeat it. ..Yup, if I press down on the CPU socket it posts....Wow...just wow

#161 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 6:42 pm

I can repeat this all day. If I put moderate pressure on the CPU socket the machine boots. So, I am guessing we have a loose CPU socket. I wonder if superior reball does CPU sockets

Edit: I just sent them an email to ask.
Edit 2: I Emailed Hammerhead as well.

proaudioguy · #162 Post by **proaudioguy** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:11 am

Seems to me a CPU socket would be really easy to re-solder compared to reballing a GPU. You just need a really fine tipped iron and low power, maybe 15 watts.

#163 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:15 am

Hammerhead replied, said "we aren't repairing A31's".

#164 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:58 pm

Try taking the CPU out a few times with the locking lever held to just 'catching' the pins, it might be only a corroded contact.
Or inspect the legs visually.

#165 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:54 pm

Dale at Superior Reball replied;

"Hello Harry,
How is it loose? Cracked solder joints or pulled pads? "

So, apparently I will be taking the board out of this machine yet again to see if I can either resolder the cracked solder joint (proaudioguy), determine if a pad is pulled (might be a tough thing to determine) , or if some other local component is loose. Since Dale specifically asked about it, I'd have to assume that you cannot repair a pulled pad under a CPU socket, and if that were the case the board would be toast. (RBS) I will try the contact trick as well. It may be some time before i can get to all of this, but I will post here with progress.

#166 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:45 pm

Tomorrow will be one week that our first A31P has been for sale in the Marketplace forum for $325. Any thoughts on making any changes in price or the offer?

ajkula66 · #167 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:49 pm

I might end up sounding ridiculous...let the Election Day pass and give it a couple of days for people to get into their normal swing of things...

My $0.02 only...

#168 Post by **KristianJ** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:35 am

I agree with George...if there are no bites, the next bump could include a price drop to, say, $300. It really shouldn't be a tough sell...just that you have a very major event coinciding and it's possible that people are way more absorbed in that than buying a Thinkpad.

proaudioguy · #169 Post by **proaudioguy** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:04 am

I'd say let it sit till it sells, bumping it along the way. Someone will grab it. It's a bit steep for me since my wife will kill me for even thinking about it. I have 6 running thinkpads at home as it is. She already thinks I'm twisted.

#170 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:38 pm

Update on the donor machine. I took it completely down to the board once again. About the CPU socket, you can't see underneath it to determine if a pad has lifted. (period). Secondly, there are no pins that extend through the board, so even if there was a loose solder joint, you could not see it by pushing down on the socket. I discovered that I could push down on the board itself to the left of the socket and it would post, so I am not sure if it is even a socket problem vs. some other loose component. I took out a magnifying glass and looked at every component around or near the left side of the board and I could not identify any loose solder joints. The good news is that while holding the board down I got the machine to post and enter into BIOS. I examined the LCD itself and beside the quick 'redness' on power up, it looks flawless. I reassembled the machine completely and I found that if I push down on the keyboard bezel above the suspect area, the machine will post every time. So, what is next? I could contact Superior Reball again to see if they'd look at it ...or we could sell it as is for parts, or George could take it back and do with it what he wants to. If a member here wants to take a crack at repairing it, that is another option. Also I found the board for this machine at an online retailer for $150 or so shipped. Any other ideas or suggestions?

ajkula66 · #171 Post by **ajkula66** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:44 pm

I'd send it to Superior Reball, since they have "no fix-no charge" policy...the worst thing that can happen is that we'd be out shipping...

Amazed I am that schen's machine hasn't been sold yet...and tempted at the same time, but have to keep on smacking myself across the head and not think about it...

#172 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:14 pm

I sent an email to Dale at Superior Reball to see if they'd consider taking on this job.

#173 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:03 am

Reply from Superior Reball -

Hello Harry,

We would be willing to take a crack at this repair. The flat rate to repair your A31 would be $50.00.

Thank You,

Dale

#174 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:26 am

Superior Reball has been paid and the donor A31P will be shipping out Monday. Here's where we are at with the project account;

Expenditures to date;

Balance as of 11/8/2008 - $134.95
Superior Reball Service - $50
Shipping to Superior Reball - $17.05 (estimated)
Remaining Balance - $67.90

We're running low on funds, we need to sell something

.

#175 Post by **underclocker** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:11 am

Regarding a next project;

I still think a T6x is the right way to go. Here is a T61 that needs very little work for $250!!! This seller has sold several lately (I hope he is legit.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-T61-76 ... 0312928595

#176 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:17 am

Since we haven't had any offers on the A31P, I will make a personal offer of $250. We'd need (2) or member approvals for that to be fact. I will not take it personally if you dis-approve. I could then purchase that T61 today for our next forum project if it is still available.

#177 Post by **underclocker** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:23 am

With the way ThinkPad prices have dropped lately, you've got my vote...

#178 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:46 am

underclocker, thanks. (1) more vote needed.

#179 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 10:54 am

With all the hard work you've put in, I'll second the suggestion you get it for yourself.
Go Harry, Go-Go-Go

#180 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 11:18 am

RBS, thanks!.
Ok, Done and done. The T61 has been purchased. I'll start a new project thread this afternoon in the T6X forum. We'll keep this one open to track progress on the donor A31P, now on the way to Superior Reball.

Thinkpads.com A31P Project - (Pic Warning)

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