New member with a T30... Few questions...

[jbraddoc]

Hello,

I am Josh. I just bought a T30 (2366-JBU) off of craigslist.... I paid 150 bucks for it, after I talked her down from 300... I am having mixed feelings after actually receiving the unit. It has been dropped on it's right corner by the LCD hinge (with the unit opened and keyboard facing you). The case is cracked in that area. The fan sounds like its grinding pebbles, the backspace key has something in it, and needs to be cleaned. The HDD is possibly dying, and the HDD caddy needs to be replaced. It also came with a dock and a charger with four prongs instead of the 'coax' type connection the unit requires. The battery lasts about 20 minutes. It is missing the track point pad/nipple thing. And it has the memory slot issue affecting the front most slot.

Now for the good. The reason I bought this was the fact that it was under 200 bucks, and it would let me get the feel for a thinkpad. I had a few thinkpads years ago (I am 21) when I was growing up. They were random units that people were disposing of. One was a 701 (I only remember that because it was our area code) and there was a thicker unit that I had as well. This unit has the 1400x1050 lcd screen, and I've been reading that they were bluetooth capable. What has caused me to buy an older thinkpad is the fact that they are modular. I have a Dell Inspiron that I use, but the 1280x800 is getting on my nerves. Also, anything that I want to use on the unit, I have to have an external card. At least with the thinkpads, I can change the wifi or I can add in bluetooth support. Also, I wanted to see what the thinklight was about. I wanted to see if it was better then having a back-lit keyboard.

When I first got the unit, I downloaded the service manual for it, took the keyboard apart and cleaned a lot of 'crap' out of the unit. There was everything from chocolate to little pieces of broken toy bits (there aren't the pcmcia protectors). I put some thermal grease on the processor and cleaned the old thermal 'sticky pad' off of the heat sink. The machine seemed to preform better because it could now vent. I wanted to see what hard drive was in the unit, and someone broke the screw tab off of the caddy... I am sure its fine, but there is a sense of its not screwed in that will bother me. I really REALLY enjoy pounding on the keyboard. it really doesn't flex at all. I am amazed... It almost feels like I am typing on a clicky M keyboard. Other than the fact that I can't use the unit without the dock station, or the fact that I don't have the track point 'head', I am really enjoying this laptop. The battery thing doesn't really bother me because it would probably just stay corded all the time anyways.

One major question I have is, even though I have the 2.4 P4, why won't it run above 1.2? I did upgrade the unit to 1GB today, and Chrome seems to like that better, but you can still tell that there is a lag somewhere (either the HDD or the processor going at .50).

Now, before I get told to search, I have been searching, in fact I have been reading the oldest posts in this forum first, and going forward from there. Have been learning quite a bit.

I guess one part of my post is to make an introduction, and the other is to see if anyone has any of the pieces that I am missing. I'd be willing to trade my dock(p/n 62p4551 Type 2878) and charger for a dock/charger that fits this unit (by fits I mean a charger I can use on both the dock and the laptop). Also, I am in need of the track point things (which I found on ebay for less than 4 bucks).

I appreciate any and all replies. I am sure I will be here for a while... I am really liking the quality of this thing.

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

With the damage to the case in the right rear corner, there could be some other underlaying issues that may not be apparent yet. I would open up the system and inspect the area. Since you already have a copy of the Hardware Maintenance Manual for your "new" system, that's all you should need.

The AC adapter is a special version for use with certain docking stations and G-type Thinkpads. You could keep the existing dock/power supply and simply get a "standard" AC adapter with the coaxial power plug. If, as you say, the system is going to be corded most of the time, then keep the 62p4551 dock on a desk and use the regular adapter elsewhere.

As you are reading the archives, no doubt you'll stumble on the thread that discusses the memory slot problem and how it can be fixed by the use of some flux and a low-wattage soldering iron. If you find that 1GB of memory is not enough, you might consider trying the repair.

You think that the T30 keyboard is solid? Try typing on a 600-series system .

The hard drive can be tested for any major problems either by using the manufacturer's own diagnostic tool or by what IBM has provided with most Thinkpads; PC Doctor. I always recommend using the DOS version since you don't have to have Windows on the machine to begin with. This tool can be downloaded from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-54659 (diskettes)
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-56222 (bootable CD image)

Not sure what the issue with your CPU speed is. Normally, SpeedStep will clock the frequency down a couple of hundred Mhz; but not 50%. What operating system are you running and where are you reading the CPU speed?

edit: Ah, never mind about the OS... I see that your .sig says "XP Pro".

[RealBlackStuff]

I think if you use the correct AC adapter and a working battery, you should get the full CPU speed.
But check the BIOS settings and the Power Settings, that they don't limit the speed.

[emeraldgirl08]

JB. Welcome to the forum. I'm also a new member here with a T30. I have the 1.8 ghz version and am quite pleased with the little investment I made here

So far.

Anyway thanks for sharing that information with us. I'm still learning here and know I won't become a comp tech overnight. It's far from my profession but is a rewarding piece of knowledge to gain. One question- How did you measure your processing speed?

Thanks.

[jbraddoc]

I appreciate the replies!

I was thinking I could just keep this dock and find another power supply, but I guess its just the fact that they gave me that and expected me to use it that way instead of having the actual adapter. Oh well I guess. I am sure I can find a used adapter easily.

Also, I did check all of the power save settings in the bios and I am not sure why it is still showing .50. To check this I was checking under system properties/information and I think speedfan told me when I had it installed.

Are there any tips on making the fan quieter, or do I need to replace this as well?

I forgot to mention, the other thing that I am wanting to do is copy the 'recovery partition' over to a new drive, because I want to put a faster, quieter drive in. Whats the easiest way to accomplish this? Also, is there no way of making a set of recovery disks?

By the way, I am going to assume the Bluetooth for this laptop isn't edr, and there isn't an edr option available? But if I were to do the bluetooth, I'd need to have the inverter board with the button, then the bezel cover with the button, then the heat vent area antenna for the bluetooth? How much does that stuff generally run?

I plan on going up to a T60 or T500 in a few months, and just wanted to get my feet wet with this. I am really loving this screen compared to the one on my dell. The Dell is 1280x800 widescreen, but I still have more information on this screen. I am gonna need the WSXGA+ LOL.

[jbraddoc]

Okay, I have everything set to Max performance, and it still only lists 1.2 ghz. I even tried turning off speedstep and its not giving me anything faster. I am going to install the thinkvantage updates, then I am going to flash the bios to the latest version and see if I still have the same problems.

By the way, the power supply I am using is FRU P/N 02K7086. Would that affect it?

[rkawakami]

It shouldn't. That's the 120W power supply which is used with the docking station. Anything 72W or over is fine. In the BIOS, double-check these settings under the Config/Power menu:

- Power Mode for AC: Maximum Performance
- Power Mode for Battery: Maximum Performance
- Customize Processor Speed: Fixed Max (not really used if "Custom" is not specified for the fields above, but it can't hurt)
(further on down the Power menu)
- Intel(R) SpeedStep technology: Enabled (<-- not disabled since this will force the CPU into a low speed mode)
--- Power Mode for AC: Maximum Performance
--- Power Mode for Battery: Maximum Performance

Also, what BIOS version are you running? The latest is 1IET71WW (2.10) and can be downloaded from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-42694

The latest Embedded Controller version is 1IHT20WW (1.07) and is found here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-42711

[jbraddoc]

After I did the ThinkVantage updates, I ran the bios update... At first it wanted me to undock, but it wouldn't let me continue without being plugged in, so I tried docking, and doing the update and it went through. After that, I am getting 2.39 Ghz. I had my power settings set the way that was suggested, and I did try with the SpeedStep off, and on, either way made no difference. But now I am at a faster speed. My only wish is that XP would be as fast as it was out of the box/fresh from the image... Before all this SP crap and all these updates. I don't have anything on this computer really, and when I re-imaged, it booted and logged in under 10 seconds... Now I sit at the windows logo for over 30 seconds waiting, and this is just from the Windows Updates alone....


Part of the reason I want to find a way to backup the restore partition so I can try to put linux on and see how well this machine does with linux. I think GTK (Gnome) would look excellent at this resolution.


rkawakami, thanks for the reply, I appreciate your help!

*Edit: Oddly enough, the embedded controller was already at 1.07, so the update wouldn't run.*

[jbraddoc]

Okay so an urgent matter has presented itself. I was laying in my bed minding my own business reading some of the old messages in the forum, when I hear the heads crash into something and the hdd, not the pc, started to beep. I know what this means, and I knew the drive was getting ready to go out, but I didn't think it'd be this soon. So, what I need to know is, before the drive dies, is there a way I can backup the recovery/tools partition? It'd really be nice to have the F11 option with the new hdd installed for when I try to ... do the battery run downs..


BTW I'm having to post this from my dell *Note to self, find a way to mod and install a clicky-ish ibm keyboard in the dell.*

[RealBlackStuff]

I can get you a set of XP Restore CDs. (You have PM).

Once you have a working Windows version, you should take an image of that and store it on a DVD or other HD.
Then scrap the backup partition, it's too old anyway (XP from before any SP).

[jbraddoc]

Okay, so this has been fun... I replaced the HDD with the one I used as my external hdd. The machine is totally quiet now (except for the fan). I used a dell xp pro cd and installed xp onto the laptop, re-downloaded the updates AGAIN.... The computer seems to be holding up fairly well now... Except I pull the laptop out of the bag, plug the charger, and it starts shorting out.... I guess there was a kink in the cord that didn't get fixed... I chopped the cable in half, separated the shielding and went to look for inner wires to connect together. I was amazed at the fact that the cable only had two wires (the shielding and the inner wire). I splice everything back together and mend the cable. Good as new...

Now I just need to work on the trackpoint, the fan, the battery, the regular power supply and the memory slot.


Sorry to make this such a lengthy post, I guess I really do enjoy pounding away on this keyboard....

[emeraldgirl08]

I don't mind the posts. Believe it or not it's helping me understand my 2366 more!

Have a good Sunday

[jbraddoc]

Okay, So I finally got some 3-in-1 oil and I took the machine apart. I found a howto on the internet that explained how to lube a fan. It didn't seem too difficult so I thought I'd try it. Worst case scenario would be I have to replace the fan.

I took the metal shield off of the fan, and started to look for the 'plug'. I didn't have a small enough screwdriver on me, so I thought I'd try pulling on the blades and see if it popped off.. It did. I lubed the axle and put a drop on the inside magnet of the fan, stuck it on, spun it around, plugged it in and it was whisper quiet. I put it all back together, and all has been quiet since.... That really is an easy fix... If I had my camera, I would have taken pictures...

<link>http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/0,1000 ... .htm</link> <-- that was the how to..


*Edit: A quick question, what is the safest way to clean pop/syrup out of the keyboard? I noticed it was sticky around the edges... Means its been spilled on...*

[RealBlackStuff]

I have heard from forum members sticking their keyboards in the dishwasher, and then let them dry in the sun or a low-temp oven.
That's going a bit too far for me personally...
For goo or gunk anywhere, get a bottle of Goo-Gone with Citrus Power. That stuff is also great for cleaning the palm rest, outside, bottom, even the LCD.

[jbraddoc]

I've done the oven thing before, and.. well.. it didn't turn out too well... I was thinking if just dunking the keyboard in some rubbing alcohol and letting it dry....


... It is amazing how quiet this computer is without the old HDD clunking around and the fan that sounds like its grinding pebbles...

[vanaya]

I would stay clear away from the regular Goo-Gone. I tried to remove an adhesive sticker spot from the bottom side of my R32 and it dissolved the hard plastic!!! It left swirl marks and turned the plastic white from the rag I used. If you would like to see pics I'll be more than glad to send them to avoid another victim. I haven't tried the citrus power one, but I'd be weary. Not to discredit RBS, but be careful.

I have done the keyboard in the dishwasher (R30), but it was severely overpowered by a bad odor. Too bad that didn't resolve the stench, the keyboard continues to function as new.

[jbraddoc]

I am willing to try the keyboard in the dishwasher trick, but I don't want to put it in the oven... ... I had a dell latitude c500 that had tea spilled on it.. I tried to wash the keyboard and dry it.. I heated the oven up a bit, and put the keyboard in..... I had forgotten to put it on a cold pan and turn the oven off.... the keys were melted and .. it was a mess.... By melted, I mean warped.... I was thinking alcohol because of the fact that it dries faster than water, so I wouldn't have to worry about baking it... I guess another solution would be to spray the thing with electrical contact cleaner.... Something that is ABS safe... but I guess since I've always used rubbing alcohol when building wiring harnesses etc, I've just depended on it.

I guess my main concert was if I had to worry about any parts of the keyboard being lubed/greased or anything... Cause I assume its not recommended to pop the keys off?


--Josh

[vanaya]

I am willing to try the keyboard in the dishwasher trick...

I had forgotten to put it on a cold pan and turn the oven off.... the keys were melted and .. it was a mess.... By melted, I mean warped....

I disassembled the keyboard completely. I took off the keys and white springs.

[jbraddoc]

I guess I am assuming that the t30's keyboard is made like other laptop keyboards, two white clips that are not meant to pop off. If these are springs and wire bars I should be okay with reassembly... Guess I should do some research.

[RealBlackStuff]

For all that hassle, I'd rather buy a new or good used keyboard!

And believe me, the Goo-Gone with Citrus Power (8 Fl.Oz. bottle) that I mentioned before works great.
http://www.magicamerican.com/googone/pr ... 1275b.aspx
You can ask any forum members that have bought laptops from me, if they had any white spots or otherwise.
Even George (ajkula66) could not tell that the T23 he got from me had been cleaned with it.
And George is THE critical judge if it comes to Thinkpad looks!

[CeeDee]

Hi I see you are getting help from "the best" but just wanted to add one thing, you will not get full power running off the power brick, unless you have a battery installed.
I learned that here.