T41 - please comment

[thinkpad1]

Hello,
I was hoping to obtain some input and opinions on this T41 I bought. I bought it on impulse as I was shopping in the big city and was online briefly and noticed an ad for a T41. It was a decent price and had an ATI Radeon 9000 and the SXGA+ resolution (1400 x 1050) 14" screen. I guess that is okay? Not great but acceptable?

Anyway, it seemed to be in good condition but the seller couldn't get the wireless card (Intel 11abg - uses atheros drivers?) to work right or something or it wouldn't work in XP so he switched it with a Dell 1370 wireless card. Is that worse or better? I was thinking I could just buy an Intel 2200 abg wireless card because those are good and cheap, right? I dual boot Linux and XP so I thought the Intel wireless card would work best for Linux rather than the other two but I think the Broadcom-based Dell card should work in the more recent distros?

Anyway, the main concern are the Thinkpad keys, in particular, the bottom right arrow keys at the bottom, so the left, down and right arrow keys. I noticed after I got home that they seemed a bit on an angle and I could see the bottom part if I looked at them at eye level. Is this normal or are these keys sticking up too high and on a slight angle? It bothered me enough that I really wish I had a digital camera (so I could show people) and I think I will be shopping for one. I don't have anything to show at this point but it is only noticeable, I guess, at eye level. I suppose I am mostly worried about the screen if the keys are sticking up too much. If it is normal (i.e. the placement), how would I know and how could I confirm? I thought about taking it into a shop but I am paranoid about being lied to and how do I know the store owner will honestly answer? They could say, 'yeah, it's defective or sticking up too much and then offer to fix?'

Other than this potential issue, it seems to be in good shape. It might not be an issue at all but I noticed a T61 close up today and even if I look at the same keys close up at eye level (meaning, I'm crouching and looking at it directly across up close), I don't see anything and the perception is that it looks fine. However, maybe T61s just look better or that the material/hardware they use doesn't show that perception (i.e. that the keys look slightly angled)?

It's only those three keys at the bottom that give this perception and it could be just because there is that groove in that exact area below the keys. However, I don't have another T4x series of Thinkpad to compare to.

What should I do and how do I confirm whether I need to do something about it? The keys seem to work but if there was a minor problem with these keys, couldn't it eventually cause a major problem with the screen or perhaps, the keys might break off at some point?

Do you think this machine sounds okay otherwise?

[sktn77a]

Sounds like a good deal! Unless the previous owner hacked the BIOS ("1802 hack"), you will get a boot error every time you boot with the non-IBM wireless card. Also on the keyboard, the T4x keboard keys do tend to pop off and they frequently won't go back on properly if the small attachment legs have been broken. IBM replace the keyboard when this happens under warranty but there are a couple of sellers on e-bay who sell the keys, attachment brakets and instructions for out-of-warranty repairs. Alternatively, the previous owner may have not re-installed the keyboard correctly when he replaced the wireless card. You could try taking the keyboard off and making sure it's seated properly when you re-install it.

[thinkpad1]

Sounds like a good deal! Unless the previous owner hacked the BIOS ("1802 hack"), you will get a boot error every time you boot with the non-IBM wireless card. Also on the keyboard, the T4x keboard keys do tend to pop off and they frequently won't go back on properly if the small attachment legs have been broken. IBM replace the keyboard when this happens under warranty but there are a couple of sellers on e-bay who sell the keys, attachment brakets and instructions for out-of-warranty repairs. Alternatively, the previous owner may have not re-installed the keyboard correctly when he replaced the wireless card. You could try taking the keyboard off and making sure it's seated properly when you re-install it.

I haven't noticed a boot error. The "IBM" screen is displayed and options for booting into the BIOS screen.

How would I know whether the warrany is still valid or transferable to me? I suppose I would have to confirm through Lenovo with the number on the bottom of the laptop? Or?

Taking the keyboard off and checking the wireless card is an idea, thanks. Should I get an Intel wireless card, though? I noticed on ebay, they are around $20. That's not bad. I could probably find one (well, maybe) at some of these shops that sell refurbished laptops. They would probably charge more, though, most likely.

[yak]

How would I know whether the warrany is still valid or transferable to me? I suppose I would have to confirm through Lenovo with the number on the bottom of the laptop? Or?

Yes, enter the numbers from the bottom of your laptop on this page:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -WARNTY#sw

[sktn77a]

I haven't noticed a boot error. The "IBM" screen is displayed and options for booting into the BIOS screen.

That's good. If you put a non-IBM card in you get an "1802" error message until you hack the BIOS to stop it. Sounds like the previous owner already did this.

Should I get an Intel wireless card, though? I noticed on ebay, they are around $20.

I wouldn't waste your time or money. The cards are all pretty similar in my experience, although some people swear by the Atheros cards!

[thinkpad1]

Yes, enter the numbers from the bottom of your laptop on this page:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -WARNTY#sw

I found a section on the IBM site in which I entered '2373-THD' and received some info that led to some warranty info?

There is a warranty page that describes the terms for Model 2373 or machine type 2373. It sounds like it's a limited 3-yr warranty. I have one year left? It probably started in '07 so I would be covered for one more year?

Perhaps, I should find a (refurbished) Thinkpad dealer who would be willing to inspect the keyboard/keys?

[Harryc]

Double check the serial #. It came up as invalid at the 'Warranty Lookup' page.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -WARNTY#sw

As an example, if it were correct, you'd enter 2373 in the 'type' box, and 993BAHV in the 'Serial number' box.

Also, I would recommend against posting a valid serial # here.

[thinkpad1]

Double check the serial #. It came up as invalid at the 'Warranty Lookup' page.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -WARNTY#sw

As an example, if it were correct, you'd enter 2373 in the 'type' box, and 993BAHV in the 'Serial number' box.

Also, I would recommend against posting a valid serial # here.

Okay, thanks. I took it out. I debated whether to list it, btw.

I won't worry about it for now. I might have to call.

[Brad]

Hopefully the keyboard just needs to be reseated by removing the four keyboard screws from the bottom and removing the keyboard and replacing it.

I would be surprised if your T41 was still under warranty. Most were made in 2004 and 2005 so three years has already come and gone.

Brad