G40

[john518]

I am thinking of getting a G40. It has 2 issues. It has Broadcom 802.11g network adapter
and netlink fast ethernet adapter when you go into view system information. But it doesn't hook up.
I do not have the computer on hand so....any ideas?
thx

[Harryc]

John, without more detail I'd have to guess that at least one of the network adapter issues is simply a driver problem. Possibly both of them. If you get the machine we can help ID the correct drivers for it. If you get a chance to test it beforehand, bring a copy of PC-Doctor with you.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 56222.html

[john518]

Hi,
I will not be able to test the computer before I buy it.
I am not too worried if the wireless & Ethernet does not work.
I have pcmcia cards that do work. It just that I think the
seller would have noticed that. IMHO

[Harryc]

Hi,
It just that I think the seller would have noticed that. IMHO

You'd be surprised how many folks post here with driver problems (as in they use the wrong ones), particularly after a fresh install.

[ajkula66]

Broadcom is the fast Ethernet on G4x series, and NOT the wireless. Some of these have Gigabit ethernet.

As for wireless, it most likely has IBM (Atheros) a/b card, possibly Intel 2200BG. Broadcom was not an option, and the machine would likely bark at at it with "1802 error".

If you're getting a G4x, stay away from the Celeron models, and make sure that you like the media drive included, because these are NOT swappable, unlike most other ThinkPads...

And make sure that you get an AC adapter...because that's a different animal, too...

[john518]

After getting some more information from the seller I will not be getting the computer.
The cpu is a Celeron(4) which I do not want. I think that the Broadcom and netlink are
not internal but pcmcia with the internal units either removed or broken.
Thanks for the input.

[pianowizard]

The cpu is a Celeron(4) which I do not want. I think that the Broadcom and netlink are
not internal but pcmcia with the internal units either removed or broken.

Why not give the seller a low-ish offer and see what happens? At above 2GHz clock speed, even Celeron is plenty fast for most applications, and it uses much less power than Pentium 4 -- I prefer Celeron over P4 for the latter reason, even for desktops. And the broken network cards will give you an excuse to really lowball.

I had a top-of-the-line 15.0" G41 for a while and loved it. It's one of the best-built laptops ever. It's also the heaviest laptop I've ever owned though, so it's strictly a desktop replacement.

[ajkula66]

The problem here is that most Celeron-based G40 units are low spec'd in other respects: no internal wi-fi, CD-ROM only etc.

If one could locate a G4x system that would be somewhat high-end (or at least acceptable mid-range) with only the Celeron CPU sticking out like a sore thumb, that would be quite alright.

[TTA]

And make sure that you get an AC adapter...because that's a different animal, too...

I have at least 50 of them. they go with the the powered port reps with the 4 USB slots.
I put them on eBay a few times but there are so few G's around I only got a few takers.

[ajkula66]

TTA wrote:

I put them on eBay a few times but there are so few G's around I only got a few takers.

That's kinda funny, because most G4x units I've seen on fleabay were being sold without an adapter...

You can always use them as the deadly weapon of the last resort, though...