Bought an X60s for $285 on eBay

[John H]

I couldn't resist, even though it says the trackpoint doesn't work right.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

So I got it home and verified that the system freezes up entirely after about a minute of trackpoint use. The optical mouse doesn't power-on either (though the battery is new) so I haven't been able to test that.

When it freezes nothing will work: no key, no switch, not even the power off (have to pull the power supply to turn off).

My experience so far is that it warms up and an intermittent connection somewhere causes it to freeze, even when I don't use the trackpoint. I'm guessing some connector expands with the heat (noticeable under the right palm) until it freezes.

Any way, I want a working trackpoint, not an add-on mouse. So I figure to repair it or have it repaired (if my aging eyes can't handle the teeny tiny parts). I already like this little machine, even though it only ran about 5 minutes before freezing in my best trial. Maybe it's just a connector from the KB (gotta DL the instructions for the FRU).

Anybody have any guidance on this? Maybe a good repair outfit in the San Jose area? My good repair guy, "Bernard", fled to Taiwan 2 years ago when the economy here started to tank.

I look forward to using the X60s for coffee-shop and patio duty: this old T40 seems clunky and slow already!

John

[richk]

I have never seen the connector fail, but it doesn't cost anything to remove the keyboard (4 screws) and reseat the connector. I would make sure you are running the latest trackpoint driver and BIOS versions. (Trackpoint is 4.69 and BIOS is 2.18)

[John H]

I DLed the newest BIOS (2.18) since the current BIOS is just 2.10, so I guess it's out of date. But I don't know how to install 2.18, lacking an X6 dock. It looks like I can't do it with a USB CD or a USB floppy.

I'll DL the trackpoint driver, and hope I can install it without the X6 dock.

John H

[ajkula66]

I wouldn't want to burst your bubble, but I'm suspecting a motherboard problem there.

Let's hope I'm wrong.

Good luck.

[Harryc]

There is a BIOS option to disable the trackpoint. Try that to see if the freezing still occurs. As a side note, I'd question the idea of flashing the BIOS on a machine that freezes. Bad mojo there ...

[underclocker]

I'd start with the basics of troubleshooting;

1 - rule out an OS issue by booting Ubuntu from a memory stick
2 - try another keyboard

(Also, be selective and patient on eBay, other X60s machines that work well have sold in that price range.)

[John H]

I booted ubuntu 9.04 LiveCD and it worked good for about 10 minutes before freezing.

I also tested with XP while not touching the trackpoint and it worked well: seemed like it could go on forever as long as I didn't attempt a mouse move, but nowadays there aren't always KB equivalents for mouse moves.

I have the 4.69 mouse driver DLed as well as the 2.18 BIOS, but I'm reluctant to install the driver because that wouldn't affect Ubuntu, and I'm leary about flashing the BIOS in this condition. Of course, no trackpoint is required for flashing so that should run to completion. Maybe I'll get desperate.

Meanwhile I'll DL the FRU notes and try re-seating Connectors.

Yeah, I just noticed another eBay X60s in that price range, but it had been a long time since I started looking for an X6x and it was 3AM.

[underclocker]

Hopefully, it's under warranty and you can request a free keyboard, it's probably a defective keyboard. If not, see if a forum member has one or check eBay.

I wouldn't be too concerned about flashing the BIOS if you can do it from a CD or floppy. I would NOT do it from Windows. (I also doubt it will make any difference at all, sorry.)

Yeah, I just noticed another eBay X60s in that price range, but it had been a long time since I started looking for an X6x and it was 3AM.

We've all been there!

Good luck.

[khtse]

Sounds like a overheating problem to me. Sorry for stating the obvious, but have you checked that the vents are not blocked by dust? Or have you removed the keyboard to see if the internals of your x60s is filled with dust or not? If not, and if it is solely the problem of the trackpoint(which is strange... haven't heard of anything like this before), then try getting a new keyboard. Even if the x60s is not under warranty, a new keyboard is still pretty cheap on eBay. Thinkpad's parts are built to be removable, it is extremely easy to replace a keyboard by oneself.

[John H]

Lucky me! It's still under warranty!

I checked the ser. no. warranty check site and I've got 9 months left. I never seriously considered the warranty because the seller didn't mention it.

So I can take it into one of a dozen warranty service places here around San Jose.

Smooth sailing from here on. I suspect it's a trackpoint connector overheating from the hotspot under the right palmrest. I'll let IBM check he vents, etc.

Thanks for all the help, guys. I look forward to getting this little thing running smoothly.

John H

[John H]

It's definitely a hotspot. The ambient temp here dropped about 40 degrees last night and the trackpoint works just fine. In fact, I've been using the X60s and its trackpoint for about an hour and I love it!

This little machine is a real sweetheart.

I'll still take it into the center for warranty service, but I'm really looking forward to carrying this babe around for portable duty.

I can't even imagine that a netbook could be any better. What improvement could a netbook offer over this real thinkpad? Even considering price, since I got this for $285.

[khtse]

Wow, $285 for a x60s under warranty , who needs a netbook?

[John H]

Just call me "The Bargain Hawk"!

Still using the X60s in the cool of the evening! No trackpoint problem.

What a sweetie this thinkpad is! Power like a T60 and light as a feather. And it's got that good thinkpad keyboard feel.

John

[awolfe63]

So - it's your fault that it got so cold last night

Is the fan running? I wonder how the trackpoint can be linked to temperature issues? It might be the the fan jams when you press down on it.

[Paul88]

Congratulations!! I have had X60s for 2.5 years and absolutely love it. I am thinking whether should I buy extended warranty and keep it a little longer or switch to either X200s or X30x. I may end up by keep using it without regret. Enjoys your lappy..

[paul*robertson]

1.Slightly of topic, but if someone is advertising an X60 for sale how can you check if it has a warrenty.

2. Secondly, how good is the warranty. Say you bought one used, and it had a few faults, could you get them all fixed under warrenty. (assuming it wasn't misuse)

3.Finally, how long is the standard warranty. Not being a fan of ebay, it would give you some security from being sold a dud.

[John H]

All you need is the serial number to check the warranty. Send an email to the seller and ask for it.

I think the warranty covers everything except obvious misuse.

I'm starting to doubt my overheating diagnosis. The same day that the temperature here went down by about 30 degrees I put a new battery in the X60s. The old battery was dead dead dead. But I assumed that it would at least be harmless. But now I suspect that the dead battery caused power supply problems that lead to the X60s freezing up.

So I'm holding off sending it in for warranty service, partly because I like using it, and partly because I have two more experiments to run:

1-put the old dead battery back in and see what happens while it's still cool.

2-see if the X60s runs OK with the new battery on a hot day (and it will get hot here during indian summer).

[John H]

AHA! I tried the old dead battery last night, while it was cold, and the X60s died. So that's it: the problem isn't heat it's a dead battery.

And it's an easy fix.

Boy, did I luck out on this X60s!