[SOLVED] Seeking older Thinkpad

[kvk]

I'm looking for an older Thinkpad (roughly = P III < @ 1 ghz>, 256 - 512 RAM) to use as a text-only machine, both for coding during travel as well as experimenting with different distros. Living in Alaska limits my options: no pawn shops or computer stores, etc., so I figured I'd post here. :)

Thanks!

[MichaelSwengel]

I'll keep my eyes open for one and let you know. I'm in Indiana, by the way. So, I'll ask around. :-D

How much are you looking to pay?

MS

[overdrank]

I'm looking for an older Thinkpad (roughly = P III < @ 1 ghz>, 256 - 512 RAM) to use as a text-only machine, both for coding during travel as well as experimenting with different distros. Living in Alaska limits my options: no pawn shops or computer stores, etc., so I figured I'd post here. :)

Thanks!

My neighbor just picked one up for $150 the other day. You may choose to look here
http://computers.search.ebay.com/Thinkpad_Laptops-Notebooks_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR40QQsacatZ177

[kvk]

Why, thank you, Michael! Never been to Indiana myself. :-p

My ceiling is $200. I found exactly what I was looking for with a company that sells off-lease laptops, for $190.00, but they've not returned my phone calls or emails. :-(

Overdrank- I've seen quite a few that would fit the bill on Ebay, but I had a bad experience there once and still haven't gotten over it. <sniff!> Plus a large number of sellers will ship only to the Lower 48.

:)

[sksurhio]

Why, thank you, Michael! Never been to Indiana myself. :-p

My ceiling is $200. I found exactly what I was looking for with a company that sells off-lease laptops, for $190.00, but they've not returned my phone calls or emails. :-(

Overdrank- I've seen quite a few that would fit the bill on Ebay, but I had a bad experience there once and still haven't gotten over it. <sniff!> Plus a large number of sellers will ship only to the Lower 48.

:)

Why you are not planning to visit you local computer markeet???
I think its better that you visit your local computer markeet or to contect with local computer seller.:popcorn:

[kvk]

I would if I could, Sksurhio! :)

But I've traded the convenience of things like easy access to computer hardware, timely mail service, and road access for things like having a glacier one mile from my house, a wolf in my front yard, and the fact that it's 10:00 p.m. outside and still broad daylight.

It's a pretty fair trade, I'd say; it just requires a bit more perseverance for finding used computers. :-p

Thank Penguin for the Package Manager, where geography is no obstacle!! :)

[matchstich]

have you trieda freecycle group up there? i got a lot of stuff on there.


it is all free. i am guessing that up there, you would have to pay shipping cost's


i posted for memory sticks, and got 10 machines. and the memory sticks.

i refurbished the boxes and loaded ubuntu on them all.

then gave them to folks who could not afford to buy a computer.

i found these: fairbanksfreecycle freecycleanchorage

FreecycleAnchorageCafe

and a few more for cities up there. try one.

[MichaelSwengel]

I would if I could, Sksurhio! :)

But I've traded the convenience of things like easy access to computer hardware, timely mail service, and road access for things like having a glacier one mile from my house, a wolf in my front yard, and the fact that it's 10:00 p.m. outside and still broad daylight.

It's a pretty fair trade, I'd say; it just requires a bit more perseverance for finding used computers. :-p

Thank Penguin for the Package Manager, where geography is no obstacle!! :)

Wow! That sounds amazing! I've always been fascinated by that area but have never visited sadly. Someday perhaps...

[kvk]

Match- you rock! I had no idea those groups even existed! And much kudos to you for recycling the old boxes with Linux and giving them away- well done!

Michael- it is rather incredible, and it's so huge that the state has a number of different ecosystems. In June Fairbanks might be having thunderstorms and 80 degrees in the afternoon while Juneau is pouring and Barrow is clear and cool. I only wish I were closer to the polar bears. :)

[matchstich]

yeah, freecycle is really good. a while ago i posted an offer to give

away ubuntu install disc's and it seemed like half the city here wanted one.

every now and again, i buy a stack of disc's , when i cam find them on sale.

burn iso and offer them up. also, i work at a store and give them to

customers.

[mini_g]

I do have an X20 (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/quickPath.do?quickPathEntry=266232U) that I've been thinking about selling. It may not be the best for what you are thinking of, but is available.

Specs:
* Series 2662-32U
* 600MHz PIII
* 320MB SDRAM (Maxed out)
* Native resolution for the 12.1" LCD is 1024x768, the external VGA allows for an external monitor for up to 1600x1200 resolution (I have not tried to pull the full resolution).
* Video: ATi Rage Mobility, have not gotten direct rendering support working.
* 60 GB Hitachi Travelstar (5400 RPM) (HTS541060G9AT00) HDD (The HDD bay is secured via a non-OEM screw, a 3.5mm screw with 19.6 Ncm Torque can be a replacement, but I don't believe that I have one. The HDD was able to ride without it for ~3+ months of consistant use.)
* No NIC (wlan or eth, however this could be solved via a PCMCIA card or buying a 10/100 eth NIC for internal upgrading. I have also seen wlan/eth NIC's running around eBay, but am not completely sure if they work. If you desire, I can upgrade the modem/eth at cost)
* 56K modem (There is 2.4 kernel support via IBM).
* Trackpoint only (It is the original TP sloped-edge eraser shape)(No synaptic pad)
* Cirrus Logic Crystal CS4281 soundcard, the support under Pulse Audio is glitchy, I was able to get it to function well under OSS & JACK (has a Mic, line out in back, and headphone and mic jacks on the left side.)
* 2 powered USB 1.1 ports
* Serial & Parallel support via the Ultrabase X2 & possibly the Port Replicator II
* PS/2 Mouse support via both base's
* PS/2 Keyboard support via the Port Replicator II
* No CD/DVD Drive, however one could be gotten through eBay for ~$20us for the Ultrabase. (I can do this beforehand at cost)
* Battery (~30 Min life, have seen many, many batteries available on eBay for ~$40. I can get one for you and ship it up at cost)
* Built-in LED keyboard light (works from top of LCD edge)
* Keyboard is 10" wide, but works very nicely with large hands. You know when a key is depressed with how it responds via sudden loss of resistance.
* Weighs only ~3.5 lbs.

Includes:
* Two power bricks (One tri prong, the other dual), the tri prong doesn't work properly for direct connection to the lappy.
* Ultrabase X2 (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-43701) (only a FDD included) (#08N1180)
* Case (One compartment)
* Windows 2000/NT4 COA on bottom :mrgreen:

Options:
* Port Replicator II (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-45922) (#74P6733). The port replicator can only work as an extention for what is already in the laptop, but can support a far newer model (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-4NXNTP.html). ($20us)
* 20GB IDE HDD ($30 less, will not include the 60GB disk as an either/or option)(Why this way? The Hitachi DK23BA-20 apparently has an issue, the disk is operating well though.)

Issues:
* The c, (sometimes: d, e, 3, and seldom the F3) do not work. The Port Replicator has a PS/2 keyboard port, so it could be worked around this way.

Am unsure as to why the keyboard is having issues, but am inclined to think that it is the keyboard itself, as I have reset the connection.

If you desire, I could look into getting the keyboard fixed. The main reason why I have not yet fixed it is because it is really hard to gain access to the innards of this model, and only recently found out how.

* The VRAM might have issues. It was occasionally showing a 1"sq box in the upper left back in 7.10. I was able to correct this via pulling up a 640x480 res program. This has never showed up in 8.04, and (pre)7.04. When I was using Win XP in 6.10 era (support for this lappy was iffy at this point), the box appeared maybe once or twice. I think that the cause of this issue was in part caused because of the loose connection that I resolved. I'm going to look into running a diagnostic program to see if there is an issue.

Price & Shipping:
Am asking for $155 for the laptop & the Ultrabase X2 as it sits, $25 more if I fix it (this includes the cost for my obtaining the keyboard). I can ship it all for ~$25-35 (Likely for less, and to lower AK) via USPS parcel post (registered & insured). UPS & FedEx are a possible option, but will be likely more expensive.

Notes:
* I can just ship the Port Replicator II by itself for $20us. (Not including shipping)

* The screen wasn't seated properly for quite a while now, but I got the connector reseated just now.

* The HDD password works with the 60 & 20 GB. There is no master or user password set.

* I removed the PIII & Windows stickers. Only the IBM Thinkpad stickers remain.

* There is only one rubber foot left.

* If you desire, the speaker can be disabled. The volume of it can be controlled via the volume buttons when in BASH.

Pics:
If you wish, I can post them.

[kvk]

That's a good offer- thanks!

But this morning I found an older Thinkpad buried in the filing cabinets at school. It's not much, but they're just giving it to me. :) So I'll see what I can do with it.

Of course, thinking about all of this made me go and look at all the new models coming out, especially the 10" Asus Eee...

[mini_g]

No problem! If you change your mind, just PM me. Am now planning to fix it up and place it on Craigslist within the next month or so.

[kvk]

Most excellent!

Now how do I mark this thread "Solved"??:confused:

[LaRoza]

Most excellent!

Now how do I mark this thread "Solved"??:confused:

See the Guide to Forum Features link (in my sig)

[kvk]

DOH! I looked right at that menu earlier today and totally missed it!!

Thanks!