On Sat, Oct 26, 2013 at 01:19:26PM -0700, Paul Mullen wrote:
> If you're interested in making a group project out of it, we could get
> together and repair our respective laptops side-by-side. Perhaps in
> conjunction with one of the monthly PLUG clinics? Are there any other
> PLUGgers out there with Thinkpads in disrepair?
I would be glad to help at the next clinic. Laptop repair is much
easier when there is more than one machine open, and there are
other machines to refer to. Finding others in the community with
wonky T61s would be good, too; a Meetup announced on Caligator in
advance of the clinic would attact others, and give everyone a chance
to order parts and prepare (and not get in bidding wars with each
other on eBay). I will be out of town the second week of November,
but could participate before then (that is, Real Soon Now).
I have been in and out of T60s (not T61s) a LOT, and the machines are
probably very much alike in layout. Indeed, having a 15 inch 4x3
screen, I went crazy, replacing it with a 2048x1536 prototype screen,
different screen connection cable, higher power backlight inverter,
and reprogramming the EDID code so the Thinkpad BIOS recognizes the
new screen.
Replacing the hinges involves both the screen and the chassis. If
the T61 is like the T60, that involves pulling the keyboard and all
the bezel plastic. Look around for new hinges; ACSparts sometimes
has items like that.
Sometimes you can find a screensmashed laptop really cheap on
eBay; good for spare parts. If someone has connections at Free
Geek, they could accumulate a months supply of unrepairable T61s
for us to raid for parts. In return, we can invite some of their
grant clients with T61s.
While you are inside the machine, you will want to replace the
AC adapter socket and the BIOS battery. Depending on how the T61
differs from the T60, the battery is dead simple and the AC adapter
socket may require major disassembly; nevertheless, the socket is
of the first things to go. Given the Lenovo FRU, you can find new
sockets with pigtail cables for about $5 on eBay.
If you are obsessive and want to restore the little plastic stick-on
screw covers, look for those too. A few will get their stickum
displaced too much to re-use.
You will want a small Phillios jewelers screwdriver ( size 00).
A shallow compartment plastic tray for storing the screws would
help. Michaels or a bead store might have something. Screws tend
to get lost; ordering extras might help.
This is also a good time to upgrade RAM if you want more. Check
thinkwiki.org
for hacker info on how much RAM your linux distro can support;
often more than Windoze permits. Many other items can be replaced
or upgraded; if your screen is dim, new backlight inverters are
available, even new screens. If you are really obsessed, you can
replace the CPU with the fastest that fits the socket; however,
if both cores are running flat out, you can heat the machine into
thermal shutdown.
The main thing is preparation. Download the hardware maintenance
manual and read through the disassembly/reassembly stuff. 80% of
the manual is lists of all the different hardware options, and
there are many changes over the manufacturing life of a thinkpad.
Almost none of that matters for what we will work on. Order the
parts in advance; we won't find any near Free Geek on a Sunday
afternoon.
Most folks are afraid of opening their hardware, or disinterested.
I think it is the only healthy way to own technology, rather than
having techmology own you. Real Hackers void warranties.
--
Keith Lofstrom [email protected]
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