[UPDATED 04/02/2010] Here is the current version of the ThinkPad List FAQ:
[If there are any corrections or additions please e-mail the updated information to 'robdbell _at_ mailworks.org'] ********************************************* 0) What is the ThinkPad List? The ThinkPad mailing list is a freely accessible e-mail list providing peer-to-peer community support for IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad laptop computers since the beginning of ThinkPads in 1993. The list is accessible through a list server graciously hosted by stderr.org. The list is a completely volunteer effort that does not include any fees or subscription costs. We do however ask that you reciprocate by being a productive member contributing in whatever capacity you can. While the list is archived in several publicly available locations on the Internet (see #6 below), to subscribe to the list and interact with it you must visit <http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad> and follow the instructions for subscribing. Though the list is not 'moderated' in the strict sense, the list administrator reserves the right to unsubscribe users who cause significant disruption to the list (abusive behavior, spamming, etc.). Please be respectful and be a nice neighbor. Thanks. 1) How do I un-subscribe? This information is in the header of every individual note that is sent out to the list: List-Unsubscribe: <http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad>, <mailto:thinkpad-request_at_stderr.org?subject=unsubscribe> If your company uses "autoresponders" or "auto out of office" replies when you go on vacation, politely un-subscribe from the Thinkpad List until you return from vacation at which time you can re-subscribe. This will eliminate your vacation notice from being sent to every person who posts to the list. Additional help about subscribing, posting and managing your subscription can be found at <http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad> 2) Who is the list owner/admin, and how do I contact that person? The list owner/admin is Elijah Wright. For assistance, send e-mail to List-Help: <mailto:thinkpad-request_at_stderr.org?subject=help> or use the web interface at <http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad> 3) Can someone tell me __________ about model _________? <http://www.lenovo.com/psref/> These documents moved from IBM's FTP server to a location on Lenovo's web site. They now are mostly organized by logical descriptions, not cryptic filenames. Older filenames still listed below for reference. tabook/tawbook - A/T/X/R series tbook/twbook - 2xx, 3xx, 5xx, 600, 7xx, 8xx series tibook/tiwbook - i series trbook/trwbook - older R series Hint: The files with 'w' in the name (i.e. tawbook) denote documenation for withdrawn models. Also: To see all product manuals, hardware maintenance manuals, user guides, etc. for an IBM system go to: <http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?doctypeind=8&template=%2Fproductselection%2Flandingpages%2FonlinePublicationsLandingPage.vm&sitestyle=lenovo> Also, once you buy a ThinkPad, go to: <http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=HOME-LENOVO#rdt> and click on "System Details" under the "My System" section. This will automatically detect your product and find the following information: My product page My warranty status My system details If you're not connected to the net with your Thinkpad, you can enter the model no. (e.g. 2645-9AU) in the "Quick Path" window under "Find a product". Another resource for TP information is the ThinkWiki: <http://thinkwiki.org/> 4) I want to wipe the pre-load from my new ThinkPad and load (generic OS of my choice). Where are the drivers? <http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/TPAD-MATRIX.html> 5) When copying URLs from the IBM web site, only copy up to the first "?". Otherwise, if you're copying a URL from a page that you got to from your personalized page, you can cause anyone who clicks on the link to set a cookie on their machine with YOUR personalized page info in it. 6) Is this list archived anywhere? Archive since the list's inception (~1993): <http://zurich.ai.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/> 'Official' archive since list hosting moved to stderr.org (~2003): <http://stderr.org/pipermail/thinkpad/> The MIT archive is searchable directly; both are searchable via Google if you use site:<domain> in the search phrase. 7) Is it OK for me to sell stuff on this list? Yes and no. The note you got when you subscribed says this about it: In general, advertising of commercial products or services is prohibited on this list. However, list members may post brief, one-time announcements of new products, as long as those products are specifically related to ThinkPad computers and the announcement is free of hype. 8) Can I use HTML on this list? How about sending attachments? Please don't. There are security and mannerly reasons to avoid HTML e-mails and attachments. Even if you choose to send it, the list software may strip out the elements and reduce your message to plain text before delivery. See <http://www.camblab.com/nugget/htmlmail.pdf> for more information on the issues and risks of HTML e-mails and to see how to turn it off. 9) Does EasyServ need my HDD to fix my ThinkPad? Never send anything to EasyServ that isn't part of the problem. Period. Remove components such as hard disks, modular bay devices (CD, DVD), extra RAM). 10) My ___________ is better than your ___________! Please refrain from fighting classic battles like Windows vs any-other-OS, top posting vs bottom posting, COBOL vs C, Edlin vs VI, Coke vs Pepsi, etc, etc, etc on this list. It's seldom that anyone will convert, and it just gets ugly. Take it to an advocacy group somewhere. This list is for ThinkPad issues. 11) I want to buy a used ThinkPad from _____________. They said there was 2 years left on the warranty. How can I be sure that's true? Get the model and serial number of the system, and check it at: <http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=LOOK-WARNTY> 12) How do I get this thing apart? Links to the Hardware Maintenance Manuals for all current and legacy ThinkPads, as well as SelectaDocks I, II, III and WorkPad Z50, can be found here: <http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-39298.html> 13) How do I upgrade to XP on my Thinkpad? <http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/MIGR-40053.html> 14) Can you help me get Linux to run on my ThinkPad? There's lots of help to be found here for Linux, and there's also a mailing list dedicated to the subject at <http://mailman.linux-thinkpad.org/mailman/listinfo/linux-thinkpad> Also, see these other Linux-on-ThinkPad resource sites: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkWiki http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/ibm.html http://peipa.essex.ac.uk/tp-linux/ 15) Can you help me remove the BIOS/HDD password from this ThinkPad that I just bought/inherited/found/was given/stole/other? Short answer: No. Long answer: Cracking passwords is a highly charged subject that reasonable people disagree over. Threads discussing it can be found starting at: <http://zurich.ai.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/2002-02/1095.html> and <http://zurich.ai.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/2002-02/1132.html> 16) Where did IBM hide all the screensavers and wallpaper? Well, they appear to be gone from the IBM servers. There are a few 3rd party locations that have some. These are unofficial and may not be valid URLs forever. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenovophotolibrary/sets/72157612297163774/> <http://www.mocom.ru/Wallpapers/ibm.htm> <http://www-06.ibm.com/jp/pc/tplife/wallpaper.shtml> 17) Hey! Where's my Windows key? IBM realizes that some customers want the Windows key functionality and provides this utility to create one: <http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-44185.html> 18) How do I contact EZ Serv for support of my ThinkPad? In the US, call 1-800-IBM-SERV (1-800-426-7378) For other countries, refer to this contact page: <http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-4HWSE3> 19) Is there a way to find out EZServe repair status information on-line? <http://www-306.ibm.com/support/ezserv/home.jsp> 20) How do I clean this thing? LCD care and cleaning instructions <http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-4A2P54> System cleaning instructions: <http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-52190> 21) Can I attach an external keyboard to my ThinkPad? Yes. USB keyboards will work, on ThinkPads that have USB ports. But you will need a PS2 Y-adapter cable to make it work on older models. Even though the PS2 plug is identical between a mouse and a keyboard the ThinkPad's PS2 port is wired for a mouse. The Y-adapter cable converts the keyboard plug to work with the ThinkPad's port. You can get this Y-adapter from IBM or other laptop accessory manufacturers. You can also use a port replicator or dock to achieve the same functionality. Apparently an IBM trackpoint keyboard is no different and does also require a Y-adapter. 22) How do I upgrade to Windows Vista on my ThinkPad? See <http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=VSTA-SUPPRT> for information about upgrading your ThinkPad to Windows Vista.ThinkPad List FAQ (includes how to un-subscribe) -- http://www.fastmail.fm - One of many happy users: http://www.fastmail.fm/docs/quotes.html _______________________________________________ Thinkpad mailing list [email protected] http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad
