DEAD: IBM ThinkPad T23 for $999

[handydave]

That is called an UltraPort... There are (IIRC) 4 devices that fit it...

- Camera
- CF card reader
- Digital microphone
- Bluetooth module

I'm personally interested in the Bluetooth module... The only things this laptop lacks that I wanted was Bluetooth and USB2.0... I'll probably buy a USB2.0 PCMCIA card for it...

Here is IBM's version:

http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/s...fnbr=1&partNumber=33L3245&storeId=1&cntry=840

PS - Both PCMCIA slots on the T23 are 32-bit CardBus...

IBM discontinued all the Ultraport devices. If you want one, you better start looking now.

 

[IgoByte]

There is some ultraport stuff available on ebay.

 

[mrVW]

Mine came 2 days ago. The BIOS was 1.15 and 1.16 is the latest.

IBM site to download BIOS and latest drivers (fixed too!)

 

[iamme]

Fixed Link:

IBM site to download BIOS and latest drivers

 

[vegasbabyy]

How do I enable the trackpoint to emulate double clicking the left mouse key?

I went into 'Mouse' Settings and its subfolders, but cant seem to enable that function.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Yzzyx]

T23 BIOS simulator:

http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=0&uid=psg1MIGR-42072&loc=en_US

 

[iamme]

for those who have ordered the recovery discs, can you install the OS by itself? or do you have to install all of the Thinkpad utilities as well?

 

[iamme]

btw, i tried to reinstall XP Pro using a retail disc, and the CD-key off the bottom of the T23. The setup kept saying that it wasn't a valid CD-key.

anyone else try this?

 

[weovpac]

I got mine in today, works great. 😀 Now I need a wireless router. Which one would you guys recommend? I installed the memory I bought fom dell and it installed with no problems. How can I get the recovery disk?

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: iamme
btw, i tried to reinstall XP Pro using a retail disc, and the CD-key off the bottom of the T23. The setup kept saying that it wasn't a valid CD-key.

anyone else try this?

You will not be able to use that key with another XP installation and no, you shouldn't be able to install just Win XP from the recovery discs. If you want to install just Win XP by itself, you'll need to actually go out and purchase a copy, as I don't think that IBM will actually send you one out. You can, however, call IBM and find out about this. They'll be able to help you out the best.

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: synth17
I got mine in today, works great. 😀 Now I need a wireless router. Which one would you guys recommend? I installed the memory I bought fom dell and it installed with no problems. How can I get the recovery disk?

For the discs, call IBM, but just so you're aware, there actually is a recovery partition present on the HDD and there are other ways to repartition a HDD besides reinstalling Windows.

As for a wireless router, do you really need a router or just an access point? I personally have an Orinoco access point, but the Netgear and Linksys wireless routers are nice and cheap too.

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: Yzzyx
T23 BIOS simulator:

Link

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: vegasbabyy
How do I enable the trackpoint to emulate double clicking the left mouse key?

I went into 'Mouse' Settings and its subfolders, but cant seem to enable that function.

Thanks in advance.

What needs to be emulated there? You just double-click the left button...not too difficult to do. 😉

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: IgoByte

Originally posted by: iamme
btw, i tried to reinstall XP Pro using a retail disc, and the CD-key off the bottom of the T23. The setup kept saying that it wasn't a valid CD-key.

anyone else try this?

You will not be able to use that key with another XP installation and no, you shouldn't be able to install just Win XP from the recovery discs. If you want to install just Win XP by itself, you'll need to actually go out and purchase a copy, as I don't think that IBM will actually send you one out. You can, however, call IBM and find out about this. They'll be able to help you out the best.

the thing that's weird, was that i was installing XP Pro onto the T23 😕

 

[hp660c]

So any input on whether I am safe from a surge when i have the AC->DC adapter plugged in? Can a surge traverse through the AC->DC conversion?

 

[mrVW]

Dell canceled my 27% orders.

Anyone find a place with decent 512MB RAM modules? Known tested. I'm going to 1024MB, and this motherboard is real picky about quality of the RAM.

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: hp660c
So any input on whether I am safe from a surge when i have the AC->DC adapter plugged in? Can a surge traverse through the AC->DC conversion?

Don't know, but I'd plug it into a surge protector just to be safe.

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: mrVW
Dell canceled my 27% orders.

Anyone find a place with decent 512MB RAM modules? Known tested. I'm going to 1024MB, and this motherboard is real picky about quality of the RAM.

Crucial & Kingston.

Oh, BTW...Dell sucks!!! They cancelled my iPod order stating no stock when there were plenty of iPods to go around. They didn't deliver the Latitude D600 I ordered, etc., etc.

 

[DerProfi]

Hey, what's the 800 number to call for that recovery CD? Either I've been breathing too deeply when I fill up at the gas station or it just isn't anywhere to be found in this thread 🙂

Got mine yesterday. Freakin' Airborne just left it sitting on my doorstep! Apparently didn't need a signature or anything. On the other hand, when they delivered my $99 MS Action Pack today I had to sign for it. DOH!

I've got one dead (blue) pixel but it's in the 2nd row of pixels from the top of the screen and not very noticeable. I don't have any complaints at all about CPU speed, but it could definitely use another 128MB of RAM or so. I'm swapping in a 40GB 5400rpm Travelstar tonight so I expect a good performance gains from that. WiFi performance is decent, but not quite as good as my Orinoco Gold. My "O" key keeps sticking but I'm sure IBM will take care of it quickly once I phone in a support ticket.

All in all, a great deal for $999.

One other question I'll throw out there. Does anyone make a combo USB 2.0/Firewire card? If not, they should! What I'm thinking of is a double-height PC Card--something along the lines of those dongle-less Xircom LAN/modem cards.
EDIT: Almost found what I was looking for. SIIG combo USB2/1394 PC Card. Only problem is that it's L...O...N...G...

 

[IgoByte]

Guys, if you want a ultrabay CDRW drive contact me for the seller's info. He has a couple left.

 

[geoffkin]

DerProfi - Let us all know how much of a gain you got using the 5400 RPM drive! THANKS!

Let's hear THREE CHEERS for Igobyte, he found an AWESOME DEAL for us!!!!!!
WHOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: DerProfi
Hey, what's the 800 number to call for that recovery CD? Either I've been breathing too deeply when I fill up at the gas station or it just isn't anywhere to be found in this thread 🙂

Got mine yesterday. Freakin' Airborne just left it sitting on my doorstep! Apparently didn't need a signature or anything. On the other hand, when they delivered my $99 MS Action Pack today I had to sign for it. DOH!

I've got one dead (blue) pixel but it's in the 2nd row of pixels from the top of the screen and not very noticeable. I don't have any complaints at all about CPU speed, but it could definitely use another 128MB of RAM or so. I'm swapping in a 40GB 5400rpm Travelstar tonight so I expect a good performance gains from that. WiFi performance is decent, but not quite as good as my Orinoco Gold. My "O" key keeps sticking but I'm sure IBM will take care of it quickly once I phone in a support ticket.

All in all, a great deal for $999.

One other question I'll throw out there. Does anyone make a combo USB 2.0/Firewire card? If not, they should! What I'm thinking of is a double-height PC Card (like the dongle-less Xircom LAN/modem cards).

OK, I'll tacke them one by one:

1. IBM ThinkPad Tech Support: 1800-772-2227 (options 3, 1)
2. What are you putting in instead of the 40GB HDD that came with the system? If you want performance that's the drive to go with currently. If I wanted a speedier hard drive, I'd wait until Hitachi releases the TravelStar 5K80 or better yet the 7K60.
3. They do make combo USB2.0/FW PCMCIA cards, but you can also get them separately. Here is a combo card: Link. Goes for $65 shipped on newegg.

 

[DerProfi]

Originally posted by: IgoByte

OK, I'll tackle them one by one:

1. IBM ThinkPad Tech Support: 1800-772-2227 (options 3, 1)
2. What are you putting in instead of the 40GB HDD that came with the system? If you want performance that's the drive to go with currently. If I wanted a speedier hard drive, I'd wait until Hitachi releases the TravelStar 5K80 or better yet the 7K60.
3. They do make combo USB2.0/FW PCMCIA cards, but you can also get them separately. Here is a combo card: Link. Goes for $65 shipped on newegg.

1. Thanks!
2. I bought a 40GB 5400rpm Travelstar from NewEgg a month ago for my old laptop. That's what I'm swapping into the T23.
3. I'll check that Koutech card out, thanks.

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: DerProfi
1. Thanks!
2. I bought a 40GB 5400rpm Travelstar from NewEgg a month ago for my old laptop. That's what I'm swapping into the T23.
3. I'll check that Koutech card out, thanks.

Oh, I see. The notebook came with a 40GN. Sorry about that.

 

[weovpac]

Originally posted by: IgoByte

Originally posted by: synth17
I got mine in today, works great. 😀 Now I need a wireless router. Which one would you guys recommend? I installed the memory I bought fom dell and it installed with no problems. How can I get the recovery disk?

For the discs, call IBM, but just so you're aware, there actually is a recovery partition present on the HDD and there are other ways to repartition a HDD besides reinstalling Windows.

As for a wireless router, do you really need a router or just an access point? I personally have an Orinoco access point, but the Netgear and Linksys wireless routers are nice and cheap too.

I need a wireless access point, that's what I meant. What is the part number for that Orinoco and how much did you pay?