Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with thinkpad

What lightweight but powerful laptop should I buy?

bkudria — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:36:10 -0800

Which light-weight yet powerful laptop should I buy? I like the Sony Vaio Z, followed by the MB Air and the Thinkpad X200. Am I missing any models? I'm looking to replace my current work laptop - I use it for web development, so I need to be able to run Apache, MySQL, PHP, and some other stuff. I also use Chrome pretty heavily, and of course I watch a DVD every now and then, play music, etc. I don't run an office suite or play any games.

I carry my laptop to and from work every day, and my current HP is pretty heavy, so I am looking to buy the lightest laptop possible that still has a real CPU (e.g. no Atom, ULV, etc). I don't want anything at all resembling a "netbook". What I'm not considering at the moment is price - I'm happy to pay extra for a nicer, lighter, laptop.

At the moment, the best option I could find is the Sony VAIO Z-series. It weighs 3.3 pounds, not the lightest on my list, but it has a nice CPU (a T9900 @ 3.06 GHz). The MB Air is 0.3lbs lighter, but the CPU clocks in at 2.13 GHz and as expected does slightly worse in benchmarks. The Z also has a higher-res screen. I use an additional external monitor, but it is a nice extra. The Lenovo Thinkpad X200 and X200s are lighter even than the MB Air, but have even smaller screens and slower CPUs.

(Note: I am aware of the Z's in-BIOS VT block. I have no problems with patching the BIOS to work around this. I don't consider it a downside.)

Additional details: I plan on running Linux, so gross Linux incompatibilities are a no-go, but I think I can handle anything merely pedestrian. Also, I plan on swapping out the HDD with an SSD some point in the future, so if that has any bearing on anything, I'd love to know. I'm still in the research phase for that.

In short: I want a light yet powerful high-quality workhorse laptop. The VAIO Z looks to be a good balance.

My question: Am I missing anything in my analysis? Do any of these laptops have any glaring flaws? Are there any other models that have solid build quality and similar or better specs?

Thanks!

What bloatware (if any) is useful on my Lenovo SL500?

idyllhands — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:59:49 -0800

What bloatware (if any) is useful on my Lenovo SL500? I recently bought my first Lenovo laptop, a ThinkPad SL500. It came with the usual bloatware, but I want to know if any of it is actually useful before I wipe it off. I think there is a Hard Drive anti-shock protection running, but is this bundled with Windows or is it a Lenovo issued app?

My main motivation for asking is that I am going to install Windows 7 to replace Vista. I am moving from 32-bit to 64 bit, so I will have to do a clean install, from what I understand. This will likely wipe all the bloatware (I purchased Win 7 seperately from the laptop since I bought it before Win 7 was released) but I want to know what I should try to transfer to the new OS.

ThinkPad T42 wireless connection problem

mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:40:00 -0800

Windows XP Home network connection issues. My son's girlfriend has an IBM ThinkPad T42. In the last couple of days its network connectivity has gone haywire. It has an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG adapter and an Intel Pro/1000MT wired connection, and the laptop is running XP Home, Service Pack 3. Here's what it does:

As soon as I enable the wireless adapter and connect to a network (either secured or unsecured) the connection bounces from disconnected to connected and back again, over and over ad infinitum.

I can't enable the wired adapter at all (it just stays disabled while the "Local Area Connection - Enabling" message shows, after which it disappears with the connection still disabled), which is what makes me think this is a software problem rather than a hardware problem. I have tried all of the following (not necessarily in this order):

1) reset the TCP/IP stack ("netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt")

2) Uninstalled and reinstalled TCP/IP

3) removed and reinstalled the network adapter drivers

4) system restore to earlier restore point

5) installed a PCMCIA wireless card (same result - connected/disconnected over and over)

6) run Malwarebytes (no malware detected)

At this point I am ready to throw in the towel and reinstall Windows unless someone has any better ideas. I don't really mind doing this, but it always irritates me to resort to a reinstall when it seems like there really should be a simpler fix.

Any ideas?

Replace Thinkpad motherboard or just buy a new one?

Kronoss — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:48:49 -0800

Spilled a drink on my Lenovo Thinkpad. Now it won't boot. Looks like I've damaged the motherboard. I've never done any computer repairs before. Will I be able to replace the motherboard myself? And if so, should I? It's a Lenovo r400 Thinkpad that's just under a year old.

Like I said, I've never done any PC repair jobs before, but I'm totally willing to do it if it means I won't have to buy a new laptop. So I guess I'm asking if it's possible for a layperson to replace a laptop motherboard relatively hassle free. Money's tight and the holidays are coming.

I found some replacement motherboards on eBay for around $300. Refurbished Thinkpads similar to the one I have now are around $600--before shipping and taxes--at the Lenovo website.

So what's my best bet? Will it be worth it install a new motherboard myself? Or am I better off just getting a new or refurbished Thinkpad?

I know I can get other refurbished laptops cheaper, but I've grown attached to Thinkpads. I'd like to consider all my Thinkpad options before thinking about another replacement laptop.

troubleshooting a (mostly) broken laptop key

needs more cowbell — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:23:08 -0800

My Thinkpad's n key doesn't work most of the time (but does work sometimes if I hit it in the right spot/from the right angle and hold for a bit)...what troubleshooting/fixes can I try before I give in and replace the whole keyboard? Additional details:
1) I have already pried the keycap off and looked to see if anything was stuck under it (no)
2) this does not seem to be the result of spilled liquid (I have spilled stuff before, but nothing recently)
3) no need for workarounds or advice about how cheap/easy it is to replace Thinkpad keyboards - I've done it before, and will again if needed. That seems silly, though--the circuitry must be intact since it does work sometimes.

Laptop audio feedback.

Juicylicious — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:11:54 -0800

Gremlins have taken over my laptop and now I get extremely loud audio feedback. In the last few days the audio has somehow become screwed up on my laptop.
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There is very loud audio feedback, which gets even worse when I begin to close the lid. It does stop when the lid is completely closed.

Also, audio cannot be played through the external speakers, which are connected via USB. Although headphones do work.

Yesterday, the problem was the complete opposite; I could only get audio through the external speakers and headphones, but not the built in speakers.

It seems that the built in microphone is keyed as the sound of touching the laptop seem to be amplified.

If I play something online that does have audio, it overrides the feedback. And for some reason it is no longer recognizing the CD drive. Sigh.

It is an IBM T42 running XP. I've tried to update audio drivers, but I cannot tell if it has been successful. This has been complicated by the fact that I had to wipe my hard drive several months ago. The person who reinstalled XP somehow erased all of the IBM info, including the serial number and customer ID. Thus, I cannot get support from IBM.

Any thoughts on how to fix this? It's driving me crazy.

Thinkpad refuses to obey my wishes for higher resolution!

midatlanticwanderer — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 07:52:42 -0800

My new-ish laptop running Vista keeps resetting to 800 x 600 resolution on restarts (from crashing) and restarts from intentional shutdowns. How do I prevent this from happening in the future? Among other woes with Vista on my relatively new Lenovo Thinkpad T400 (purchased from the Lenovo outlet three months ago), it seems to crash frequently. When restarting from those crashes, it often resets to an 800 x 600 resolution from its default resolution of 1280 x 800. Also, when I intentionally shut down the computer, it will sometimes then start up in the 800 x 600 resolution.

I have seen some mention of this issue elsewhere (namely, here and here). The second link recommends setting the monitor to be the primary monitor and have it extended across the desktop, which I have already done. Otherwise, some of the solutions don't seem to apply (i.e. my "base video" item is unchecked on the boot tab of MSConfig).

The monitor on the laptop is a Thinkpad MaxBright Display 1280 x 800 ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3400 Series.

Any wisdom from the generally-more-informed hive mind would be much appreciated!

Why does the cursor grab my web-page and scroll up (or down) by itself?

Rash — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:00:58 -0800

Why do windows on my laptop sometimes scroll by themselves, or via touchpad movements? XP newbie with newish Win XP Thinkpad having trouble with cursor and/or touchpad behavior.

I'd like to control scrolling only with the keyboard's arrow or PgUp/PgDn keys, or by dragging the scroll bar with my mouse or clicking its arrows.

And yet, something automagically kicks in with my new laptop -- the scrollbar (and page) moves up and down in tandem with my finger on the touch pad, sometimes even sailing away on its own, even though the cursor's nowhere near the scroll bar -- why?

'Tap to Click' is turned off under mouse -> touch if that's maybe a factor.

Can I remove my HD before I send my laptop in for service?

alligatorman — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:23:02 -0800

I am sending my Lenovo Thinkpad to an EasyServ repair center to have its fan replaced/repaired. Do I have to send my hard drive along with it? I'd rather not, as it would involve backing up and wiping clean.

Also: if I do have to send it, will running Ubuntu pose a problem? I don't want to re-install Windows.

Why is my Thinkpad beeping when docked and on standby?

Ms. Informed — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:30:27 -0800

Why does my Thinkpad X40 beep when docked and standing by? My Thinkpad X40 (almost 5 years old) has picked up a new, annoying habit. When it's in the docking station and I put it on standby (say, while I'm out for lunch), it beeps. The pattern is three quick high-pitched beeps, a pause, three quick high-pitched beeps, repeat ad infinitum. It sounds like a kitchen timer. When I take the computer out of standby (by pressing the Fn key), the beeping stops.

The docking station stays plugged in, so it shouldn't be a power issue. And it happens even if the laptop's sound is muted. It does not happen when the computer is NOT docked and is put in standby. I've had this docking station for 2+ years and never noticed this before; the only change I've made recently is I got a new, extended-life battery a few months ago.

I've tried googling for help but couldn't find anything relevant. Any ideas on what's causing this and how to fix it? I guess I could just leave the laptop on when it's docked, even if I'm not at my desk, but you know, the environment...

Choosing X61 tablet or the Motion LE1600?

tonci — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:18:44 -0800

Help me choose a slate/convertible tablet: Thinkpad X61 or the Motion LE1600? I have posted before about going to graduate school and wanting a PDF reader / note taking machine. I can't resist going with a tablet. I've narrowed it down to the Lenovo X61 or the Motion LE1600. I love my T60 Thinkpad at work and like the X61 over the X200 because I prefer the 4:3 monitor for word processing and can get a better price through ebay. People rave about the Motion LE1600 and the convertible keyboard seems pretty functional (and it has the pointing stick that I like). Which device will make me happier and why? I will have a desktop computer at my office so this will be my backpack, classroom, coffeeshop computer. Tips about specs, including which monitor to get for the X61, are appreciated.

Related question-- XP tablet edition or Vista? Thanks!

I've made a huge mistake.

mustard seeds — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:00:21 -0800

Thinkpad T61 (Vista) doing scary things. Extremely naive about computer matters. Any help appreciated. This morning I woke up and noticed that Avira had failed to update, but stupidly didn't think anything of it. Throughout the day, Opera kept crashing. I didn't think too hard on it, but I did run a system scan using Avira and it came up clean. Then this evening, I was innocently going about my business when suddenly all my programs closed on their own volition and I realized, "Oh, crap! I bet I have something bad on my computer!"

Since that reboot, I have been unable to access Avira, Adaware, Spybot, and Windows Defender. I was able to Download Malwarebytes, though, and a few things came up on the scan. One was a Trojan, the name of which I did not catch and the other was "rootkit.bagle." Oh no!

After I typed that last paragraph, my computer crashed again, flashing me the blue screen of death before it went. Eek. I apologize if there are millions of posts like this, but I have not been able to answer my questions from reading them. I looked at the advice from this post and plan on doing those things as soon as I can (unless you tell me otherwise). Here are my questions:
1. Do I need to say my goodbyes to all the movies, music, etc. on my external hard drive?
2. What should I do if I need to start from scratch? I just realized that I don't have the discs with me (I'm in China... I was sure I had brought the discs with me... Ugh.). Should I/Will I be able to use the "restore to factory settings" the Thinkvantage button gives me?

Please forgive me if I'm saying stupid things/leaving out important details/whatever. I'm typing fast so I can post this before my computer unexpectedly shuts down again. Oh, I just remembered, all these things are still true when I'm in safe mode. Ok. It's bedtime here, but I'll check on this thread as soon as I am able. Thank you, metafilter!

How do I connect my wireless laptop to the internet by cable?

mammary16 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:11:44 -0800

I'm having issues connecting my laptop to the internet. Wireless is fine, but I can't connect by cable at all. I own a T60 thinkpad with Windows XP that I've used entirely for wireless internet access. I've moved to a place (Warsaw, PL) where the internet connection is only by cable. I don't see the connection showing up anywhere in Network Connections.

The cable is plugged in, and the light is on (a steady green light) but I can't access the internet at all. I've been unlucky finding the solution to my problem online so I thought I'd check with the hivemind on this one.

I don't see any ethernet-type hardware attached to my computer (just my wireless card - "11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter"). Is it possible my ethernet card is damaged? I don't receive any error messages of any sort - it's just that nothing happens when I plug my computer in.

I am currently on my friend's T61 thinkpad, which connects effortlessly when I plug the cable in. So I know the connection itself works. His network device is listed as "Intel(R) 82566MM Gigabit Network Connection". I haven't had luck figuring out what the correct device for my T60 should be.

If you have any follow-up questions I'll be checking this page often. Thanks!

Can I disable a firefox addon at the command-line?

your mildly obsessive average geek — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:10:05 -0800

I have an Thinkpad X61 that I use both at work and home. Internet at work requires a proxy while at home I have WiFi. Switching browser settings is no problem thanks to the awesome Connection Manager software that ships with the Thinkpad. But now things have become a bit complicated. I had to install FoxyProxy because some sites needed a different connection which the regular proxy couldn't handle. Now when I connect to the internet at home, I have to remember to disable foxyproxy otherwise the Internet doesn't work. Is there a way to disable the foxyproxy extension via the command line so that I can automate this process? Google isn't helping. FWIW, I have AutoIt and Autohotkey installed although I'm not really a programmer.

What to play on an X31?

pilibeen — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:02:16 -0800

What are some decent offline games I'll be able to run on my new (to me) Thinkpad X31? I just got an IBM Thinkpad X31 off ebay to replace my even more ancient T22.

I'm going to have a lot of time over the next few months w/ no internet connection, and I was wondering what sort've fun offline games I'll be able to run on this thing without causing it to overheat and desolder itself.

I don't game too much, but I like puzzlers along the lines of Crayon Physics and Incredible Machine, and also enjoyed what I played of The Longest Journey.

I was thinking I could probably run some of the older Myst titles...where in the series would be a good place to start?

The PC specs are 1.6ghz Pentium M, and 512 mb ram...I'm guessing these things were just integrated video.

Thanks in advance...

Should I get a new battery or a new laptop?

bluefly — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:10:31 -0800

Should I buy a new laptop battery or a new laptop? I've been using my trusty Thinkpad T41 for ages. The battery is now completely dead (I know it's not my computer's problem, because my friend's battery charges quite nicely). A new battery from Lenovo costs $159. I've been looking at all of those netbooks that have come out that are ~$400. Their specs are all better than my Thinkpad (which has a 40GB hd and only 512 MB ram).

I use my computer to write, surf the web, occasionally watch a DVD and do email. For work, I usually connect remotely using putty. I don't need anything fancy. The Thinkpad still works great for me (although the fan has become a bit noisier), but do I just not know what I'm missing? Is it worth spending money for a new battery or should I look for a new computer? How much longer can my Thinkpad last?

Don't you die on me!

mammary16 — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:32:02 -0800

My beloved Thinkpad T60 has died in my arms. This tale of idiocy in fact occurred a week ago.

I received what I was expecting to be a critical work email when I was just getting out of the shower. I ran to the computer without thoroughly toweling off, and some water from my elbow landed on the palm-rest section of the laptop, near the Trackpointer buttons.

A few minutes later I noticed that the keyboard was fried. I'd hit the "x" key, for example, and I'd get a series of characters. The "h" key would effectively be the "F5", and so on.

Instead of opening the laptop and trying to get it to dry off, I just wiped off the exterior of the laptop and turned it off. (regrets, regrets). When I returned home a few hours ago I tried to turn on the laptop and nothing happened. I hit the power button and the computer doesn't even make a sound.

After that happened, I'm opened the computer up to let it air out, but that did not help.

When I plug the AC adapter in, I do get the two lights under the screen (the "battery" and "plugged-in" light). Otherwise the whole computer is completely inert.

I've tried the technique of removing the hard drive, the ultrabay, the ram sticks, and the battery, hitting the power button ten times (ten seconds each) and plugging it back in and trying to power it up again. To no avail.

I took the computer into Micro Center, where they said the most likely problem is that the motherboard has to be replaced. That said, the warranty's expired, and I would probably consider buying a new computer than paying for an expensive motherboard replacement surgery.

What are some other things I could try? This thread suggests unplugging the CMOS battery and trying the power trick again, but I'm a little leery of doing that.

Does anybody have an idea of what else I could try?

It occurred to me that if I fried the keyboard then it's possible that the motherboard is fine and the connection is bad (the power button is on the keyboard). In that case, is there any way I can turn the computer on without using the power key on the keyboard?

Thanks in advance!

problem with cd-rw burning

raphael19 — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:08:25 -0800

why can i not burn a cd-rw on lenovo thinkpad t61? machine: t61 +up to date w/ thinkvantage utility
os: xp sp3 + all available hotfixes
internal dvd module: matshita dvd-ram uj-852, firmware ver.: rb02

i know that burning cd-rw's can sometimes be cumbersome, but could not figure out why this "new" machine fails. every component is up to date, it can burn regular cd-r's, the dvd module firmware is the latest, i use quality media (the other notebook -an old dell- can burn with ease) but it cannot even initiate to burn a cd-rw. i tried three different cd-burning software and other cd brands without any success. also googling the problem was not fruitful.

could you point out what i am missing here?

Make my Vista Arrow Keys Work.

Juicylicious — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:07:15 -0800

How do I set up my arrow keys to cycle forward/backward in firefox? I had this ability with my T42 XP, now I have a 1720 inspiron Vista and I don't have that ability anymore. I've called Dell support, but they have no idea what I'm talking about. I miss using my arrows keys to move back and forth between pages on firefox, instead of the mouse. Help :/

Stay ON, will you? I want my internet.

phunniemee — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:52:30 -0800

I have a ThinkPad. Why does my wireless radio (in the ThinkVantage Access Connections/Wireless Connection Status menu) power itself off? How can I make it stay on? I have a Lenovo ThinkPad T61 running Vista. Occasionally, when the wireless signal is low, I'll lose internet altogether. The culprit is almost always this ThinkVantage Access Connections thing (for those of you who have the same thing, it's the thing that comes up from the signal strength icon in the taskbar). It says Wireless Connection Status, and it has a little button there with the option of powering the wireless radio on or off. For some reason, when I have a low (but not too low, and sometimes it happens even when the signal is a good strength) signal, the thing will power the wireless radio OFF, and I have to manually turn it back on again before it can connect.

Does anyone know why it does this? More importantly, is there something I can do to make it stay ON? It's really obnoxious when I have someone sitting right next to me happily using the internet while I'm clicking the power on wireless radio button and cursing at my computer.

I found this related question, but I don't have to restart (ok, maybe once or twice I did) in order for it to work. The thing just shuts itself off randomly and I have to manually turn it back on by opening the thing and clicking the button.

Thanks!

Why can't I jump on my neighbor's wireless?

forallmankind — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:29:50 -0800

My neighbor kindly gave the key to her (Airport) wireless network, but although I can see it, I can't connect on my PC - I don't even get as far as being asked for the key. What gives? Me: Thinkpad X40 w/ XP Pro + 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter.
Her: she's out of town but I know it's some kind of Airport setup, and she only sorted it out last week so it's probably the latest and greatest.

When I hit "View Available Wireless Networks" in Windows I can see her signal really strong, but when I try to connect I get, "Windows is unable to connect to the selected network - it might not be in range."

I'm hoping this isn't something that needs tinkering at her end - I just moved so I don't know her so well, but she kinda keeps to herself and doesn't seem like the kind of person who'd be open to, "hey, thanks for the key but do you mind if I tinker with your Mac so I can jump on your (very kindly) free wireless."

Thinkpad hard disk trouble

theyexpectresults — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:26:28 -0800

Is my thinkpad hard disk controller dead? I recently bought an ibm thinkpad T41 from ebay, and have had some difficulty getting it to pick up any hard disks I insert. The first time I tried to install windows xp, the installer did see a hard disk there. However the install screwed up and I had to restart and try again. Now the thinkpad won't recognise any hard disk I put into it (I have tried unbuntu and suse live cds to see if they can recognise it). Is there somewhere in the thinkpad bios to do with IDE devices? I can't see one.

The hard disks I used were:
Hitachi travelstar 60GB
Hitachi travelstar 160GB
(these were just what I had to hand)

Both hard disks worked fine on other machines. The CD drive on the thinkpad also still works. So, any suggestions as to what's wrong or any further steps I could take? Is the hd controller busted?

Any help is much appreciated. If the hd controller is knackered, can anyone suggest a way to keep using the laptop (how easy is it to boot from usb, or can i install a second hard in the cd bay)? Thanks

Can I replace my dead old Thinkpad HDD with a generic one?

stavrosthewonderchicken — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:18:07 -0800

I have an ancient Thinkpad 570, and the hard drive finally died. Hardware not recognized. I've pulled out the old one (it rattles ominously) and am wondering if I can replace it with a new generic laptop drive, rather than having to go with overpriced proprietary stuff. The laptop model number is 2644 3AA, and the HDD model is DBCA-206480 E182115 T, if that makes a difference. I've been building computers for years, but this is my first go with laptop repair.

Thanks!

Volume controlling Judas, why have you forsaken me?

phunniemee — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:50:06 -0800

Why would the mute button on my computer suddenly stop working? Sometime during the course of yesterday, the mute button on my computer stopped working. I have a ~6 month old Lenovo/ThinkPad T61 running Vista, and I have had zero problems with it until now. The up/down volume buttons still work fine, and I can mute and unmute using the volume control in the system tray, but the ever-so-useful external mute button has just...stopped.

The computer hasn't sustained any physical trauma lately, and the only unusual thing I did yesterday was to completely uninstall and reinstall iTunes. Windows last installed updates two or three days ago, so I don't think any of those are involved at all as the problem just started last night.

Does anyone know why this would happen and how I could go about fixing it? I poked around on google, and someone on some forum a while ago said it could be a driver problem, but said no more than that.

Convince me not to get a Thinkpad!

Phire — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:19:38 -0800

What are some reasons NOT to get a Lenovo Thinkpad R61? I'm pretty enarmoured with this laptop and I want to be sure it's a good decision. I've more or less decided to buy a Lenovo Thinkpad R 14.1" -

Core 2 DUO T8100
80 GB 5400 RPM
1 GB PC2-5300 (2 Dimm)
WGAX+ TFT
Intel GMA X2100 GM965
6 cell battery
3 year warranty
14.1", DVD RW, webcam, etc
Vista, unfortunately.

(I have spare parts to upgrade the RAM and the HD)

Primary use for this computer will be 2D graphics editing, occasional video/audio editing, the usual browsing/wordprocessing etc. with a bit more usage volume multi-tasking than the average user. Total cost comes to around $1400 CDN after tax and shipping.

The actual question: I've been burned pretty badly before in the past with a refurb Gateway and their nonexistent customer service. Doing research into Lenovo's customer service generates as many "Lenovo is a world-class first rate company" from most likely paid reviews as "Lenovo SUCKS and I HATE THE WORLD."

Apart from the shipping system issue they ran into around the holiday season of last year (has that been resolved yet?) what is your opinion on Lenovo's quality, service and reputation? Anecdotes welcome.