[ltp] Shopping for a Thinkpad

[Ted Frater]

Jiang Qian wrote:

>I suspect the newer model of T43 series should be avoided for now 
>because their PATA-SATA interface, which cause some grief for linux 
>kernel SATA code and need kernel patching. However some distribution 
>apparently already include the patch and T43 series represent a very 
>sweet set of designs and features. I advice you to take a look at 
>thinkwiki.org as there's a lot of installation notes from people.
>And if you need modem to work, I suspect you'll need a driver that will 
>cost you around $15.  But other than to get the multimedia to work is 
>mostly a matter of which distribution to choose. Since you've already 
>known apt-get I suspect you want to try ubuntu, which is a combination 
>of newbie friendliness and debian convenience. Also the current 
>distribution of ubuntu breezy 5.10 already included a crucial kernel 
>patch dealing with SATA problem. Good luck.
>Jiang
>
>On Fri, Dec 23, 2005 at 08:22:45AM +0000, Cynthia Eliason wrote:
>  
>
>>  I tried to share my coffee with my A20m and I think I've killed it.   I'm 
>>shopping on eBay for a replacement.  I can't afford a very new one.  I don't 
>>know much about other models.  There seem to be a lot of T23 Thinkpads  
>>coming up in my searches, in my price range and with features I'd like to 
>>have.   I want to be able to view film clips (with sound!) in the more usual 
>>formats people are using.  
>>   Are there TP models to avoid, that have more problems with Linux than 
>>others?   Are there any that have a better track record with Linux than 
>>others?   It would be nice if I could use the same docking station and 
>>swappable drives that I already have from the A20m.   
>>  Would appreciate any advice on what models to consider and which to avoid.  
>>I don't have a lot of technical knowledge about computers and Linux.  I know 
>>how to type "apt-get install" and I have someone I can call when I need help, 
>>that's about it!  I'm more interested in using my computer than in doing a 
>>lot of tinkering to get things to work.  .   
>>
>>-- 
>>Cindy Eliason
>>Whitefield, NH
>>-- 
>>The linux-thinkpad mailing list home page is at:
>>http://mailman.linux-thinkpad.org/mailman/listinfo/linux-thinkpad
>>    
>>
Its a pleasant change to see a poster actually think to give their location.
This makes it much easier to answer your 1st and most important question.
 where to get another thinkpad.
Do not buy on Ebay,
 the risks are so much greater than buying from 2 people that are well 
known to all thinkpad users ,
who post on this forum and dare not risk their reputation by stitching 
someone up.
 they are
Bruce Markoswitz.  based I believe in New York. you might just be able 
to go and collect a thinkpad from him if its not too far. Well worth a 
100 mile drive.
Read back a couple of days on this forum for his email contact address.
He might take your coffee'd A20m in part ex. Tho you might just get to 
keep the hard drive with your s/ware on it.
 It might just swap over .
then there is Bill Morrow, hes based im Florida and allways has a good 
stock.
Hes at Thinkpads.com.
As its xmas eve its a little late to try and resolve something today, 
but well worth the inital contact.
Either of them might just have an A20m in stock so all youd need to do 
is swap out the hard drive and your back up and running.

Now the next question.
Linux software.
I use Suse 10 on an A21P. it finds everything out of the box. Setting up 
the dvd player was difficult had to get some expert help with this.
 Id reccomend a USA version, Slackware 10 as they support US co 
hardware  ie modems etc better than Euroopean Linux distro's
.Ive an A20 m  here in perfect condition,
but im in the UK and it wouldnt be economic to ship to you.
If you however know someone coming to the UK something could be arranged.
 
Regards from the UK anyway,
Ted Frater. Dorset UK