[Thinkpad] Mini-FAQ (includes how to un-subscribe)

From: Rob Bell <RobDBell_at_mailworks.org>
Date: Fri Mar 10 2006 - 09:05:44 EST

[UPDATED 02/10/2006]

Here is the current version of the Mini-FAQ:

[Original credit for this FAQ goes to Jane Loyless. If there are
any corrections or additions please e-mail them to 'robdbell _at_
mailworks.org']

*********************************************
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 _________?

<ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitute/psref/>

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            denote documenation for withdrawn models.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-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?doctypeind=8&template=%2Fproductselection%2Flandingpages%2FonlinePublicationsLandingPage.vm&sitestyle=ibm>

Also, once you buy a ThinkPad, go to:
<http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/>
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".

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-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=TPAD-MATRIX>

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://illuminati.stderr.org/pipermail/thinkpad/>

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?

Please don't.

If you're on AOL, go here ->

<http://members.aol.com/adamkb/aol/mailfaq/#aol6html> 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.pc.ibm.com/support?lang=en_US&page=pewselect&brand=IBM+ThinkPad&doctype=&subtype=All>

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 http://www.linux-thinkpad.org/ and http://www.thinkwiki.org/

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?

<http://www.pc.ibm.com/ww/thinkpad/community/download.html>

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-3.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?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?lndocid=MIGR-4A2P54>

System cleaning instructions:
<http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-52190>

21) Can I attach an external keyboard to my ThinkPad?

Yes. But you will need a PS2 Y-adapter cable to make it work. 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.

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Thinkpad mailing list
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Received on Fri Mar 10 09:06:04 2006

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