Transplanting WiFi

I have two old laptops: BenQ Joybook 5000U and IBM ThinkPad R31. The Joybook is a bit newer than the ThinkPad, but its construction proved to be quite weak, and literally fell apart. So I’ve decided to take the wireless card from the Joybook, and install it into the ThinkPad.

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CPU speed problem in Acer Aspire 3627WXMi

A first look

This Acer Aspire 3627WXMi (Model: MS2180) was purchased from Laptops Plus in Sydney, Australia. There has always been a problem with the laptop causing it not to run at its maximal performance. First of all, let’s take a glance at the specifications of this laptop:

• Intel Pentium M 740 (1.73GHz, FSB 533MHz)
• 14.1″ WXGA CrystalBrite TFT LCD
• Kingston 1GB DDR2-533 RAM
• 60GB hard disk
• Dual layer DVD-RW Writer
• Atheros 802.11b/g

The memory was upgraded from the stock 256MB by the dealer. As with any other laptop, there is a white label on the cardboard packaging that outlines the machine type, model, serial number and parts specifications. The interesting thing is, the label says that the CPU should have been a Pentium M 725A (1.6GHz, FSB 400MHz). However, the dealer remarks that the label was incorrent, and should have been the PM 740 instead. I thought, “Nice. Free CPU upgrade!”

1.7GHz CPU running at 1.3GHz

After a few days, the problem emerged. Even though the CPU is rated at 1.73GHz, the maximum speed attainable from this laptop was only 1.3GHz even when on AC power. Puzzled, I started to play around with the power management settings. In Acer ePower Management, CPU speed is already set to maximum, but the computer still runs at 1.3GHz max.

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My New Toy: PCI Gigabit SOHO Network Storage NAS-01G

I recently got a new NAS device from Hong Kong, and decided to move my file server role from my PC to this neat little network device. Essentially, it is a Now I can turn off my PC, and still be able to access my files from my laptop. For some reason, entry-level NAS devices targeted at the general home user are not very common in Australia. In Hong Kong, there was even a mass review of similar devices from the PC3 Magazine (in which this model unfortunately didn’t make an appearance).

Ok, let’s start by taking a look at the box. I always read the box before I buy something – at least I know what I might be getting. Some of the features are quite interesting: Gigabit LAN, FTP, Web, Print server, and it even has DLNA compatible media server plus bittorrent client. Something that might be a little confusing is “JumboFrame. Initially I thought that it referred to an excessively bulky physical enclosure, but it turns out to be an enlarged TCP frame, so that more data squeezed into the same number of transmission units.

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The laptop is back

I was delighted today to receive my laptop after it has been sent off for repairs. The laptop came back in a very professional foam padded package, complete with an A4 sheet of paper titled “Service Activity Report”. There, it detailed that the technician was able to replicate the problem that I had with the left mouse button, and therefore replaced the keyboard bezel (to which the the trackpad was attached).

The turn-around time was surprisingly fast: It took less than a week including weekend for it to be repaired and sent back into my hands. Very impressive, Lenovo!

The only complaint I do have though, is that although turn-around time was fast, there may be some workmanship issues with the laptop’s assembly. Examine the photos below:

The panel just above the keyboard was not reassembled correctly. the sides of the panel was not sitting flush with the keyboard bezel as it should, and it is obviously not properly installed because it gives way when I push my finger onto it.

The rightmost thing above the main chassis is acutally not a key, even if it looks like one. It is the panel above the keyboard, and it is supposed to sit flush with the chassis rather than pop up.

But perhaps the most disappointing thing of all is that I’ve lost all the stickers that came with the laptop! Where’s my Intel and Microsoft stickers that’s meant to be here?

Laptop repairs

Yesterday, I’ve sent my laptop (Lenovo 3000 V100) back to the manufacturer for minor repairs. The problem I’ve had with it is, that the left mouse button below the touchpad has become rather insensitive to clicks. Sometimes, when I click on the mouse button, I can hear the physical “click” but the computer doesn’t register it. I felt that it was a little odd for a laptop to have a low durability switch installed for a touchpad button, since it is obvious that it will be used quite often. I was actually quite surprised to see this happen since it has only been a year since I’ve bought the laptop.

If you happen to own or have used a Lenovo 3000 V100, N100 or C100 (maybe even the new 200 series?), you would know what the touchpad looks like – it uses the same one. I would like to hear from you whether or not you have experienced this problem.

Today, I received a call from Lenovo to tell me that they have received my laptop and just waiting on parts to come in. That means next day delivery to the repair centre! Well done Lenovo.