so i found out why my laptop was free...
 

ibm thinkpad 390e
300 mhz proc
64 megs ram
windows xp pro (yes, i got the damn thing reformatted :D)
STILL no idea on the mobo or chipset


turns out that my laptop was free because of some problems it was having with the leads leading from the system unit to the lcd. i found the assembly/disassembly manual on the ibm home page, and found out that there was no problem with the leads after disassembling the laptop, but that the video card had come loose of the motherboard. unfortunately, during the disassembly (my first laptop gutting) i managed to actually BREAK OFF a plug from the motherboard that really needs to be there, as it operates the trackpoint for the machine.

i was wondering if:
A. is this reperable? and if so, what should i use to reattach the pins to the mobo

B. if it's not repaired, will the machine still work? i can do without a mouse, it's not a big deal (suppose i'll find this out after i reassemble the sob)

please check out page 81 of the hardware manual at the following link, the second bubble in step 5 is the plug i broke off of the motherboard

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs...es/37l5153.pdf

so, several FRUSTRATING hours later, i have discovered that my thinkpad is still operational, but requires not only an external monitor now, but an external mouse too. looks like my laptop is turning into a desktop...anyone know where i could score a replacement lcd cable? tried cables.com, but i wasn't able to find anything.

Check out this place

http://www.laptopking.com/

They have LCDs, Inverters, Cables, Fans, etc etc

Lots of hard to find stuff, which means they can charge $45 for a cable that costs less than 10 cents to make.

300 mhz??? why bother. Sell it to a gullible person and buy a new one

as much as i would like to have a new laptop, i work at mcdonald's and am a full time college student. i'm actually 435 towards a new one as i type, but the one i want is like 4000 bucks (obviously not the one i'm going to get, lol). thanks for the link, westothemax, 34.50 and i'll have an operational lcd. found out i'll have to replace the mobo to fix the mouse though...good thing i've got a spare ps/2 laying around