#sanfrancomputers

2025-04-06

Talking with the folks in the local #vintage / #retrocomputing community, they clued me in that the #ThinkPad #RAID is a steaming pile of đź’© and not worth the trouble.

🤷 Oh well. Thanks for cluing me in

So I swapped out the two testing #NVMe drives I was using and reinstalled the original sticks - to have #windoz10 demanding for the #bitlocker recovery key. 🤦‍♂️

Well, time to wipe & install #windoz11 then.

Install went fine, only 4 rando #drivers to find for all #devices to be recognized and working.

Using my #CTT scripts to install the majority of applications, then to remove the #spyware #bloatware and other garbage #micro$oft added to #windows11

Then migrate my #data from my other ThinkPad. Welcome to my #sunday #funday

#siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware #sanfranvin-tagehardware
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware #computerHistory #retro #VCF #vintageComputerFestival
#retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware #laptop #laptops
#IBM #thinkpad #thinkpads #VintageThinkPad #X86 #WindowsVista #IBMhardware #lenovoHard-ware #Thinkpadnium
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #ThinkPadRepair #WasteNotWantNot #Thinkpadnium
#makeShitMonday #showmewhatyougot

A ThinkPad P70 workstation laptop, in the process of being rebuilt: Windows 11 having bin installed, now installing all the applications. The HWiNFO application is displayed on the screen, showing the specifications of the laptop.
2025-04-05

Ok, I spent yesterday afternoon trying to get #RAID configured on my #lenovo #ThinkPad #P70 - to no success.

I found this video youtube.com/watch?v=AyCC1NGe8a of the similar #p50 and configuring #RAID which shows the #BIOS interface but my P70's only show the "non-raid physical discs" I do not have an option for RAID volumes. Note I have upgraded the BIOS to the most recent version on lenovo's web site. Any thoughts?

I have attached 2 #screenshots of what the BIOS displays - I'm trying to configure the RAID on the two 512GB #NVMe sticks.

#siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware #sanfranvin-tagehardware
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware #computerHistory #retro #VCF #vintageComputerFestival
#retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware #laptop #laptops
#IBM #thinkpad #thinkpads #VintageThinkPad #X86 #WindowsVista #IBMhardware #lenovoHard-ware #Thinkpadnium
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #ThinkPadRepair #WasteNotWantNot #Thinkpadnium
#makeShitMonday #showmewhatyougot

Screenshot of a Lenovo ThinkPad P70 BIOS, showing the RAID configuration screen with RAID enabled and M2 selectedA screenshot of a Lenovo ThinkPad P70 BIOS showing the Intel RST RAID configuration page, with no ability to configure RAID but devices listed as non-RAID physical discs
2025-03-30

I scored 2 #Thinkpad #X260 laptops at #EFM #electronicsfleamarket in March with a handful of batteries for really cheap.
a i7 2.6Ghz and an i5 2.4Ghz

The i7 is immaculate, and is running great.
The i5 has some issues. Opening it up it was missing the SSD and SODIMM RAM, and I noted some corrosion on the aluminum frame around the SSD slot.

Getting it to moot up, there is this really weird spotting and "worms" with the #LCD that is really distracting. Not sure how this happened - and would love any insights as to the what & why this happened.
I suspect just easier to swap out the 12.5" 1366x768 for something with better resolution?

I did order two 32 GB DDR4 2666 SODIMMs from #aliexpress - the unofficial max #RAM for these X260's - and they work great. Both the i7 & the i5 detect the SODIMMs in the BIOS and in Win11. I initially had some spare 16GB SODIMMs in them, but why not max out the RAM when most apps and browsers are memory hogs lately?

#siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware #sanfranvin-tagehardware
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware #computerHistory #retro #VCF #vintageComputerFestival
#retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware #laptop #laptops
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #WasteNotWantNot #reuse #RepairReuseRecycle
#makeShitMonday #showmewhatyougot

A Thinkpad X260 opened, showing the main board and the SODIMM memory slot. The 16 GB I just removed with the 32 GB SODIMM I am about to install is shown.The LCD of a ThinkPad X260 showing weird spots and worm like patternsThe LCD of a ThinkPad X260 showing weird spots and worm like patterns
2025-03-05

For my first #marchintosh post, some scores from #trashnothing #freecycle over the weekend.

The #iMac apparently had the magic smoke & sparks fly out, we shall see what parts can be salvaged

- An older #ipad
- a few #macpro - Two appear to be the 2012 vintage, the same as my orignal MacPro that I still have. Hopefully candidates for #OCLP
- Some #keyboards
- retro surge srtip
- random ewaste: panasonic land line phone, some cables, spicy pillows,

Original post on #pixelfed :
defcon.social/@irishmasms@pixe

#siliconValley #SillyValley
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk #vintagehardware
#computerHistory
#retro #retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware
#SF #sanfran #sanfrancisco #sanfrannerds
#sanfrangeeks
#sanfrancomputers
#sanfranretro
#sanfranvintage

In the trunk of a car is the haul from trashnothing: an iMac, an iPad, multiple MacPro's, keyboards, and some various ewaste.
2025-01-21

Some adventures installing @openwrt@lemdro.id
@openwrt@lemmy.world on a #Google #WiFi "puck" (AC-1304)

If you follow the directions between the links: openwrt.org/toh/google/wifi
and the updated details in this thread
forum.openwrt.org/t/finally-in
you can get #OpenWRT installed on those #Google #Wifi #pucks (AC-1304).

It is a bit of a challenge, since you are flying blind based on the light colors and blinking of the puck; along with the typical poor documentation of open source projects (as typical, written as someone is well familiar with the topic and process, rather than written in a #KISS for the #n00b).

Once installed, you can configure as #repeaters following this tutorial
openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/ne
and the video at
youtube.com/watch?v=Bfmx5NjIWL.

#openwrt #opensource
#siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware #sanfranvin-tagehardware
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware #computerHistory #retro #VCF #vintageComputerFestival
#retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware #laptop #laptops
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #WasteNotWantNot #reuse #RepairReuseRecycle
#retroNetworking #networking #wifi #homeWiFi #homenetworking #AP #accessPoint

2025-01-05

Part 4/4 following up on the thread:
The continuing efforts with the #ThinkPad #W510: Though that 32GB tested out fine with #MEMTest86plus v7, that does not mean the #BIOS and other circuitry in a W510 can handle 32GB. Thanks to the local vintage computing group cluing me in that e820 BIOS routines were not tested against 32 GB of physical memory. If wonky, then that could confuse the bootloader – the issues I was running into.

On their suggestion, I replaced the #DIMMs with four (4) 4GB DIMMs totaling 16GB. Ran #MEMTest86+ and they passed.

Reinitiated the #Win11 install, and the install worked! But like the #Win10 #x86 install I had on here previously; #Windows is dog slow on this laptop. It was usable, was able to update the latest patches and such, but painful and not the end user experience I wanted. With only a i7 1.6Ghz processor, this may be the cutoff for usability. Any of the i5 or i7 ThinkPads with >2Ghz processors ran Win11 with minimal issues and certainly not with this slowness I experienced.

So, I have re-thought my plans for this #laptop reinstalling #debian latest and thinking about what to do next for my workbench needs. Need to do some research on which other #Lenovo #thinkpads have #eSATA ports which would have faster processors than this W510.

#siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware #sanfranvintagehardware
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware #computerHistory #retro #VCF #vintageComputerFestival
#retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware #laptop #laptops
#IBM #thinkpad #thinkpads #VintageThinkPad #X86 #WindowsVista #IBMhardware #lenovoHardware #Thinkpadnium
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #ThinkPadRepair #WasteNotWantNot

MemTest86+ (a DIMM/SODIM testing tool) showing a passing score on four 4GB memory modules in a ThinkPad W510Windows 11 update running on a ThinkPad W510Two 4GB DIMMs installed in the DIMM slots underneath a ThinkPad W510. The DIMMs were saved from a previous ThinkPad that was upgraded to 8GB DIMMs.Two 4GB DIMMs installed in the DIMM slots underneath the keyboard of a ThinkPad W510. The W510 has 4 DIMM slots, two are underneath the keyboard and 2 are accessed from underneath the laptop. The picture shows the keyboard still connected to the motherboard, pushed away enough to access the DIMM slots. 

The DIMMs were saved from a previous ThinkPad that was upgraded to 8GB DIMMs.
2025-01-02

Part 2/4
Though this has a 64-bit processor, let me try the Win10 x86 32-bit LTSP installer from 2019: and it worked! The install went fine, but it ran dog slow. I used the native browser to download and then upgraded the #BIOS to the latest for the W510 and everything was noticeably slow. Unfortunately, most of the tools I want to use are 64-bit so this version of Win10 is not really an option.
To test & try to troubleshoot, I installed the latest version of #Debian #Linux. The install went fine, and the user experience was much better than the 32-bit Win10 – no real noticeable slowness. Ok, Linux is an option – but not what I had planned for this laptop. Let me wipe the drive (getting rid of #GRUB) and retry installing Win11 or Win10 LTSP.
Now when I boot with either Win11 or Win10 LTSP #USBs the windows logo flashes and the dreaded black screen with blinking cursor appears. We don’t even get the option to install…. (Ugh!)
Currently I booted into #ShredOS and am wiping the drive as a load test.

#siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware #sanfranvintagehardware
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware #computerHistory #retro #VCF #vintageComputerFestival
#retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware #laptop #laptops
#IBM #thinkpad #thinkpads #VintageThinkPad #X86 #WindowsVista #IBMhardware #lenovoHardware #Thinkpadnium
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #ThinkPadRepair #WasteNotWantNot

2025-01-02

Part 1/4
The continuing efforts with the #ThinkPad #W510:
A nice surprise is this has four (4) #DIMM slots, so I was able to upgrade the memory to 32GB (and tested out fine with #MEMTest86+ ver 7)!

Unfortunately, getting an #OS installed has been problematic. As I mentioned previously, to use this as my #workbench #laptop for testing, #imaging, and #wiping #HardDrives and #SSDs (leveraging that #eSATA port) all the manufacturer and optimal #opensource tools are on #Windows.
I started with the #Win11 LTSP: Booted up fine, initial install was fine – and the initial boot want to a black screen with a blinking cursor.
Ok, let me try #Win10 64-bit LTSP with the same results: Booted up fine, initial install was fine – and the initial boot want to a black screen with a blinking cursor.

#siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware #sanfranvintagehardware
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware #computerHistory #retro #VCF #vintageComputerFestival
#retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware #laptop #laptops
#IBM #thinkpad #thinkpads #VintageThinkPad #X86 #WindowsVista #IBMhardware #lenovoHardware #Thinkpadnium
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #ThinkPadRepair #WasteNotWantNot

MemTest86+ running on a ThinkPad W510 testing the four 8 GB DIMMs installed, for a total of 32GB of RAMA ThinkPad W510 laptop with the "black screen of death" having only a blinking cursor
2024-12-21

The next #thinkpad on my #workbench is an #E450 – I grabbed this from #ewaste to provide a family member a better laptop. It has a #i5-5200U at 2.2Ghz, and a max 16GB of #DDR3L #RAM so it can/should run #Win11, #linux, or #BSD with ease. The IO is ok, with multiple #USB3 ports, #HDMI, #ethernet and a memory card reader. This is a decent form factor, weight, and would make a decent laptop for someone. Though no docking station capabilities, they removed the port underneath.

There is a big BUT with this laptop though: it keeps freezing, and the video is glitching. Which may be why it went to ewaste…

I upgraded the DDR3L RAM to 16GB, and wiped the 500GB SSD that came with it.
Starting installing #Win11, and I let it install and reboot so I could refill my tea – to come back and the laptop was frozen with a black screen.
I rebooted, and it froze on the initial Win11 change password screen.
I rebooted again, went into the #Lenovo #BIOS #diagnostic tool, and started the full tests. As the test were running, I touched the nub and the video started glitching. Letting the test continue, the laptop froze while testing.

So, is this beyond time & effort to get working – or pull the spare parts and move on from?

(images attached)

#siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware #sanfranvintagehardware
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware #computerHistory #retro #VCF #vintageComputerFestival
#retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware #laptop #laptops
#IBM #thinkpad #thinkpads #VintageThinkPad #X86 #WindowsVista #IBMhardware #lenovoHardware #Thinkpadnium
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #ThinkPadRepair #WasteNotWantNot
#makeShitMonday #showmewhatyougot

Glitchy LCD on an E450 Thinkpad, during the initial password creation processFrozen E450 with glitchy screen during Lenovo diagnostic test processGlitchy LCD on E450 during Windows 11 install boot verification process
2024-12-19

The next #thinkpad on my #workbench is a #W510 – it has an #eSATA port as well as multiple #USB3 ports, #expresscard, #displayport, #smartcard, memory card reader, #DVD/#CDRW, with a max 16GM of #DDR3 #RAM so it can run #Win11 (if you are careful) or #linux with ease. This will be a good replacement for my workbench laptop for testing and #wiping #HardDrives and #SSDs

But: the processor is only an i7-Q720 1.6 Ghz
This will be a dog with #Windoz

So I am researching which & where to get a #CPU upgrade.
According to #thinkwiki thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:W5 Some models came with an Intel Quad Core Extreme Processor i7-920XM (2.0GHz 1333MHz 8MB L3).

But wowzas the couple I found were expensive as all hell.

Any thoughts on
a) where to find one of these #CPUs at a reasonable cost; possibly locally in the SF bay area?
b) Is/are there other #CPUs that would work in the W510 motherboard that would provide more bang for the buck?

TIA!

#siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware #sanfranvintagehardware
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware #computerHistory #retro #VCF #vintageComputerFestival
#retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware #laptop #laptops
#IBM #thinkpad #thinkpads #VintageThinkPad #X86 #WindowsVista #IBMhardware #lenovoHardware #Thinkpadnium
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #ThinkPadRepair #WasteNotWantNot

2024-12-17

I spent part of the weekend finishing up preparing my #Thinkpad #R400 (7440-WGG) to sell. While my time on the #pro-leisure-circuit has been great digging into the #IBM and #Lenovo Thinkpad appreciation cult, I do not need all these #laptops and could use some spending money for other projects. And what the hell, I included the #T400 (2768-BN2) that I picked up for spare parts to fix/upgrade the #R400. Hopefully this bundle will be enticing for someone.

My post went to the local #craigslist, the #vintagecomputing communities I am in, and over on thinkpads.com:
forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.

I would hate to take these parts to #ewaste and figured someone in the various communities could use these parts & would be interested.

Some #pictures are attached but check out the thinkpads.com #forum post for all the items & #images.
And if interested – feel free to reach out.

#EFM #eflea #siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware #sanfranvintagehardware
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware #computerHistory #retro #VCF #vintageComputerFestival
#retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware #laptop #laptops
#IBM #thinkpad #thinkpads #VintageThinkPad #X86 #WindowsVista #IBMhardware #lenovoHardware #Thinkpadnium
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #ThinkPadRepair #WasteNotWantNot
#forSale #forTrade

The front of a ThinkPad T400The back of A ThinkPad T400 with the battery removedA ThinkPad R400 booted into the BIOS, showing the configuration and the CD/DVD tray openAn open ThinkPad T400, showing the keyboard and LCD screen
2024-12-17

I spent some of my weekend finishing up preparing my two #Thinkpad #W500 “mobile workstations” to sell. While my time on the #pro-leisure-circuit has been great digging into the #IBM and #Lenovo Thinkpad appreciation cult, I do not need all these #laptops and could use some spending money for other projects.
The one #W500 4061-B13 is running #Windows10 #x86 Enterprise #LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel), and the other is a W500 4062-4FU for parts/upgrades, along with 6 spare batteries. Between the two W500’s, there is a nice ThinkPad here. Hopefully this bundle will be enticing for someone.

My post went to the local #craigslist, the #vintagecomputing communities I am in, and over on thinkpads.com:
forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.

I would hate to take these parts to #ewaste and figured someone in the various communities could use these parts & would be interested.

Some #pictures are attached but check out the thinkpads.com #forum post for all the items & #images.
And if interested – feel free to reach out.

#EFM #eflea #siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware #sanfranvintagehardware
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware #computerHistory #retro #VCF #vintageComputerFestival
#retrocomputing #retroComputers #WallOfRetro #retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #computerHardware #laptop #laptops
#IBM #thinkpad #thinkpads #VintageThinkPad #X86 #WindowsVista #IBMhardware #lenovoHardware #Thinkpadnium
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #ThinkPadRepair #WasteNotWantNot
#forSale #forTrade

An open ThinkPad W500 mobile workstation, showing the screen and keyboard with the Windows 10 login screenA view of the left side of a  ThinkPad W500 mobile workstation, showing all the ports and connectorsAn open ThinkPad W500 mobile workstation, showing the top of the lid and baseAn open ThinkPad W500 mobile workstation, showing the screen and keyboard

Client Info

Server: https://mastodon.social
Version: 2025.04
Repository: https://github.com/cyevgeniy/lmst