Just bought a Japanese 755CE

[evening_hunger]

Yes, sure. I just noticed my Linux attempts were a bit on the slow side on this 486DX4-100. Most likely, my software wasn't archaic enough - the kernel I ran (2.4.27) came out in 2004-5, so it's 10 years younger than the CPU. So, obviously, I just need to switch to an even more archaic, and I'm currently testing Debian 2.2 (aka "Potato") from 1999. Windows runs fine, but it's way older than Potato... (edit: checket, and 2.2 Potato is indeed way faster on the 755CE than newer Debians. But on the 28mb even this one swaps a lot. Maybe once I have more RAM soon...).

Now, the CPU thing is just me toying with the idea. If I had all those chips lying around, I would enjoy some switcharoos. Maybe one day.

edit: I know there are/were many attempts to run Linux on ancient hardware using modern kernels and distros such as Alpine Linux. But none of those distributions destined for old laptops comes even close to being suited for a 28mb-RAM machine...

[evening_hunger]

Epic fail.
Got the RAM I bought for the machine from the US. I've waited like a month for this package. In short, the plan was to replace a 4mb sodimm with a 16mb.
Those are 72-pin sodimm-s. The auction title and description stated that the sold item is "16MB 72-pin 60ns 3.3v 72pin SODIMM FPM". I'll be darn if it has 72 pins, IMHO there are 84 ones. So, no cigar. I joint in a photo of my big dissapointment. Top: the 4mb original (which now goes back into the 755CE, sadly), bottom: the not-so-much-really-72pins module.

https://imgur.com/a/9PiQACM

The seller is very reputable, so I think there won't be any issues, but just a shame to waste so much time.

[axur-delmeria]

This might be controversial and whilst in some cases I can see the point in upgrading a process (for instance, you need a maths coprocessor to get to W95) but in many cases (seemingly to me, such as these) I don't see the point in fudging a really old some computer's CPU to run a slightly less older CPU - which will effectively run almost the same archaic, out-dated software....

I think it's something like the "I want to max out this laptop" thingy.

[evening_hunger]

I'm not too concerned with maxing it out.
Once I have my OS loaded and some software onboard in Linux with this 755CE, I have 604kB free. 8mB of swap is taken. If I raised the RAM by 12mb, it would swap less.

The CPU thing is indeed far less justified, and is mostly for fun. I don't expect any significant changes in this system should that be done (and I'm not pursuing it).

Now all that said, I hope we can remember that this is a forum for enthusiasts of old Thinkpad systems. Of what I see, axur-delmeria has a 14yo main driver X220, and solidpro has a 30+ or so collection of antique Thinkpads from the 90s. None of this things is in any way logical. So you gentlemen have your own dose of absurd in your computing hobby. Now please step aside and let me do idiotic things.

I'm a computational scientist, I work daily in supercomputing, using 10k-core machines with terabytes of RAM and petabytes of storage. There's where I'll go if I need "fast". In here, I need 'fun'.

[astral]

30+ or so collection

I think you've far underestimated solidpro's vintage thinkpad addiction...

[axur-delmeria]

The X220 is only 12 years old (it was released in 2011). As for why...

* Love the keyboard (though I have an SK-8855 so I'm somewhat prepared for the inevitable 6-row Thinkpads )

* It can still keep up with my computing needs

* It's still working (why replace if it's not completely broken )

[astral]

those xx20 keyboards are just magical.

[solidpro]

I think you've far underestimated solidpro's vintage thinkpad addiction...

I want someone to make it stop, but there is always something new popping up....

[axur-delmeria]

I want someone to make it stop, but there is always something new popping up....

Here's one way:
Any thinkpads.com forum member you've interacted with who manages to reach your home gets to take home one vintage Thinkpad from your collection.

[solidpro]

The ones that are usually in arms reach are cursed so I would gladly accept that outcome...!

[evening_hunger]

@axur-delmeria
Do I look like I don't have the X220? (modded, but the same godlike keyboard...). Actually I believe in around 2018 I spilled beer on it (dead keyboard) and that let me justify the switch to the real deal Alps keyboard. Any X220 keyboard is great, but with Alps it's just otherwordly

Concerning solidpro's collection... I'm in awe, seriously. I would have a hard time justifying it 'cause I like using all my machines every so often, and with 30+?

(OTOH the feeling of digging up my 27th laptop for the first time in 4 years... just to see what's there ... ok I'm gonna click through to Ebay just very quick...)

[solidpro]

I know this is OT but this is how 'the collection' is going (ripped from a spreadsheet, the 1s indicate a A/A+ example or brand new. There are a lot more but they're on a massive 'work in progress' shelf.... Posting incase anyone spots something I don't have and wants to sell it!

Z50 workpad 1 1
PC110 1 1 1 1

220
230CS 1
235 1 1 1
240 1 1
240X 1
240Z 1

300 1
300C
310 1
310D
310E
310ED 1
315D
320
330C 1
330CS 1
340 1 1 1
340C
340CSE 1
345C
345CS 1
350
350C 1
355
355C
355CS
360
360C 1
360CE 1 1
360CS
360CS
360CSE 1
360P
360PE
365C
365CD
365CS
365CSD
365E 1
365ED
365X 1 1
365XD 1
370C 1
380
380D 1 1
380E 1 1
380ED 1 1
380XD 1 1
380Z 1 1 1 1 1
385D
385ED
385XD
390
390E 1 1 1 5
390X 1 1 1

500
510CS
530CS
535
535E
535X 1
550BJ
555BJ
560 1 1
560E 1 1
560X 1 1
560Z 1 1
570 1 1 1
570E

600 1
600E 1 1 1 1 2
600X 1 1 1

700
700C 1 1
700T 1
701C 1 1 1
701CS
710T 1
720
720C 1
730T
730TE 1
750
750C 1 1
750CS 1 1
750P
755C 1 1
755CD
755CDV
755CE
755CS
755CSE
755CV
755CX 1 1
760C
760CD
760E
760ED 1
760EL 1
760ELD
760L
760LD

760XD 1
765D
765L
770 1
770E
770ED 1
770X 1 1
770Z

800
820
821
822
823
850
851
860

A20M 1 1
G40 1
G41 1

R30
R31 1
R32
R40 1
R40e 1
R50
R50e 1 1 1
R50p
R51 1
R51e 1
R52
R60e 1 1
R61 1 1 1 1 1
R61i 1 1 1 1

S30 1
S31 1

T20 1
T21 1
T22 1 1 1
T23 1
T30 1 1
T40 1 1
T40p
T41 1 1 1
T41p 1
T42 1 1 1
T42p 1 1 1
T43
T43p
T60
T61 1
T61p

X20 1 1 1
X21
X22
X23
X24
X30 1
X31 1 1 1
X32 1 1 1
X40
X41 1
X41T 1 1
X60
X60T 1
X60S 1 1
X61 1
X61s 1

Z60m 1
Z61p 1
Z60t 1

X200 1

[evening_hunger]

Ah, so that's the game.
We're not talking 30 machines indeed, I admit I did not expect being wrong about one order of magnitude.

There are 188 lines here and 197 1s, so we're talking anywhere between 200 and 385 machines because, unfortunately, there's still ambiguity. I don't know if the occurrence of a given model name means you already have it, or is it the case only if there's "1". And due to this, an example line "A20M 1 1" may mean 2 laptops, but may mean even 3 laptops.

But you know, thanks a lot. Now I feel like a Sunday school kid with my 5 Thinkpads I'm sure my wife will greatly appreciate the example... (when justifying my next purchases...)

[solidpro]

Hi

In the original spreadsheet it's just a list of model numbers in the first column and then 5 columns of a tally for how many exist in storage'. So I chalk up a 1 to indicate 1 machine and so on. There are a bunch of other columns describing the machines, specification, condition, and whether the rubber is likely to 'rot'... The aim was really just to have 1 of every single 'badged' model, but as you know you have a really nice one and another one comes along at a reasonable price, it's hard to say no. I'll probably spend the next 20 years slowly selling them!

[evening_hunger]

Oh in that case I'll be among the buyers

[astral]

I know this is OT but this is how 'the collection' is going (ripped from a spreadsheet, the 1s indicate a A/A+ example or brand new. There are a lot more but they're on a massive 'work in progress' shelf.... Posting incase anyone spots something I don't have and wants to sell it!

DUDE! that's a lot of thinkpads... like, a LOT of thinkpads...

i had guessed you probably had 60-70 of them. clearly i underestimated.
impressive.. yeah that must have been a lot of work to get them all working, not to mention the cost...

[Tom81]

Impressive collection, congratulations this Japanese Thinkpad is very nice.

[Tom81]

But you know, thanks a lot. Now I feel like a Sunday school kid with my 5 Thinkpads I'm sure my wife will greatly appreciate the example... (when justifying my next purchases...)

My wife is also angry with me for my collection

[evening_hunger]

Impressive collection, congratulations this Japanese Thinkpad is very nice.

I hope to post some photos in action soon.
I have a small issue with it, when using Linux, I have the graphical desktop allright (aka Xserver), but the top 10-20px are corrupted. This is a challenge but I can post photos and screenshots even with that:)

To tell the truth I'm already slowly fantasizing about rebuilding the battery... The OS seems allright for my taste. (Also the machine is offline, but it's not like anybody can watch 4K Youtube on a 486 so it's no big deal)

[Tom81]

To tell the truth I'm already slowly fantasizing about rebuilding the battery... The OS seems allright for my taste. (Also the machine is offline, but it's not like anybody can watch 4K Youtube on a 486 so it's no big deal)

A good machine for listening to music with a glass of good wine

[evening_hunger]

Added one quick photo https://imgur.com/a/CeVFdhw for this thread.
Sorry for the potato vision, I'll have some more glamour shots sooner or later (this is taken with a weak camera down in the basement). Notably, I'll post some flicks of it open too, I want to consult on the battery pack(s).

At least the machine is turned on, displaying the screen saver in Linux.

I bought a P75 for it, it's on its way. I'm skeptical this will fit, but saw so many post about such compatibility I had to try. The RAM issue I mentioned above (trying to expand it) is still not settled. This RAM is not trivial to get.

[solidpro]

I have 32Mb 755 IC DRAM cards for sale on ebay here: https://tinyurl.com/44bfxf4x

I also have a P75 daughterboard if your one has a problem. I've got loads of 755 spares.