PSA: Resources for classic ThinkPads & modern ThinkPads (2020 list)

[iamdmc]

Hi all

As I've been expanding my classic ThinkPad fleet, I find myself increasingly hunting drivers, FRU lists, places to buy parts, machine type lookup, etc.

So here's a shortcut that might be of some use! Mainly for classic models but links for modern ThinkPads too. All links live and correct as of 18 March 2020

General info on ThinkPads: https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkWiki

FRU lookup: https://libthinkpad.github.io/fru/

Drivers: https://download.lenovo.com/eol/index.html & https://thinkpads.com/support/Thinkpad- ... index.html & https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/

Lenovo parts lookup (more for newer models, can be used to find model factory config): https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/partslookup

Machine type lookup: http://tp.krelay.de/index.php?type=%25s & http://psref.lenovo.com &

Lenovo warranty lookup (more for newer models): https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/gb/en/warrantylookup#

Best forums for help: https://old.reddit.com/r/thinkpad & https://forum.thinkpads.com (thanks Bill Morrow) & https://thinkpad-forum.de/content/ (German language, but can use google chrome's built-in translation) & https://forum.51nb.com/forum.php (Chinese language-sorry for my ignorance I don't know which one-but use google chrome to translate)

Best place to find classic thinkpads or parts for sale: viewforum.php?f=11 & https://old.reddit.com/r/thinkpadsforsale/ & https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/gb/en/partsorder & facebook marketplace & ebay & aliexpress (parts only)

I'll update if I can think of anything else! Please post any resources you know of and I'll update the list

[RealBlackStuff]

I have to wholly disagree with you about reddit.
They are an obnoxious bunch of mostly ignorants, asking for info about things that have been posted numerous times, posting dog&cat pictures and giving mostly useless answers, in the most UNorganised way I have ever come across.

[iamdmc]

I have to wholly disagree with you about reddit.
They are an obnoxious bunch of mostly ignorants, asking for info about things that have been posted numerous times, posting dog&cat pictures and giving mostly useless answers, in the most UNorganised way I have ever come across.

that's your right

the list is in no particular order (i.e. I do not place reddit above forum.thinkpads.com). Been coming here MUCH longer than I've been on reddit but have found good people on both sites

Still I hope the info is useful to some!

[Saucey]

ThinkWiki is basically dead, there's one or two people updating pages and all the site admins have basically abandoned the site.
Consider the German ThinkPad Wiki , it has much more thinkpads listed and is quite a nice resource.

I did not know about the FRU lookup and it would cut down on my homework for finding parts now. Thank you for that.

[cadillacmike68]

ThinkWiki is basically dead, there's one or two people updating pages and all the site admins have basically abandoned the site.
Consider the German ThinkPad Wiki , it has much more thinkpads listed and is quite a nice resource.

I did not know about the FRU lookup and it would cut down on my homework for finding parts now. Thank you for that.

OK, but there's not much, if anything to add to the classic models, thinkwiki is still good for many.

[Radioguy]

John McDonnell deserves a mention, I think. Some invaluable stuff there.

http://www.mcdonnelltech.com/guides/

[RealBlackStuff]

Oldies, but goldies:
http://www.ibmfiles.com/ibmfiles/
http://john.ccac.rwth-aachen.de:8000/ft ... rg/pccbbs/

[iamdmc]

Great resources - thanks all!

[RealBlackStuff]

To find more info, check this "oldie" post: Legacy thinkpad resources...old IBM pccbbs mirrors

[28CarsLater]

"John McDonnell deserves a mention, I think. Some invaluable stuff there."

I very much agree, John was even kind enough to provide me the R500 whitelist BIOS after all the links I found were dead.