Can't locate my type / model number on my T400: please help!

I bought a refurbished T400 off of ebay and am now trying to sort out exactly what model I purchased.

To complicate matters, I think it was originally from Lenovo Singapore!
Looking at the underside of the laptop, it has a lot of Chinese characters.

As far I can tell, the type # 6475. Usually this is followed by a 3-letter code as well, and I can't seem to find that.

The reason I ask is because I'm trying to use the ThinkVantage system updater, and I read in another post that you need to put the exact type/model number into some of the registry keys in order to get it to work. Currently I'm just getting "Error 75" when I try to update.

I've tried just "6475", but that doesn't work.

There's some numbers on the Windows Vista sticker, aside from the key, but they don't appear to be in the right format.

Is there any other way to determine what the model is?

Help please!

PS: I also can't seem to find a correctly-formatted serial number either. Any suggestions?

 

try everest (it has free trial version)
in everest go to: computer-summary-scroll down to dmi. there you will see serial number of yout motherboard (dmi serial number)

link to everest http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=3&ps=UE&lang=en

 

Thanks for the tip. I tried it (the full version) out, however, and it doesn't have any motherboard serial number.

It has a BIOS version, System version (T400), DMA System UUID,. That's about it! Everything else is blank or says, "Not available".

 

try going to the lenovo support page below and click auto detect... should give you your machine type and serial number

DD

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=LOOK-WARNTY#sw

 

Should be in the BIOS.

 

There should be a sticker about Windows Vista Business OEM Act Lenovo Singapore.

Next you see a black sticker with chinese, korean, japanese and english warnings about the power supply. Next to that is a "manufactured for "Lenovo Singapore" label, which does not mean it is meant for the Singapore market (Lenovo Singapore probably directs the models that are shipped from China to the different markets).

To the bottom of that label should be a sticker with a model number. On the right is the MAC address.

If you still can't find the model, press F1 during boot up to access the BIOS. You should find what you want there.

 

Thanks everyone for your replies. Still no luck. What the hell kind of laptop is this?!

dealsdeamon: The link you gave does not have an auto-detect option (???).

ZaZ: In the BIOS, I can find the BIOS Version, MAC Address, etc, but no model or serial number. " System-unit serial number" is blank, as is " System board serial number". If the model number or serial number are in there somewhere, I can't find them. I've looked through all the menus and sub menus I can find, but I can't find either. Any suggestions where to look in the BIOS? (BIOS Version 1.16 -- 7UET46WW)

mtkc: Yes, there is a white sticker for Windows Vista Business OEMAct Lenovo Singapore.

Below that sticker is a small black sticker, "TX FCC ID or IC Certification number for an installed WWAN transmitter card located under the customer removable keyboard". There is a duplicate of this sticker up and to the left, beside the replicator port.

There are two large black labels: The large one says "lenovo", has the type nmber (6475), info about the battery, voltage and amperage. The smaller of the two is to the right of the big one, has the "FC" logo, and states, "Manufactured for Lenovo (Singapore). Made in China".

There is a small rectangle below this box, but there's no sticker. There's no MAC address listed. Maybe the sticker was removed!

Could this laptop just be type 6475 and have no model number? ?!

 

your model number is T400.

 

angle123: Sigh...

I know it's a T400, as indicated in the post title. I'm looking for the 3-digit/letter model number to complete the 7-digital product ID. I know it's type is 6475. All other T400s I've read about out there also have a 3-digit/letter model number after the 4-digit type number. That's what I'm wondering about, so I could get the ThinkVantage updater working.

Someone else pointed out that I could use: 6475CTO
I'm thinking that CTO is like a default model number, but I'm not sure.

Still no idea what my serial number is, though..

 

when i look at my part # i see "2764CTO"

when i look at the bottom there is a sticker that says the same "2764-CTO"

are you seeing 6475 on the same sticker on the bottom?

 

why do you want to use system update? manual updating drivers is better anyway.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/s...ind=0&operatingsystemind=343518&validate=true

 

No, I think the sticker which normally displays that info looks to have been removed off the notebook (it's refurb from a small-time seller who got it from some "guy").

Out of curiosity, what are the full specs on your machine? I'm curious if I have anything different from yours.

 

Quimbly, sorry this is turning out to be such a chore.

This is the correct link for auto detection. Note that you must be using Internet Explorer, and it installs an Internet Explorer plug-in.

Another easy way, if your system has the ThinkVantage Productivity Center installed, is to press the blue ThinkVantage button and look for System Information in the menus.

I personally don't use ThinkVantage System Update, as I run a very minimal set of ThinkVantage tools. Vista does the job on its own.

 

I wonder if your computer was put together from replacement parts. New replacement parts would not have the serial numbers on them, but when replacing a motherboard, the technician is supposed to enter the type and serial numbers into the EEPROM on the new motherboard.

It seems that the bottom case of your computer is also a replacement part. On the bottom of the computer there should be a small black and white sticker with the complete 7-digit machine type, serial number and production date. CTO means a "configure to order" machine, but the system's actual machine type should be on the black and white sticker.

On my T42, the big black sticker shows "Type 2373." The small black and white sticker shows "Type 2373-CTO," the serial number XX-XXXXX, date "05/07" and "Product ID 2373Y8S."

If you do find out your machine type and serial number, you might be able to enter it into the BIOS. I recall seeing such an option the last time I updated the BIOS on my T42. Don't know if using it incorrectly will brick your machine though, so if it were me I would just leave it alone.

 

I tried using Lenovo's auto-detect feature using IE. It worked, but failed to determine the part number or serial number.

The item was refurbished, so it's possible that the motherboard was replaced and the technician didn't input a new serial number. As to why the sticker on the bottom was removed, I have no idea. The ebay seller said that he bought it from another seller on ebay who said the serial number was removed when he got it from a company that went out of business. Hearsay's hearsay.

Uhhh. Well, I guess I'll not be getting a recovery disc from Lenovo, as I really doubt they'll give me one without a serial number.

I believe I can everything installed and working properly doing manual driver installs, but it's a pain.

Thanks anyway, gang.

 

Why don't you ask them.

 

I've seen a few of those types of T400s for sale on eBay. Check out this auction 150337002474 from some place in New Jersey. My guess is this is where your computer came from. Good luck!