Expand the FAQ/Increase Stickies PETITION Update

Via Private Message:

Lastly, I no longer condone nor suggest the private messaging of ZaZ with the "official" PETITION message. Thanks for reading and supporting the petition effort.

 

Yeh man, I figured somethin like this would happen. As the starter of this whole thing, you should probably be the only one who PM's. Making mods angry won't help getting this plan into action.

 

I am not the starter of this "thing," there are others behind me even if you are not. You would be more apprised of the situation with the FAQ if you were around here before July 2007. We've done all we can in terms of trying to expand the FAQ. Don't marginalize it by calling my dedicated efforts "making mods angry."

 

I'm all for a faq (maybe not quite as passionate about it as you lol), but I too saw this coming when you encouraged sending identical pm's to a mod.

Maybe as ZaZ suggested, put something together yourself? It's alot different just asking someone to do something like that vs already having something that you are just asking to be posted.

 

At this point, you'd be taking a vacation from the forum at thinkpads.com, but then, I'm probably not as forgiving as Zaz.

 

Yeah thinkpads.com doesn't put up with much- quoting too much of a long post, even "top posting" or bottom quoting or whatever it's called will get you in trouble. Making your links too long. Can't even imagine how this would go over.

 

Yeah, we are a little stricter than other forums, aren't we? ;-)

 

Well, I'm not a member there so I'm not sure. I just noticed some warnings in posts from searches that landed me in that forum.

Wait, why are you winking at me? lol Because this forum isn't strict? (I agree)

 

Honestly, I'm not really that passionate, I just really hate how he responded. Why did he just respond to me? You want to talk about the PMing on the side? Understandable. But he also ignored both threads in their entirety. I think he prioritized the PMing issue over anything you clods have to say about the FAQ or stickies or whatever.

I don't know what you're reading Leon, but I clearly mentioned that we weren't leaving it up to simply him to fix the FAQ that we would all pitch in to come up with material for the FAQ as soon as he gave us a green light or assured us that he would check out some of the stuff we talked about. Just what are you reading?

If you guys want to criticize me, I can understand a difference of opinion. But at least have the respect to fully understand what my opinion is before you decide that yours differs from it. Maybe the Lenovo forums are really un-savable when there exist people who refuse to read.

If you think my post was too long to read and you don't feel like reading it, please don't. Don't torture yourself, but most importantly, don't torture us with comments that are completely pointless. Thanks.

 

Even thinkpads.com has better stickies than here. If ZaZ agrees to check out our stuff when we post it, all is jolly in NBR land and he can delete this thread, ban me for 30 days, w/e I'll martyr myself. But if this is heading the direction of last time (ie. Here's the kind of stuff I'm thinking for the FAQ and then disappearing off the face of the earth), then I think this thread is warranted.

 

Yeah, I understand that. My point was that maybe if you already had something ready to go, it'd be harder for him to say no about it. That's all.

Johnny, you've had my back when others have replied before bothering to read my posts, so I'm sorry if I misunderstood something you wrote. I did read, but I'm still not sure what in my post got you upset enough to call names about.

And you have to admit- and just to be clear, I understand the responsibility is not on you- but consider if you'd have put half as much work into writing a sticky as you have put into writing about them, and put into getting on the rest of us and mods alike about it. It'd be done! lol

 

Yes, yes we are. A tad bit unfair and quick to judge IMHO

 

Sorry, Leon, I guess I was a little excited about the situation and the tone carried over to my response to you. But, like I said earlier, people did provide suggestions after ZaZ talked about how he wanted only Thinkpad-specific things in the FAQ, but he never came back!!! This is why I wanted to PM him, to get his attention. I can't say this enough.

 

Pointing to a few suggestions someone else made is not writing something up. Also the more in depth it is, the more it must be maintained as the issues du jour change frequently. I am also here on a volunteer basis and quite frankly already donate enough time.

The other choice is to throw up an open sticky in which users can post information. Over time it will get long and bloated making it hard to find information. I would cite the free software sticky in the software forum as an example. There's lots of good stuff in there, but if it's on page 13, most people won't get that far. Sure someone could go through it pick out all the good stuff and write up a nice summary, but that takes a lot of time.

To be most helpful the F.A.Q. should be short like no more than a page and contain information that is ThinkPad specific because there are other forums that offer help in those areas like software installation. We certainly could tell people that along with telling them to search before posting. If someone wants to write something up, I would consider it.

 

Thanks Zaz for the helpful response, I appreciate your work around the forums!

 

Thank you ZaZ for your response. I am currently writing some possible additions to the FAQ. And hopefully, everyone can contribute as well.

 

How to do a clean install...

This is the best clean install guide with an authorization back-up utility (don't have to call for activation) and proven to work with Thinkpads:
Orev's Clean Install Guide

That guide should be followed up by installing the Chipset Driver first from intel.com
Download: Chipset Driver for T61

Download: Chipset Driver for T60

Then all of the other necessary drivers from Lenovo:
Download Drivers: Lenovo Support & Drivers

 

Once I start working this full time now that school as finished (well besides a week of vacation coming up) I should be able to help expanding or adding in updated parts to the FAQ if they are good contributions.

Also, please know that I will *not* stick anything in the FAQ that is gray zone/iffy legal wise. Things like the passed around discount codes will not fly (the shareholder program). Also goes along with the EPP discounts. Other info can be added, just think to yourself "would this get anyone in trouble" before adding to the discussion.

 

I just want to clarify that I wasn't calling you guys clods. I was parenthetically doing it to describe my view of how ZaZ didn't respect your opinions, if that makes sense. Anyhow, I'm not trying to start anything with ZaZ right now because he's already acknowledged the effort; I'm just clarifying what you thought was me calling you names.

 

Dont forget gals if you're serious about that

Ppl won't overlook us as much in another 18 months when there's a woman prez.

 

Sorry. Next time I'll remember to add herstory and huwoman into my repertoire.

 

Links/Guides

ThinkPad RAM Install Guide (T61, T61p)
Upgrading your memory? Look no further.

ThinkPad Hard Drive Install Guide (T61, T61p)
Upgrading your hard drive? Look no further.

ThinkPad Windows Clean Install Guide
Just got your computer and it's running incredibly slow? Do a clean install to get rid of all the junk software.

ThinkPad Discounts/Special Pricing Guide
Look here to find the most commonly used discounts on ThinkPad laptops.

ThinkPad Personal Systems Reference Guide
Linked below is the ThinkPad Personal Systems Reference Guide. It is a list of ThinkPad models and their configurations. It lists the graphics card, battery size, length of warranty, etc. If you are looking for information on a particular model or would like to know which ThinkPads have what you need, here it is.

Check Your ThinkPad Warranty Status
The link below allows you to look up the warranty status of your ThinkPad notebook. ThinkPad warranties are different than most other notebooks. They follow the machine, not the buyer. No registration or proof of purchase is ever necessary. If you sell your ThinkPad, there is no need to transfer the warranty. Machine type and serial number are required to look it up:

ThinkPad Parts Lookup
Lastly, you can find out what parts were used to make your ThinkPad. Which keyboard did I get? Do I have the Samsung or LG LCD screen? You can find this information and much more using the link if you didn't know already. Enter your machine type and serial number, and it will list all the parts used to make your ThinkPad.
Keyboard FRU's (T61, R61)
14.1" LCD Screen FRU's (T61, R61)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lenovo have a price protection policy?
If you find a lower price within 30 days after your purchase, you can call to get a price match done.

I think this is going to be the lowest price for weeks, but I don't want to buy just yet. Can I save this price for a later purchase?
Do everything you would do when ordering excepting when you get to the last page, do not submit order and select "Convert to Price Quote" instead. Save the Price Quote order number and present it to a customer service rep within 30 days to convert the price quote into an order.

How do the extended batteries look aesthetically?
On 14.1" T61 and R61, 4-cell batteries are flush with the back and 6-/7- cell batteries stick out about an inch. On 15.1" T61, 6-cell batteries are flush with the back and 9-cell batteries stick out about an inch.

I'm too lazy to find X. Can you tell me where it is?
X is here.

 

I'm in dire need of reps, everyone.

Like ZaZ has mentioned before, new users probably will ask first and search/read FAQ later. As such, we don't need questions that have "Yes" or "No" answers in the FAQ as we might as well just respond to those in the thread. However, for questions more long-winded, we can post them in the FAQ so we can just answer "Read the FAQ" if new users ask those questions.