Need Help w/ IBM Thinkpad R40

[Rowan]

I purchased an IBM Open Bay laptop which is a R40 Type 2722 on ebay. I'm having trouble finding out what type of Dial Up modem it takes. I've found a56K V.92 PCMCIA Card at the link below that says it's compatable with my Thinkpad Model.
I'm new to this buying different components for a laptop, so that leads me to my question. If I purchased this Card where exactly would it go on my laptop? Thanks for any help in advance.

PCMCIA Card

 

[hjo3]

Yes, that card should work with your laptop. PCMCIA/Cardbus is a standard, just like PCI in regular desktops. That means you don't usually need to worry about models or anything. If your machine has a PCMCIA slot, it can take a PCMCIA card. And that model has a slot that accepts all the types of cards (I/II/III).

The site you linked to looks super-chintzy. As a rule of thumb, I don't buy things from web sites that look like they were made in 1995. Here's a somewhat better alternative:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=39-130-001&depa=0

As for where it would go... usually there's a slot on the left side. It probably has a little button next to it which pops out, allowing you to eject cards.

 

[Yomicron]

Yes, that modem will work, the R40 has one PCMCIA slot on the left side.

I wasn't aware that there was an R40 that didn't have an integrated modem. What are the last three characters of the type/model number? (2722-xxx)

 

[Rowan]

The entire Type number is 2722-XXC

I found it odd also that there was no modem whatsoever. This is a link to the laptop listing on ebay.

IBM R40

All they sent me was the laptop, adapter, and some kind of instruction booklet. They didn't include the info for the warranty and the 256mb stick of Ram. When I called them to tell them what they forgot to send me, I had to fight with them over the fact that I didn't get everything. The guy said to me "If you find the RAM that orginally came with it, would you send it back?"....:|

I got none of the things listed under the Device drivers/utilities section, I took it to mean there would be no OS; but there would be the following included Norton AntiVirus 2003 OEM Version, PC Doctor Diagnostics, ThinkPad Configuration Utility. I called back once again to ask about what I listed above, and I was told that's what one gets when they purchase something listed as Open Bay; meaning the laptop, adapter, and instruction booklet. He also told me I was lucky that they even included the RAM. I must say I haven't been pleased with this transaction at all. This is the first problem I've had of this sort on ebay.

 

[Yomicron]

The auction page says

We guarantee that this item will arrive as described in this auction.

The specs on IBM's site doesn't list it as coming with RAM, but the auction does. So you should get the RAM and the modem.

As for the software, you aren't missing much, Norton AntiVirus OEM is just a 90 day trial and the rest is available for download from the R40's driver page

Are you sure it doesn't have a modem? is the modem jack covered up?

 

[Rowan]

Unless the modem is inside the laptop like the processor, then no there is no modem; and the laptop hasn't been able to find one installed. The space where I tought the modem would go on the bottom of the laptop, the connector cables there are unlike any I've ever seen that connect to modems. The only other place where anything goes on the bottom of the laptop is where the memory goes. The modem jack isn't covered up. This laptop has me so confuzzled. I'm sure it will be nice once I get it working.

 

[Yomicron]

I just checked and the modem card for the R40 is located under the keyboard. It isn't listed as customer replaceable, so it is unlikely it was removed.

The panel on the bottom is for the wireless card.


In case you need it, there is lots of information on the 2722-XXC support page

 

[Dennis Travis]

>ThinkPad R4000
>P M 1.3GHz, 256MB RAM, 15 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, Open bay, Wireless upgradeable, Modem(CDC), >Ethernet(LOM), Secure Chip(TCPA), IEEE 1394, 8 cell battery, No preload

He says there is a Modem. What OS are you running? Are you sure it's not under Other Devices in the Device Manager in Windows? Get the driver from the links above. I bet it's there. Do you see a phone jack anywhere on the sides of the thinkpad? If there is no modem he lied and I would contact Ebay.

 

[Rowan]

I'm running Windows 2000, and no the modem isn't listed under Other Devices. Everytime I have tried to contact this seller his reply is always " You got all that one gets when they purchase something that is considered Open Bay". I have called IBM and tried to ask them where the modem goes and what kind of modem this laptop takes; and they seem clueless. They have been really helpful though, and so much easier to talk to since their Tech Support is in the USA. My previous laptop was a Dell from Hell and trying to deal with their tech support was worse than whatever problem I was calling about.