Silencing the ThinkPad x61

ThinkPad x61 is one of the best laptops ever produced, period. In fact they are one of the last laptops using the golden 4:3 screen ratio. However I desire 0dB laptops and nearly bought a fanless Zenbook UX305A. I bought a UX31E before and even being one of the quitest laptops around, they are too loud for me.

Using an under-volted external fan, the near-0dB silence was achieved.

1) Install the program to control the fan speed called "TPFanControl"
https://sourceforge.net/projects/tp4xfancontrol/

2) Buy a ThermalTake Pure8 80mm fan ($8) and power it using 9v which. Cut a small piece of cardboard to create a 'tunnel' towards x61's vents and direct the airflow INTO it.

At 9v, the external fan is so quiet it is absolutely inaudible at 30cm distance from my ears. In fact my wife's Zenbook UX21e's fan at 3 meters away was piercing my ears in this quiet nigt! As I type this the ThinkPad's temperature is sitting in a cool 56° celcius. 

The inward flow of air is fine, when absolutely needed, X61's internal fan is strong enough to counteract the flow. I've never needed this except when running CPU load tests :). The added bonus is cooling airflow on top of the keyboard. No more sweaty fingers in summer.

I'm sure this would work on other ThinkPad models such as x40 or x41 as well as they have similar cooling hardware.

Have a quiet night !

Discussions on ThinkPad forum here:
http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=120837

Samsung Plasma TV Clicking, Won't Turn On

Appliance:
Samsung PS43D450A2M 43" Plasma TV bought from Good Guys, Australia. About 3 years old.

Problem:
TV won't turn on

Symptoms:
When connected to power there is audible, multiple clicking sound. Once the clicking stops, the remote indicator led blinks periodically.

Investigation:

• There is a well known underrated capacitor issue (capacitor bulging) however upon inspection of the PSU, the capacitors were fine. There was no visible fluid, bulging, nor burn marks.
• Tried to disconnect XSUS board: Clicking stopped (TV still not on). So I suspected that the XSUS is broken. If the clicking had not stopped, then it could be the YSUS, or both.

Solution:
Bought XSUS replacement board from ebay (search the "PBA NO"). From further reading here I found out that I can buy a later revision (better??). I bought it from user 'grr_price-attack' for $50 shipped from the UK to Melbourne, Australia.

Also the later revision is easier to get hence lower price.

Original:
PCB NO: LJ41-09478A
PBA NO: LJ92-01796A
REV NO: R1.6 (10/12/01)

Changed with:
PCB NO: LJ41-09478A
PBA NO: LJ92-01796A
REV NO: R1.8 (11/05/24)

Upon replacement, the TV works well :)

After replacement I upgraded the Firmware. Quite simple, just download the file from Samsung's website and put in USB stick.

http://www.samsung.com/nz/support/model/PS43D450A2MXRD-downloads

Kenwood Chef speed control problem

Symptoms:
Speed control is not working, it would go from Stop to Full Power once turned on.

 

To gain access to electronic module, flip the unit and remove the lever locking mechanism.

Mark the cable position so that you do not forget, and unplug.

















Remove clips on the white cover and gain access to the electronic module. It is quite simple and the likely issue is the TRIAC. Order and replace this.

The TRIAC is BTA208-600B. I bought mine from x-on.com.au. They are only $1 each and I bought 3 of them as spare, shipped for $20 to Melbourne.

Link: Triac BTA208-600B

Once replaced, the speed control works properly :)

Canon Powershot S30 'dreaded' E18 Error

I have a Canon Powershot S30 digicam which I bought in 2002. Since then I have taken 9999 + 2500 photos without any issues. However after the kids dropped it early 2006, it came up with an 'E18' code when being turned on. The lens would move a bit and then there was a short beep.

Quick search in google on 'E18 error' returned 204,000 returns... ? And there is even a very useful website dedicated to this issue: www.e18error.com. I suggest you go and have a look.

The error refers to mechanical failure on the zoom lens, which caused by minor issue like sand grain and small drops. Why .... there is also an attempt for class action lawsuit.  You just need to fill out the form :)

Few easy thing can be tried to fix the problem. Check this instruction first (.pdf). If nothing works then it's time to disassemble the camera unless you have spare $150 for service. If you have an IXUS camera go to this german website for very detailed instruction. I could not find any references to disassemble the S-series cameras and will try to write my experiences here.

Canon S30 disassembly instruction

note: I found the process is a bit challenging and intricate. There are 4 types of screws and so many different types of connectors. I did broke few connecting latch and in the end had few 'extra' screws. Don't have any idea where those should go but it works fine anyway... Try the first few steps and if you're daunted don't do it! 

•  Take off battery, compact flash card. Remove outer screws. They are not over-tighteneded and quite easy to do.
• Open the battery lid and remove back casing unit. There are 3 notches at the top of the camera.
• Remove the brushed alloy metal strip. There is a locking latch approximately at the center-top of the camera.
• Remove front casing unit. There will be a cable which connect to sliding cover (on-off switch). Disconnect the motherboard end of this wire.
  
• Remove LCD unit. There is one screw hidden behind a ribbon cable so you need to disconnect these cables first.
• Behind the LCD there will be 3 black screws which secure the lens unit. Remove these.
• Turn over the camera, and from the front, remove right-hand side motherboard. Disconnect all ribbon cables, microphone cable, and speaker cables first.
• Unscrew the left-hand side motherboard. No need to disconnect the ribbon cables which attached to the lens unit at this time.
•  Remove the screw which attaches the flash unit to the chassis. It is hidden behind a ribbon cable. and no need to remove the flash unit.
• Now you should be able to remove the lens unit, along with left-hand side motherboard. Do this carefully, then disconnect the lens unit along with the left motherboard (once it's off the chassis).
• Remove the screw which connects the lens unit and viewfinder+autofocus light. It will still held by a ribbon cable and it's ok. Just handle it carefully.
• Remove the black screws which holds the gears in place. Then pull carefully the sensor attachment from the lens part (don't unscrew the sensor itself - the star shaped screws!). You should be able to see the gears. I could not remove the front lens assembly since there is a ribbon cable connecting to autofocus motor within the lens unit. But this is ok and not required. Just handle carefully.
• Remove the gears *very carefully* and remembering their place. The last gear is only slid to a flimsy steel rod. Don't drop and loose this! Did I say *carefully* ? 

• Now you can try to move the zoom cogwheel. Don't force it if it does  not move. It is the exact problem. I just tapped the front lens metal a bit and then try to move the cogwheel slowly. It finally does turn, and when being moved, the lens would extend and retract nicely. Do this few times to make sure the movements are smooth.
• Reverse the process to assemble the camera. Now the S30 can take beautiful pictures again...

New Zealand, taken with Canon S30

One of my nicer business trips replacing Token Ring routers!