Power button for T20 with no keyboard *PIC*

[x220]

Hello,

I am working on a project to create a wall mounted Jukebox using one of my old T20's that has a shockingly bad case. When the project is complete the keyboard will be removed to save space as the unit will be fitted into a photo frame.

Is there a way to power on a T20 without a keyboard (as the power button is on the keyboard), i.e. jumpers that can be shorted etc...

Thank you in advance.
Jim

Admin edit: Added PIC warning since I included one in my post.

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Usually I would recommend hacking a docking station as it offers benefits such as a larger connection point to deal with and the possibility of swapping out the laptop in case you have a problem with it. Since you're dealing with a space issue and can't use a docking station, then I would offer a solution I just did for another user (a T400 system):

- locate pin 19 of the keyboard connector on the motherboard
- if you short that pin to system ground, it will act like the power switch

I'm at work right now so I don't have access to my T23 motherboard that I use to research such hacks. There may be an easier connection point to use; the same signal should go to the docking port connector. I just took a look at an image I have of a T20 motherboard. Since it uses the same keyboard connector as the T23, it may not be easy to attach a wire to pin 19 (from memory, you can remove the shroud around the connector but I can't remember if the pin is exposed). If you look at the photo I've referenced below, pin 19 is located on the left side of the connector, 10th from the bottom. If you can't get at it there, then you may have to connect to the backside of the motherboard. I'll come back here later tonight with more documentation.

ref: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=115525
ref: http://www.kawakami-ca.com/ibm_t2x/t20_ ... _hires.jpg (T20 motherboard high resolution photo; 3.4MB)

[x220]

Hello, thank you for that advice.

It looks like my soldering skills will be put to the test with getting a wire onto pin 19. I read through the hack on the T400 series laptop and got excited when I read the part about the T400 powering on when connected to the power and the keyboard removed. Unfortuenately that trick didn't work on the T20.

I've got a little work to do on the software side of things, the Jukebox will be running a stripped down linux distro with a stripped back version of XBMC. Then onto configuring LIRC and programming an old VHS remote to control it.

Finally the LCD will be mounted into a photo frame (12x18" I think, with a nice bezel) with the motherboard, USB wireless, home made power adapter and home made amp board fitted behind it, then either add a couple of external speakers or mount a couple of small but powerfull cones.

So far with the XBMC setup it's running smooth and has the relevant plugins to show the artist/album info along with artwork.

Jim

[rkawakami]

Just to be clear, did you use the pin on the keyboard connector in this image:

http://www.kawakami-ca.com/images/t20_k ... _pin19.jpg

System ground should be any place where a chassis screw is used. Places such as:

http://www.kawakami-ca.com/images/t20_m ... rounds.jpg (circled in light blue)

There are many other places where you can pick up system ground. I will verify that this works on one of my T21 systems later tonight. I don't have a T20 but a T21 should work the same.

[x220]

Hello,

Sorry, I'm waffling on off the point (something I have a habit of doing).

I haven't tried pin 19 on the keyboard connector yet, I will pull the unit apart in the morning and give it a go. My last post was referring to a method that apparently works on the T400 series.

Cheers
Jim

[x220]

Update:

I can confirm that shorting pin 19 with ground works as a power button with the keyboard removed. It's a very small area so will be testing my soldering skills quite a bit once the software and holiday are out of the way.

Thank you
Jim

[rkawakami]

I might be able to give you an alternate place to pick up that keyboard power switch signal. It would most likely be on one end of a chip resistor. That would be easier to attach a wire to than the thinly-spaced traces/pins of the keyboard connector. Another place would be on top of the docking port connector. The pins there are not as tightly spaced as those at the keyboard connector. Give me a day or two to drag out a T21 and probe the motherboard.

[rkawakami]

Okay here is what I have so far. The power switch signal was found on one of the docking port pins. Click on this image for a full-sized (1024x768) picture:



As with pin 19 on the keyboard connector, ground this pin to turn the system on. I could not find where else the signal goes to. I'm sure it ends up on a chip resistor or capacitor somewhere else on the motherboard. I took my "Blink of Death" T22 and removed the keyboard, keyboard bezel and the LCD connector to expose this area. You may also have to remove the Ultrabay housing in order to get a soldering iron in there. This pin will be identical on any of the T2x systems, as well as anything else that mates with the same type of docking station / port replicator.

BTW, the BoD T22 was last powered up about a year and a half ago and it's still powering up fine. I have not done anything to "fix" the BoD issue on this system.

[BillMorrow]

just FYI, amazon (and others i guess) have SMD capable soldering stations for more or less reasonable prices..
they either use a hot iron or blow hot airflow.. under $100 if memory serves..