Wow, I had never thought of hiring a repairman.... but let's just see how things go.
Good news, the CF slot works! I found a few dog hairs in it last night, while trying my friend's microdrive, and I got them out. Maybe that was the problem. As for the IR port, the only device I've tried to communicate with was a Dell Axim X50v, so maybe it's not broke, and I can blame the PPC?
(I can still see it flicker when I try to send something!
) And the scroll wheel, it still works, but it's the directions are awkward. Like, up is left!
(Does this have anything to do with RemapMP? I've been using that for a while, but I never noticed any scroll wheel problems
)
After thinking about it, I just might be able to fix it! Yes. I searched around on some old IBM thinkpad forums and many people had that problem, too. The thing with the the pins on it is loose on the inside, so when you push the card in, the pins arent making contact with the holes in the card. I'll bet that's the problem. As for the screws and battery falling out, I think that's because I put the wrong type of screws into it, after taking them out. Don't ask why.
Pretty much, if I can get the PC card slot tightened up, I just might be able to save this dying damsel and restore order to the universe! Or, the coffee shop, for that matter!
(But even if I fix it, I'm STILL getting a Jornada.
)
