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"...Sometimes, I see that there are different serial numbers / part numbers given on IBM products that are essentially identical. I'm not exactly sure, but this might be why you can order a part as a "spare" opposed to one that might be a "second" battery...." ~~~~~ the two part numbers are: 1) the part number-- used for ordering a part from pc direct (some retailers also use ibm part numbers), and 2) the fru (field replacement unit) number-- sometimes referred to as the 'fru part number,' which can be confusing. fru numbers were intended to be used only by ibm'ers to call their parts department in boulder, co. when they need something to perform warranty service. that system has evolved to one where any customer can call boulder parts and order using the fru (assuming it's still in boulder. it may have moved). last time i tried this, both sides were adamant about which number you use. boulder knew nothing of any number other than a fru & pc direct knew nothing of any number other than a pn. neither could give you the other number for your part. the confusing part is that the fru is often written on a part as 'p/n' rather than 'fru'. the funny part is that there's often a price difference between the two. i seem to recall that fru's from boulder were usually cheaper. don't remember the phone number for bouler parts, but pc direct can probably give it to you. Michael J. Verne michael_verne@vmedia.com Systems Analyst, Ventana Communications Group http://www.vmedia.com/michaelv/ Saying Yahoo or Lycos is your favorite [web] site is like saying the Yellow Pages is your favorite book. --John Dvorak, PC Computing: March '96