Thinkpads Forum

SOLD!!!To a forum member!

I have a T42 2378-fvu that I have used for many years then passed on to my sister and never left home. It is still in pristine condition cosmetically. Unfortunately, it is showing GPU symptoms. I originally thought it was backlight issue, but it is now certain that it is the GPU. It has been temporarily fixed with applying pressure on the GPU, but I don't think it will last long as others have experienced. I just love this machine.. nice NMB keyboard (best one that I have used), upgraded to 2 GB RAM , and 160 GB HD, beautiful SXGA+ screen. I would hate to part it or sell it as broken at this point. It still has few more years of good usability left if it was not of the GPU issue.

I am looking for a fully functioning motherboard that will fit without any modification. If anyone has one that is lying around please make me an offer. Although I would like to get a intel GPU based one, it appears that it does not work with SXGA+ screens.

OR

For sale:
T42 2378-fvu
Pentium M 1.7Ghz
Radeon 9600 (Has GPU issues. It currently works with pressure applied. It will either need to be reflowed or new MB will be needed)
14.1" SXGA+ screen (shows 10-15 seconds of red hue at start up. A new backlight will be included with sale)
DVD/CD-RW (reads DVD, but it may not burn CD. I have not tested myself but that's what I was told)
Battery does not hold charge.
2 GB RAM PC2700 (2 x 1GB Hynix)
Seagate 160GB 5400.3 PATA HD with about 3 years of warranty remaining (I think this is the largest 2.5" PATA HD you can buy)
Cosmetically 8.5-9 out of 10.
XP Pro COA intact.
I can't find the AC adaptor. So unless I can find it, it will not be included in sale.
Price $125 OBO plus actual shipping costs. (I think RAM and HD are worth that much)

I am willing to sell RAM and HD.

Thanks.

Why not pop in a R52 board with Intel graphics?

I did this and it works great on a T42 with 15" SXGA, and the biggest advantage: You will never get the GPU issue again.

And a 2nd advantage is that it uses DDR2 memory, which is MUCH cheaper than DDR1, and is also better available.

Thanks for the suggestion. But that would mean having to get new RAMs that will add cost. Also I don't know if it is simple straight swap without having to get new cables etc.

frankiepankie wrote:Why not pop in a R52 board with Intel graphics?

I did this and it works great on a T42 with SXGA, and the biggest advantage: You will never get the GPU issue again.

And a 2nd advantage is that it uses DDR2 memory, which is MUCH cheaper than DDR1, and is also better available.

It's a straight swap except for RAM and CPU.

HarryC,

Thanks for the input. Looks like I will have to buy more RAM and try to sell the old ones.
I may have a potential buyer already.. fast!

But thanks for the help!

Harryc wrote:It's a straight swap except for RAM and CPU.

Yeah the old PC2700 is worth much more than the new PC2-5300, so the new RAM and possibly CPU might be paid for by selling the old RAM. Last I checked on EBay, a 1GB stick of PC2700 was @ $40 shipped.

Harryc wrote:Yeah the old PC2700 is worth much more than the new PC2-5300, so the new RAM and possibly CPU might be paid for by selling the old RAM. Last I checked on EBay, a 1GB stick of PC2700 was @ $40 shipped.

yeah I figured it would go for that much. I guess it will go to a good new home to a new owner who will be willing to restore to it's old glory.. haha.

Up to you. Basically you'd want to get something like this with some type of short warranty to make sure it powers up . Laptopaid has a 30 day warranty.
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-R52-15 ... 41547844e2

Harryc wrote:Up to you. Basically you'd want to get something like this with some type of short warranty to make sure it powers up . Laptopaid has a 30 day warranty.
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-R52-15 ... 41547844e2

Thanks Harry. I would be a great option for others like me having GPU issues.

Well after my sister returned the broken T42, she took my X41 and she is loving it. I was hoping to fix the T42 and get my X41 back but I think she is too attached to the lightness and portability of X41 at this point. I kind of doubt that she will be talked to into returning the X41 back.

Since I already made a deal with a forum member, the T42 will be sold. May be the new owner can do the R52 MB swap and make it more usable.

I already have a T60, so I am in the market for a X60 or X60s for portability / back up. A X60s w/ SXGA+ would be ideal like the one in Marketplace, but it is out of my price range. Same for a X200's.

Anyways... thanks for all the advice and input.

frankiepankie wrote:Why not pop in a R52 board with Intel graphics?
I did this and it works great on a T42 with SXGA, and the biggest advantage: You will never get the GPU issue again.

You did not mention if this was a 14.1" or 15" machine.
If 14.1", what LCD, LCD-cable and inverter (and coming from which machine) did you use?
AFAIK these R52/Intel boards only work with SXGA+ LCDs that are 15"...

RealBlackStuff wrote: You did not mention if this was a 14.1" or 15" machine.
If 14.1", what LCD, LCD-cable and inverter (and coming from which machine) did you use?
AFAIK these R52/Intel boards only work with SXGA+ LCDs that are 15"...

Sorry, forgot to mention that. It is a 15" machine, i know that the 14.1" SXGA don't work with the Intel video.

I have edited my post