Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

sounds like a big thing, I know. But maybe it is "fully or partially" exisitng anyhow:

I have a fair number of working fine / working mostly fine / broken IBM TPs of different model numbers ranging from R32 to R52, but also some "T" models.

Now, since these are all coming into their ages, it would be helpful to me, if I could exchange some parts from i.e. broken machines into "partially working" ones.

One example:
Hab having a T42 that works like smart but has one key ("a") that does not work properly i would like to exchange just the keyboard.

Querstion: Which keyboard of another would work (I have openned a T42 with a different screen-size and found out there's NO match.

Any tip where to find such "parts compatibility information"?

Thanks in advance!
Juergen

Rather than replace the keyboard (only T4x or R5x keyboards of the same size (either both 14" or both 15") will fit), you can buy individual keys on eBay.
Make sure to get the proper key, as there are 3 different types: Chicony, Alps and NMB made keys.
Other than sometimes RAM, CPU, motherboard, hard disk, optical disk and power supply, most stuff does not fit in another model TP. Even the screws have different lengths.

There is some limited compatibility within product lines. e.g. X60/X60s/X61/X61s will use the same keyboards and mostly the same batteries, X30/X31/X32 will have many parts in common, etc.. The larger models that offer different screen sizes may use different bodies as well meaning things like keyboard might well be different even between different types of the same model (like your T42 example). You may find more compatibility with a T40 or T41 with the same screen size than a T42 with a different screen size.