Don't throw away your T4x, The new mobo is coming![Lots PIC]

[Orclas]

Regarding heatsink fit I am myself confident that a guy who has the capacity to arrange for a new motherboard to be designed and produced has taken this into account, for example by slightly elevating the socket (or any other smart workaround).

Regarding Chinese translation: The ultimate thing would be to get a chinese speaker to sign up for the 51nb forum, report the great interest here and on the german forum and perhaps get a bit of info on the plans for general availability etc.

[lanesharon]

[Orclas]

I just came to think about one thing. In this thread most people have mentioned T43s as receivers of the MB, but it fits any T4x, right? And in such case, are there any disadvantages with using an earlier model as base beyond Flexview starting with T42 (which is only applicable for 15" models)?

[RealBlackStuff]

Yup, these T50 boards will fit in any T4x or R5x.
The T50 mobo is based upon the T43, which was the most advanced version of the T4x/R5x series.
IMHO the T43's SATA-mod possibility started it all (together of course with its good looks).

[28CarsLater]

I was able to obtain a Chinese translation and posted in the 51NB forum here, the username is cognizant688:

http://forum.51nb.com/viewthread.php?ti ... id24548865

Greetings, there is interest in the United States for purchasing T50 motherboards now being produced, who can we contact to get more information? Thank You.

你好。我们目前在美国，有兴趣购买T50主板，不知道可以联系谁获取更多信息？
谢谢！

[86turbodsl]

Did anyone else happen to dig around on that 51nb forum as well? I noticed that HOPE has also shoved a T500 mb into a T60 shell. Nice modding too. Got it all inside the 15" 4:3 shell. He/She is calling it the T62p. I guess thats another way to solve the dead Nvidia problem!

[ajkula66]

Did anyone else happen to dig around on that 51nb forum as well? I noticed that HOPE has also shoved a T500 mb into a T60 shell. Nice modding too. Got it all inside the 15" 4:3 shell. He/She is calling it the T62p. I guess thats another way to solve the dead Nvidia problem!

That was one brave experiment. Way too much cutting for my liking. I'd be concerned about the rigidity of (the remainder) of the shell after that surgery, but that's me.

Still, my hat's off to HOPE for actually performing that mod.

[RealBlackStuff]

@28carslater:
51bn answered with: contact Hope for the T50

[86turbodsl]

Did anyone else happen to dig around on that 51nb forum as well? I noticed that HOPE has also shoved a T500 mb into a T60 shell. Nice modding too. Got it all inside the 15" 4:3 shell. He/She is calling it the T62p. I guess thats another way to solve the dead Nvidia problem!

That was one brave experiment. Way too much cutting for my liking. I'd be concerned about the rigidity of (the remainder) of the shell after that surgery, but that's me.

Still, my hat's off to HOPE for actually performing that mod.

Do you suppose the major problem is the material removed from the roll cage? Other than the length of course, but there are ways to address that. I still haven't seen what he did to address the optical drive sticking out. He did something, but what i can't tell from the pictures.

On a somewhat related note: Do you suppose there's a market for conversion roll cages? My day gig is driving a CAD workstation and getting (mostly) metal parts made for R+D use. I've had a dream for a while of CNC bases or something like that holding modern hardware with old style form factors. It wouldn't be cheap, but might be cool.

[QWERTY Andreas]

Did anyone else happen to dig around on that 51nb forum as well? I noticed that HOPE has also shoved a T500 mb into a T60 shell. Nice modding too. Got it all inside the 15" 4:3 shell. He/She is calling it the T62p. I guess thats another way to solve the dead Nvidia problem!

The T500 Mobo is not much different from a T61 15.4" WS, which fit pretty well into the 14" chassis So it should be fairly easy, and possible, to do it on a 15" too.

[Medessec]

A T500 mobo in a T60 15" chassis... wow. Something I would've never thought to do. And some Frankenpadders salvage the coolers from T500s for their ultimate 4:3 machines... granted, you do need to carve up the left side for the different port arrangement, but hey. The things I'd do for a 4:3 machine.

[Norway Pad]

So does anybody (Except those who speak Chinese) know anything more about the development here, or how to get a hold of one of these boards? Has anybody here actually got a hold of a T50 board at all? I can't wait to see a report from installs/testing done by someone on this forum. But I guess that's unnecessary to mention, we are probably all waiting for that.. I suspect RBS would lead on into a project like this, but I might be wrong. He has to answer for that him self.

I actually didn't see this post before a couple of weeks ago, so that's the danger of having Thinkpads as a seasonal hobby; I miss out on a lot of news. But I am now actually in the process of sourcing a dead T42 or T43 to keep around so I can test a T50 board in, if it ever comes to pass that I lay my hands on one of those.

Keep us updated!

[RealBlackStuff]

With a bit of luck The Board Room might be one of the first to get this thing on the road. Can't wait!
(but haven't heard from them yet...)

Same old, same old... (posted the above already on Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:24 pm)

[lophiomys]

@RBS
Let us know if you would want some "crowd funding" for your first test efforts!
Greetings

[RealBlackStuff]

Thanks for the offer, I'd love to...
But first I need to hear from them, or find out about availability of this elusive T50.

[bwaldow]

To all 4:3 screen and T4x lovers

I'm replying to subscribe to the thread.

I have a lovely T42 for this treatment, and I'd also consider a board to upgrade one of my T60/1 Frankenpads.

Cheers,
Bret

[Norway Pad]

But first I need to hear from them, or find out about availability of this elusive T50.

And if it comes to pass that the Chinese manufacturers only sell a minimum number of boards, I would be willing to buy one just to support the progress of this project. Without even knowing if this board will work as planned. I guess this is a once in a lifetime chance; I doubt it will ever be made another effort if this attempt fails.

[Johan]

Good news, to all those following this thread!

The new "T4x/p-replacementboard" has been released today; see the thread 51nb.com released T50 (= new mobo for T4x/p's) in Shenzhen

Question(s): How do "we" (= us here on forum.thinkpads.com, who are probably mainly located in the Western World) proceed and get hold of these boards and share experience? Any and all suggestions, comments and hints are very!

Wow; this is exciting!! The re-birth of the T4x/p's?!

Johan

[Frotz]

Yay! I have a T42 that I would very much like to upgrade with this mythical T50 motherboard. Now that this appears to be something real, does anyone have any specs on the board? For instance, what speed, number of cores, video interface, etc.

[McStudz]

Forgive me if I'm crossing a line with a topic bump like this, but...

This is some seriously great news. I've been using a T41 for the last couple of years, and I've been severely limited in what I could do with it (I'm currently running Linux Mint 13 on my T41, and I could use at least one more core for my CPU). Regardless, this old workhorse has served me better than my newer Gateway in many respects.

If anyone has news of getting this mobo PLEASE post your impressions of it! I'd love to keep using my T41 for a few years more.

[Orclas]

If anyone has news of getting this mobo PLEASE post your impressions of it! I'd love to keep using my T41 for a few years more.

You'll find what info is available at this forum in this thread.

[Mighty_Mauz]

This would be so awesome!
I just recently switched back from my T400 to my old R60 and am looking for the ultimate 4:3 and am following this project with a lot of interest!

[Johan]

Great news! The first T50 has arrived in the USA; a review is forthcoming... see US-based (preferably CA) reviewer of brand-new T50 sought!

Stay tuned!!

Johan

[ajkula66]

And the review by yours truly is up:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=114057

[aPanzerIV]

Where (if possible) can we buy one of these?

There is a T42 in mint condition at the pawn shop I work at. If I can buy one of those boards I'll be stealing it after I get back from vacation >:D

[Norway Pad]

As discussed in a similar thread here earlier today: Nobody outside China seem to have gotten their hands on such a board. Except from the one person that let user Ajkula66 borrow his T50 for testing. And unless they are making another batch of these boards, I think the chances are starting to get pretty low that this will ever happen..

[lophiomys]

I can be very patient.
For the meantime those old T42p boards will be reballed ...

[Bibin]

I hope something like this can happen for the X60 / X61. Any news on a revision being made available?

[Hans Gruber]

I am trying to revive my T43 as I read this. I have a Toshiba with an I3 of that generation and 4GB of extra memory and a 320GB HD to use. I assume the I3's work just the same as the I5's. I know a spy in Taiwan who may be able to start the manufacturing process of said board. He asked me only one favor, he wants people to know Juntao was responsible for any masterpieces created. He also wanted me to pose as a spy selling high end CPU architecture that is light years ahead of anything IBM or AMD currently have. He asked me to use old AMD chips sanded down so they could not read the serial numbers. He said to put in my own personal serial numbers and say they are for quantum computers. He also wanted me to smuggle in hookers to cover the development costs. I gave him the idea that we could make counterfeit Apple products when the assembly line shuts down for the night. He also wanted me to get involved in a cigarette smuggling ring between Canada and America. He wanted me to go under the code name Zodiac while in said inflatable raft. My contact would be Benedict Arnold.

Now that my post is complete I will continue trying revive my T43p and update you on my progress in a legitimate post. I write for my own humor as Soren Kierkegaard. I came here looking for answers and happened upon this post.

[RealBlackStuff]

Looks like those T50 mobos are just a pipe-dream. Pity!
AFAIK only one person in the USA got one, and only ajkula66 and I have seen this life!
However, SATA-mods on T43/R52 with ATI graphics remain available (absolutely no spyware involved!)