T42 system board replacement

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teisole · #1 Post by **teisole** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:46 am

Hello friends,

As discussed on the thread http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=33952, my T42 (2373-X30) too has a tendency to fail when moved or the chassis is twisted a bit. Speculations are pointing at the seating of the GPU.

Ive given up the idea of trying to re-solder/seat the GPU.

Thus im trying to find a new mobo for the machine (FRU 93p4158). Have any of you experiences in replacing system boards? Is there anything vital to take into account? Note im not asking how replace the bit mechanically. But what Im not sure of is if theres software issues to be aware of? E.g. the security chip - will that work straight from the new mobo or do i need to "set it up" somehow? Or matters like that.

Merry christmas to you all!

#2 Post by **GomJabbar** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:01 am

The information in the following thread could be important.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=25026

If all you are replacing is the motherboard with an identical one, then there would not be any software issues per se. Only security issues might cause a problem. If you get a different model T42 motherboard, you may need a different display driver or other driver. If you decided to use the Product Recovery Disc set (that you have burned or purchased), then all the necessary drivers will be installed.

These are my ideas: I would recommend to clear any passwords and/or passphrases such as supervisor password, hdd master password, and hdd user password. If you use the security chip, you should disable it as well. I am not too clear on the procedure for that, and how to deal with CSS and the Fingerprint reader software. However once everything is cleared, you can always add all this stuff back later.

Make sure that any used motherboard you get does not have the supervisor password or passphrase set.

teisole · #3 Post by **teisole** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:06 am

Cheers GomJabbar,

Ill make sure to clear all passwords, yes. About the used mobo-thing then thats not relevant. I simply wont risk spending money on a used mobo that could have the same mechanical weakness as my original one.

However, it is interesting that you mention "different model T42 motherboard". Does this mean i dont have to look for the specific motherboard that came with my 2373-X30? And if I find another (say, on eBay or so), how will i know if it fits?

#4 Post by **GomJabbar** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:30 am

They will all physically fit. Any T42 motherboard will fit, in fact I believe any T40, T41, T42, and those same ones with the 'p' suffix will fit. The main difference across one model is in the graphics chipset used, but there may be other differences as well.

Take a look at this page. However I would not trust the part numbers posted there. See link in my previous post.
System service parts - ThinkPad T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p

erasmus · #5 Post by **erasmus** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:47 pm

I just almost fixed my T40 with a loose GPU.

The trick is to get something stocked between the GPU and the keyboard. So when you tighten the keyboard screws under the trackpoint buttons it will make a firm pressure on the GPU.

I added a little aluminum cooling profile on the GPU - and fixed it with some cooling paste. On top of that I added enough post-it stickers to make the pressure on the GPU when then keyboard is back on.

So far it works.

Thanks to vlyne and rkawakami bringing up the loose GPU issue.

#6 Post by **draco2527** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:22 am

Well at this point you have nothing to loose!!

I would take the mobo to a place that has a "hot air soldering gun" and have them hit the pins with that and allowed to cool...this could "re-solder" any loose connections...

When taking EE I got to see "soldered connections" under a microscope...AMAZING at how "crappy" a soldered point can look under the microscope when it looks "perfect" to the naked eye!!

Lazarus · #7 Post by **Lazarus** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:10 pm

draco2527 wrote:Well at this point you have nothing to loose!!
...AMAZING at how "crappy" a soldered point can look under the microscope when it looks "perfect" to the naked eye!!

That is mostly the case when they solder the points by hand.
You have to be a real expert at that to be able to compete with a soldering robot.

secret · #8 Post by **secret** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:20 am

erasmus wrote:I just almost fixed my T40 with a loose GPU.

The trick is to get something stocked between the GPU and the keyboard. So when you tighten the keyboard screws under the trackpoint buttons it will make a firm pressure on the GPU.

I added a little aluminum cooling profile on the GPU - and fixed it with some cooling paste. On top of that I added enough post-it stickers to make the pressure on the GPU when then keyboard is back on.

So far it works.

Thanks to vlyne and rkawakami bringing up the loose GPU issue.

Hey,

I'm new to laptops and just starting to work out and identify the internal workings. However, what's the GPU and where is this located within the T40?

You're not talking about the CPU are you ("Centre Processing Unit")?

Thanks in advanced.

teisole · #9 Post by **teisole** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:57 am

hi secret,

GPU is the Graphics Processing Unit. On my T42 it is located just under the middle mouse button (the ones that goes to the trackpoint).

By the way, CPU is short for Central Processing Unit

Merry Christmas!

T42 system board replacement

T42 system board replacement

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