T42P Keyboard Question

[gtodell]

I have a T42P (2373-Q1U) and I need a replacement keyboard for it.

When I look online I see that there seem to be quite a number of part numbers and FRU numbered models that may work. But I want to know what options I really have.

The numbers listed on the back of my unit are:

PARTS NO: 93P4180
FRU NO: 93P4840
ID NO: 53B04G
Model: JN-US

There are 3, not 4, screw posts on this model.

Can anyone tell me what my options are for replacement models and where I can purchase one?

Many thanks in advance,

gtodell

[Johan]

First: Welcome to the forum!

I suggest you have a look at Keyboard service parts - ThinkPad T40/p, T41/p, T42/p - there you will find the 93P4840 listed as a 15" keyboard manufactured by the company ALPS. Many users here prefer the keyboard made by NMB (FRU = 93P4780), and particularly those that were once manufactured in Thailand - these are no longer being manufactured, but you may still be lucky to find one. Have e.g. a look in the thread T42 Thai (NMB), China (Alps) Keyboard Impressons (long)

It may very well simply be cheapest to order/buy a spare/replacement keyboard directly from IBM (!), this is at least the case here in Denmark. A 15" NMB keyboard ("unfortunately" nowadays manufactured in China) cost around $ 50 +S/H. Alternatively, try go to eBay or try post a "WTB" (Want to buy) advertisement in the Marketplace in this forum. If your T42p is still under warranty, IBM will replace your present keyboard, free of charge! Check your warranty status at the Warranty Lookup page.

When you then get to it, visit Movie matrices - Notebooks etc. showing how to add or replace e.g. keyboards. All (publicly available) details about T42p are found in the ThinkPad Computer Hardware Maintenance Manual December (T40/p,T41/p,T42/p) - February 2006.

Best regards,

Johan

[gtodell]

Johan,

I greatly appreciate the help with this.

I already removed the KB (I have 2, T23 and always loved the IBM movies about r&r ing their stuff). And that is where I located the specific part and FRU numbers.

In looking online I see that keyboards originally made for other Thinkpads seem to be compatible with the T42P. And I want to be sure this is actually true before purchasing the wrong keyboard.

Also, my model is a 3 screw hold model. How can I determine whether or not a specific keyboard is a 3 or 4 hole model? Or is simply a matter of removing the 4th standoff (post) on those models?

Again, thanks for the help and references,

Toby

[Johan]

Happy to be of help!

As to whether a 15" T42(p) keyboard has three of four screws, you already have the answer at your fingertips... look in the HMM (Hardware Maintenance Manual), on PDF-page 85 (page 79 printed on the page itself), there it says: "Note: Screw 1a is only for the models with 14.1-in. LCD. Other models do not have this screw." So, we subtract one from four - and we end up with three screws for a 15" T42(p)...

And, a 14.1" keyboard won't fit a 15" T42(p). About which ThinkPad's uses the same keyboards: R50/e/p, R51/e, R52 and T42/p plus T43/p uses the same keyboards - see for yourself through the Service parts list index - ThinkPad - check these, and you will find three or four different part(numbers), for the ALPS keyborad, which will all work in your T42p. As an example, a 15" (Danish) NMB keyboard for a 2373-Q1U may be any of these: P/N 93P4759 or FRU’s 93P4789 or 39T0652 and FRU 91P8279

Many FRU's and CRU's, I absolutely agree, and many possibilities for confusion and/or errors! You just keep cool, Toby!

Best regards,

Johan

[gtodell]

Johan,

OK. I am beginning to see the forest through the trees now!

One thing is certain, my KB is Thai. This assumes the photos from the long post you referred me to are correct. I have absolutely no reason to doubt they are! And as I have no interested in purchasing a "different feel" keyboard I will have to search for the NMB.

One fellow is currently auctioning one on Ebay. I have already offered to purchase it now but no deal. So, I either stalk that auction for 6 more days or look elsewhere.

My T23's are good work horses and I will be using these until I locate a replacement KB for my T42P.

Thanks again, Johan.

Toby

[gtodell]

Johan,

I hope you get this message.

Rather than wait for the ebay auction to end I call IBM support. They are shipping me a new KB at no charge! And my TP is no longer under warranty!

Well, I do have to wait 24 hours to receive it!

I worked for a HUGE PC retailer here back in the early 1980's (yes, this gives away my age). We were the largest IBM PC dealer in the world (It was called ComputerLand). The tech support back then was outstanding and the tech support now is outstanding. Or, so has been my experience.

Anyway, I may not get the NMB I want but at least I will be back up and running soon. Contrary to what I wrote in my earlier posts my T23s are beginning to show there age!

All the best,

Toby