Use different FRU board than original?

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zelchenko · #1 Post by **zelchenko** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:53 pm

The system board on my 2379-DXU needs replacement. Is it possible to use a board with different GPU specs? For example, the original board is a 93P4158 with an ATI Radeon 9600 64MB; could I use a board that has an ATI GL-128 as a replacement? How could I figure out beforehand which FRUs would fit into the same chassis and function with my CPU and display?

Thanks in advance,
Matt

aaa · #2 Post by **aaa** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:30 pm

All the T40/1/2 series can use the same motherboard. The main concern is the gpu heatsink; some models do not have one at all. Since you have a gpu heatsink already you should be good to go.

Also, I think the fingerprint reader is dependent on the motherboard.

#3 Post by **richk** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:34 pm

If you buy a T40 MB, your memory will run at the slower bus speed of a T40. The T40 motherboard does not support passphrase encryption of passwords. There are other minor differences

Tim M · #4 Post by **Tim M** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:43 am

zelchenko wrote:The system board on my 2379-DXU needs replacement. Is it possible to use a board with different GPU specs? For example, the original board is a 93P4158 with an ATI Radeon 9600 64MB; could I use a board that has an ATI GL-128 as a replacement? How could I figure out beforehand which FRUs would fit into the same chassis and function with my CPU and display?

I've been considering doing the same thing with my 2379-DXU. After a CPU upgrade, the GPU gets much too hot under load and I haven't been able to find a way to fix this despite reseating the heatsink, etc. Ultimately, swapping the motherboard with one with the ATI GL-128 would fix the problem and extend the life of the machine.

mwmason · #5 Post by **mwmason** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:05 pm

Ok,

I think I have the loose GPU problem.. My display has weird colors and when I apply pressure to the keyboard.. it corrects itself. I have a 2378-FVU, which supposedly has a 93P4158 (39T5451) motherboard with ATI M10-64MB.

I'm considering purchasing a new 39T5454 (ATI GL-128MB) but I would like some reassurance that this will indeed work and what I can expect when I boot up the system with my current XP environment.

Assuming I can transfer the CPU to the new board (I'm a little nervous about this) and update the serial number and the UUID according to the Hardware Manual, will XP discover that there is a new video card and attempt to install the device driver?

Can anyone provide a little guidance on the process?

Thanks in advance.

#6 Post by **carbon_unit** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:41 pm

If you want to fix the old board jamiphar is offering a repair service for the GPU. Seethis thread.

mwmason · #7 Post by **mwmason** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:11 pm

carbon_unit wrote:If you want to fix the old board jamiphar is offering a repair service for the GPU. Seethis thread.

Thanks! That would be option except my USB ports are fickle as well and some devices cause the machine to lock up when they are plugged directly into either port.. So an upgrade will potentially solve at least two problems.

#8 Post by **carbon_unit** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:34 pm

You can use a different board as long as you have the long fan if the board requires it. The CPU is easy to transfer, just unlock the socket and lift it out. Place it on the new board and lock the socket by turning the "screw head".
You don't have to update the UUID and Serial number. Besides they wouldn't be right anyway. Best to leave whatever is already in for UUID and serial.
XP will detect the new hardware and want to install drivers for almost everything. Make sure you have the drivers for the new motherboard ready. Get them here.

mwmason · #9 Post by **mwmason** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:05 pm

Thank you! I'm going to order the board now. Wanted an expert opinion before I committed the funds.

Thanks again.

thermiGR · #10 Post by **thermiGR** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:04 pm

Hello from Greece, I am new to the forum but I visit it many times, almost daily the last 4 months. I bought from ebay USA a Thinkpad T41 sxga. The USB ports worked as USB1 so the seller gave to me a partial refund. At last I bought a new motherboard for T42 FRU42T0273 with ATI FIRE GL 128. I replaced the mothebord and the CPU (1.6-->2.0GHZ). Now everything works ok, with Notebook Hardware Control and Tpfancontrol.
I have a minor problem: when I try to run the ThinkVantage System Update it stops after seeing the machine type and model as TP-1R___. I suppose that the programe reads this model num because the motherboard is first used and it has not any actual model number.
I applied the UUID using the Ibm maintnance disk.
My question is what model number I must give to the motherboard? Is it ok to apply the actual model of the laptop 2373-9U5? Or is it better to leave it without a model number and make any driver update manualy?

cmarti · #11 Post by **cmarti** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:17 pm

thermiGR wrote:Is it ok to apply the actual model of the laptop 2373-9U5?

Yes you can use the same machine type and serial , when i had the T40 wich i also upgraded i used the machine type number and serial it was born and the system update worked ok providing the right drivers for the new board.

sjthinkpader · #12 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:21 pm

System update only need the type and model numbers. I used 99-00000 as serial after turn a T41 with a loose GPU to T43.

Use different FRU board than original?

Use different FRU board than original?

Re: Use different FRU board than original?

Upgrading to ATI GL-128MB

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