T4x GPU Problem - Alternate Fix - R51 Mobo w/Intel GPU!

[nfotis]

Hello again,

I have ordered a 2888 motherboard from a USA ebayer, when I get it I'll try the transplant and tell you how it went.

In the meantime, my T40 is still working (I avoid moving it around), so things are a bit less urgent at the moment.

Also, the motherboard has a 1.6 GHz CPU, so it should give some boost compared to my 1.5 GHz one. I am still wondering, could someone upgrade the CPU noticeably in these motherboards?

Regards,
N.Fotis

[Harryc]

I'd guess that the 1.5GHz CPU in your T40 is a Pentium M Banias, so yes if you upgrade to a 1.8Ghz or so Pentium M Dothan you'd notice a performance difference.

[nfotis]

Hello there,

according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_In ... processors , these were only single-core, and up to 2.26 GHz.

From a check in Ebay, it seems that the thresold of low pricing is around the 1.83 GHz mark.

And I suspect the 2+ GHz models need better cooling than the existing one in the R51 2888.

At any rate, sorry for the off-topic.
I'll wait for the R51 motherboard...

Cheers,
N.F.

[nfotis]

Hello again,

I have ordered a 2888 motherboard from a USA ebayer, when I get it I'll try the transplant and tell you how it went.

In the meantime, my T40 is still working (I avoid moving it around), so things are a bit less urgent at the moment.

Hello there,

I spent nearly one day making the transplant to my 2374-75G (it has a 14" 1024x768 screen, as the 2888 R51), and I noticed some problems.
(note that this was my first time opening up a Thinkpad, and it's not recommended for users with minimal experience with screws and inadequate organization)

1. When I made a test fit, I managed to boot the Frankenpad, and I got greeted with a message that my (T40-original) Cisco WiFi adapter is not authorized (huh?)
I removed it for now, it seems that either a MAC address or the WiFi adapter isn't liked by the T51 motherboard.

2. I couldn't use the original 'short fan' from the T40 and the Firewire socket, so I was forced to remove the small daughterboard that was glued on the PCMCIA cage.
Another reason was that I couldn't fit the metal side rod as well.

3. The black plastic cage for the PATA hard disk couldn't fit on the R51 motherboard, so I left it out. The PATA hard disk can work well, as far as I can see
(I couldn't recycle the R51 metal cage for Ultrabay and the hard disk, I had to re-use the T40 one)

4. When I add the side metal rod (needed to reduce flexing), the VGA doesn't display anything (only the green power LED lights).
Any ideas? I guess that I am a step before completing the transplant, but I was exhausted.

I am writing this from a used T60 that I got via Ebay - it seems a very nice machine, by the way.

regards,
N.F.

[madkat]

I spent nearly one day making the transplant to my 2374-75G (it has a 14" 1024x768 screen, as the 2888 R51), and I noticed some problems.
(note that this was my first time opening up a Thinkpad, and it's not recommended for users with minimal experience with screws and inadequate organization) Try opening a no-name (acer, Asus) or even some Dell's - after that you'll appreciate Thinkpads

1. When I made a test fit, I managed to boot the Frankenpad, and I got greeted with a message that my (T40-original) Cisco WiFi adapter is not authorized (huh?)
I removed it for now, it seems that either a MAC address or the WiFi adapter isn't liked by the T51 motherboard.
This issue is widely discussed around here - certain adapters do not work with certain motherboards

2. I couldn't use the original 'short fan' from the T40 and the Firewire socket, so I was forced to remove the small daughterboard that was glued on the PCMCIA cage.
Another reason was that I couldn't fit the metal side rod as well.
Me neither - i couldn't fit the firewire connector in the T4x chasis - left the original shortfan and the T4x pcmcia chasis (even with one slot only working,

3. The black plastic cage for the PATA hard disk couldn't fit on the R51 motherboard, so I left it out. The PATA hard disk can work well, as far as I can see
(I couldn't recycle the R51 metal cage for Ultrabay and the hard disk, I had to re-use the T40 one)
This is something interesting - i've made 3 transplants in the last year - in two of them the T4x black cage fits the hdd connector of the R5x board - one of them (with an older R51 - with 1.5 proc) was different - and i've left out the black thing (i was in a hurry - i think is better to modify it with a dremmel in order to fit)

4. When I add the side metal rod (needed to reduce flexing), the VGA doesn't display anything (only the green power LED lights).
Any ideas? I guess that I am a step before completing the transplant, but I was exhausted.
You did something wrong somewhere - the metal rod doesnt interfere with the mobo.

[underclocker]

Nice work on the transplant!

3. The black plastic cage for the PATA hard disk couldn't fit on the R51 motherboard, so I left it out. The PATA hard disk can work well, as far as I can see.
This is something interesting - i've made 3 transplants in the last year - in two of them the T4x black cage fits the hdd connector of the R5x board - one of them (with an older R51 - with 1.5 proc) was different - and i've left out the black thing (i was in a hurry - i think is better to modify it with a dremmel in order to fit).
You have to remove a small black plastic block from the R51 mobo before the T4x drive cage will fit - the block just slips off.

4. When I add the side metal rod (needed to reduce flexing), the VGA doesn't display anything (only the green power LED lights).
Any ideas? I guess that I am a step before completing the transplant, but I was exhausted.
You did something wrong somewhere - the metal rod doesnt interfere with the mobo.
That long R51 metal rod is not used. The T4x uses smaller rod that coves the front of the PC card cage only.

[madkat]

At nr.4 Underclocker might be right... i referred to the metal piece of the T4x chasis - the R5x metal piece won't fit.

[nic_be]

Hi,

I just put a 15" R51 intel motherboard into a 14" XGA T42 ATI9600 based laptop.

A few remarks:
-except for the motherboard, I kept all accessories of the T42 like the dvd/hdd metal cage, the PCMCIA card slots, ...
-I put the 1,7ghz T42 processor on the R51 mobo, instead of the R51 1,4ghz pentium-m (not celeron)
-the R51 fan was too thick, so I cut out a portion of the original T42 heatsink (the part that covered the ATI chip) - if you do so, pay attention not to bend the copper!
-I used a thin layer of Arctic Silver 5 thermal grease after a good cleaning of the older white grease
-the T42 intel 2200b wireless card worked flawlessy

But I had to load the default BIOS configuration and set the time once for it to boot properly.

Next project is replacing a T42p mobo with another R51 intel one. Can I use the T42p 2.13ghz processor on it? I'll cut the original T42p heatsink to keep its cooling power instead of using the R51 one.

[nfotis]

Returning to my original project (I was sick with a cold recently), I wish to add some photos in order to be clearer:

This is the thick rod that interfered with the Firewire connector/daughterboard from the R51.
I am pretty sure this was inside my T40, as I had the presence of mind to shoot a photo of my T40 during disassembly, and it shows.
Are you really sure this rod doesn't belong to my T40?



Now, going to the hard disk bay.
The black plastic (ABS I suppose) from the T40 doesn't work with the R51 motherboard
(it interferes with the existing PATA connector cover)



Here, I put a link to the current set-up, without the black cover from the T40:



Hope this clarifies the current situation a bit?

I hope tomorrow to re-try my project.

regards,
N.F.

[madkat]

The rod belongs to the T4x chasis - when i've made my first transplant - in order to get around the firewire connector issue (since it cannot be used in the T4x 14' chasis) - i kept the original T4x PCMCIA cage (with only one slot functional).

For the HDD issue - did the same as you - removed the black plastic thing.

[ginopilotino]

Is that problem affect even t4xp?

[nic_be]

Hi!

The R51 motherboard refuses to show something on the 15" SXGA screen. A T42p motherboard drives it perfectly.
Do I have to update the R51 BIOS, or won't it work anyway?

Thanks,

N

[RealBlackStuff]

What is the part number of that mobo, and is it Intel or ATI GPU?
All ATI mobos can drive an SXGA+.
AFAIK only an R52 Intel mobo can also drive an SXGA+, not an R50/R51 Intel.

[kirpeknots]

I just bought a T42P mainboard. So I've got my current R52 mainboard available in a few days. The R52 can't drive the 14" SXGA+ that's why I'm reversing tot the T42P. I heard it can drive the 15" SXGA+.

The R52 also needs DDR2 and can drive 533FSB CPU's.

[Harryc]

Due to circumstances that literally fell into my lap, I am currently in the planning stages of building a TR451. So far I have a T41 with a bad GPU ...

Based 2373-CTO: P M 1.5GHz, 512MB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, 16x10x24x/8X CD-RW/DVD, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

and I ordered an Intel R51 base (no CPU or fan but the cages are there) with system board - FRU# 27K9925
Since the T41 has wireless 'B', I also ordered an Intel Pro Wireless 2200bg card. Finally I also ordered a Pentium M 735 1.7Ghz Dothan, Intel part# SL7EP. I have a 60GB 5400rpm hard drive on hand for the project. Future upgrades will include more RAM and a new battery. Total investment so far is $44.63. Why so cheap? The T41 was donated by a kind forum member and came with an extra LCD which was sold to offset costs. Everything else was ordered off of EBay.
Once the parts arrive I will be building the TR451 and will report results here. The dead systemboard will be donated to 'The Boardroom'.

[RealBlackStuff]

The dead systemboard will be donated to 'The Boardroom'.

Thanks Harry, we'll be looking forward to that.

I just found a reference that the current 93P4201 must have replaced the old 27K9925 as in your R51.
Another number for my (increasing) T4x and R5x mobo-list.
Could you please let me know if you find any other FRU or P/N on that board?
TIA

[Harryc]

I have the TR451 running in a dock , so it is 90% built. I am waiting for an LCD to arrive. As I mentioned I plan to document the process, however I wanted to discourage users of Linux or of a dock with a recent widescreen LCD to do this upgrade. Linux video driver support for the Intel 855GM chipset is currently broken and has been for over 6 months. You can only run an old distro reliably. With XP, if you have an odd sized external LCD like I do (1600x900), there is no way that will run at the correct resolution. Trust me on this. The overall issue is the 855GM chipset (the one in the R51 Thinkpad) is getting very long in the tooth and was never correctly supported by Intel (IMHO) and is barely thought about in Linux. If you only want to use the laptop strictly as a standalone unit running XP, then this modification is for you.

Edit: In researching and trying different distros I learned that Fedora Core 13 has a patch out of the box for the Intel 855GM. I loaded it up and it works great. So at least there is that Linux option on the machine.

[billp117]

I received an R52 (with an X300-64mb video chip) motherboard today and replaced my T43p defective motherboard. Everything seemed to be fine...except for one major problem. It will not charge the battery and it will not work on an AC adapter. I tried several known good adapters with all having the same problem. The board runs fine on the battery. It took me about three hours to do the board swap and I really don't want to do it again until I get another board to replace the defective board. Can anyone recommend what I should do to resolve this problem? The charging light does not come on and it will not charge when in the dock.

The seller guaranteed the board as working. Plan B is perhaps getting an Intel video R52 motherboard. My T43p is 1400x1050...and I got this combination to work once before on another T43 with the 1400x1050 resolution.

[RealBlackStuff]

In case you are looking for such an R52 with Intel GPU, see the special offer following the "Board Room" link in my signature.

[nerf5000]

Hey everyone, just registered to let you all know that this thread has been an immeasurable help. My T41 with CF card mod clonked out recently and I've been scratching my head looking for the cause (it's kind of hard to google intermittent fuzzy display and hang) but finally I stumbled upon this page. So thanks for all the info!

Next I'm going to try a transplant but unfortunately before I got here after I've disassembled and re-assembled the T41 twice over and I really don't want to do it again until I have the board least I strip the screws... so I can't quite get at the MB model number and here is my question for those who know this sort of thing off the top of their heads: if the ThinkPad model # is 2374-312, what (if any) R5x board will work with it? I can't find it on the wikis or anywhere... there was only one refurb re-sellers page with limited info so if anyone knows I'd appreciate it. If not I guess I'll take it apart again..

Thanks a lot again!

[billp117]

There are some 39t5510 (FRU) IBM R51 MOTHERBOARD BRAND NEW (Intel graphics chips) on eBay for $49. I just installed one and it works fine. I installed Windows 7, had to replace the wifi card because the original caused an 1802 error code, and got a goofy model number to display. The 855GM video chip sucks big time...but it is good enough for what I am doing with it. Now I have a rock solid TR451 thanks to this thread on the forum. This is a fairly easy exchange for a T40, T41, T42 ThinkPad. You can use most all your parts...there may be an a few problems keeping the correct screws for the correct parts. Tape the screws to the parts you take off. You will thank me.

BTW...I liked it so much I just ordered another R51 board to make another TR451.

Good luck...

[RealBlackStuff]

Apart from weaker graphics, the R51 board only has one PCMCIA slot. Other than that they are great.

[nerf5000]

Yep, the 39t5510 is exactly the board I was looking at, Intel graphics and all (even if it's slow, all I use it for is web browsing and RDP so no biggie) but I was trying to verify that the T41 I have doesn't have the SXGA+ screen... from what I've seen people list it as XGA but not anywhere 'official'-ish. Then again I don't remember it ever giving me an option of going past 1024x768...

I guess I'll just take it apart again :D

[billp117]

I installed XP and like the wifi and video performance better. The Intel based board seems better suited for this OS and the drivers.

[billp117]

nerf5000...plug your model and type into the lenovo support site...it will tell you the screen that is meant for your ThinkPad.

[madkat]

D*mn, reading all this I miss my old TR451... It was such a cool, silent and slick machine. I have replaced it (for portability issues) with a 10' Dell - which is better only due to the size, and the ddr2 compatibility...

I'm considering on the idea of building myself a TR452

[nerf5000]

What do you know, it worked... thanks billp!!!

This is what it spit out btw:

Original description: Based 2374-8RU: P M 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, 16x10x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD(slim), option, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion Batt, WinXP Pro

So I guess I'm good to go

[billp117]

After replacing the wifi card I decided to go back to Win7...seems to be working fine except for an occasional movie. DVD's run OK with VLC.

[frankiepankie]

Here is someone who is also satisfied with his TR51 ("FrankiePad" called by me ):)

I also did it with an R52 board in 15" T42 base, also works great, and the big advance of R52 board is that it takes DDR2, which is MUCH cheaper to purchase, and is MUCH wider spread.

Another advance is that the Intel GPU use less power, which means longer battery runtime

[kge420]

My T40 is in need of some maintenance and while I have it stripped I might as well upgrade.
It's needs are: new HDD, cpu fan and motherboard. The T40 works fine at this point but the usb ports are running at 1.1. Fan and hdd are noisy.
I would like some feedback on the pros/cons of a R51 vs R52 swap. The R51 board on eBay looks very tempting and is a new board. I would like the benefits of some newer technology which the R52 will offer. Any thoughts?

T40 specs are: 40gb hdd, 2gb ram, BT(with correct clear plates), 2nd hdd (80gb), wireless, usb 2.0 card