IBM Replacement motherboard

Message

ryan1212 · #1 Post by **ryan1212** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:51 am

I was sent a replacement motherboard in July for my t40 and it has worked, until today. The replacement board has the classic bga problem just like the old one! My system is out of warranty and the last was sent to me as a "one time exception" to warranty due to circumstances according to IBM.

The board they sent me was a system pull since when i looked up the SN the warranty expired in 2006..

Any suggestions on what to do now?

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:35 am

Lots of choices in this situation -

1.) Get the GPU reballed
2.) Reflow the GPU
3.) Get another board from a member here or EBay
4.) Buy a T43 with an Intel GPU
5.) Buy an Intel GPU board and put it in the T40 ** (my preference)
6.) Buy some other Thinkpad, newer perhaps
7.) Buy another brand of laptop
8.) Sell the remaining good T40 parts to fund some of the above.

I am sure there are more choices ...

** http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=65505

*Note - If you go the Intel board route, make sure that you check RAM and CPU compatibility with your T40 model before committing to purchase. Ask questions here. Also, options 1,2,3 and 5 assume that you (Ryan) can take a Thinkpad completely apart and reassemble it. Reballing must be done by a repair company, but generally you'd just sent them the bare systemboard. Reflowing can be done by you or a repair company, same idea though. The board comes out of the machine. Also, if you are wondering about the suggestions revolving around Intel GPU boards...they don't have GPU problems

.

ryan1212 · #3 Post by **ryan1212** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:49 pm

Just verifying this, the r51 motherboards do fit in the t40 chassis, correct?

Thanks.

I just can't believe the board ibm sent failed this quickly.

#4 Post by **Harryc** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:55 pm

Yes they do fit. If the R51 has firewire, there is no cutout for it in a T4X machine though. Also the R51 uses PC2700 RAM. Check the RAM in your T40. It is probably PC2100. So you 'may' need new RAM as well.

#5 Post by **carbon_unit** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:02 pm

The T40 is so far out of production I doubt if IBM even has any new ones at this point. They have always supplied refurbs/pulls for warranty repairs anyway.

#6 Post by **richk** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:02 pm

The R51 will fit, as long as you move the bare board. The bottom case is different. The R51 is mostly like a T42, so it uses faster memory, although your T40 memory will work at a reduced bus speed. (the same speed as it runs in your T40). I have a couple of T42 boards that I just got in that I am getting ready to sell. If you are interested, send me a PM. Is it possible that you are doing something in the way you use the machine that encourages the failure. I always tell people it is best not to carry the machine while it is running. Also, if you need to carry the machine with one hand, carry it like a briefcase (vertical), instead of like a dinnerplate (horizontal).

#7 Post by **underclocker** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:13 pm

FYI, Intel GPU R51's will work for XGA, Intel GPU R52's will work or XGA or SXGA+.

14 or 15" models use the same mobo, you can use any R51 motherboard. There were two Intel GPU models, one had 10/100 Ethernet and no FireWire, the other had 10/100/1000 Ethernet and FireWire. With the latter, you'll have to decide what to do about the FireWire - options include 1) disconnect the cable and not use it, or 2) fashion a port in the side of your case with a Dremel and enjoy it.

See this thread for much more info on the swap --> http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=65505

ryan1212 · #8 Post by **ryan1212** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:25 pm

Would it be possible to get IBM to send me another one, being that it is out of warranty and the last board was sent as a "one time exception"?

Do they offer a warranty on replacement parts even if the machine is out of warranty?

My first board lasted 5 years, the replacement lasted 2 months, I cannot complain though, since I was sent the last board even though the product was out of warranty.

I understand it would be nearly impossible for IBM to tell what system pull boards are nearing the end of their life, and I am sure planar no longer manufactures this old of a board.

#9 Post by **underclocker** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 5:16 am

Yes. It won't hurt in any way to call support and explain what happened.

I had a T42 that showed signs of the GPU issue three days after the warranty expired. IBM made an exception, after I escalated the issue, and replaced the mobo. Approx. two months later, it showed signs of an audio problem. One call to support and they sent me a box. I didn't ask how long they cover repairs, but two months didn't seem to be an issue. Be pleasant on the phone, your results may vary!

Call today -> 1-800-IBM-SERV

ryan1212 · #10 Post by **ryan1212** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:56 pm

I talked with support, they are sending me another motherboard! I cannot believe how awesome they are. This is why I recommend lenovo to people!

In the last few days some other weird things have happened with it to, Sometimes when I plug in usb things the cursor goes crazy and pages scroll like mad, and the other night it got to 76C and the fan wouldnt turn on, I restarted it and things worked fine again....

sktn77a · #11 Post by **sktn77a** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:52 pm

ryan1212 wrote:My system is out of warranty and the last was sent to me as a "one time exception" to warranty due to circumstances according to IBM.

Hmmmm............ I wonder if this was their way of acknowledging the T40-T42 graphics chip problem???

IBM Replacement motherboard

IBM Replacement motherboard

Re: IBM Replacement motherboard

Who is online