Quite a few questions again...

[LegendaryKA8]

Alrighty... as I posted previously I made a trade deal for several T4x machines, one of which I have Frankensteined together using the best components I could find. This one I have built is working flawlessly, so no problems there... but I'm starting to wade through the others and see what I can do. At the very least the goal is to build a working machine for my niece, which I'm almost certain I can accomplish(though not nearly as good as the T42 hybrid I've made ). I'll be using the motherboard and parts from my known good working T41 for that, so other than a fan and a palmrest I'm set.


I am now looking at two of the machines and am having ideas. Here's the specs as best I can tell:

14.1" T41, 2373-4GU, MR7500

15" T42, 2379-DXU, MR9600

Both machines will not boot, and exhibit the same symptoms. With RAM removed both will make the same "I have no RAM" beep code. With RAM in the system, the fan will power up and indicator lights will flash on the LCD lid, but will not power on. My assumption is that this is not the loose GPU issue.


However, now that I've done a little research, it seems that the 15" has a Flexview LCD. I do know that it is an SXGA+ unit at the very least. This makes me interested in swapping all the working goodies that my current T42 has into this chassis. I currently have a fingerprint reader on this machine, so that would have to be swapped over. I'm almost sold on this but I have a few questions; most of these a matter of opinion.

Firstly, this chassis is not all that complete. I'm missing the palmrest, half the screws needed to assemble it, and I know if I am going to keep my FP reader I will need to get the correct palmrest and 'drive cage' with the FP reader cutout. I'm assuming the HDD caddy from my 14.1" will work, right? Is there anything else I'm forgetting?

Are the Flexview screens significantly higher quality than what is offered in the 14.1" Thinkpads? I'm already satisfied with my current screen, but from what a lot of you say these Flexview units are one of the best LCDs that Thinkpads ever came with... if that is so it would be sad to keep this just sitting in my parts box. Will this be worth the effort in swapping over? I'm also a little worried about the screen not working, but it looks like the system been excellently taken care of, at least cosmetically. I don't want to go through the trouble of a motherboard swap just for testing the LCD panel; is there another way to get this working?

What are the differences between the 14.1" and 15" chassis? The 15" will naturally be a little heavier, but it doesn't look like it's that much larger than my current one. Is the 15" chassis any more durable and less prone to flex than the 14.1"? How about portability... is it more of a PITA to take around? I am on the move practically all the time, but I only use my notebooks on a desk or table. I know this is strictly my call, but I'd like to hear from those who have used both of these systems for a direct comparison. I don't exactly travel light so a minor difference in size/weight isn't going to make a huge difference.

So... can anyone chime in?

[Harryc]

So, to net this long post out ( ). You want to swap a 15" Flexview LCD from a T42 into your T42. Is your T42 a 15" model also? If yes, just swap the entire LCD assembly into your existing machine.....that is 1000x's easier than changing systemboards.

[dr_st]

Re: portability. Having owned and traveled with both 14" and 15" models, I can say that I do prefer the portability of the 14". It is lighter, thinner and less bulky. However, the Flexview screens are really so much better, than I can easily justify the extra bulk, especially if it is not on a regular basis.

I'll give you an example: right now I'm sitting at a coffee shop, typing this on my T60 15" Flexview. I much prefer it to my 14" T60, and every time I go sit somewhere on a weekend, I take the 15" with me. On the other hand, the 14" is what I carry to work 3-5 days a week in my backpack.

Re: part interchangeability. I am not quite sure I understand what kind of transplant you are looking to perform, but you should know that not a single element of the chassis can be swapped between 14" and 15" models. Not the palmrest, not the bezel, not the keyboard, not the LCD and lid.

[sktn77a]

My observation has been that the 14" displays on the T40-T42 were just fine - not as good as the 15" Flexview for viewing angles (obviously) but much better than my T61p 14" (4:3) displays. An advantage of the 1024x768 resolution of the 14" screens is readability. My old eyes just can't get to grips with the tiny images on the 15" SXGA+ Displays! Also, I consider my 14" T4x computers good portables but my 15" is just a bit too big and heavy. So, as usual, it's a tradeoff.

[ajkula66]

You may very well have a loose GPU issue...have you tried pressing on the card itself while the machine is booting?

Personally, I'd just restore the 15" unit and enjoy it...nothing, and I mean NOTHING beats a FlexView at least in my book...

[richk]

I vote for GPU issue on both

[LegendaryKA8]

Thanks for the suggestions, and sorry for the long-winded post. I was pretty tired last night and can get a little... ramble-y.

What I'm trying to do is swap the mobo from my 14" T42 over to the 15" T42 chassis. This means system board and the whole nine yards. Difficult? Yes. However, it definitely can be done with the right parts. I'm finding some good deals on the FP reader palmrest on Feebay, but not the drive cage. Would there be a way to just cut into the drive cage in order to get the clearance needed? I already have the keyboard, so all I would really need is the palmrest, screws and HDD caddy and I would be in business.

And you guys think these motherboards could be ones with loose GPUs; ie: repairable? Interesting. I'll try pressing them in as I boot them tonight and see how that goes. If that happens I'll eventually ship them out to get reballed.

[LegendaryKA8]

I'm back with some questions on the keyboard. What are the differences between the 14" and the 15" keyboards? Are the 15" ones larger? I can tell that there's one screw missing on the bottom of the 15" chassis, but setting a 14" keyboard down in it seemed to work just fine. The keyboard I'm using on my 14" right now was sitting connected to the 15" chassis and seems to fit in just fine, although the person I traded it from might have confused it for a 15". What's the scoop?

Edit: I managed to pull and test the 15" lid... it definitely is a Flexview. Even looking at the startup splash screen I'm impressed.

[Neil]

IIRC the 14" and 15" keyboards are similar in size, but have the screw posts in different locations.

[ajkula66]

Neil is correct, the screws do have a different placement between 14" and 15" units.

Having said that, neither of these should be difficult to come by...

Are you certain that the motherboard in JXU supports the FP, though? I've seen your ad in the Marketplace and am doubtful about that...of course, this is off the top of my head, and I may be wrong...

[LegendaryKA8]

Are you certain that the motherboard in JXU supports the FP, though? I've seen your ad in the Marketplace and am doubtful about that...of course, this is off the top of my head, and I may be wrong...

The motherboard in the JXU is definitely toast... tested it by pushing down on the GPU whilst booting and am getting nothing. I will be using the motherboard from my 2373-M3U, which does have the FP reader and security chip.