My R51E transplant into a T4X

[Mikem95626]

Just got done putting a R51E motherboard into a T4x shell.
If anyone is interested in replacing there failed motherboard with one of these, I will try to list the pros and cons.
Cons:
Only XGA screens seem to be compatible
Loss of DOCK connector
Loss of ultrabay battery connecter
Loss of S-Video connecter
Ultrabay will accept all types of drives, but is no longer hot swappable...cant boot to a hard drive, and you have to search for hardware if you hot swap. Also, it seems to be limited to 33MB/s.
Loss of touchpad connector
Has 2gb limit on memory. Windows 7 shows 2.5gb, but says only 2gb is usable
Speaker pinout on motherboard is different, requiring small modification to speaker wiring
Loss of microphone

Pros:
Takes DDR2 memory, making 2gb upgrade very cheap
Dothan 400mhz CPUs are pin-moddable
No loose GPU problems
Windows 7 native graphics drivers

I ended up with 2 holes in the case from where the S-video and dock connectors where. I stole a S-video connector from a bad motherboard, and placed a sticker over the dock hole, so cosmetically it looks great. I also replaced the standard palmrest with a non touchpad one.

So I now have a very unique T4x series laptop, running a Dothan 1.7 at 2.23 GHZ with 2GB of DDR2 ram.
The best part about it is that Windows 7 loads all the drivers natively, and allows windows glass to be enabled. It is running extremely fast!
Mike

[irus]

great thanks for the info im surprised it takes ddr2 would a t4x board take ddr2?

[Harryc]

It depends on the T4X board. T40 thru T42 takes PC-2100 or PC-2700. T43 takes PC2-4200 or PC2-5300.

[richk]

R51e doesn't use DDR2. R52 uses DDR2, but there is no R52e

[RealBlackStuff]

As per HMM, the R51e and R52 do take PC2-PC4200 RAM.

[Mikem95626]

Best part is, the board and 2gb ram only cost me $50

[underclocker]

I didn't see this post earlier. Sweet modification! Now that's one sleek, good looking R51e!

Did you try using an SXGA+ panel with a corresponding LCD cable from a T4x?

[madkat]

Interesting mod.
Thought of doing this about an year ago - aware of the would-be lack of touchpad, s-video and diferrent speakers pinout. Enough drawbacks to me... but other than that the result is kindof a TR453

[Temetka]

Sounds like an interesting mod.

I personally wouldn't have done it, but sounds like it is working out for you.

I am curious as to why the ultrabay runs at 33/MBs.