T4x IDE Socket Transfer: Possible?

[The Spirit of X21]

I have a T41 with a dead system board. Would it be possible to transfer its IDE socket to a newer model ThinkPad, like a T43?

[ajkula66]

Why would you want to do that in the first place?

[The Spirit of X21]

To get one fully-functional system out of two partially-functioning ones without buying a new system board.

[Neil]

While this might be "possible", it most certainly is not practical. I wouldn't even consider it myself. With a little patience, I have been able to pick up parts R51 units with Intel graphics to replace faulty T40 boards when I needed to. Both times the cost was less than $50. Swapping a motherboard is about as far as I will go to repair a computer any more. I've totally given up on trying to do board level repairs.

[The Spirit of X21]

OK. Thanks for answering. The most practical option is certainly a board swap. If anyone has any experience with board-level repair work, though, I'd love to hear about it.

[ajkula66]

The problem here being, IDE socket from the second board may be missing with a reason on a T4x unit. Many people assume that the machine stops "seeing" hard drives due to a defective connector, while it's actually the Southbridge chip going haywire...

Of course, the connector can go bad as well, but that's a pretty rare occurance in my experience...

As for board level repair, I'm with Neil on that one...

[poshgeordie]

The problem here being, IDE socket from the second board may be missing with a reason on a T4x unit. Many people assume that the machine stops "seeing" hard drives due to a defective connector, while it's actually the Southbridge chip going haywire...

Of course, the connector can go bad as well, but that's a pretty rare occurance in my experience...

As for board level repair, I'm with Neil on that one...

Also check the motherboard IDE connector through-hole metal inserts on your 'new' board are all present, since it's easy to pull them out when the old connector was removed.
If any are missing there may not be a proper connection between the top and bottom of the motherboard, to say nothing of any inner connections within the multilayer board sections

To check the state of the southbridge chip,put the HDD into an Ultrabay hard disk carrier. When starting the laptop press F12 and select the HDD from the list. Once booted check there is audio output and USB ports work as 2.0 - not a complete check but will give a good overall indication.

Also make sure the graphics chip is Ok with no blackouts, freezing etc.

In fact it may be an easy way of getting the board to work, though you'd need to then use an external CD drive if required.

And to be honest +1 for Neil as well