need your help and opinions on a T43p nightmare repair.....

[midnight08]

I am new here and somewhat new to computers.... This will probably turn out to be rather lengthy in order to get you all the information on the computer

The original problem: My T43p Model: 2668-G2U was having a problem with freezing up unless pressure was put on the lower right hand corner of the laptop. I took it to a buddy that supposedly repaired these same symptoms. He said that the MOBO was pretty much toast from years of me improperly holding the computer. I got the laptop back and took it to a place called "The Laptop Repair" in Gainesville Florida.... He originally told me that he was going to repair the MOBO and would take a day. It turned out that the MOBO was unrepairable. so he replaced it with what he said was an "updated version of my MOBO" which later turned out to be just a T42/T42p MOBO. It also took him 3 weeks to get this done. I took the laptop and began testing it out... this is where the perverbial "sh#$ hit the fan....." First I noticed that he had installed a long screw in the wrong place and put a hole in the palm rest.... Then while using the laptop I could not get it to connect to the internet. The network connections were renamed and everything was different.... I tried doing a system restore to undo anything that he had done to the network connections and this let me know that the drivers in the system restore did not support the MOBO that he put in.... it wouldn't load windows..... I got my money back and a new palm rest.

I am now in O'Fallon, Illinois for Christmas break and took that computer to a trusted repair shop where I have had computers built and repaired at before... I ask them to pull the computer apart and tell me what MOBO was in the computer and tell me anything out of the norm that they found.... They discovered that the white wire for the MIMO in the computer was disconnected and wrapped in clear packaging tape and had no place to be reconnected.... The wrong drivers for the wireless were installed and that was causing the wireless to not work properly (cycle between having connection and not. as well as not being able to find networks)... The MOBO that the guy installed is one from a T42/T42P, and there is no heat sink near video card on the MOBO....and the biggest of all... The CPU is a 2.13 Ghz pentium M that is only running at (i think he said) 1.53 Ghz. So pretty much this Laptop Repair Company in Gainesville royally screwed my computer..... now I cant actually say that he ruined the processor, but he did some pretty good damage to the rest of it.

So... what do you all think? get a new ThinkPad? or rebuild my T43p?

I have to say that I LOVED this computer before all of this happened.... I LOVE the ergonomics of the laptop and the no frills of the look of the computer...

The computer is stable at the moment.... It is running XP pro fine and is able to run wireless without a hitch now that the proper drivers are installed. However it is running slow at 1.53 Ghz....

If you think the computer is rebuild able, What is the BEST MOBO that I can get for the computer without spending more than a new computer... What processor should I run... video card upgradeable? What about HDD or should I go SDD? how much do you think I will spend rebuilding the computer to be a very well built machine while being reliable? can i run Windows 7 and still be able to retain the finger print reader etc? How much ram can the computer take? 2x1gig sticks?

If you think that the computer is pretty much shot and will not be able to be rebuilt without spending tons of money, what new ThinkPad should I look at that closely resembles my T43p?

Thank you in advance.
Justin

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.
Your Gainesville repair shop has screwed you over royally.
T42 mobos are quite different from T43 mobos.
T43/p uses different RAM (DDR2 PC4200 or PC5300) instead of DDR PC2700 in a T42.
Hard disks on a T43 need to be of an IBM-approved type, otherwise they will cause an Error 2010 (these HDs will work fine in a T42 without that error).
The CPUs on a T43 are also different from those for the T42. T43 CPUs have FSB 533, whereas the T42 has FSB 400.
You cannot put a T42 mobo in a T43 and expect it to work with the other T43 components above (and vice versa).
T43/p doesn't have an equivalent, but R52 is the same as a T43, with the only difference that an R52 mobo with Intel GPU can drive a 15" SXGA+ screen, and a T43 mobo with Intel GPU can not. R52 and T43 with ATI GPU (X300) are identical.
If you do not require the horsepower of the 128MB FireGL ATI GPU on a T43/p, you could put in a normal T43 or R52 mobo with 64MB ATI GPU (X300), or, if you can live with shared memory (variable, up to 128MB), an R52 mobo with integrated Intel GPU is your most solid (and probably cheapest) alternative.

Both T42 and T43 max out at 2x 1GB RAM.
A T43 (or T43/p) with 2GB RAM runs W7 great, XP-Pro probably a tad better.
You can get PATA/IDE HDs up to 320GB, although on a T43 they run with Error 2010 (only at boot time).

If you don't want to update your T43/p, your best/closest bet would be a T60.

[midnight08]

so pretty much you are saying that my original processor and ram that was in my T43p was not swapped over to this T42 MOBO? I know that it has the original hard drive in it. but other than that... i am at a loss as to how i can tell if my original equipment was swapped over to the new MOBO that i was given... if need be i will go back to the shop in gainesville when i get back into town and raise hell about the parts that were stripped from my computer...

If i open up my computer can you guys help me find out if the parts that are currently in the computer are the parts that should be in the computer?

[Harryc]

Run CPU-Z to get your CPU information and post it here. The T43 CPU is different from that in a T42, so the repair shop used a different (slower?) CPU. In addition, as RBS mentioned, the RAM is also different...better check on total RAM installed. Is it the same amount as what you had? Unscrew the bottom RAM cover to see what it is ... post the part numbers found here.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-51504

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

One more thing, when you remove the bottom DIMM, you will have access to the part number for the systemboard. Post it here.

[midnight08]

The ram is the same amount 2x512mb... one stick is IBM one stick is samsung i remember that from pulling apart earlier in the week.. i will get you the rest of the information soon

[RealBlackStuff]

This is what you had (RAM and HD may be different if you upgraded them).
Product: ThinkPad T43p 2668-G2U [change]
Operating system: All [change]

Original description: P M 770, 1GB RAM, 60GB HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 128MB ATI FireGL V3200, CD-RW/DVD-R Multi-Burner, Intel 802.11a/b/g wireless(MPCI), Bluetooth/Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, Fingerprint Reader, 9c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

You can find a list of all original part numbers if you enter your Type and Serial # here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... yle=lenovo

That guy most likely kept your mobo/RAM/CPU and maybe even the wifi card. Get a shotgun and go do nasty things with it...

[midnight08]

well the wireless is going out on the T43 again..... it worked for about 10 minutes then crapped out on me again.... it lets me see the wireless network i want... lets me try to connect to it... and tries to connect... but wont ever connect... I ran the CPU-Z program but i am trying to get the wireless to work long enough to post those results....

From what the repair shop here in O'Fallon has on the repair sheet, it looks like it has a AGP 4x ATI Radeon M 7500 card, WLAN - Intel WM3B2100

I will get you all the full info from CPU-Z as soon as i can.

[midnight08]

Ran CPU-Z info below:

Processors Information
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 1 ID = 0
Number of cores 1 (max 1)
Number of threads 1 (max 1)
Name Intel Pentium M 770
Codename Dothan
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 2.13GHz
Package (platform ID) Socket 479 mPGA (0x5)
CPUID 6.D.8
Extended CPUID 6.D
Brand ID 22
Core Stepping C0
Technology 90 nm
Core Speed 599.5 MHz
Multiplier x FSB 6.0 x 99.9 MHz
Rated Bus speed 399.7 MHz
Stock frequency 2133 MHz
Instructions sets MMX, SSE, SSE2
L1 Data cache 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 2048 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size
FID/VID Control yes
FID range 6.0x - 16.0x
Max VID 1.356 V
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chipset
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge Intel i855PM rev. A3
Southbridge Intel 82801DB (ICH4-M) rev. 01
Graphic Interface AGP
AGP Revision 2.0
AGP Transfer Rate 4x
AGP SBA supported, enabled
Memory Type DDR
Memory Size 1024 MBytes
Memory Frequency 166.5 MHz (3:5)
CAS# latency (CL) 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD) 3
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 3
Cycle Time (tRAS) 7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Memory SPD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM # 1
SMBus address 0x50
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) Samsung (CE00000000000000)
Size 512 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2700 (166 MHz)
Part number M4 70L6524BT0-CB3
Serial number F503F624
Manufacturing date Week 52/Year 05
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
Nominal Voltage 2.50 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 2.0-3-3-6-0 @ 133 MHz
JEDEC #2 2.5-3-3-7-0 @ 166 MHz

DIMM # 2
SMBus address 0x51
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) Infineon (C100000000000000)
Size 512 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2700 (166 MHz)
Part number 64D64020HDL6B
Serial number 03005824
Manufacturing date Week 52/Year 05
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
Nominal Voltage 2.50 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 2.0-3-3-6-0 @ 133 MHz
JEDEC #2 2.5-3-3-7-0 @ 166 MHz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monitoring
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mainboard Model 23734WU (0x000001AF - 0x0043E335)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Display Adapters
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter 0
Manuf. API index 0
Display name \\.\DISPLAY1
Name ATI MOBILITY RADEON 7500
Memory size 32 MB
Memory bus width 32 bits
PCI device bus 1 (0x1), device 0 (0x0), function 0 (0x0)
Vendor ID 0x1002 (0x1014)
Model ID 0x4C57 (0x0530)
Performance Level 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
DMI BIOS
vendor IBM
version 1RETDRWW (3.23 )
date 06/18/2007

DMI System Information
manufacturer IBM
product 23734WU
version ThinkPad T42
serial L312D16
UUID B964B601-47BC11CB-BBD9AF8E-1E91D04F

DMI Baseboard
vendor IBM
model 23734WU
revision Not Available
serial VJ0B658P1BL

DMI System Enclosure
manufacturer IBM
chassis type Notebook
chassis serial Not Available

DMI Processor
manufacturer GenuineIntel
model Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor
clock speed 1533.0 MHz
FSB speed 400.0 MHz
multiplier 4.0x

DMI Memory Controller
correction unknown
Max module size 1024 MBytes

DMI Memory Module
designation DIMM Slot 1
size 512 MBytes (double bank)

DMI Memory Module
designation DIMM Slot 2
size 512 MBytes (double bank)

DMI Port Connector
designation Not Available (internal)
designation Infrared (external)
connector Infrared

DMI Port Connector
designation Not Available (internal)
designation Parallel (external)
port type Parallel Port ECP/EPP
connector DB-25 female

DMI Port Connector
designation Not Available (internal)
designation External Monitor (external)
port type Video Port
connector DB-15 female

DMI Port Connector
designation Not Available (internal)
designation Microphone Jack (external)
port type Audio Port
connector Mini Jack (headphones)

DMI Port Connector
designation Not Available (internal)
designation Headphone Jack (external)
port type Audio Port
connector Mini Jack (headphones)

DMI Port Connector
designation Not Available (internal)
designation S-Video-Out (external)
port type Video Port

DMI Port Connector
designation Not Available (internal)
designation Modem (external)
port type Modem Port
connector RJ-11

DMI Port Connector
designation Not Available (internal)
designation Ethernet (external)
port type Network Port
connector RJ-45

DMI Port Connector
designation Not Available (internal)
designation USB 1 (external)
port type USB
connector Access Bus (USB)

DMI Port Connector
designation Not Available (internal)
designation USB 2 (external)
port type USB
connector Access Bus (USB)

DMI Extension Slot
designation CardBus Slot 1
type PCMCIA
width 32 bits
populated no

DMI Extension Slot
designation CardBus Slot 2
type PCMCIA
width 32 bits
populated no

DMI Extension Slot
designation Mini-PCI Slot 1
type PCI
width 32 bits
populated no

DMI OEM Strings
string[0] IBM ThinkPad Embedded Controller -[1RHT71WW-3.04 ]-

DMI Physical Memory Array
location Motherboard
usage System Memory
correction None
max capacity 1024 MBytes
max# of devices 2

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM 1
format SODIMM
type DDR
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 512 MBytes

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM 2
format SODIMM
type DDR
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 512 MBytes


Graphics
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of adapters 1

Graphic APIs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

API ATI OD5
API ATI I/O

Display Adapters
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter 0
Manuf. API index 0
Display name \\.\DISPLAY1
Name ATI MOBILITY RADEON 7500
Memory size 32 MB
Memory bus width 32 bits
PCI device bus 1 (0x1), device 0 (0x0), function 0 (0x0)
Vendor ID 0x1002 (0x1014)
Model ID 0x4C57 (0x0530)
Performance Level 0


Software
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windows Version Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (Build 2600)
DirectX Version 9.0c

[emeraldgirl08]

Sheesh. I wouldn't call that guy my friend! He ripped you off. He swapped your T43P with a T42???

I hope you get your old mobo back or some kind of compensation!

[midnight08]

the last time i talked to him i think i remember him saying he pitched the MOBO. i will be getting some type of compensation.....

[comptechexpert]

I should hope you are getting some compensation to.
Sorry to hear about your repair tragedy.
Hope you sort it.

[midnight08]

how bad are we talking here? can you guys help me out with the parts that are incorrect on this computer based off of the info in the CPU-Z read out? I need to know what i have to go back to him and demand compensation for.....

[underclocker]

Sorry to hear about this. The shop should be cited for fraud.

The good news first. He did give you back your CPU, which is worth about $50.

The bad news. He swapped out the highest performance T43p motherboard (which was defective), with the lowest specification T42 motherboard. He also swapped out 1) your memory, 2) your fan, 3) your modem/Bluetooth adapter (for a modem only), 4) wireless adapter (he gave you a "b" only Intel model, you had "a/b/g"). He had to swap the memory and modem, since the T43 versions won't work on the T42 motherboard.

As you have seen, the CPU works, but it's slower, since it's running on the wrong bus (again, not a problem, just slower).

So, you lost Bluetooth, high speed wireless, and some speed. However, your machine did need a new motherboard. The correct wireless adapter is $10, but your old one should definitely work, if you can get a hold of it. So, you'd be down Bluetooth and speed. Depending upon what you paid (or what the net amount paid will be), you may be OK, if you can deal with the result.

The only real way to correct the situation is to find the correct motherboard. ONLY a T43p motherboard is the direct, high performance replacement. Any ATI GPU T43 or R52 motherboard will also work, but those have lower performance ATI graphics chips. Additionally, some R52's have FireWire connectors which would be useless on your machine.

Your board was probably repairable. Just search the T4x forum for more info. The cost is about $75.

I'd get my money (and board w/ parts) back and start again. Again, sorry to hear about the "repair".

[midnight08]

did the T42 come with the processor that i have? if it did i am sure he simply swapped in a completely new MOBO from a T42.......

I think my plan of action is to demand my old parts be given back to me... as well as my money back and i will keep the T42 board in the computer.... if he can not return my motherboard, then i think i will be going to IBM for a quote on new parts to replace the things that he took and probably sold off to get profit.....

if he cant do this.... i think civil suit is called for....

Merry Christmas everyone...

[Harryc]

did the T42 come with the processor that i have? if it did i am sure he simply swapped in a completely new MOBO from a T42.......

The T42 did not come with the CPU (Pentium M 770) that you currently have.

[RealBlackStuff]

I don't think that T42 mobo has connections for your fingerprint reader (AFAIK only on high-spec T42p).
Read my first post again, it has all the options.
So, ask back for your:
- original motherboard
- original CPU-fan
- original DDR2 PC4200 RAM
- original wifi card a/b/g
- original bluetooth/modem card
- a LOT of compensation, under threat of a civil lawsuit. Hope you have a lawyer friend with 'clout'.

Finally, check if you still have your SXGA+ LCD screen.

Merry Christmas!

[midnight08]

thanks for the info guys....

How would i tell if i have the original SXGA+ LCD screen?

[goofyGAguy]

Go into Device Manager, double-click Monitors and see what is listed.

[midnight08]

hey guys... just trying to find out if he scammed me on the LCD as well... I went to device manager/monitors, but it only tells me that its a 1400x1050 monitor... is there some place that will tell me if its the SXGA+?

[Harryc]

1400x1050 resolution is SXGA+.

[midnight08]

thank you sir