Mixing and Matching T41 parts.

[muskrat]

I've read these two posts. And still not quit sure of full compatibility.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=86201
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=86169

I have two T41 laptops, both have bad keyboards, and video problems. I assume it's the video chip, since this is a common problem with T41's. My question is two fold.

Frist, Is the T43 considerably more reliable do to the change in the soldering method used on those boards, as it's stated in the above post?

Second, Since I also have two running T41's, that gives me a total of 4 T41 machines, So which models can I purchase and be sure of pretty much full compatibility?

I have under stood it this way, please correct me if I'm wrong, or if there's more models available for my choose.

T40, T41, T42, T43 (has different ram), R50, R51

Third, What is the p? such as a T41p

My point here is, I have 4 machines, I love them very much, the two that are working, are working great. I had one reballed by one of the folks on this board, and he did a great job, it's still working. I would like to fix/use some of these parts of the other two to fix at least one more. I purchased all 4 on eBay, but as you can see, I got stung 3 times by the loose video chip syndrom. And I'd like to be somewhat wiser IBM thinkpad purchaser next time.

I see a lot of IBMs on ebay for parts. There seems to be just about all models. So what models can I count on my parts fitting? I guess is my real question. Is my above list comprehensive?

Thanks for your consideration in helping educate me.

[muskrat]

One More question please,

Is this board the same as My T41 boards?

##########
NEW! IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad X41 1.5GHz Motherboard - Stock# 42T0013. This is a brand new IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad X41 series System board that we purchased directly from IBM. The is brand new and comes in its' factory sealed IBM box as shown above. FRU# on the board is 42T0013 and it contains a Centrino 1.5GHz/2M CPU installed. Board will carry a 14-Day DOA warranty to ensure that it works to your satisfaction upon arrival.
###########

Or is the x series different that t series?

[ajkula66]

X41 board will not fit any T series machine.

"p" stands for performance, notably for Fire GL T2 GPU used in T41p (as well as in T42p and R50p).

You can put any T4x/R5x board in your shell, the main questions are:

a) What exactly do you want to accomplish and

b) What are you willing to spend

Posting 7-character model numbers of those two T41s wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Good luck.

[muskrat]

These two boxes are complete, with memory, cdroms, hard drives, power supplies etc.

Except for the fact that the keyboards and video is giving problems on both of them.

I was think about biding on some bunched sales on ebay that have two or three machines in one sale, for parts. So I was wondering about how wide I could go, model wise. Since it seems most of these parts will work on several models.

As for posting my model numbers, it wouldn't matter because when I'm buying these other used boxes for parts I wouldn't have thier numbers. Any way here are the two I have for repair or parts to repair others.
one box is type "2374-327" S/N "99-220PF" 04/07
the other is type "2373-8CU" S/N "99-3MA1F" 03/11

The reason I ask about the x series mother board is because the seller wouldn't answer my question, and it said it was a new board, for 40 bucks. But if it's not the same then I don't want it.

You see, these package sales of used boxes for parts, generally don't have all the stuff I have that i know works, such as power cord, memory, HD, CDrom wifi etc.

[RealBlackStuff]

To get both faulty machines going that you have now, you should look for some 14" R51 with Intel integrated graphics.
Except for the case and lid itself, all parts will work in your existing T4x, incl. keyboards and LCDs.
Those are the R51 types starting with 28xx (R51 with type 18xx all have ATI graphics).

[muskrat]

Ok Thanks, But if I'm going to depend on the graphics of the new purchased boards to work since mine don't, do I need to worry wither they are ATI or intel? Or does the ATI not fit into the T41 case?

And I assume the R51 doesn't have that famous chip coming loose problem?

[RealBlackStuff]

Read my post again, look for R51 mobos with Intel integrated graphics.
These do not have the chip problem.
Don't buy any ATI boards. They'll fit, but may have or develop the same problems you have now!

[muskrat]

Ok point taken. Thanks!

[muskrat]

I bought a R51 that was listed on ebay for parts/repair, It was lacking memory, and HD drives so the seller didn't even test it beyond a bios test. But it seems to be working with just adding my HD and memory from My T41, so I guess I'll use it for awhile. It does have the Intel Chip.

So thanks a lot for your advice. The HD caddy doesn't really fit, but it works So I see what your saying about the case is slightly thicker.