back ports from T23 to T21

[grudziu]

Hello!
I'm going to replace back ports in my T21 with back ports from T23.
Is it possible to make this replacement?
I want to buy this: http://www.allegro.pl/item157325145_ibm ... szta_.html

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

The T21 only has one USB port while the T23 has two. You would have to cut the back panel of the T21 base in order to access the second USB port on the T23 I/O board. That is the physical change which you may have to do. This assumes that the motherboard plug is the same between the two boards, which I do not know if that is true or not. Also, the I/O board has a connector which goes into the MiniPCI area. The ribbon cable used for this is different between the T21 and T23. Again, I do not know if you can simply use your existing cable in the T21 with the I/O board from the T23.

What is the main reason why you want to make this substitution? Just to get the second USB port? I did a quick search of the archives but I could not find any posts which asked this question.

[grudziu]

Q:What is the main reason why you want to make this substitution? Just to get the second USB port? I did a quick search of the archives but I could not find any posts which asked this question.

A: Second USB , ps/2 and LAN - my ps/2 port and LAN adapter are dead :/
ps/2 - third butoon , scroller , doesn't work,
LAN -xp doesn't see it.
But for me most important is 2nd USB. I have already USB hub x4 but it isn't comfortable and (for example) bluetooth with mouse and adsl modem cannot work at the same time :/ There are problems with current.

Thank you for answer Too many problems with this replacement.

[alagregg]

replacing the back port is unlikley to fix your PS/2 or lan problems. (unless your problem stem from a damaged physical connection).

since you say your NIC (network card) is not found by windows this would suggest a more internal problem, which may require a new mini-pci card (or motherboard problem). Althougth i would suggest re-seating the mini-pci card first to check the connection.

i would also be skeptical as to whether the USB would work, as the T23 has a compleatly different mobo. Althougth i imagine the other T2x's may have unused USB's meant for a docking station.

If you are up for hacking an extra usb port, i personally have always considered the ultraport the ideal candidate on the T2x's as it is essentially a USB port already.
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/UltraPort

you could simiply solder some wires on to the ultraport connector, run them back inside the laptop and then fit in a port somewhere (addmittedly easier said then done).

This may damage your thinkpad though, as could any hacking, so do this at your own risk