T30 Motherboard Replacement - NOW SORTED

[chris301up]

My T30 is fitted with a 26P8328 motherboard and I have now found a replacement on a well know auction site with a part number 91P7212.

I have been trawling though various sites and the general advice is that this will interchange without too many problems?

Before I commence replacement can anyone give any further advice regarding this and also, will I need to change any other hardware or cables etc..?

[Neil]

I've swapped a few T30 motherboards before, and never paid any attention to FRU numbers. As long as it was a T30 board it fit with no modifications. I"m sure there are some differences between boards with different FRU numbers, but I don't know what those differences are.

The two numbers you show are both certainly T30 system boards so I don't see any problems with a direct swap. Nothing but the board should be needed.

[RealBlackStuff]

The 91P7212 is meant for CPUs from 1.9GHz upwards which require the "fan 2" (see HMM).
Must honestly say that I never tried this mobo with lower CPU models, but it might work.

[chris301up]

On checking the HMM on page 142 it gives a comprehensive list of motherboard FRU numbers and processors, but it doesn't clearly state which goes with which?

It only states that the 91P7212 is assembly two?

[Neil]

Which CPU do you have?

[RealBlackStuff]

This is what he's got:
NOT SO.

Whoah!
Correction, I thought I saw that in another post by him, but I assumed wrong!

[Neil]

Wow, RBS, do you have on-line ESP or what? I didn't (and still don't) see that info anywhere in this thread or any other that chris301up has posted in.

I think I'll leave it up to you to help this fellow out, as my abilities are far too weak compared with yours.

[chris301up]

I have a Thinkpad T30 2366 (I can't find any other numbers following this).

The processor has the following numbers on it: 3308A149 SL6FH and RH80532 1800/512

Also, there is: FRU:SEE HMM 11S38L4995Z1J27833XOER 303. I assume this number is for the HMM. but I cannot find any reference to it in there?

Trust this helps?

I have not mentioned any of the details RBS quoted in his reply!

[RealBlackStuff]

You got a 1.8GHz CPU.
That 91P7212 board will work.
Found some info that this is more of a "heavy duty" board with higher quality components, compared to the "non-Assy 2" boards.

[chris301up]

Thats good news.

Can you confirm if my existing hardware will fit or will I have to obtain a different fan and cables etc.?

[RealBlackStuff]

You can swap out all parts from one to the other mobo.
Make sure to clean and apply fresh thermal paste between CPU and fan when you reassemble.
And mark where your screws come from!

[chris301up]

Thanks RBS, I am going to order the mobo within the next few days and give it a go.

My old unit is stripped down and ready for refurbishment.

Will keep you posted.

[XonOFF]

Your original 26P8328 MB is for a 1.8MHz processor with Security Chip.

The correct replacement board is the 91P7692

The 91P7212 is, as RBS stated, for 1.9 MHz and up processors with Security Chip. It should work for your slightly slower processor, however.

Several "26P" MB's have been replaced with a newer "91P" version. I presume these have been upgraded somewhat, corrected as needed and also made cheaper somehow.

Here's a link to my source at IBM/Lenovo:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 42335.html

Also note that the 91P7212 (for 1.9MHz and up) has also been replaced again with a 91P7698 board.

[chris301up]

I have just replaced the motherboard with the part mentioned in my previous post.

Still no joy!!

The M/Bo will turn on, and just the same as my old M/Bo, nothing from the screen. If I remove the memory module I get the usual 1-3-3-1 beeps, but with the memory module in place (in either slot) I get nothing, and no beeps.

Maybe the memory module will want replacing also? I havn't access to another laptop with this type of RAM, so is there any way I can test this ??

I have also noticed that the processor fan continues to operate on start-up, on both M/Bo's when usually it normally switches off after some 7-8 seconds or so. Is this normal or a symtom of the ongoing problem?

[RealBlackStuff]

If there is any warranty on that board, I'd return it for a replacement or a full refund incl. shipping.
What happens with an external monitor plugged in?

[chris301up]

This is a used board from a seller on a well known auction site which is supposed to be tested before despatch and warrantied for 30 days.

It could of course, be faulty?

An external monitor won't work, as per the origanal board.

[RealBlackStuff]

You're allowed to mention auction sites such as eBay.
Actually, especially if an item is/was no good, we also would like to know the seller's name, so we can avoid him/her!

Anyway, if he claims it's tested (how? an external monitor doesn't cut it...) and your results show otherwise, send it back.

[chris301up]

Ok. I won't mention the seller just yet until I have contacted them. They may well replace it for another, and I wouldn't want to cause any unnecessary animosity.

[chris301up]

Just an update.

Have returned the motherboard and have had a full refund. Have now purchased another M/Bo, which I know was working, but now that I have installed it in my machine - NOTHING STILL!

As mentioned before, have had the memory tested but does anyone think the processor might now be faulty?

Any further comments would be greatly appreciated.

[RealBlackStuff]

Leave the CPU/Fan and speakers in but remove everything else.
Now on just AC adapter, does the fan come on and the mobo beep 1-3-3-1?
If no fan, probably dead CPU, if no beeps dead mobo.
Have you measured 16V output from your AC adapter?

[chris301up]

I have already done all that, but just to check have done the following.

Have slotted the M/Bo into the base unit, with just the fan & CPU. Booted up and there are the usuaal 1-3-3-1 beeps without the RAM. After installing the RAM in the only working slot, I don't get any beeps, but the fan continues to operate with nothing on the screen.

I get exactly the same result if I use an external monitor!

Have used two different, working adaptors, and the battery, but still no joy.

I seem to be going round in circles?

[RealBlackStuff]

The CPU seems to be OK, but the rest of that mobo is a doubtful.
How do you know your latest mobo is working?
Have you personally seen it working, or is the seller/donor someone you know and trust?
If only one RAM slot works, it is only partially useful with a 1GB stick in it.
But if you insert RAM in either slot and it does not beep, you need to check the RAM in another laptop (e.g. T40/1/2, R40, X31).
If it works there, both RAM slots are failing. Dump the mobo.
Connect an external monitor, does it work? If yes, mobo is partially usable.
Connect the LCD. If it works, the mobo should be good. If not, dump the mobo.
If nothing works, part the machine out and step up to a newer model.
T40/1/2 and R50/1 can use your RAM, AC adapter, optical and hard disk.
If one of these, get an R51 with integrated Intel graphics.

[chris301up]

Yes the M/Bo is out of a working T30 that I have seen operating.

As previuosly mentioned an external monitor also doesn't work.

Have checked the RAM out in my local PC shop and that works fine.

Don't really want to dump it now after spending so much time trying to find out the problem. Its got to be something I am missing?

[RealBlackStuff]

Your RAM must be shot, can't think of anything else.
It must be PC2100 or PC2700. PC3200 will most likely not work at all.

[chris301up]

The RAM is PC2100S x 512mb DDR.

I have thought this all along, but when I took it to my local PC shop last week, they put it in another machine and it booted up fine?

Admittedly, they only went as far as the boot screen, but we thought that was enough to prove that it was working?

[RealBlackStuff]

Beg/steal/borrow another PC2100 Sodimm, any size will do, as long as it is guaranteed to work.
Then try again in both slots.
If still no joy, consider admitting defeat

[chris301up]

Okey Dokey! Got a piece of 256mb RAM and it works. Yipee!!!

Got the problem of re-assembly now??

Notice front memory slot doesn't work though. Might try to re-solder it before I begin?

Thanks to all for your advice. I'll let you know how things go from here.

[jronald]

RBS
2 years ago you or someone you were helping had a bad output board that was causing fits. Changed it and the T30 worked fine.

Maybe?
Ron

[chris301up]

Don't think this post refers to me RBS?

[RealBlackStuff]

No, I am a.k.a. RBS

Don't remember any I/O board problems on a T30, only on a T23, but maybe?