Thinkpads Forum

QWERTY Andreas wrote:
It is based on the fact that windows OEM keys are locked to the motherboard.

We are not in the desktop world with this discussion, which is why I said:

What kind of empirical ThinkPad-related data are you basing these statements on?

The absolute worst that can happen - and that's presuming one is running a retail or volume version of the OS in question - is that a call to Microsoft would be required in order to re-activate the OS. If the OS was installed from factory media there will be no issue. Period.

And that newer versions of windows is better at handling hardwarechanges.

Which hardware changes? While I don't disagree with your statement in principle, all that one needs to do when going from nVidia to Intel - which was the original scenario in this thread - is to:

a) Uninstall all nVidia-related software.

b) Install the proper driver for Intel integrated graphics.

That's IT. And this is coming from someone who has swapped hundreds - if not thousands - planars on ThinkPads over the past decade.

ajkula66 wrote:

QWERTY Andreas wrote:
It is based on the fact that windows OEM keys are locked to the motherboard.

We are not in the desktop world with this discussion, which is why I said:

What kind of empirical ThinkPad-related data are you basing these statements on?

The absolute worst that can happen - and that's presuming one is running a retail or volume version of the OS in question - is that a call to Microsoft would be required in order to re-activate the OS. If the OS was installed from factory media there will be no issue. Period.

And that newer versions of windows is better at handling hardwarechanges.

Which hardware changes? While I don't disagree with your statement in principle, all that one needs to do when going from nVidia to Intel - which was the original scenario in this thread - is to:

a) Uninstall all nVidia-related software.

b) Install the proper driver for Intel integrated graphics.

That's IT. And this is coming from someone who has swapped hundreds - if not thousands - planars on ThinkPads over the past decade.

a planar replacement of the same chipset even if the video is different and video will not cause a no boot situation. IDE/SATA drivers, and other chipset functionality is the issue with XP. If you keep same chipset, i agree with you, but he's talking about from a t61 to a t500, so chipset is different. I could have been clearer. If he could boot xp, you can prepare for the chipset change, but he has no way to boot os on old chipset, so a seamless transition of os from t61 to t500 is hard on xp, but generally seamless on 8.

I'm not saying it's impossible. just shove hard drive in, run windows of choice install/upgrade and will be good. Just saying if you change motherboard chipsets and expect XP to boot no problems, you are almost always disapointed.

MrMaguire wrote: Can someone tell me more about the supposedly "safe" nVidia chips on 2008-era planars? What exactly did they change to prevent failure?

New chip from nvidia with defect corrected. Those planars are VERY hard to come by though. I gave up. I could take my chances 5 times and still spend less on an early roll-the-dice planar.

TimeTomorrow wrote:
a planar replacement of the same chipset even if the video is different and video will not cause a no boot situation. IDE/SATA drivers, and other chipset functionality is the issue with XP. If you keep same chipset, i agree with you, but he's talking about from a t61 to a t500, so chipset is different. I could have been clearer. If he could boot xp, you can prepare for the chipset change, but he has no way to boot os on old chipset, so a seamless transition of os from t61 to t500 is hard.

I do believe that you've misunderstood what was originally discussed in this thread.

OP was inquiring - amongst other things - whether it was possible to swap a *500 series planar in their existing 15.4" T61p shell and was advised that it was a no-go. Booting an OS would've been the least of their problems in the given scenario.

Furthermore, they were advised to replace the sickly nVidia-based planar with one sporting Intel's integrated graphics, remaining within the *61 platform altogether. That's where my original question to you came from, since I've done this particular swap more times than I dare remember without running into an issue of any kind.

Just saying if you change motherboard chipsets and expect XP to boot no problems, you are almost always disapointed.

This statement I would view as valid, but - as I've stated above - it doesn't reflect what was being discussed in this thread to begin with.

ajkula66 wrote:

Just saying if you change motherboard chipsets and expect XP to boot no problems, you are almost always disapointed.

This statement I would view as valid, but - as I've stated above - it doesn't reflect what was being discussed in this thread to begin with.

MTyn wrote: Does a T400/T500 use same RAM, battery and drives? Would a newer type work when i push my current HDD in?

I know the thread has taken a few twists and turns, but his question was can i upgrade to a t400/500 just stick my existing hard drive in. He wanted to leave t6x behind and just move forward with a newer machine.

TimeTomorrow wrote:
I know the thread has taken a few twists and turns,

More than a few...LOL

but his question was can i upgrade to a t400/500 just stick my existing hard drive in. He wanted to leave t6x behind and just move forward with a newer machine.

I missed that one, sort of.

You missed this one - sort of - emphasis mine:

MTyn wrote:The rest of the T61p is in good condition.. fast wireless N card, full of ram and have the WUXGA display.

If one has a T61/p "full of RAM" they're most certainly not running XP.

I was the one who suggested he buy a bare bones T500 and transfer as many components as possible to a T500 including the hi res screen if it were possible. The OP was considering replacing the existing motherboard with a T60 which is a backward step from the T61p.

My original suggestion was that the OP buy a T61 and transfer over his parts to the T61 from his T61p and call it a day.

If you Google this search term, "Paragon_Adaptive_Restore_2010" and click on the first page result.

Maybe i was not clear enough.

The fact is that my T61P is a great machine, it has all upgrades, 4Gb memory and with windows 7 on it. Now the system board is broken i try to find out if i can fix it. Somewhere i cant say goodbye to it yet..

To fix it i need another system board that will fit almost 1:1 but don´t have the nVidia chip.
Downgrade to T60 board wont be a solution for me. As Hans Gruber already said the easiest way will be another T61(P) with Intel on 15.4 screen and use that one to fix mine.

But if it gets too expensive i better save that money to fix it, sell my T61P for spareparts and look for a newer model like T520.

MTyn wrote:Maybe i was not clear enough.

The fact is that my T61P is a great machine, it has all upgrades, 4Gb memory and with windows 7 on it. Now the system board is broken i try to find out if i can fix it. Somewhere i cant say goodbye to it yet..

To fix it i need another system board that will fit almost 1:1 but don´t have the nVidia chip.
Downgrade to T60 board wont be a solution for me. As Hans Gruber already said the easiest way will be another T61(P) with Intel on 15.4 screen and use that one to fix mine.

But if it gets too expensive i better save that money to fix it, sell my T61P for spareparts and look for a newer model like T520.

so get a new intel graphics t61 board for yours for like ~$50. done.
motherboard FRU's: http://t61.wikispaces.com/home

That link gave me great info.
Located the sticker behind the battery and that tells my board is a 44c3931

So for a easy swap i need one of those two :
42w7651 Merom Intel X3100
42w7875 Penryn/Merom Intel X3100

How do i know if my CPU is Merom of Penryn?

MTyn wrote:That link gave me great info.
Located the sticker behind the battery and that tells my board is a 44c3931

So for a easy swap i need one of those two :
42w7651 Merom Intel X3100
42w7875 Penryn/Merom Intel X3100

How do i know if my CPU is Merom of Penryn?

http://bfy.tw/13K3

you got a t7700 merom which is actually a pretty good merom chip. you can also run a penryn chip on a merom board without that much trouble but you aren't into digging too deep so lets just keep it simple.

I already told you a week ago to get the native Penryn-capable 42W7875 Intel mobo.
For all T61 or T61p mobos goes:
42W78xx is native Penryn, but also supports Merom.
42W76xx is native Merom, but also supports Penryn with Middleton BIOS.
Either board will accept EVERYTHING from your 'old' T61/p.
Whichever mobo you buy, it should get Middleton BIOS, to become SATA-II capable.
All you need to update after the swap is the Intel graphics driver and move on...

All CPUs starting with T7xxx are Merom.
All CPUs starting with T8xxx or T9xxx are Penryn.

Just comes to show that some people just won't listen when there is loads of good advice from very experienced members. Swapping the board is very easy on a T61 and one can do it for peanuts if they shop around.

If you are determined for a T500 experience then go buy one but personally I like the W500 more. A low hours T500/W500 is still a very nice machine even for modern use except for current gen games.

T61 board $10 to $50 depending where you go and if it is used. Don't be afraid of used boards provided that is tested or at the least the seller accepts returns.

Swapping the board is very easy on a T61

Probably not that easy for most people, but with the HMM, some organization for the screws, and patience, it is certainly doable. I have a soft spot for T61 units.

brchan wrote:

Swapping the board is very easy on a T61

Probably not that easy for most people, but with the HMM, some organization for the screws, and patience, it is certainly doable. I have a soft spot for T61 units.

Done it enough times I don't even bother organizing screws, just know which areas need the longer screws and where all the tiny ones go. The first time for anyone is a bit nerve racking but it is easy as lemon squeezy.

Laptops from other bards a just horrendous to work on, you know when you go it bad when a machine comes up that has more snaps than a iBook.

I still say the easiest solution is to get a for parts T61 and transfer all your gear over from the T61p. CPU, display, memory, NIC card, SSD/HDD, keyboard, palmrest and flash Middleton bios.

Easier than doing a motherboard replacement and you won't have to worry about the GPU issue.

Hans Gruber wrote:I still say the easiest solution is to get a for parts T61 and transfer all your gear over from the T61p. CPU, display, memory, NIC card, SSD/HDD, keyboard, palmrest and flash Middleton bios.

Easier than doing a motherboard replacement and you won't have to worry about the GPU issue.

to say a motherboard replacement is harder than a display swap seems pretty odd to me. Even if you are "right" it's splitting hairs, imho. most "for parts" t61's are going to have rough plastics, etc etc etc... just do the mobo.

Lets pull this tread out of the dust..

I have tried to find a net MB for reasonable price but did not find it.
For now, this T61p goes up for sale. Complete or just spareparts.

Now its collecting dust so i already put it on a local website.. best bid till now is 32 euro.
A lot members here are located out of EU so selling it here will be even harder i guess.. shipping out of EU will cost about 35 euro.
For members within EU it will be cheaper.

So.. i anyone have interest in my T61p for spareparts let me know. I will sell cheap if i can make someone here happy with it.
Battery and HDD are not included anymore.. for the rest it still have the WUXGA screen, T7700 cpu, 4GB and the 300mbps wifi card.

Also two good working TPs are up for sale.. a T40p and a T43 with high-res screen.
For thinkpath lovers i take any reasonable offer. These just have to go because they are only collecting more and more dust.