T60/T61 hybrid parts selection question

[blackpit]

Hi there!

I am on the way to building a hopefully fast, quiet, silent T60/T61 with a great Flexview UXGA panel, and I have a few questions I was hoping you could help me clarify. I have bought the following parts, which I am waiting to be shipped to me:

• 42W7648 T61 14.1" 4:3 mobo with Intel integrated graphics.
  T60 15" casing
  T60 15" XGA complete LCD assembly

I cannot understand what's the difference between 42W7648 and 42W7872. The HMM for the T61 14.1" lists both as Intel graphics planars. Perhaps it has something to do with the thermal sensors? I am planning to run the system with a Penryn T9300, but don't really mind pressing Esc on boot, if that's the case, until (and if) a BIOS fix becomes available.

As for my 2nd question, I need a HSF for the T61 mobo. The HMM states 42W2821 as the HSF for the integrated graphics board, and 42W2820 as the model for the discrete graphics model. Are those two interchangeable by any chance? I imagine the discrete graphics HSF will be a more efficient cooler, if the holes and dimensions fit. I am interested in cooling the system as better as possible. On top of that, I think I can also find the 42W2820 cheaper on eBay.

I will update as should I make some progress (or more questions arise). For now, any clarification would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

[geohsia]

• 42W7648 T61 14.1" 4:3 mobo with Intel integrated graphics.
  T60 15" casing
  T60 15" XGA complete LCD assembly

Hi. I hope to embark on the same process but for now I'm trying to scrape up for the bits. Do you have the part numbers for the T60 casing and LCD assembly. How much did it cost?

I think I'm going to be right behind you a few weeks! Hope it goes well!

[blackpit]

Hi. I hope to embark on the same process but for now I'm trying to scrape up for the bits. Do you have the part numbers for the T60 casing and LCD assembly. How much did it cost?

I think I'm going to be right behind you a few weeks! Hope it goes well!

Hey geohsia, thanks for the comment!

I bought the T60 casing and the LCD assembly from eBay, and didn't really ask for the part numbers, to tell you the truth. The eBay item numbers are 310230313583 for the casing and 310231985504 for the LCD. The seller offers combined shipping so I had to pay 16.00€ for the first item, and just add 1.00€ for each additional item after that (I believe the service offers up to 5kg combined weight, but don't quote me on that). This is what it cost me, and I am located in Greece, Europe. Costs could vary for different destinations. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask him a question, as he had more of these particular items in stock when I bought mine.

I think I'll just ask him for the part numbers and if/when he replies, I'll note them here so you can search for those particular FRUs anywhere.

I hope your project turns out great too!

Panagiotis

[geohsia]

Hi Panagiotis,

I think I'll just ask him for the part numbers and if/when he replies, I'll note them here so you can search for those particular FRUs anywhere.

Thanks! I appreciate it. Since you're buying all components, what are you going to do about the add-ons like Wifi-Card / BT and etc? I thik there are only a few more add-ons. Are you buying all of those other options separately? If you do, are do you buy it the T60 version so you know it fits in the chasis? Or do you buy the T61p versions because they fit on the motherboard, or does it not matter as long as you can find the right driver?

Sorry, I'm a total noob at this. I was going buy a used T60p and just swap out the mobo but wasn't sure if all of the other components bolt on well. I need integrated Wifi and BT and the card slot so I can stick on an eSATA card.

[blackpit]

Thanks! I appreciate it. Since you're buying all components, what are you going to do about the add-ons like Wifi-Card / BT and etc? I thik there are only a few more add-ons. Are you buying all of those other options separately? If you do, are do you buy it the T60 version so you know it fits in the chasis? Or do you buy the T61p versions because they fit on the motherboard, or does it not matter as long as you can find the right driver?

Sorry, I'm a total noob at this. I was going buy a used T60p and just swap out the mobo but wasn't sure if all of the other components bolt on well. I need integrated Wifi and BT and the card slot so I can stick on an eSATA card.

Hi there Geohsia,

I don't really care about bluetooth, so I wont install the BT card and I don't know if they are somehow different. I don't think there's any difference at all with the wifi cards, so you should be OK with that (as long as you have a Lenovo branded card as there is a BIOS limitation as to what wifi cards the laptop will accept without giving an error.) Of course you can bypass that using a hacked BIOS file for your motherboard, check for posts by Zender.

Please note that I am also a newbie as far as this mod is concerned, and have gathered information from other sources as well. Do check http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... 29&t=74413 . Especially the post made by tgun603 gave me hope that this is indeed a viable project to pursue, as it is both analytical and also very well written, with all part numbers used etc. You can find the expresscard FRU you need under that post. For your searching convenience, it is - T61 PC-card/ExpressCard slot (42W3436). So kudos should go to him and all others that first attempted this mod and made it happen

Regards,
Panagiotis

[geohsia]

I don't really care about bluetooth, so I wont install the BT card and I don't know if they are somehow different. I don't think there's any difference at all with the wifi cards, so you should be OK with that (as long as you have a Lenovo branded card as there is a BIOS limitation as to what wifi cards the laptop will accept without giving an error.) Of course you can bypass that using a hacked BIOS file for your motherboard, check for posts by Zender.

Please note that I am also a newbie as far as this mod is concerned, and have gathered information from other sources as well. Do check http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... 29&t=74413 . Especially the post made by tgun603 gave me hope that this is indeed a viable project to pursue, as it is both analytical and also very well written, with all part numbers used etc. You can find the expresscard FRU you need under that post. For your searching convenience, it is - T61 PC-card/ExpressCard slot (42W3436). So kudos should go to him and all others that first attempted this mod and made it happen

Regards,
Panagiotis

Hey Panagiotis,
I checked the eBay listing for the LCD and its lists 15" XGA 1024x768. It's not UXGA Flexview. IPS Flexview are only the 1400x1050 and 1600x1200. You may want to doublecheck. I hope yours is different than what is currently listed.

I think it will be pretty straight forward, and I'm getting pretty excited and your solution is going to be much much cheaper than what I had wanted to do which was Buy the cheapest T60p with IPS flexview, gut it swap the mobo and have tons of leftover parts. I saw that other thread. Definitely very encouraging that its doable. I'm nervous about the drilling / filing holes but whatever, when you've gone this far, might as well go all the way.

[blackpit]

Hey Panagiotis,
I checked the eBay listing for the LCD and its lists 15" XGA 1024x768. It's not UXGA Flexview. IPS Flexview are only the 1400x1050 and 1600x1200. You may want to doublecheck. I hope yours is different than what is currently listed.

I think it will be pretty straight forward, and I'm getting pretty excited and your solution is going to be much much cheaper than what I had wanted to do which was Buy the cheapest T60p with IPS flexview, gut it swap the mobo and have tons of leftover parts. I saw that other thread. Definitely very encouraging that its doable. I'm nervous about the drilling / filing holes but whatever, when you've gone this far, might as well go all the way.

Hey geohsia,

yes, the listing is indeed for the 1024x768 XGA panel. I went this way as it was the cheapest way to buy the panel assembly, I don't care for the LCD itself and I will sell it as soon as I check it's working properly. I will buy a UXGA IPS panel off eBay as soon as get all the other parts together and working. The eBay seller also has (had?) an SXGA+ IPS 15.0" assembly, but I wanted the extra resolution, and on top of that, I've read somewhere that the SXGA+ panels suffer from a yellow tint over time, so I didn't want to risk it by buying a used panel. Also, the IPS Flexview comes in a 2048x1536 flavor, QXGA, which is what the guy I mentioned in the post has done, but this is another project for the future

My solution was based on the assumption that it would be easier for me to buy a spare LCD panel than find a T60 with the exact panel I needed, plus I would be left with a T60 motherboard. Having to buy a hard drive caddy, a dvd-rw, a wifi card, a battery, an AC adapter, and anything else I might need, might actually cost me more than buying a full T60 with XGA, but I thought I'd risk it and don't have to worry about selling a T60 mobo after the project was complete.

From what I understood, you DON'T need to drill any holes, certainly not on the motherboard. Once I get hold of the parts, I'll double check, but getting rid of the modem and plastics that hold it should do the trick. I don't have real experience using a dremel, but a friend does and we'll take up that part of the process together.

I asked the guy about the FRUs of the parts, but he told me he has already shipped them, but they do fit together, which is what I wanted in the first place. I'll update you on that when I receive them.

Regards,
Panagiotis

[spacejunk]

I have done several of these transplants with T61 motherboards into a T60 frame (with QXGA screens) and have some tips:

1) Need the PC card cage from a T61 (42W3436) because the one from the T60 is the wrong gender and will not plug into a T61 motherboard
2) The modem socket on the T61 motherboard is in a different location than the T60 motherboard so you have to either remove the modem socket or grind some metal off one of the mounting insert to clear the socket. I chose to just unsolder the modem socket since it was easier for me. Even if you leave the modem socket you cannot insert a modem card since the frame is blocking access.
3) You need to file 2 mounting standoff by 1 mm or so on the bottom of the T60 frame where there are no holes on the T61 motherboard. The mounting standoff is supposed to be partly inserted into each hole but since it's not there it should be filed down so the frame sits flush on the motherboard. You can use a Dremel but I think it's overkill and a jeweler's file will be more precise since the aluminum frame is pretty soft and you are only taking off only 1 mm of metal. Make sure to blow off all metal shavings from the frame before continuing (don't want loose metal floating around the motherboard). Also if you remove the socket you should file that insert and put a couple of layers of kapton tape to prevent a short between the pads where the modem socket was soldered. All this will be obvious when you attempt to mount the T61 motherboard to the T60 frame. DO NOT drill holes! There are a ground pads with no holes where the mounting standoffs sits and one might be tempted to drill a hole but since the board has many layers you could (and probaly will) drill through a trace in the middle destroying the board. There are many VIA holes on the pad so there are likely traces nearby in the middle of the board.
4) Changed the HSF to a T61 model.

[spacejunk]

I recommend a T61 motherboard with FRU of 44Cxxxx or 42W78xx since those will take Penryns without the thermal sensing error. The 42W7648 quoted in the first post will have an error with a Penryn.

[blackpit]

I recommend a T61 motherboard with FRU of 44Cxxxx or 42W78xx since those will take Penryns without the thermal sensing error. The 42W7648 quoted in the first post will have an error with a Penryn.

Thank you for your reply, but I had already bought and received the 42W7648 mobo yesterday as I got it at a price I could not find the 42W7872 which was the other candidate. Looks like my Esc key will get some more shine

Regarding the process with the casing, as you said, I will have to see it in front of me to get the grip of things and understand how I must proceed. Just waiting on the T60 body. Nevertheless, your tips are really appreciated, and I will certainly refer to them once I get all parts together.

As far as the HSF is concerned, do you know if there is any difference between 42W2821 (integrated) and 42W2820 (discreet) HSF? The pictures I find on the web don't really help me all that much.

Regards,
Panagiotis

[J888www]

Hey Panagiotis,
I checked the eBay listing for the LCD and its lists 15" XGA 1024x768. It's not UXGA Flexview. IPS Flexview are only the 1400x1050 and 1600x1200. You may want to doublecheck. I hope yours is different than what is currently listed.

Be sure to purchase a new screen panel, else you may have future regrets.

My T60p had a LG Philips LP150E05 (A2)(K1) SXGA+(1400x1050) screen which was dim and yellow, due to its age.
http://www.screenaid.com/lg-philips-lp1 ... 29792.html

So when I replaced it with a BOE HyDis HV150UX1-100 UXGA. Some people may find the 1600x1200 to be too much but you can always adjust the display. The BOE Hydis, according to many people, does not have this yellowing over time.
http://www.cgsp.com.tw/cgsp/product_inf ... ts_id=1962

It was a straight swop, worked perfectly, now the T60p is much brighter, with Windows XP Pro SP3.

NB: Both the above Linked screen panels are FlexView, the LG is IPS and the BOE HyDis is AFFS. There may be some sellers with similar BOE HyDis panels ending -101, these do not work ! be sure it is -100.

CGSP also have an eBay Listing and no I do not have any affiliation with this Company.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HV150UX1-100-15-U ... 133wt_1137

[spacejunk]

I don't know the difference between 42W2821 and the 42W2820 HSF. I only used the 42W2820 since my motherboard comes with the FX570M. I suspect the GPU location could be slightly different so the HSF shape could be slightly different. I recommend just sticking to the HSF that go along with the motherboard type. One last tip, you need to re-use the HSF hold-down bracket from the T60. It's slightly offset compared to the T61 HSF. It's not necessary since there is ample clamping power but I noticed that edge of the clamp is raised and not sitting flush on the top of the HSF so I filed down the clamp edge slightly to make the clamp sit flush. Again it will be obvious once you put the clamp on the HSF.

[blackpit]

I don't know the difference between 42W2821 and the 42W2820 HSF. I only used the 42W2820 since my motherboard comes with the FX570M. I suspect the GPU location could be slightly different so the HSF shape could be slightly different. I recommend just sticking to the HSF that go along with the motherboard type. One last tip, you need to re-use the HSF hold-down bracket from the T60. It's slightly offset compared to the T61 HSF. It's not necessary since there is ample clamping power but I noticed that edge of the clamp is raised and not sitting flush on the top of the HSF so I filed down the clamp edge slightly to make the clamp sit flush. Again it will be obvious once you put the clamp on the HSF.

Thank you for your response So, I'll just buy the appropriate HSF for my board. Regarding the hold-down bracket, I have yet to receive the T60 body, everything will be clear then.

Best regards,
Panagiotis

[geohsia]

Thank you for your response So, I'll just buy the appropriate HSF for my board. Regarding the hold-down bracket, I have yet to receive the T60 body, everything will be clear then.

Any luck so far? I am having issues with the USB and audio ports not matching. The T61 motherboard has two USB's on the and audio in front but the T60p has one USB on the left and two audio ports adjacent. Not sure what the issue is.

[blackpit]

Any luck so far? I am having issues with the USB and audio ports not matching. The T61 motherboard has two USB's on the and audio in front but the T60p has one USB on the left and two audio ports adjacent. Not sure what the issue is.

My fan never actually arrived, and I have to look elsewhere to buy, so I haven't progressed with the project really. My motherboard only has one vertical USB port on the left, adjacent to the audio ports. The FRU I bought is 42W7648. Perhaps your board is another FRU with different placement of the ports?

Panagiotis

[blackpit]

update:

I finally got the 42W2821 heatsink/fan directly from Lenovo. When I tried to attach it to the motherboard (FRU 42W7648), I noticed I was missing the backplate on which the heatsink bolts.

I believe this is referred to as "Bracket, CPU support" in the Service parts list index. My question is:

Is the cpu support bracket the same for the T60 motherboard as for the T61 motherboard? In my case, I need to fit the T61 motherboard and heatsink on the T60 frame. If the cpu brackets for the T60 and T61 have different FRUs, which is the one I need? I googled a bit, and I found the FRU 42W2762 mentioned as the cpu mounting bracket for both models. Is that correct? It can be seen here:

http://lpfix.com/popup_image.php?pID=408

Is this the part number I need?

Do I need any other parts, perhaps from the "System miscellaneous parts" set?

Sorry for the long post. I just feel I am close to completing this great mod and I don't want to experience any more delays through trial and error

Cheers,
Panagiotis

[RealBlackStuff]

You need the '(e) Bracket, CPU support' for T61, P/N 42W2762
The picture in your link shows the correct part.
The T60 bracket is different (flatter, and no 'upstanding ridges'), but would probably fit...

[blackpit]

Thank you for the reply.

The "System miscellaneous parts" set for T61 with FRU 42W3649 mentions two other brackets, namely the:
# (a) Bracket, N/B, fan discrete/integ.
# (b) Bracket, VGA, fan discrete/integ.

Do I need those as well? I am asking in case I am better off buying the complete set and not just 42W2762.

Cheers,
Panagiotis

[RealBlackStuff]

Yes, you do need those as well.
See item "1130 FAN ASSEMBLY" in the T61 HMM.
And if you don't have all of them, perhaps a bag with T61 screws?

[spacejunk]

The T61 CPU bracket is made of aluminum (instead of steel), is flatter (no ridge on the inside), and is covered with black tape on the bottom compared to the T60 bracket. The T60 bracket will fit the T61 motherboard just fine, In fact I prefer the T60 bracket because I think it's sturdier (IMHO).

[blackpit]

Yes, you do need those as well.
See item "1130 FAN ASSEMBLY" in the T61 HMM.
And if you don't have all of them, perhaps a bag with T61 screws?

Thanks. Yep, I will buy the complete set after all, as well as a CMOS battery, and a set of screws, just in case I am missing some. Can't really trust generic eBay sellers all that much.

The T61 CPU bracket is made of aluminum (instead of steel), is flatter (no ridge on the inside), and is covered with black tape on the bottom compared to the T60 bracket. The T60 bracket will fit the T61 motherboard just fine, In fact I prefer the T60 bracket because I think it's sturdier (IMHO).

Nice, so I guess I'll buy the one that is readily available. Thanks for the clarification, appreciate it.

[blackpit]

Hello,

The "System miscellaneous parts" set for T61 with FRU 42W3649 includes the 3 following brackets which I need for the conversion.
# (e) Bracket, CPU support for T61
# (a) Bracket, N/B, fan discrete/integ.
# (b) Bracket, VGA, fan discrete/integ.

BUT,

the 42W3649 set is not available from Lenovo here in Greece, not even by order, and may not be available again in the future, as I was told from their representative, to whom I spoke just today.

After a bit of googling, I came across this page:
http://www.dellsale.ru/komplektuusie-dl ... ov_archive

where the System miscellaneous parts for R61 and R61i, FRU 42X3946 looks like it includes the exact same brackets I need, as far as I can tell. Does anyone know if this is indeed the case? If the brackets from the two FRUs are interchangeable, I will just order 42X3946, if it is available of course.

Cheers!
Panagiotis

[Johan]

If more information about this project is needed/of interest, there are many hints, tips and links to other relevants threads in Parts for the ultimate 15” T60 UXGA FlexView w/T61(p) mobo?

By the way, kindly allow me to point your attention to this very useful search-script made by HarryC - try it out, and you'll learn how to find answers to many questions... already answered in great detail!

Johan

[blackpit]

If more information about this project is needed/of interest, there are many hints, tips and links to other relevants threads in Parts for the ultimate 15” T60 UXGA FlexView w/T61(p) mobo?

By the way, kindly allow me to point your attention to this very useful search-script made by HarryC - try it out, and you'll learn how to find answers to many questions... already answered in great detail!

Johan

Dear Johan,

thank you for your valuable input! This is a project that interests me indeed and I have already spent money and time on, and would like to see materialized any time soon, or even not so soon

I have read the post you linked to, but couldn't find the specific info I was looking for, although there is a wealth of other useful information regarding the whole conversion project!

I also searched the forum, but couldn't find any reference to the FRU 42X3946 except the one in my own post. It seems that the brackets with FRUs 42W2021 and 42R9984 are common between the T61 and R61 fans after all, if I am to believe google and eBay listing #220757645479.

If anyone has a definitive answer to this, I would most welcome it. Perhaps someone who has bought the 42W3649 set for the T61 can confirm that the brackets have FRUs 42W2762, 42W2021 and 42R9984?

As far as the search shortcut is concerned, it is very handy indeed! I used to manually search google with the site: operator, but it is quite convenient to have a bookmark ready. Thanks to HarryC for preparing it and to you for mentioning it

Panagiotis