Thinkpads Forum

I've had a GPU go on a T60 (2007-72U) that was "frozen" this past winter. How difficult, in general, is it to do a system board replacement on a T60? I've got the HMM procedure and I've done fan replacements on T4ns before but that's about it. LMK your thoughts: is this doable for the average Joe with average technical abilities? TIA. Regards.

It's definitely doable by the average person with help from the maintenance manual. The best piece of advice I can give you is to take close up pictures before you undo any wiring so you can re-route them after installing the board, also label the screws by page # in the manual or some other method whereby you can identify where they go. if you just throw screws into a big bin you'll have problems. Finally, compare the old board to the new one before installing it to make sure that any plates or tape are transfered to the new board. There is a CPU fan backing plate for example that may or may not need to be moved over. Follow anti-static procedures ... and get a good quality #1 (PH1) Allen screwdriver from EBay (or elsewhere), and some Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste from Radio Shack (or elsewhere).
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wiha-8-Pc-Precision ... 35b05acb65

Harryc,

Thanks for the tips, I'm going to give it a shot.

I like the put the screws in baggies with a label. It's kind of dumb, but it works and none go missing.

My solution, which works for ANY thinkpad, is to draw a coarse sketch, first of the bottom of the TP, and mark on there all the screwholes. Then take the screws out and tape them on the corresponding hole in the sketch.
Turn the laptop over, make another sketch of the innards, and if necessary add some extra description next to the sketched holes.
Sketch takes about a minute. Letter or A4 size paper works best.
I have yet to lose/miss a screw.

100% AGREE with RBS - This is the method I use - highly recommended & effective -

I used the Lenovo video instructions while transplanting a new motherboard in my t60p, this video's make it very easy to do it yourself.
You can find them here:
http://www.lenovoservicetraining.com/io ... index.html

Thanks all for the sage advice - I've ordered the system board.