Thinkpads Forum

Sorry for the slightly vague thread title.

Have a (formerly trusty) T61 I've had almost from new, it has the nvidia graphics chip. Sadly the LCD now only works intermittently - the backlight seems to work ok and all external outputs are fine. Have a new LCD cable on order, fingers crossed this is it

If not I'm looking at something more costly. Would I be able to take the T61 HDD and drop it straight in a newer machine, say a T400? Or would I get hardware and O/S (I'm on windows 7) issues? Assume I'd have fewer issues if I just switched the HDD (or replaced the mobo) into a new T61 with nvidia graphics? Would the same hold true of a T61 with intel graphics??

Anyone been through similar? Have a large HDD and OS more or less as I want it.

It's the chipset that causes most of the problems in my practice. Windows will likely ask you to activate again as well if you make a significant change in hardware.

Between T61-nVidia and T61-Intel you'd have no issues. Just D/L the Intel driver.
Going to a T400 or newer will cause at least a Windows re-activation, but will probably work after a few driver-updates.
Depending on how 'old' your T61 install is, it might be better to start afresh with a new install on a new(er) laptop.

I've done quite a few of the Intel conversions. I'm also working on a guide that covers not only the hardware swaps, but also the data you'll need to find a good viable donor system, be it a defect free nVidia board or an Intel graphics board.

When I do an intel conversion, I usually get a complete lower case with motherboard and heatsink, and build it up from there, but if you don't mind a lot of tiny screws and some extra work, then you can fit all the parts into your existing case.

As far as your windows activation, don't let microsoft push you around, they like to imply the software is licensed to a specific computer, but it's not, it's licensed to a specific person, YOU and you can install it on any ONE computer you want, and they are obligated to activate it for you. You can feel free to message me if you have problems with that, there are some techniques that can help you to avoid a major headache.

Good luck, and I might be in the market for your dead nVidia computer if the price is right.

Tried the replacement LCD cable and so far so good! Looks like the existing cable was quite badly bent between the connector to the motherboard and the point it is taped to the frame, no surprise this seems to have been the culprit.

Thanks to all for the advice ref HDD swap. Hopefully I'll get some more time out of this one

Can be done. I did a T61 > X61T.

Just UNINSTALL in DEVICE MANAGER:
The Video and Monitor for sure.
And if there are bunch of other Device / Parts differences, then uninstall those as well.
Maybe easier to do in Safe Mode?