X20/T21 Part Interchangability

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SDNick484 · #1 Post by **SDNick484** » Sat May 21, 2005 9:30 pm

I'm considering picking up an IBM X20 with a faulty HDD. My previous laptop was a T21, and although the mobo is dead, its RAM, HDD, and AC adaptor are fine. Can someone clarify which parts will work and which will not (I know the ultrabay 2000 is out, but if I do get a docking station -- will the drives work there?). I plan to install Linux on the machine, but I'm aware the X20's lack optical bays. I have a working laptop so I plan to install it on that machine, recompile the kernel and swap the HDD into the X20; if anyone sees a problem with this please post.

A quick look at Crucial seems to imply both machines use the same type of RAM (PC100 SDRAM -- the same ones were recommended for each machine). Someone on the thinkpads usenet group mentioned that the X-series may use a HDD that's different than the standard 9.5mm, is this true (someone else mentioned that only applies to later models)? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
~Nick

#2 Post by **BillMorrow** » Sun May 22, 2005 12:19 am

all X20 and X30 series use the same 9.5mm 2.5 inch HDD..
same as T20 series through T44 series..

only the X40 series uses the little 1.8 inch HDD..

dmdsoftware · #3 Post by **dmdsoftware** » Sun May 22, 2005 12:01 pm

RAM, HD, and Mini-pci card will be interchangable between the X20 and T21.

The ultrabay drives used in the T21 can be used in the X20's media slice.

SDNick484 · #4 Post by **SDNick484** » Sun May 22, 2005 2:12 pm

Great, that's exactly what I was hoping to hear. With regard to power, will my T21 battery work with X20? Also, will the AC adaptors be interchangable? Lastly, does anyone have a recommendation on a 802.11G pcmcia card that runs well in Linux. My T21 used an old Orinoco card (amazing chipset), but it's unfortunately B only. I haven't really followed G cards, but I'm particularly interested in one that can be put into monitor mode (and host mode would be nice too). I plan to largely use the X20 as a thin client with X/VNC over SSH, but that's a bit bandwith intensive hence my move to G.

dmdsoftware · #5 Post by **dmdsoftware** » Mon May 23, 2005 9:58 am

SDNick484 wrote:Great, that's exactly what I was hoping to hear. With regard to power, will my T21 battery work with X20? Also, will the AC adaptors be interchangable?

You can use a T21 AC adapter with a X20. The inverse is not necessarily true. The X20 will work with most Thinkpad adapters that are 56W or higher.

SDNick484 · #6 Post by **SDNick484** » Mon May 23, 2005 1:40 pm

DMD, thanks for the update. Well I just realized the machine I'm looking at is a X21, but everything seems to apply to it as well. I do have one last question, is there any significant difference between the X20 & X21? I found Dag Wieer's (he host's a major Fedora repository) .config for his X20, and I was wondering if there's anything I need to change. Also which network module is the one to choose for the mini-PCI 100baseT cards included on the X-series by IBM?

dmdsoftware · #7 Post by **dmdsoftware** » Mon May 23, 2005 7:21 pm

SDNick484 wrote:DMD, thanks for the update. Well I just realized the machine I'm looking at is a X21, but everything seems to apply to it as well. I do have one last question, is there any significant difference between the X20 & X21?

The X20 and X21 are idential except for the following:
- X21 includes a 700mhz processor (instead of <= 600),
- X21 has 128mb onboard RAM (instead of 64mb),
- X21 has the ability to address upto 384mb (instead of 320mb), and
- X21 comes with the IR module installed.

The X21 motherboard is identical in configuration, shape, etc when compared to the X20. Likewise the parts are interchangable between the X21 and X20. Of course, this is not true for the X22, X23, and X24.

SDNick484 wrote:I found Dag Wieer's (he host's a major Fedora repository) .config for his X20, and I was wondering if there's anything I need to change. Also which network module is the one to choose for the mini-PCI 100baseT cards included on the X-series by IBM?

You could have one of four standard minipci cards that typically come with the X20/X21:

- 3COM Combo NIC (has problems with linux with ACPI enabled - get rid of this card and replace it with an Intel Combo card)
- Intel Combo NIC (works great with default modules)
- Xircom Combo NIC (should work fine with linux)
- IBM (Ambit) Modem (no idea about support)

JafaJones · #8 Post by **JafaJones** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:18 am

Does the compatibility include the CCFL tube?

Thanks

Mike

billp117 · #9 Post by **billp117** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 12:20 pm

If your X21 does not have the extra 256 MB of sodimm memory...when you do look for some more ram make sure it is 16 chip, PC100, low density memory. PC133 will not fully work in the x21 and the same goes for 8 chip memory.

Good luck.

billp117 · #10 Post by **billp117** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 12:22 pm

Correction...your X20.

#11 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:25 pm

@billp117: Ah, good advice but if you look at the date of the post that you are replying to, you may see that the answer may already have been provided.

@JafaJones: No, I don't believe so. The screen sizes are completely different. The X20 screen is 12.1" while the smallest T21 was 13.3".

JafaJones · #12 Post by **JafaJones** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:43 pm

Sorry, I piggybacked onto an earlier thread which may have confused the issue.

I have a Thinkpad X21 all of which have a 12.1" LCD. The LCD started flickering a few weeks ago and finally died with inverter symptoms - very faint image etc.

I have replaced the Inverter but same problem, faint image, briefly flashes on when lid switch tapped so next step is replacing CCFL.

I have located supplier of CCFL tubes but says that they are compatible with X20, no mention of X21. I understand both have 12.1" LCDs hence my question.

Thanks again

#13 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 5:11 pm

Ah, I see... Yes, I believe that the X20 and X21 displays are the same (as per the Hardware Maintenance Manual) so you should be able to install the CCFL for an X20 into the X21 display. Good luck and post your story if you are successful!

JafaJones · #14 Post by **JafaJones** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 3:37 am

Success and looking back, it was not too difficult - after some slight concerns about getting everything back together.

Getting to the CCFL was tricky, lots of tiny screws and sticky tape.

Getting the tube out was relatively easy - wow it is a tiny piece of work.

Soldering the wires back on easy - as you would expect,

Putting the tube back in and fitting the rubber end stops really fiddley.

Rest a piece of cake and it worked so for around $25 (+ shipping) I have my X21 back.

I was a little worried about the potential for a short from the output from the inverter - how dangerous??

Cheers and thanks for the advice

Moderator note: Post accidentally deleted by me when I was trying to PM. Still had a copy of the original post which I then sent by PM in order that it be reposted. Sorry for the screw-up!

X20/T21 Part Interchangability

X20/T21 Part Interchangability

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