Notes about X41 FRU 42T0013

[mediasponge]

I needed a new MB for the X41, and this eBay item worked out, but there are a couple of notes I would like to record for others considering the same FRU (42T0013). If the eBay link gets stale, just search for 42T0013, as these seem to be in plentiful supply. The transaction with seller IMS was A-OK. Notes:

1. This FRU has 256 MB of system memory, not 512 like the dead one that was in it. I'll probably want to put a 2GB PC2-5300 stick in it, as these are plentiful and cheap now. The 5300s are actually cheaper than the 4200s in my area.

2. This FRU does not support the fingerprint sensor. There is no socket for the fingerprint reader cable. Not important to me, but the machine has one that is now non-functional.

Not an issue, but there is a mystery socket at the very edge of the board next to the top-side RAM chips. The old one didn't have this. Did any X41s have a separate security chip not soldered on? How do I tell if the current one has a security chip in it?

Edit: The presence of the mystery socket confirms that this is an X41T MB. In the X41T HMM, there is clearly a second cable coming out of the LCD module that goes there. I still don't know if Lenovo intended this MB for both X41 and X41T.

[topmahof]

did you figure out what was wrong with the indicator lights?

[mediasponge]

did you figure out what was wrong with the indicator lights?

Not yet. I did pull the inverter card, and they are on it, but no clue why they don't light up. Next step would be to remove and reseat the LCD connectors in the lid. I got the inverter card out without pulling the LCD assembly off the machine. Beyond that, I might get a spare inverter to try.

The other thing that bothers me is that closing the lid does not put the thing to sleep. I verified the switch and connector to the MB are functional. Windows is set to suspend when the lid is closed, but it is not doing that. I have no idea if that is a MB issue or not.

[ZAGNUT]

isn't there a bios setting to enable/disable hibernation or suspend? if so then maybe that overrides the power settings in windows?

[mediasponge]

isn't there a bios setting to enable/disable hibernation or suspend? if so then maybe that overrides the power settings in windows?

It was enabled, last I checked.

[mediasponge]

Here's another gotcha on this MB. When I checked the BIOS version, it was 2.02 (75ET56WW). According to Lenovo, this is a BIOS version for the X41T. Never mind that it's old, it's for an X41 Tablet. My system is not a tablet, and the MB seller says it's for X41, not X41T. Is it possible FRU 42T0013 works in either X41 or X41T and the BIOS can be either? Is it more likely that it's an X41T MB and I got lucky that it works at all? Should I update the BIOS to the latest X41 BIOS or X41T BIOS? The latest X41 BIOS is 2.09 (74ET64WW). The latest X41T BIOS is 2.06 (75ET60WW). Maybe this is why some of the lights and buttons don't work?

BTW, I used the Hardware Maintenance Disk 1.75 to add the system model. It had a type 40 system SN, but it needed the type 20 record for the model. I entered 1S25285FU******* where the ******* was the 7 digit unit serial number off the bottom. Now at least the System Update tool works and ThinkVantage show the correct model.

[topmahof]

what does system update say you need for a bios update? that should tell you what the board is for, shouldn't it?

[mediasponge]

Good question. I've had some issues with System Update timing out connecting to the server. It might also be getting confused by the fact that I set the model to be 2528-5FU rather than one of the X41T types like 1866***. Last time I checked, it said there were no updates. Maybe if I set the model to a Tablet type, it will find some updates.

[mediasponge]

topmahof hit it on the head. I changed the system type to 1866-2GU, and System Update is merrily updating along. Of course, I'm not letting it download any Tablet drivers, but this tells me the MB really is for a tablet.

What to do now? Complain to the Fleabay seller that their X41 MB is really a X41T MB, so their description was inaccurate? Live with it now that the thing boots up and runs OK? Keep looking for a true X41 non-tablet MB and offer the 42T0013 here for somebody with a tablet in need of a fix? Suggestions welcome.

[mediasponge]

Bump. Any suggestions?

[Harryc]

My opinion is that if the board was a good deal, that it works, and that the machine does what you need it to, then keep it and enjoy the laptop. The fact that it's an old machine makes the decision easier.

[mediasponge]

My opinion is that if the board was a good deal, that it works, and that the machine does what you need it to, then keep it and enjoy the laptop. The fact that it's an old machine makes the decision easier.

Good point. This is the path of least resistance.