R52 questions (LCD and SATA mod)

[thinkpadcollection]

Hi, I had built up 15" R52 years ago and sold for a pittance to my friend. Now the R52 still works but LCD suffered failure, yet readable. One day get it back for my use once T500 is ready for use.

I have potential parts source. I have a dead 15" R60 I'm not interested in reviving but will this R60's 15" LCD panel work in R52? Also is there a way to determine what video ATI chip sports 32MB or 64MB? Also I can choose to buy a SVGA+ LCD instead but will this take same SVGA signal cable and casing?

Now have thoughts. I have found a excellent extremely compact SATA connector for Dell vostro, here's what this looks like:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/301497440526?_tr ... EBIDX%3AIT

All I do is fray it open and solder wires to pads after removing original PATA connector and SATA-PATA bridge IC then apply bios mod.
By the way, how large hard drive SATA & bios modded R52 can take?

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[ajkula66]

I have a dead 15" R60 I'm not interested in reviving but will this R60's 15" LCD panel work in R52?

Yes.

Also is there a way to determine what video ATI chip sports 32MB or 64MB? Also I can choose to buy a SVGA+ LCD instead but will this take same SVGA signal cable and casing?

All ATi GPUs seen in a standard R52 (X300) are 64MB. You'll need a proper R5* SXGA+ LCD cable if you're intent on using the 1400x1050 panel, though.

By the way, how large hard drive SATA & bios modded R52 can take?

As large as you can buy, presuming a 2.5" form factor.

[generic]

I also have one R52 question and thought that I can post it here rather than opening a new topic.

Can some one tell me is there a ssd that will work in r52 caddy with moded bios and without sata-mod?

thanks.

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

Can some one tell me is there a ssd that will work in r52 caddy with moded bios and without sata-mod?

Well, any PATA SSD will work, but the problem is that the vast majority of them are overpriced junk.

Your best bet might be a mSATA-to-IDE adapter + mSATA SSD. With that being said, this option on R52/T43 systems is a hit or miss. I'd suggest thoroughly reading this thread and deciding for yourself:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=112081

Good luck.

[thinkpadcollection]

Update on the R52 LCD panel job, went well, the panel came from 15" R60 and is exact replacement. Now happy with perfect LCD without red line. Windows 7 works well with several drivers using vista drivers in order to work.

R52 was long use after I built it from parts for my friend and finally got R52 back for my use. Upgraded to 2.26 CPU and changed memory from mushkin to 2GB matched hynix with FRU on them, replaced the 2200ABG as it was intermittent problem from age, also peeled bottom sticker off to improve cooling. Had to find right bios and updated.

SATA mod coming eventually.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[thinkpadcollection]

Sorry for the SATA mod bump topic, Does this marvell SATA-PATA bridge IC does have square solder pad in the middle that soldered both motherboard's and chip together?

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[RealBlackStuff]

Time to start reading forum posts, specifically the T43p SATA Guide (Beware pictures, 56k-ers)
You would have found this: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 98#p718398 which should answer your question.

[thinkpadcollection]

Thank you and appreciated.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection