Motherboard compatibility between Z61* models

[virge]

ThinkPad Z61m (9450-38U)
T2300E(1.66GHz), 1GB RAM, 100GB 5400rpm HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD, 128MB ATI Radeon X1400, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11abg wireless, WWAN, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, IEEE 1394, FPR, Camera, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

A few months ago I moved from my 15" T60 to this Z61m. The main reason was that I use a widescreen monitor at work and the resolution was an exact match. With the T60 4:3 display, the icons would be rearranged every time I undocked.

The external monitor has been constantly loosing signal every 10-15 minutes, but it always came back. This morning it went to flashing the display for a split second every 5-10 seconds. Now, its mostly not working. The same thing happens regardless of whether I'm using the DVI or VGA connections.

With the Z61m undocked, the LCD doesn't flash-- it either comes on or doesn't. Flexing the base WILL make the display come on and go off. Either way, its locked up and doesn't respond after the flexing.

My diagnosis is that I need a new mobo. I see a few on Ebay, and but seeing how this is my first Z machine, I have no idea which of the Z61 series boards will work in it. I see an Ebay listing for a new 42R9948 board from a Z61. It looks like an Intel GPU, but I can live with that for a work machine.

If anyone has information about interchanging mobos on the Z61 series, I'm listening!

[underclocker]

In general, you can mix and match Z61m/Z61p motherboards, however, when your machine is equipped with the webcam option (which yours is), you can not. You need another ATI X1400 motherboard and it has to be a specific model. There were one or two variations of the ATI X1400 that I've come across that support the webcam.

On the other hand, if you don't mind loosing your webcam, you can use any Z61m/Z61p, and maybe Z61e, motherboard you choose. Going from ATI to Intel GPU is a straight swap and you can reuse your fan/heatsink. Going the other way, from Intel to ATI GPU, requires the upgraded fan/heastsink.

[ajkula66]

OMG we owned the exact same model and my wife loved it...guess what - developed a (different) motherboard problem, namely VRAM corruption.

I wanted to get it back into the original shape and went through h@ll to get a proper replacement board. The original one was 41W1292 which is the same as the later 42W2168. The one that we ended up with - a direct match that is not mentioned anywhere - was 44C3878.

If you decide to give up on this thing of beauty, please let me know...I'm still kicking myself for parting with ours after it was repaired...

Good luck.

[virge]

This forum is awesome. There's no way I would have gotten this information anywhere. @underclocker - thanks for the tips on reusing the fan with other motherboards. @ajkula66 - thank you for the FRUs. You'll be the first to know if I decide to retire this machine.