T420 Keyboard on T430 swap

[agarza]

Now that I already bought a T420, in case I decide to sell and get a newer T430 would it be possible to swap the 7 row T420 classic keyboard onto the T430 chassis, could anyone confirm?

[ajkula66]

You'd need a modded BIOS on the T430 for the old keyboard to be properly recognized, and there isn't such a thing available yet...

So for now, it's a no-go.

[tudse]

You'd need a modded BIOS on the T430 for the old keyboard to be properly recognized, and there isn't such a thing available yet...

So for now, it's a no-go.

This is interesting.
Any updates on this? I really would like to replace my T430 keyboard, as unfortunately, I seemingly can't get used to the new layout.

What does it mean to be "properly recognized"? Will I be able to replace my T430 keyboard with a T420 keyboard at all? Do you have experience with this? Will it not work properly, or not at all?

I have not come across many discussions on this.

[dr_st]

I've done it personally. The keyboard will physically fit. However the interpretation of the keypresses is not done by the keyboard, but rather by the BIOS. Therefore, the T430 will expect to have the same layout of a T430 keyboard, not a T420 one. The end result would be that exactly the keys that moved and whose new layout presents a problem to you are the keys that will not work right - defeating the whole point of the swap.

[modrih]

Hi! dr_st

Can you show what we can swap keyboard from T420 to T430?

[dr_st]

Remove old keyboard, install new keyboard.

What's the point? The keyboard mappings will be broken.

[modrih]

Yes, but:

1.) It works the power switch, touchpad and trackpoint?

2.) Can I other key's map with software? And have keys Pause, Break etc?

3.) Capslock LED working?

[Cigarguy]

As far as I know there is no "mapping" software for the BIOS or Windows that would allow you to use a T420 keyboard in a T430. This was one of the changes that Lenovo made that upset a lot of us enthusiast. Myself among them. That is why my last "new" Thinkpad that I bought was a T420 instead of a T430.

If BIOS mapping modification software were to happen it might be a long time coming. If it comes at all.

[dr_st]

Some keys that don't have an equivalent on the T430 keyboard may not work at all. For others you may achieve something with software mapping (which I personally hate as it breaks external keyboards, doesn't work in preOS environment, etc.)

Power button and trackpoint will work (touchpad is not part of the keyboard anyway).

[modrih]

Have you changed your keyboard? And you tested in real?

From what I understand it will work power switch and the same keys on the keyboard that are originally in the T430. And these keys I can use in Windows?

Or keys (letters, digits, punctuation marks) will not work?

I still understand that the keys are swapped (for example: press "a" get "g").

[dr_st]

I've done it personally. The keyboard will physically fit. However the interpretation of the keypresses is not done by the keyboard, but rather by the BIOS. Therefore, the T430 will expect to have the same layout of a T430 keyboard, not a T420 one. The end result would be that exactly the keys that moved and whose new layout presents a problem to you are the keys that will not work right - defeating the whole point of the swap.

[rssb]

Have you changed your keyboard? And you tested in real?

From what I understand it will work power switch and the same keys on the keyboard that are originally in the T430. And these keys I can use in Windows?

Or keys (letters, digits, punctuation marks) will not work?

I still understand that the keys are swapped (for example: press "a" get "g").

Yes tested for real.

1) What works is all keys ( letters, etc..)
2) Fn and function key combinations are the same as the new 430 ones.
3) Caps lock led doesnot work,
4) ultranav works fine.
5) fn+ spacebar for light instead of zoom.

Is the keyboard rom / its scan code part of any rom in the bios. If yes can T420 rom be inserted / replaced in the T430 bios ?

[chx1975]

If you did this -- do the proper scan codes arrive to the operating system? The BIOS can bugger off, I am using Linux. I have the udev keymap and I am not afraid to use it

[sumo.wang]

We regret to inform you that the loose keyboard keys that you have reported is not covered by your warranty. You could also bring the unit to the service center to have the issue verified by a Lenovo technician. We can prepare a quote for you should you wish to proceed with repair. We apologize for the inconvenience.

So, rather than buy another bad chicklet keyboard form Lenovo that I will will probably break in less than a year, I just transplanted a T410 keyboard into my T430.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/106799167@N06/10512559895/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/106799167@ ... otostream/

All essential keys work. Power and volume keys, mute, mic mute all work. All function keys work. Capslock LED does not work, but the capslock key function works. Delete is home, home is non-functional, pgup is delete. All fixed via keyboard remapping on linux.

Since this exercise, I can type faster and without errors than the T430 keyboard. I bought the T430 because there were a lot of good reviews on the net regarding the new keyboard. All lies. T430 keyboard was not even close to the quality of the classic keyboard.

This is probably by my last Thinkpad purchase. Unless the classic T410/T420 keyboard can fit in a T44X or newer model, or Lenovo brings back classic keyboards on newer models.