Swap HDD between T42's

[cameronsdad1120]

I have 2 T42's one is a type 2373 and the other is a 2379. The 2373 has a motherboard issue but has all the software and data that I want to retain. The 2379 was given to me from the IT dept at my wifes work. They nolonger use/support IBM equipment (they now use Dell, Compaq, and HP) and this laptop has just been sitting around for a couple of years.

Can I take the hard drive out of the 2373 and put it into the 2379? What problems/issues will I encounter.

I need to tell you that while I have used computers for years, I am a newbie to the hardware side. Typically when I have had hardware issues I would simply trash the old one, get a new system, load software and then load data from backups. However The old T42 has software that I want to retain and no longer have the media for, and in some case the software was obtained from sources like "giveaway of the day" and/or no longer available. Plus I really like the T42, I've been using a Compaq Presario V6000 and I hate it.

Any help/assitance/insight would be greatly appreciated.

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
The hard disk can be directly transplanted into the new machine.
Look at the way the HD is fitted (upside down, label to the table), and insert it the same way in the 'new' T42.
You'll just need to check that there is adequate RAM in the machine (under the keyboard and under the RAM door on the bottom).
Any part can be transplanted from one to the other, provided they have the same size (both 14.1" or both 15" LCDs).
If you give us the full TYPE (like e.g. 2373-SLU and 2379-AD6) for both machines, we can tell you exactly.

[cameronsdad1120]

Thanks. The "old" T42 is 2373-8ZU and the "new" T42 is 2379-RFU.

Both are 15 inch screen.

"old" T42
Bios Version 3.23 (1RETDRWW)
Bios Date 2007-06-18
controller version 3.04
Memory 1526 MB
CPU type Pentium M
CPU Speed 1.7GHz

"new" T42
Bios Version 3.17L (1RETDWW)
Bios Date 2005-07-27
controller version 3.04
Memory 512 MB
CPU type Pentium M
CPU Speed 1.8GHz

Hope this helps

[Neil]

ThinkPad T42 (2373-8ZU)
P M 735, 512MB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon 9600, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

ThinkPad T42 (2379-RFU)
P M 745(1.8GHz), 512MB RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1024x768 LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 9000, CDRW/DVD, 802.11abg wireless, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

Like RBS said, there sould be not problem just moving the HDD over and salvaging you data, even though it appears some of the hardware is a little different (wireless card mainly). But, if I were going to continue using one of them I would swap the SXGA+ lid onto the working machine, and move some RAM along with the HDD.

[RealBlackStuff]

Unless you really like to play with fingerprint readers, I would advise to also transplant the palmrest without FPR from the old to the new machine.
FPR is only good for giving you grief (IMHO).