X21 bad external monitor connector, new video card?

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connexin · #1 Post by **connexin** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:13 am

My X21 has a bad external monitor connector (female). Internal contacts must be broken due to daily connecting and disconnecting of external monitor.

Question: Before I open it up, can anyone tell me if the connector is integral to the video card? If so, how can I replace it - is it as easy to replace as it was to install the ethernet card? Present video card is ATI RAGE MOBILITY-M (AGP1X,AGP2X). If not, any suggestions on how to replace the connector itself?

Thank you!

Quattro · #2 Post by **Quattro** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:02 pm

The video card is built into the motherboard, so you will need a new motherboard.

Thinkpaddict · #3 Post by **Thinkpaddict** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:20 pm

Actually, it might be fixable. It is true that the graphics card is built into the systemboard, but if the problem is just a broken connector, you might get help from a friend versed in electronics and see if he can fix it by soldering. Try to get someone: a) whose skills you trust and b) weaker than you, so that you can punch him in the gut if he messes up your Thinkpad.

If it is not fixable, I would avoid getting a new mobo just because of that. Instead see if you can get a Dock with the connector on it (and make sure it is not just pass-through).

connexin · #4 Post by **connexin** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:04 pm

Thanks for the information about the video card being integral to the motherboard, though it was not what I wanted to hear.

Would a PCMCIA video card be a good solution, if the problem is with the pins in the connector?

Does anyone have experience with using a PCMCIA video card on an X21 running Win98SE, and perhaps a recommendation for one?

Thanks!

bigtiger · #5 Post by **bigtiger** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:06 pm

I would suggest a reseat of all the cards and connections.

I used to have an A30 and it will not reboot. I re-seated the memories and the problem is gone.

Quattro · #6 Post by **Quattro** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:07 pm

Thinkpadaddict had a good idea. Just get one of these things...

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-X20-Po ... dZViewItem

connexin · #7 Post by **connexin** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:14 am

Thanks - but the problem with this is that if I use that port replicator I will lose the CD drive that is in the current Ultra-Bay - The X21 has no drives built into the main body.

Thinkpaddict · #8 Post by **Thinkpaddict** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:12 am

If you don't mind the extended footprint, get a Dock II. That should do the trick, plus make your X21 lots more expandable.

I forgot to mention that the Dock II also has an Ultrabay 2000 (plus a half-size PCI bay amongst other things.)

Quattro · #9 Post by **Quattro** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:52 pm

I have one for sale if you're interested. (DockII)

connexin · #10 Post by **connexin** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:52 pm

Much Thanks to Quattro and Thinkpaddict!

I bought the port replicator that Quatto suggested on Ebay, and it has totally solved the problem! Much better than the things I was thinking about

I realized that I do not use the CD or floppy drives very much anymore, and the DockII looks a bit formidable. I recognize that that the Dock II provides alot more capability and will keep it in mind for the future - so thanks again. Now if I can only figure out how to get a a faster processor

Thanks again for the help!

Thinkpaddict · #11 Post by **Thinkpaddict** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:05 pm

Cool, glad everything worked out nicely!

X21 bad external monitor connector, new video card?

X21 bad external monitor connector, new video card?

is a pcmcia video card a possible solution?

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