USB Ports broken

[hmphargh]

My T42p suddenly died today, I restarted it and USB doesn't work, not in Windows, Ubuntu, or via the BIOS (trying to boot from a USB drive). I called customer support; they informed me that my computer was out of warranty and that I needed a new system board, and that this would cost me a minimum of $475, and possibly more. My question: what do I do? I see 3 options really:
1. Live with it (not really an option...I kind of like my USB devices)
2. Sell it and buy something else (T6X maybe?)
3. Fork up the money to either have IBM repair it, or get the part and do it myself (does anyone know what part# I need? Can I even do it myself? I'm pretty computer savvy, an electrical engineer, and I've built several desktops, and taken apart and put back together a few laptops)

Which option would the folks here at the TP forums suggest?

Thanks for your help and consolation in my time of darkness,
Hmphargh

[GomJabbar]

Option 4. Buy a PC Card with 2 USB ports.

[hmphargh]

True, but I already have a tuner that takes up the PCMCIA slots

[GomJabbar]

If your tuner is a TV tuner, realize that the T6x series does not offer a TV out option except for the VGA port. You would want a probably want a TV (or else a monitor) with a VGA input jack on it (I bought a 15" LCD TV/Monitor from Circuit City that has a VGA jack and a TV tuner built in). There are some VGA to S-Video or Composite Video converters, but the quality is probably not going to be that great, and that's more money for you to shell out.

If you decide to replace the system board, you should open yours up to get the FRU number. The information in the Hardware Maintenance Manual has the wrong FRU numbers for some of the system boards. Since you have a T42p, almost any different board would be a downgrade for you. You can Google the FRU number and check ebay to see what is available.

Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p

[ajkula66]

IMHO, paying $475 or so to have the board replaced is NOT an option. You can buy a whole working T42p for anywhere between $600-700 these days, and quite a few of them will have warranty leftover.

I'm pretty certain that you could replace the board yourself, but sourcing out a known good board for a T42p is likely to be a problem, at least in my book....

You may want to sell that one "as-is" and get something else...

Or you can look into someone around here (on the forum) willing to fiddle with it for probably far less than Lenovo...or get a recommendation for a place that would provide such a service.

Best of luck.

[hmphargh]

I agree with the comments about not being worth it to pay $475. I looked up my chip, and tried to find one online, but they seemed to cost more than Lenovo would charge to fix it. I'm not afraid of opening up the computer, but I'm thinking I might sell it as-is, tell them that they can put in a pcmcia usb card if they need it, and buy a T61.

[flashstar]

I am not sure about the components in a T42, but I know that in my T23 there is a separate i/o board that the motherboard connects into. I'm thankful since I found out recently that one of my USB ports and my ethernet port were both dead. It is simply a matter of replacing the i/o board. The only problem is that it takes several hours to rip the whole machine apart and put back together.

[rocky01]

The USB ports shorting out (and in some cases, taking the whole rig down with it) is a known issue. My systemboard was replaced under warranty. Post warranty, I agree that $475 brings you up to the fish-or-cut-bait point and in my case if and when something akin to that happens, it's time to look into the new and improved with dual core processor rigs. Not so sure though I'm ready to sign on with Lenovo.