Q: When Ordering CRU parts in Denmark, return old part?

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Hi,

My warrenty on my T42 is about to expire in a couple of months, so I was thinking about ordering a keyboard replacement, since a few keys are slightly worn down. However, I would like to keep the old worn keyboard as a spare.

Is it possible when ordering CRU parts in Denmark?

Another thing,

Does someone have a direct link to order CRU parts online?


Best,
Michael

[Harryc]

You wouldn't want a direct link to order a replacement keyboard if it is still uinder warranty would you? Here's website for parts order in Denmark -

Shop for service parts online in Denmark

[Johan]

Welcome to the forum, Michael!

Chances are that the keyboard which was originally supplied with your T42 has since then been replaced by a newer (and in principle identical) part by IBM. Because of this, you may perhaps not be able to find the same FRU (Field replacable Part) as you have today. So, before ordering a new keyboard for your T42, you may first need to check up on whether it is a 14.1” or a 15” model you have. If you don’t already know this, see the model/type number at the sticker on the bottom (M/T e.g. being 2373-N1G), then go to www.ibm.com, enter your M/T in the ”Search-field”, and choose the first hit returned. There you will find the key information about your T42.

Next, beware that there are three manufacturers of keyboards for T42 ThinkPad’s; NMB, Alps and Chicony. If you wish to know which of these three keyboards were originally supplied with your T42, choose the Warranty Lookup page, enter your T42 type (most likely 2373), and its serial number (found on the sticker at the bottom), choose ”Continue”, and on the following page choose the link (at the bottom at the screen) ” View parts lookup results for this system” – and there you will see the item ”KEYBOARD FRU”.

Then, go to Keyboard service parts - ThinkPad T40/p, T41/p, T42/p where you will see that there are two different Danish keyboards for 14.1" T42's and three different 15" models (and know that you cannot use 14." keyboards on 15" T42's and vice versa). Many users are happy for the NMB keyboards - search the T4x forum for (many!) user reports comparing these different brands.. e.g. T42 Thai (NMB), China (Alps) Keyboard Impressons (long) - but beware the the Thai-made NMB keyboards are no longer available; the NMB's are nowadays in China - and the "feel" of the Chinese version is slightly different, in my opinion (and unfortunately not to the better).

In Denmark, like HarryC already told, it is cheapest to simply buy replacement keyboards as original spareparts from IBM; see HarryC's link. Note that there will be some DKK 60 (+25 % VAT = DKK 75,-) shipping on top of the keyboard itself.

If you haven't tried to replace your keyboard before, see the T42 movie index or get the reference manual; the Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p.

PS: I think HarryC says that you perhaps ought to first call IBM Support (contact information here) and ask if you are entitled for a free replacement keyboard under your remaining warranty - rather than just ordering one by yourself, and paying for it - while not having tried the "perhaps-free" option? If they indeed agree to supply a free replacement keyboard, I would like to hear about it! In such case, I doubt they would want the worn part in return, but I don't know? Anyway, if they wanted that in return, you would still have the option of buying a new spare and paying for yourself! Result: Two new keyboards, only paid by yourself for one!

Best regards,

Johan

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Hi Johan!

Thanks for the lengthy reply.

I've checked my warrenty status and it looks like my machine has the three year limited warrenty and is entitled to mail-in or carry-in repair service.

I checked the parts lookup results and got the FRU part numbers for my system. It looks like the parts are T43/p specific even though my machine is a 14.1" T42. For instance, my keyboard FRU# is 39T0528 (NMB).


I'll probably try giving IBM Support a call next week or so. However, I was just wondering whether warrenty claims/requests concerning hardware parts replacement could be submitted online instead phoning them in.

I've tried searching the IBM/Lenovo site (www-307.ibm.com) but only to get a little confused.

thanks,

Michael

[Troels]

Hi,
If you order by T42 part numbers, they'll send you parts marked with T43 FRUs instead if they are compatible with the T42. Actually i think T42 frus merged with the compatible T42 FRUs long ago due to logistics - why have two locations for the same part(?).
If you send it in, you won't get your old keyboard back. If you send it in due to shiny keys, they will just send it back with no replacement/repair done.
So the safest bet would be to spend the money by ordering it yourself, and you will have two keyboards, where you could use keys and key hinges from the old one if an accident should happen with the new one.

I don't know of any other method than by phone. They'll need to send out a shipping box so they'll need to know the issue first - and probably need to verify if it's a prank call. They probably find that people don't reply fast enough to emails to make it work that way. Still, no harm done by calling