T4x GPU Problem - Alternate Fix - R51 Mobo w/Intel GPU!

[RealBlackStuff]

See this: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=91956

[indotoonster]

Just a question.... will any of the Intel GPU R5* boards support an UXGA screen? I have a 15" T42p with a lovely UXGA (1600x1200) Flexview screen, but it suffers from the GPU issue. What type of R5* board can I use with this?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
indotoonster

[ajkula66]

indotoonster wrote:

Just a question.... will any of the Intel GPU R5* boards support an UXGA screen? I have a 15" T42p with a lovely UXGA (1600x1200) Flexview screen, but it suffers from the GPU issue. What type of R5* board can I use with this?

None.

No Intel board from this generation will drive an UXGA LCD.

[indotoonster]

None.

No Intel board from this generation will drive an UXGA LCD.

That's too bad

Oh well.... what about boards with ATI GPUs such as "Mobility Radeon Xpress 200M" -- will these be powerful enough to drive UXGA LCDs?

My T42p has been sat gathering dust for the last 6 months since it started developing the GPU issue. Would be nice to somehow revive it...

cheers,
indotoonster

[ajkula66]

Don't know about R51e boards...

Why don't you just fix yours, or replace it altogether?

[BruceDickinson]

Just a heads up for less-than-expert thinkpadders (like myself) who are considering this fix...

When you replace the mobo, System Update (and maybe the other updating utilities) won't work unless you manually set certain information that's written into a chip on the new mobo. To do this, you need to use a proprietary IBM program (that you are actually not allowed to have) and a floppy disk drive.

For more information, see these threads...

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=12263

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=90175

[Neil]

Actually Bruce, System Update will read the system board info from the new board that is installed and update your drivers for the new board, which is what you will need anyway. If you change the type number back to your old one, you won't get the right drivers through system update for the Intel board.

[underclocker]

When you replace the mobo, System Update (and maybe the other updating utilities) won't work unless you manually set certain information that's written into a chip on the new mobo. To do this, you need to use a proprietary IBM program (that you are actually not allowed to have) and a floppy disk drive.

True, but that is only an issue if the replacement motherboard does not have an appropriate (or original) Machine Type and Model programmed.

If, for instance, you are using an Intel R51 board in a T41, you just keep the Intel R51 information on the motherboard. That way you actually do get all the correct drivers - at least the most critical system board and video drivers. Anything the System Update doesn't find, you can just download manually. Even brand new ThinkPads need manual downloads upon occasion.

[underclocker]

Oh well.... what about boards with ATI GPUs such as "Mobility Radeon Xpress 200M" -- will these be powerful enough to drive UXGA LCDs?

I bet they are powerful enough, as are all the others, however, they are probably BIOS limited, as all the others. See this link, it reports that the ATI Mobility Radeon Xpress 200M from an R51e motherboard only supports XGA --> http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77935

[BruceDickinson]

...that is only an issue if the replacement motherboard does not have an appropriate (or original) Machine Type and Model programmed.

If, for instance, you are using an Intel R51 board in a T41, you just keep the Intel R51 information on the motherboard...

Thanks for pointing this out, underclocker. I had a new replacement mobo (39T5510) that did not have any type and model programmed--so System Update currently doesn't work.

[Dave_in_Arizona]

Hi all,

First thanks for all the information on the T40/41 GPU issue...I recently replaced 2 T40's with the R51 motherboards from ebay. Neither hard drive would bootup with old system installed.

On type 2888-KG4 I was able to complete a new install using an T40 restore disk set and then connect to ibm/lenovo website and update the software. Only one error which is not causing a problem. Using this T40R51 to type this.

On second one, type 2883-8QU, it only installed the 1st two disks of a four disk set and then would not load anything else. I also received an 1802 error and removed the wireles card and rebooted. It continued to state it needed internet connection to verify WindowsXP. But the ethernet port was inop. At that point I did a wipe and fresh installed of a generic WinXP. However the ethernet port is still inop, so I cannot connect and update the missing files.

I am going to buying a set of restore disks to do a restore however when I check the sites selling these they show 2 different sets for each motherboard. My question is: can I buy the disk set I need now and use it for both if I need to restore them in the future?

Thanks!

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
The only difference between those sets would perhaps be the graphics driver (Intel or ATI).
Otherwise they are the same. No need to buy another set.
D/L the trial version of Acronis TrueImage, and then clone the 2888-KG4 HD onto the other one.

[Dave_in_Arizona]

Thank you very much! I will give it a go.



Second laptop up with cloned drive...Thanks for the help!!!!

[asmd05]

my t40 2373 has been out of commission for about 2 years. i decided to try this fix and i swapped a used r51 into it. the problem is when i first booted it, the lcd was very dim and i couldn't increase the brightness. then i hooked it up to an external monitor and it worked perfectly. now the lcd doesnt even turn on. the lcd was working perfectly when i took apart the computer, so i doubt that would be the issue unless i physically broke it taking it apart. anyone have any ideas or suggestions? thanks in advance.

AL

[nerf5000]

Hey Guys,

just FYI: finally put together my TR451 from that mobo that was recommended (39T5510) and I'm typing this on the machine
Well that's mod #2 that worked so far (CF SSD was first and it seems to have carried across fine)

good times!

[RealBlackStuff]

@Dave_in_Arizona:
for your 1802-problem: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_w ... twork_card
for your ethernet problem, get driver here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-55029


@asmd05:
you too may need (Intel graphics) drivers from here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-55029

[asmd05]

thanks RealBlackStuff for the suggestion. i tried the video driver and it didnt work. i think it might be hardware on the motherboard because i cant even see the bios bootup screen. also, i tried the lcd on another thinkpad and it works fine. any other suggestions??

[billp117]

asmd05...as mentioned it looks like you need a new R51 intel graphics MB. You can find a brand new one on eBay for $49 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Original- ... 588bdf5ab4

I have installed two of them in T40 series ThinkPads and they worked fine. It is well worth the effort.

Good luck...

[RealBlackStuff]

Maybe you didn't properly connect the VGA port bracket to the motherboard and/or the LCD cable could be loose either inside the lid or onto the motherboard.
Could you have 'squeezed' the LCD cable and broken a wire in it (where LCD cable comes out of lid, into laptop)?

[RistoE]

My 10 year old daughter used her T41 in bed for long time watching youtube videos. Result was that model 2373-4QG with ATI Mobility 7500 RADEON probably overheated. I tried to run the laptop keyboard lifted and pressed down some of the chips and in these cases it starts, most of the cases. If I don't press, it usually doesn't start at all.

I tried pushing down the ATI chip and the large chip above that. Both helped. Otherwise all the symptoms I've seen looks like the GPU is loose.

I'm living in Finland and I'm not sure if it makes sense to send this over to be reballed. Maybe I should by R51 motherboard if I can find one.

EDIT: replaced the laptop with T60.

[madkat]

From time to time, a new Frankenpad is born

After two weeks at work with the R52, spotted a ok-ish condition T43 (mobo broken) and this evening, during 2 and a half hours, did the transplant. Why? Because i've missed the feeling of a T4x...

[RealBlackStuff]

I assume you left out the 1394/Firewire?
I tried an R5x mobo with FW in a 14.1" T4x, but the FW bracket itself just would not fit properly between PCMCIA and fan.
I even modified/lowered the FW bracket itself and filed off part of the fan exhaust.
I got it in, but then the palmrest would not fit properly, so in the end I had to leave out the FW bracket.
The rest of the mobo was a perfect fit.
Maybe there's more room in a 15"?

[madkat]

yes, left out the firewire bracket. I only use this on the R61, for converting miniDV's.

The mobo fits perfectly, same as in R51 mobo in T41 chassis. Just not to forget to remove the ultrabay supplementary connector plate (which only the R5x's have)

The T43 was (is) a 14' model.

[jimbob83]

I've bought a 93P3784 R51 motherboard to revive a long dead T42. I don't have the board in my hands yet, but I believe it has the Radeon 9000 GPU. My T42 has the short heatsink, will this work for the Radeon 9000 or should I start looking for a long heatsink?

Thanks for any help.

[RealBlackStuff]

Only the ATI 7500 can be without a heatsink, it uses the short heatsink (same as for integrated Intel GPU).
Get a long one from the T40/1/2 series, but not from the T43, they are too noisy.
R5x heatsinks will not fit in a T4x, the R5x are too thick.

[jimbob83]

Thank you for the incredibly fast reply

Now, back to ebay for a long fan!

[Ken Edmonds]

I've found an R52 motherboard but it's got the Ati chip. Did the R52 have same problem as the T4x series?

[RealBlackStuff]

No.
They'll also fit in a T4x chassis.
Only difference: R5x boards have a Firewire connector, for which there is no output hole in a T4x.

[Ken Edmonds]

I delayed buying the R52 motherboard as I acquired a working T43 for nothing which was a good deal.

However, I got fed up with looking at two non working T42s so bought the board anyway. I'm now looking at two non working T42s and an R52 motherboard as I haven't got around to doing it yet but there's no Firewire connector so no problem. According to ThinkWiki only some R52s have it and this one didn't.

[RealBlackStuff]

The R52 uses different CPU and RAM from the T40/1/2 !!!
However, it's the same as a T43.
The Firewire connector I referred to, sits on top of the motherboard, to the right of the PCMCIA cage.
There's a bracket with cable going/available over that cage which puts the FW outlet between PCMCIA opening and fan exhaust.
That bracket may be missing (only req'd if you want to use FW).