FRU vs. Mfg Part Number - Confused!

[mtp318]

I'm trying to find an inverter for my t43p with a UXGA screen. I've had all sorts of problems trying to figure what will and won't work with my laptop do to the constant confusion between the "Manufacturer Part Number" and the "FRU". What is the relationship between these two numbers and why does IBM use both when describing a part? Some FRUs are only a digit or two off from the Mfg #. Others are completely different. Some parts have FRU's and some don't. Sometimes a FRU's will change but the Mfg part number stays the same. Othertimes the Mfg part number changes, but the FRU stays the same... I'm lost.

Anyway, the HMM tells me that the T43p with a 15" SXGA or UXGA panel uses a 39T0361 FRU (unleaded), or a 27K9976 (leaded). I tried to order the 39T0361 ($20) from IBM, but they told me it has been replaced by the 39T0359 ($250!). But the 39T0359 is listed in the HMM as being ONLY for the 15" XGA screen. I called the parts Dept and they told me the same- it's only for the XGA. They started talking about the Mfg Part Number and tried to cross-reference that, but then they got confused too. Eventually they gave up and said they'd get back to me.

Does anyone know- are *all* inverters the same for a T43x 15" screen no matter the resolution?

39T0361 (un-leaded SXGA, UXGA resolution)
27K9976 (leaded SXGA, UXGA resolution)
39T0359 (un-leaded XGA resolution)
27K9974 (leaded XGA resolution)

Thanks all...

PS: I *do* understand the difference between a FRU and Marketing Part Number: http://www-304.ibm.com/systems/support/ ... nd=5000008 But there doesn't appear to be a similar page describing the FRU vs MPN

[Johan]

While I am not able to explain the difference between the many "identical" Mfg P/n's and likewise FRU's I would however suggest that you have a look here - that might solve the situation?

I believe (assume, trust, feel confident!) that IBM (and/or Lenovo) may necessarily have several, alternative suppliers of the same component (inverters, LCD's etc.), rather than having some e.g. laptop being critically dependent on a single component supplier (hey, do you recall that some years back a factory in Japan, I believe it was, burned down, and this had an impact on almost all of the IC industry since this factory made the compound that the dies are packaged in - in other words: Such critical dependencies are not nice!). Large companies, such as Nokia, have a number of suppliers of the same part (resistors, capacitors etc.); this keeps prices down (the various suppliers compete!), and also keeps the production lines up and running, regardless of one supplier perhaps not being able to source all what is needed at some time. This may be explain the various Mfg. P/N's, I guess. Moreover, old components are constantly being replaced by newer components... and this ends up in new part numbers as well, I believe (both Mfg. P/N's and FRU's), since the parts lists change, so rather that operating with e.g. FRU 12A3456 rev. A, rev. B, rev. C and so on they don't use revisions - they change the part number instead. Confusing, agreed!

The "leaded" versus "un-leaded" components are of course a result of the EU RoHS directive, again giving new part numbers.

But, main message: If you know that you're home safe with either 39T0361 or 27K9976 then search here for these... if you are in the USA that's easiest, fastest and cheapest (you have forgotten to add your location to your profile?).

Johan

[EOMtp]

... are *all* inverters the same for a T43x 15" screen no matter the resolution?

No, they are not the same.

[ajkula66]

Here you go...

http://store.ibmmedic.com/39t0361.html

Hope this helps.