About to buy a Thinkpad T42 Type 2373-JTU - Help?

[dejola]

I'm about to buy a used T42 that is supposed to be in mint
condition. But I have read a lot of horror stories here about a
a flex problem and cracked system boards, and also numerous
GPU issues.

Anyway to tell if the T42 I'm about to buy is one that has or likely
will have any of these problems?

[Johan]

If buying from a seller with an unknown reputation, make sure that the T42 you're about to buy comes with some amount of warranty!, Also, see the thread Would u say that a used T42P is reliable ? + Things To Check.

Johan

[schen]

I'm about to buy a used T42 that is supposed to be in mint
condition. But I have read a lot of horror stories here about a
a flex problem and cracked system boards, and also numerous
GPU issues.

Anyway to tell if the T42 I'm about to buy is one that has or likely
will have any of these problems?

In my opinion, there's no good way to tell that unless you already see some signs of trouble like problems passing POST and/or artifacts on the screen. One other thing to look for is signs of rough handling. Other than that, your guess is as good as anyone else's.

That be said, the way I look at it is this: EVERY model of computer ever made has some foibles of one kind or another. And for the ultra-sleek (read thin) T4x machines equipped with the ATI video chips, it's the GPU detachment issue. I'm sure you've done a search and read the threads on what people have postulated as the cause, so I won't repeat them here. Personally, I've bought 5 machines used, of that series which were not listed as having the problem (2 of which were over 3 years ago) and none of the 5 have developed the problem. Most stay on on a regular basis, but 2 get turned off regularly. I know of one that even gets carried around "one-handed" quite a lot and NONE of them have developed the issue. Two are T40s, two more are T41s and one is a T42p. Every one of them are "front-line" machines that get used most everyday. I've had pretty much the same kind of experience with A31s and R5x machines which will have the same issue.

So there you have it. I don't see myself as extra-ordinarily lucky or skilled. I'm generally fairly careful, but don't "baby" my machines. I'm certain that others can tell horror stories, but I'd suspect that most of the users on this forum have had similar experience with that series of machine.

What you should be asking yourself is this:
* Does the machine do everything I want it to?
* is the feature set that it offers compelling reasons for me to want it (including the thinness)?
* Is the specific machine I'm considering in good shape and have I done due dilligence in checking it out?
* Is it a good price (eg. something I can live with even if something were to go wrong) for what I'm getting?

Of course you can mitigate the concerns somewhat by doing what I did on my latest personal T42p. I bought from our Forum Marketplace from a seller (BobA) who has a great deal of experience with the model that I purchased and has an outstanding reputation. It was a semi-bare-bones unit, but, after just a little bit of work (adding HDD, RAM and WiFi), the machine was good to go for an excellent price!

[wvdgaast]

That's *exactly* the same laptop I have. It's a great machine, except for the infamous GPU problem that will most definitely bite you at some point as well. Getting one that is still under warranty is definitely a good idea. Otherwise, buy a ServicePac, it's definitely worth it since it's not even half the price of getting the GPU problem repaired.

I really wish I had one that used the Intel video chipset instead...

[sktn77a]

I really wish I had one that used the Intel video chipset instead...

I'm not sure which is worse - the T4x GPU issue or integrated Intel graphics.......

At least you can fix the GPU problem!

[wvdgaast]

I really wish I had one that used the Intel video chipset instead...

I'm not sure which is worse - the T4x GPU issue or integrated Intel graphics.......

At least you can fix the GPU problem!

Heh. Actually I even use the integrated Intel graphics chip on my desktop machine. I'm an energy-saving hippie who doesn't care about 3D.

And solving the GPU problem permanently seems to be impossible, even when you let IBM fix it it lasts for a few months at most in my experience...

[frankiepankie]

I have a T42 (don't know exactly which model). It has the ATi 7500.

One day, i was adding an internal miniPCI wireless, when i saw tiny red dots of epoxy on the corners of the GPU.

So i think mine is already fixed for the GPU trouble, isn't it ?

[DaveG11th]

....i saw tiny red dots of epoxy on the corners of the GPU.

So i think mine is already fixed....

At some point, the T42s got the new assembly approach with epoxy dots. I can't find the reference, but I seem to remember that the new methodology was used on units built after Spring, 2005 (and all T43 series). My December, 2005 T42 has gray dots.

The good news is that the dots apparently prevent the problem for quite a while. When/if the solder does fracture, there seems to be a difference of opinion as to whether the dots maintain physical positioning and therefore *help* reflow, or whether they unfortunately keep the board suspended, *preventing* good reflow.

Anecdotal evidence seems to say that the dots *prevent* the home-brew, heat-gun method from working. I don't know whether it prevents the use of professional reballing / reflowing machines.

Don't know why a surgical drilling-out or grinding of the epoxy dots wouldn't work, but it sure would be finicky, as you wouldn't want to drill down into the mainboard.

On the other hand, finding an R51 mainboard with the Intel GPU is possibly a better long-term fix.