The Starving Student - Thinkpad T43P Resurrection Project

[Harryc]

It seems that several forum members have taken a personal interest in helping out a student who got taken advantage of at a repair shop with his T43P. See these threads -

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=83264
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=83736

The student, 'midnight08' is in Gainsville Florida USA and he needs our help. I have agreed to start this thread and to help him identify original parts if he can get them back from the repair shop. The goal of the project is to get this T43P back on it's feet and working for little to no cost. If that means shipping the laptop to me or another member to evaluate or repair then that's what we'll do. Please check back here often, subscribe to this thread, and lend a hand (or a part) if you can.

[ajkula66]

Harry, once you receive and diagnose the machine, I'll be happy to help if I can...

[Harryc]

Thanks George, as always we can count on your offer to support these projects. I appreciate it.

[midnight08]

I want to thank you all in advance for any help that you all give.

I will be updating with any information and pictures I have of the parts that I receive. Am am unsure of how to identify the proper parts that are supposed to go into this computer so i will be relying on you guys to help me identify the correct parts, and to help with verifying that they are properly functioning.


Thank you in advance.
Justin

[Tasurinchi]

Hi Harry

I'm waiting for an T43p to come in the next days. I'll be glad if I can help. I don't know exactly which parts I could donate but I can think of some memory or a hard drive if needed. I have a docking station of my old T30 as well. Shipping cost on my charge of course...

Cheers...

Tasurinchi

[killer]

Harry, I have a spare keyboard that fits a T43 with 15" screen.

Most T43p machines had a 14" keyboard and my spare keyboard is UK spec.

All the same, if it is of any use let me know.

[Harryc]

You guys are the best. Hold that thought until Justin tells us what he has on hand and until we can figure out what is functioning, or not.

[underclocker]

I definitely have many T4x bits and pieces lying around. Let me know - or post a list - of what is needed. I can even supply a 400MHz bus Pentium M CPU for the other machine.

Maybe we can get both up and running.

[Harryc]

Excellent Ed, thanks!

[gator]

Harry just pointed me towards mignight08's original post. Being *in* gainesville, FL I gotta do better than you guys I might have some T4x parts myself too - gotta dig through my boxes. After the two moves last year, I have no idea what is where.

I'll be happy to loan one of my machines to midnight08 while the T43p is being invesitaged and resurrected.

[midnight08]

I need to thank everyone for the extreme generosity that has been portrayed by this Forum... I do not think that i could ever be able to express my gratitude for what you all are doing. I wish that i could do something to help every one of you in return.

[midnight08]

Pictures are in. There are quite a few pictures of parts to show you all what we are dealing with here.


THE COMP:





MOBO:











WIRELESS CARD:





2 x RAM 512MB HYNIX AND SAMSUNG BRAND:







BLUETOOTH/MODEM CARD:





FAN:









POSSIBLE PROBLEMS?:











THINGS I FOUND WRONG AFTER RECEIVING THE COMP BACK:


KEYBOARD IS BENT. SEE THE LEFT SET OF MOUSE BUTTONS WITH RED> BENT UP:





A MISPLACED SCREW POKED ITS WAY THROUGH THE PALM REST:





NEW PALM REST:







A SCREW THAT IS ABOUT TO POP THROUGH.......





MISSING SCREWS AND WRONG SCREWS:

[midnight08]

Please let me know if those are the correct parts or not...

The list of part numbers that I have does not match a majority of the parts that I was given....

[Harryc]

OK, lets level set here. This is what your machine was before any of this started;

Product: ThinkPad T43p 2668-G2U [change]
Operating system: All [change]

Original description: P M 770, 1GB RAM, 60GB HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 128MB ATI FireGL V3200, CD-RW/DVD-R Multi-Burner, Intel 802.11a/b/g wireless(MPCI), Bluetooth/Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, Fingerprint Reader, 9c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

Please confirm that this is what was done to it and what you have received back from the 'repair' person, and I use that term loosely;

* A working T42 Motherboard was installed with your original CPU. You still have both parts.
* Your T43P systemboard was returned to you, it is assumed defective, and we have to verify the part#
* The Palm rest was ruined, but you have a replacement with a fingerprint reader. We have to verify the part #
* A short fan was installed, but you have a long fan that was returned to you. We have to verify the part #
* An 802.11b WiFi card was installed, but you have the original 802.11bg card that was returned to you. We have to verify the part#
* Your bluetooth card was removed. The original part was returned to you, but we have to verify the part#.
* Your original RAM was removed and replaced with PC2700 RAM. The original RAM was returned to you and we have to verify the part#. You also still have the PC2700.

Have I missed anything? Can you keep the T42 board? Can we sell it?

[midnight08]

Harry,

You pretty much have it down. The wireless card that was returned to me is an a/b/g card not just b/g. but other than that you have it down.

We need to verify part numbers before i ship anything. If the part numbers do not match what was originally installed in the computer i will be going back to him to get the proper parts.... period.... i will not leave him alone until the exact parts that i originally had in this computer are in my possession again.

The T42 system board and all associated parts are still in my possession and they are able to be sold/traded to get the parts that will get this computer back up and running without a hitch......

Since the original demise of the computer, I have budgeted a small amount of money to buy a new systemboard if need be... Can someone point me in the proper direction for finding out how much a new 2668-G2U system board can be had for?


Thank you

[Harryc]

OK, a quick look at your parts pictured above -

Systemboard - 42T0067 - From what I can tell that is a T43P Systemboard, ATI M24 GL128. If I am correct the board you originally had was 39T0477. I would like another member to verify both part numbers though.

Wireless Card - 93P4235 - that is an Intel Pro Wireless 2915abg card. That is an original T43P part. So it is your original part or one like it.

PC2-4200 - That would be what was installed in a T43P originally. It looks like you have 2x512MB sticks on hand. If you originally had 1GB of RAM then you are good to go there.

Bluetooth - 39T0026 - that is a ThinkPad Integrated Bluetooth IV with 56K Modem (BMDC-3). That would have been found in a T43P. So it is yours or one like it.

Long Fan - 13R2657 - is a T40, 41, 42/P long fan. That would not have been originally found in a T43 unless it was replaced. The correct T43/P fan part# is 26R9074

Palm Rest - 13R2348 - Is the part number for the touchpad. Basically if you hold this palm rest up to the one that fits the machine and it matches it is correct. That's the best I can do unless you find another part# on it.

[craigmontHunter]

The keyboard being lifted up is because of a too-long screw. check the lenghts (all should be 3 for the keyboard).

Good luck

[midnight08]

From what I have found, this is what it looks like i have in the parts that he gave me.

System board: P/N: 42T0067 possibly from a regular T43 not a T43p?

802.11 a/b/g card: P/N: 93P4235 from a t43/p but not supposed to be in a G2U type.....

RAM: Not IBM RAM but I have the correct amount... 1 gig total.

Bluetooth/Modem card: P/N: 39T0026 not listed for a T43/p that I can see.... dont know what its supposed to go to...T42 possibly?

New Palm rest looks to be the correct part... i see an IBM P/N of 41V9149 on it as well which looks to be T42/T43 parts?

All of the part numbers that I have are Pictured in the above pictures execept for the last P/N that I listed for the palm rest....

The keyboard being lifted up is because of a too-long screw. check the lenghts (all should be 3 for the keyboard).

Good luck

I took the keyboard off a little while ago and the aluminum is actually bent under those buttons.... dont know how he managed that....



I need to make sure that I am getting the proper parts back into this computer so that I know that I have the same graphics card, wireless card, modem card, etc. that the computer originally had in it... I will not let this guy give me random parts back and expect me to put those parts back into my computer. I do not know what is supposed to be in this computer or what has been updated since I got this computer. so if these parts that I have are newer versions of what I originally had let me know. but I refuse to put crappy parts back into this computer just to make it work because of this "repair" guy.....

[Harryc]

Justin, see my post above on the parts run-down.

[midnight08]

Sorry about that Harry....

Where did you see the 39T0477 P/N at though?

[Harryc]

Where did you see the 39T0477 P/N at though?

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 58420.html

Do a search on that page for 39T0477, then look at the models supported...see the 2668-G2X ? I'm 99% sure that's your T43P board.

[midnight08]

gotcha... but the system board that he gave back to me is a 42T0067 correct? if this is not the correct part should I go back to him to get the correct 39T0477 part? Or is it just not worth the time because I am going to need to buy a new one anyway?

[Harryc]

Sorry, yes it's been a long day. The systemboard that should have been in there originally is 39T0477. He have you back 42T0067. I believe 42T0067 is also a T43P board, but I can't verify it. That's why I need a member to check. I'll change the part# in the post above.

[midnight08]

Gotcha.. just got me a little crossed up.

I guess I am just a little worried as the P/N that I have are not the same as any of the parts that he gave back to me. I am not sure If the parts that he gave me are newer P/N than what I have or if they are better parts than what I originally had. I just dont want to downgrade the computer because of him. So if I need to go back and tell him he needs to get me the part numbers that are listed on that link that you gave me, I will.

[Harryc]

Well, first of all, the systemboard is basically irrelevant unless we want to try to reflow the GPU. There are (2) issues with that. First, we don't know that you definitely have a T43P board on hand (needs to be verified). Next, even if it is a T43P board, we don't know that it is YOUR T43P board, hence we do not know the current issue/s with it. I would have to install that board in your machine and make it work to see what the problem/s might be with it. As far as the other parts, the only one I'd go back to the repair shop (for the time being) on is the fan. You want the right part# for that. The rest of the parts COULD have come from your T43P, so you have no way to prove it one way or the other until they can be tested. The next issue you also mentioned....are the parts you were given good.? Again they would have to be tested in a working machine so that would be a follow-on activity after the systemboard is repaired or replaced and I have a working machine in front of me. If we find a bad part at that point it would be worth going back to the repair shop again to get a good part. I hope I've explained the issues.

[midnight08]

like crystal!

I will probably pull the keyboard off of my computer to make sure that I don't have the fan that you are talking about.

[Harryc]

I just thought of something else that can help verify part #'s. Please PM me the T43P's serial # as found on the sticker on the bottom of the machine. I can pull the shipped parts list with it.

[ajkula66]

FWIW, 39T0026 is the correct BT/modem card for any T43/p so you're good there.

Nasty screw business...I can't believe that these people actually survive with this type of service...

[Harryc]

Code: Select all

Parts shipped with your system
	
	Type: 	2668 [change] 	
	Serial #: 	JUSTINS [change] 	
	
	
	Mfg part #	 FRU part #	      Description	    Serviceable?		
	
	
	08K8204	08K8205	72 WATT SLIM AC ADAPTER FRU, 2 PIN, NON-	YES		
	
	
	
	13N5512	13N5530	HDD COVER ASSEMBLY FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	13N5512	13N5530	HDD COVER ASSEMBLY FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	13N5804	0000000	LCD BEZEL:BEZELS/DOORS	NO		
	
	
	
	13N6768	13N6769	CD-RW/DVD COMBO DRIVE FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	13N7045	13N7046	14.1 INCH LCD DISPLAY FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	13N9926	13N9957	KEYBOARDS; FRU-KBD ALPS US ENGLISH ROHS	YES		
	
	
	
	13N9988	39T0519	FRU-KBD NMB US ENGLISH ROHS	YES		
	
	
	
	13R2317	13R2917	LCD COVER KIT FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	13R2342	13R2922	HDD COVER ASSEMBLY FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	26R7850	0000000	PALM REST ASSEMBLY:MECHANICAL ASSEMBLIES	NO		
	
	
	
	26R7850	0000000	PALM REST ASSEMBLY:MECHANICAL ASSEMBLIES	NO		
	
	
	
	26R7855	41V9129	KEYBOARD BEZEL & FINGERPRINT ASSEMBLY FR	YES		
	
	
	
	26R8328	39T0043	PLANAR ASSEMBLY FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	27K9935	27K9936	CALEXICO-2 802.11A/B/G WIRELESS LAN MINI	YES		
	
	
	
	27R0260	0000000	LEVEL 1 GROUP BM, OSL, SIMPLIFIED CHINES	NO		
	
	
	
	27R0645	0000000	ROME-4 US ENGLISH PUB GROUP:PUBLICATIONS	NO		
	
	
	
	28L3133	12R7469	LABEL:LABELS	YES		
	
	
	
	29R7077	NOTAFRU	COA LABEL, WINDOWS XP-PROFESSIONAL EDITI	NO		
	
	
	
	29R7077	NOTAFRU	COA LABEL, WINDOWS XP-PROFESSIONAL EDITI	NO		
	
	
	
	38L5139	73P3843	512MB PC2-4200 NP DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM MEMO	YES		
	
	
	
	38L5140	73P3845	1GB PC2-4200 NP DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM MEMORY	NO		
	
	
	
	38L5679	39T0047	MICROASSEMBLY FRU, DOTHAN 1.866GHZ	YES		
	
	
	
	38L5681	39T0049	MICROASSEMBLY FRU, DOTHAN 2.133GHZ	YES		
	
	
	
	39J9380	0000000	FLYER:PUBLICATIONS MISC	NO		
	
	
	
	39M5016	0000000	LINE CORD:LINE CORDS	NO		
	
	
	
	39T0025	39T0026	HERMES BLUETOOTH AND MODEM WIRELESS COMB	YES		
	
	
	
	39T0076	39T0077	CALEXICO-2BG 802.11B/G WIRELESS ADAPTER	YES		
	
	
	
	39T0236	39T0043	PLANAR ASSEMBLY FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	39T0804	0000000	TOUCH PAD PLATE ROHS:PADS	NO		
	
	
	
	39T1000	24R8100	RECOVERY CD KIT FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	39T1000	24R8100	RECOVERY CD KIT FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	39T2513	39T2521	40GB HARD DRIVE TRAY ASSEMBLY FRU	NO		
	
	
	
	39T2520	39T2521	40GB HARD DRIVE TRAY ASSEMBLY FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	39T2560	39T2581	60GB HARD DRIVE FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	39T2570	39T2507	12/8/4/24X CD-RW/DVD RAMBO III DRIVE FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	39T2580	39T2581	60GB HARD DRIVE FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	41T1719	44M4360	L1, LABEL GROUP BM:BOMS, NOT SHIPPABLE A	NO		
	
	
	
	41V9124	41V9126	PALMREST & FINGERPRINT ASSEMBLY FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	41V9706	NOTAFRU	ROHS COMPLIANT LABEL:LABELS	NO		
	
	
	
	42T5419	42T0073	PLANAR FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	91P6873	91P8684	PALMREST ASSEMBLY FRU, ERO ID = F1AZ ,E	YES		
	
	
	
	91P6914	91P6915	FRU TELEPHONE CABLE W/ CORE (ROHS)	YES		
	
	
	
	91P8421	0000000	TRACKPOINT CAP KIT:MECHANICAL ASSEMBLIES	NO		
	
	
	
	91P8567	NOTAFRU	SCREW & POLYBAG:MECHANICAL ASSEMBLIES AN	YES		
	
	
	
	91P8904	NOTAFRU	COVER, BASE 15":LABELS	YES		
	
	
	
	91P8905	NOTAFRU	COVER, BASE 15":LABELS	YES		
	
	
	
	92P1016	92P1017	FRU 72W SLIM AC ADAPTER (ROHS) - ASTEC,	YES		
	
	
	
	92P1068	42T4606	PANASONIC 9 CELL BATTERY FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	92P1086	42T4611	SANYO 6 CELL BATTERY FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	92P6756	92P6759	14.1 INCH LCD DISPLAY FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	92P6772	0000000	14.1 INCH LCD DISPLAY ASSEMBLY:FLAT PANE	NO		
	
	
	
	93P4211	93P4212	MODEM DAUGHTER CARD FRU	YES		
	
	
	
	93P8917	0000000	LABEL:LABELS, SHIPPING	NO

[Harryc]

I don't know what to make of the above parts list. It looks like there are (2) complete machines on it. Therefor it can't be relied upon, unless someone can tell me what I am looking at.
What a mess ... I want to strangle this guy .... (the repair guy not you Justin ) .