The Starving Student - Thinkpad T43P Resurrection Project

[Harryc]

About the 42T0067 Systemboard - the below site says it is an X300 board.
http://www.ec21.com/offer_detail/Sell_T ... 13110.html

Upgradebay.com says that FRU# 42T0067 is a IBM SYSTEM BOARD ATI M22-64MB (an X300 board)
http://www.upgradebay.com/c1_itemdetail ... 5QoddRVlMw

FWIW, here's an EBay auction that says it's an X300 board too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-LENOVO-T43-T43p ... 0274941974

So that's (2) reputable sites that say it's an X300 board.

There are (2) planars listed on the original parts list. One is an X300 (T43) Planar, and the other is a 128MB ATI FireGL V3200 (T43P) planar. The T43P planar is FRU# 42T0073.

My recommendation is to go back to the repair store and ask for fan FRU# 26R9074 and systemboard 42T0073. If anyone else has a better suggestion please add to this thread.

[RealBlackStuff]

The parts lists looks like a combination of a T43 and a T43p.
Is Justin the original owner, and would he still have the bill of sale?
Could this have been a machine, that was repaired under warranty at one time, and had the used spare parts added onto the original list?
Maybe it started its life as a T43p, and EZ-Serve or similar repaired it to come out as a T43?

Maybe contact Mark at Lenovo?
I'm sure he (or a buddy) could sort that parts list out.

[underclocker]

My current thinking (and I may be alone) is that simplifying this project makes sense. I'm not sure if a T43p is required by the OP, but getting to one working T43p will be complicated, time-consuming and potentially costly.

I'd propose 1) using the exiting parts plus donations to build up two T4x machines. Then, 2) sell both machines via the forum marketplace. Then, 3) buying one machine in the T43p, T60, R61 range. Two working T4x machines should sell here (or elsewhere) for $150+ each. That would certainly be enough for a nice, used T60.

I'm just tossing out an option here. And, I can contribute several T4x bits and pieces.

[Harryc]

Ed, obviously Justin would have to approve a plan like you've suggested, but personally I think it could be a good one. The main issues are that we've only got one known good working systemboard in the mix, all of the new parts are untested, and building (2) machines and selling them would take some time. I don't know what time crunch Justin is under ... but if we have a month or so then your plan may be doable. I agree on the potential expense of building just a single T43P. Those 128MB ATI FireGL V3200 systemboards are rare and expensive.
Here's one on EBay for $170 - http://cgi.ebay.com/T43-T43p-ATI-SYSTEM ... 0363784364

If we could sell the T42 board for say $100, and if Justin could come up with the other $70 for the above linked board...that is another option.

RBS...your suggestions are good. So lets ask - Justin, do you have the original factory invoice for the T43P and does it show a parts list like I've posted? If so, can you scan it and email it to me? - harryc56ATgmailDOTcom

[midnight08]

First things first i guess....

like i previously said, I do not want to down grade this computer because of this "repair" guy.... I originally took this computer in to him to have the motherboard fixed. it was the only thing on the computer that was damaged. He first explained that he was going to be fixing the motherboard. however i think he got in above his head and decided to replace it.... He ended up replacing the motherboard and all associated parts with a T42.

Now, What I have made perfectly clear to him is that if he can not come up with the original system-board and the original associated parts, that i will be coming in with an IBM quote for parts. The reason that I made this clear to him is because he did not 1) tell me he replaced the motherboard with a T42 (downgraded my computer) 2) he did not tell me he took all of my associated parts (which yes this computer has been into IBM for warranty work before so some of the parts, like the graphics card, were brand new)... I explained to him very carefully that what he has just done is better known as THEFT.....

I agreed when I got back into town to give him a chance at getting the parts for my computer back to me... He has now screwed that up minus the bluetooth/Modem card....

So if we can get a list of part numbers together today for all of the parts that are needed to get this computer back up and running so that I can call IBM Parts and get prices, I will be walking in there to give him the quote... If he does not pay out for the quote, I will be contacting the local police department to file a police report with them and have them come upstairs to his shop to have a chat with him..... so like i said before, If you guys can get me the part numbers to what is supposed to be in this computer, i will be going back into that shop to have (make) him get me all of my parts back. All of the other parts of my computer were in proper running condition except for the motherboard... I should receive all of my original parts back the same way i left them at his shop, in proper running condition, if he cant do that... then he will just have to fork up the money for his own stupidity and buy me my stuff new.....

I need the help from you guys to help me figure out the proper part numbers for my computer. I know that when I got this computer, it was a pretty well set up machine. I know that the graphics card was hard to come by as well... For all i know, He knew that graphics card was hard to come by and that is why he "replaced" my system-board and took everything else....

so like I said, I don't want to downgrade my computer because of this guy.... if anything i would like to upgrade it. If there is a BETTER system board that is easier to come by then that is fine, but i don't want to start going backwards because him.

The parts lists looks like a combination of a T43 and a T43p.
Is Justin the original owner, and would he still have the bill of sale?
Could this have been a machine, that was repaired under warranty at one time, and had the used spare parts added onto the original list?
Maybe it started its life as a T43p, and EZ-Serve or similar repaired it to come out as a T43?

Maybe contact Mark at Lenovo?
I'm sure he (or a buddy) could sort that parts list out.

I do not have the original bill of sale for this computer. Here is the reason:

I originally bought a T42p.... I was having constant problems with it and it was constantly at EZ-Serv.... Management changed at EZ-Serv and i think to try and make me happy, he took my T42p and sent me a T43p free of cost. So this computer is a warranty replacement for my T42p.

this T43p has been into EZ-Serv a couple of times... the Graphics card went out on it at one point (recently Approx:6 months ago) and it was replaced... there were numerous other things fixed and replaced on the computer as it aged as well.

So please guys, help me get a parts list and part numbers together of the original GOOD parts that are supposed to go on this computer so that I can get the parts back from this guy. so that I can send them off to harry for him to get the computer back up and running. I want to make sure that I have all the proper parts for this computer before i box it up and ship it out to him.

[Harryc]

Well. I think I've pretty much summarized the parts situation so far Justin, but lets take another look at what you have as compared to the only possible document that might contain the correct part numbers of what originally shipped with the machine.

You said you have -

Systemboard - 42T0067 (an X300 board) - That part number is not mentioned on the parts list. There are (2) planars listed, the correct one should be FRU# 42T0073. So you need to ask for that.
Wireless Card - 93P4235 - the parts list shows FRU# 27K9936 and FRU# 39T0077. You need to ask for one of those. It is impossible to tell which is correct, but they are functionally identical so it does not matter which one you get back.
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), and it is mentioned on the parts list. That would have been found in a T43P. So it is yours or one like it.
Long Fan - 13R2657 - The correct T43/P fan part# is 26R9074. Fans would not be shown on an original shipped parts list...so take my word for it, what you got is wrong.
Palm Rest - 13R2348 - 91P8684 and 41V9126 are both listed on the parts list. It is impossible to tell which originally came with your machine, but as you stated earlier it does not matter as long as the new palm rest looks physically the same as the old one, minus the damage ...

So to summarize what you still need to get from the repair guy; a systemboard, a wireless card, a long fan.

[midnight08]

Thanks harry.

Will be visiting him today hopefully

Is there a way to buy these new? how much are they running? if i need to buy the one on ebay then that is fine.

[Harryc]

New? Only from Lenovo, and you don't want to pay that price.

[midnight08]

ill take your word on that harry.

[underclocker]

I don't want to keep adding to the mix, but I really wouldn't overthink this one. There seem to be two basic issues 1) getting a functional T43p (or better) back together again, and 2) potentially punishing the vendor.

Regarding 1), you can find a machine with all the parts you'll need for $249 delivered right here --> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0515605494

Regarding 2), you can suggest the vendor pays $249 for that machine above, the OP keeps all the parts he has, someone helps put together one good T43p (maybe just a hard drive swap will do it), the remainder is sold off as parts or a working machine(s), and the vendor is left with a rather good warning for future questionable dealings.

Again, just a suggestion.

Also, I'm not really sure, but wouldn't even a basic T60 (ATI X1300 or above w/ Core Duo) outperform a T43p - or would the T43p still have a video edge (I know the memory, CPU, hard drive, etc. would be faster on the T60)?

[dsvochak]

Without getting technical, Ed’s (underclocker) suggestion makes a lot of sense. The benefit of the bargain was the OP should get a working used machine back from the shop. The cost to get “the benefit of the bargain” is apparently $249.00. In that circumstance, it isn’t likely the shop would be required to provide new a new MB or other new replacement parts. There is also a principle that requires the injured party to take reasonable steps to minimize his damages.

By the way, if I’m reading the description of the ebay machine and the parts list Harry provided correctly, “the benefit of the bargain” may require the LCD from the OP’s machine to be installed on the ebay machine.

In any event, Ed’s correct there are two separate issues involved.

[midnight08]

Is this the fan that I need?

[Harryc]

Yes, that's the correct fan.

[midnight08]

Without getting technical, Ed’s (underclocker) suggestion makes a lot of sense. The benefit of the bargain was the OP should get a working used machine back from the shop. The cost to get “the benefit of the bargain” is apparently $249.00. In that circumstance, it isn’t likely the shop would be required to provide new a new MB or other new replacement parts. There is also a principle that requires the injured party to take reasonable steps to minimize his damages.

By the way, if I’m reading the description of the ebay machine and the parts list Harry provided correctly, “the benefit of the bargain” may require the LCD from the OP’s machine to be installed on the ebay machine.

In any event, Ed’s correct there are two separate issues involved.

While some of this is true... I do expect all of my original parts to be returned to me.... He basically took my T43p and gave me a T42... I do not require that he give me a brand new motherboard back... i just want my old one... or one that is the same... not of lesser value.... there is nothing wrong with thinking that. I didnt go into his shop and ask him to make my computer function, I asked him to fix it.

This is my primary computer... all my daily functions run off of this computer... if it was about just getting me a functioning computer, well... I already have one.. albeit it is slow, laggy, the mouse jumps around, cant handle multiple functions at one time, i can connect to half the internet that I am near let alone the internet in my own place, etc... i could go on and on.

That is why i need this thing to be back to the best that it originally was... because it did everything that i asked of it. now, it wont do half the things that i need it to, but it functions.

This guy pretty much took my T43p and handed me a half functioning T42. i just want my T43p back...

[midnight08]

Yes, that's the correct fan.

Cool, so now we are down to a wireless card, and a system board. I will be at his place tomorrow to give him the correct part numbers of those two items and then it will all be off to you in the mail harry....

I really appreciate the help that you have been giving me guys. This forum was kind of a god send when i found out what this guy did to my computer....

[midnight08]

I went to the shop again today to pick up the parts that I told him to get (wireless card and systemboard)

He produced the wireless card but swears that the system board that he gave me was the original system board (its not)

So i have everything minus a system board... I am going to have to buy a system board anyways so i told him good-ridden.

As a parting gift.... he gave me two batteries to an unknown machine.. doesnt look like mine. as well as an AC adapter.. again unknown machine.... I will send them with everything to Harry and see if we can sell them to get parts for the computer...

If you cant sell any of the parts harry and you don't need them for yourself as a sort of payment, can you send them back so i can continue to try and sell them?

I am going to try and get everything boxed up tomorrow and ship it all off on friday hopefully.

[Harryc]

Sure, we can look at the parts you got today to see what's there. If anything is sell-able I'll let you know. We can try to test the X300 board. If it tests good it can be sold, but chances are if it was just laying about the shop and the repair guy doesn't know what it is it might be defective.

[midnight08]

Sure, we can look at the parts you got today to see what's there. If anything is sell-able I'll let you know. We can try to test the X300 board. If it tests good it can be sold, but chances are if it was just laying about the shop and the repair guy doesn't know what it is it might be defective.

im sure its probably toast.... there are plastic connections on it that look fried from trying to re-flow it.

[Harryc]

I see, then there won't be much that can be done without a new or used T43P board.

[midnight08]

i have the 180 refund that he gave me back that i can use to pick up a used T43p systemboard... What is the best systemboard that i can put into the computer?

[Harryc]

Any 128MB ATI GPU T43P board is fine, as long as there is some kind of warranty from the seller, even if it is only non-DOA. I would place a WTB (wanted to buy) AD in the Marketplace forum here looking for a T43P board, and lets see what is available. Meanwhile I'll start looking around as well and I'll post anything interesting here. The link I posted the other day is OK, it's within your budget, and it has a 7 day warranty.

http://cgi.ebay.com/T43-T43p-ATI-SYSTEM ... 0363784364

Same seller - starting at $150 - http://cgi.ebay.com/T43-T43p-SYSTEM-BOA ... 0364489108

Even better - $150 buy it now with a 2.13Ghz CPU, and Non-DOA warranty -
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-T43-T4 ... 0529003199

Just keep in mind that whatever you decide to buy, please run it by me first, and it has to be shipped to my address to save time. If we waste 7 days shipping time on a 7 day warranty item ... .

[midnight08]

what is the difference between that last one and my original with it being FRU# 39T5637?

Are there any retail shops that sell these system boards with better warranties than eBay sellers? I don't mind paying a little more if we can get a better guarantee that it wont crap out on me again in the middle of the semester.

[Harryc]

I'll check pricing and availability with a couple of parts dealers I know. The boards are the same functionally.
You were asking about pricing from IBM/Lenovo?
https://www-304.ibm.com/shop/americas/w ... PartNumber

[Harryc]

Here's some retail outlets -

$220 - 30 day warranty - http://www.thinkpad-parts.com/42T0073-ThinkPad.html

$217.50 - 30 day warranty - http://www.baynetwork.com/search/IBM/REF/42T0073.html

[midnight08]

Holy crap on the prices for the system board from IBM direct....

Harry, I'm willing to pay the more expensive price for the retail system boards if you think the product and warranty with them is a better deal so that I don't have to worry about the computer shutting down in the middle of the semester. Just let me know which retail you think is the best to go with and I will order it up and have it shipped to you.

Thanks again for everything you're doing.

Justin

[midnight08]

The T43p has been shipped to Harry. It should be arriving this Friday the 22nd. (Harry you have a PM)

Me and Harry have come to the conclusion that we are going to get this laptop back together in running order and sell it so that i can get a new computer. I will let harry fill in the details on what he plans on doing to get the computer back to a sell able condition.

Thank you for your help everyone.

[Harryc]

So, we're going to build a T42 in a T43P case...no problem. Basically we'll need a CPU and the Palm rest you already are sending. I might have a Pentium M CPU around here somewhere. If not, there's plenty of parts to trade for one.

[killer]

Harry,
You have done a fantastic bit of project management and probably made a starving student very happy.
Well done!

[Harryc]

@ Killer, thank-you. To all, the T43P arrived today. A quick look at BIOS shows a machine type of 2373-4WU, CPU speed of 1.53Ghz, RAM size of 1024Mb. I am currently waiting for the Windows password from Justin. Other parts in the box - 2 X AC adapters, a palm rest, and a systemboard (FRU# 42T0067), and 2 X extra batteries. Plugged in the systemboard are 2 x 512MB PC2-4200 RAM, a Wifi card, and a BMDC card. Part numbers and test results on all to follow.

[Harryc]

Product: ThinkPad T42 2373-4WU
Operating system: All [change]

Original description: P M 735, 512MB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11b wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

This was the machine that the working systemboard came out of. I do have a Pentium M Banias 1.7Ghz CPU on hand (SL6N5), so this will make a good fit as it's close to the original Pentium M 735 (1.7Ghz Dothan). So, the first task will be a CPU swap.

Edit: Pulled the hard drive. It is a 60GB 7200rpm Hitachi 7K100. FRU 39T2581. Hitachi model HTS721060G9AT00

Part needed - T42 Clearplate set with Wifi