T41P Starting to Flake out... drive is OK.. Options?

[Mitch_c]

I'm a newbie to the site so....

I've got a T41P that has served me well, but just yesterday it froze up and the video display began to whacked out. I pulled the drive and put it in a loaner T41P and it's ok.. If I tap on the top of the case, next to the power button, sometimes it works..other times if dies during powerup or can't find the drive, or works and then get the freeze up again..

Any ideas as to what's going on? Is there a practical fix?

What other Thinkpads will the hard drive work in (it's a Seagate 80GB that works well).. any Model more reliable than others?

[RealBlackStuff]

Do a search on Southbridge and loose GPU in the T4x forum.
Plenty of posts about this. Either or both chips need reballing, or get a new motherboard.
That HD will work in any Thinkpad model from before the T60 series. From there on it's SATA.

[Mitch_c]

I'm not HW savie, so ....
1).. My harddrive & parts from my T41P will work on any T4x laptop, but that's it.. Correct?

2).. I can buy a complete T43 W5W (T1872W5A) from IBM Leasing for $280 .. good price?

[RealBlackStuff]

T43 uses faster CPUs (533FSB against 400FSB on T40/41/41)
T43 uses faster RAM (DDR2 PC2-4200 against DDR PC2100/PC2700 on T40/41/42)
These are not interchangeable with what you have.
T43 also may give the "Error 2010" (which is only an annoyance at boot time) unless you have an IBM-approved HD (but your HD will work in either case).

Product: ThinkPad T43 1872-W5A [change]
Operating system: All [change]
Original description: Based 1872-CTO: P M 750(1.86GHz), 1GB RAM, 60GB HDD, 14.1in 1024x768 LCD, Intel 900, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11bg wireless, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, FPR, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

This is a basic T43 with Intel graphics and only XGA, not as fast as the gfx on your current machine, but good enough if you don't play games. Overall it's a step back from what you have, IMHO. You can NOT put your SXGA+ LCD on it!
The price is reasonable but on the upper level for this type.

[Mitch_c]

I don't use the laptop for gaming... But I'd like to maximize the parts I have that are good on my T41P as spares.. Reliability is the key to me..

Any recommendations as to a machine to buy and a reputable place.. I've lost the name of the fellow I purchased this one from, he was an X-IBMer in NC...

[RealBlackStuff]

The only really reputable place is our MarketForum.
A late (barebones) T42 or T42p is your best bet, if you want to continue the use of your parts (RAM, wifi card, hard disk, CD/DVD, bluetooth/modem, AC adapter).
Put a WTB (want to buy) ad in the forum, list your requirements, like 14.1" or 15" LCD, ATI or Intel integrated graphics, fingerprint reader (only top-end T42/p) or not. If you look for the same size LCD, you could also swap the LCD or even the whole lid.
So, look for a same-size bottom, or even just a good/tested motherboard.
Otherwise, skip the T43 and go straight to a T60 (where you will need everything new).