T42 and T43 compatability - need help /many questions

[EdMc]

Hi All
I'm new to this group but have only owned IBM Thinkpads all my "very short" computer life.
I'm a retired 'old phart' that had everything computereeze done for me by the IT guys.
I hope someone can help with my recent 'issues'.
I have a T42 type 2378 on which I'm typing this post. It was configured by the IT guys and I haven't used it much since retiring.
I have a T43 type 1871 that is my personal computer that I have used exclusively since retiring ...for internet and emails, etc
Both thinkpads have WinXP Pro OS that were preloaded and still have the COA stickers downunder.
My T43 went on the blink the other day. Primary malfunction was the mouse /cursor is frozen, centered on the screen. It won't move by trackpoint or touchpad. I even tried a USB mouse....nothing. I can open, log on and find things by using TAB, up/down arrows and function keys (mostly F10) and good-old Ctrl-Alt-Delete.
I can access Control Panel and open everything on it (by Tabbing) except the "Mouse".
I quickly tried to put a USB memory stick in to retrieve some important data but it looks like the USB ports are also INOP!!!
ARRRRGGGGHHHH
First Question....can I remove the HD from T43 and stick it in this T42 to save all the data?
Then I'll pursue troubleshooting and hopefiully repairing the T43
Thanks in advance for any recommendations and assistance.
Regards
EdMc

[poshgeordie]

Hi EdMc and welcome to the forums (from another old you-know-what!).

If you get hold of an Ultrabay IDE Hard Disc carrier like this which takes a second hard disc instead of the usual CD / DVD, then there's no problem with putting the T43 HDD in the T42 bay and getting your information from it.

Boot up the T42 as normal and you should then be able to read the T43 HDD as if it were a CD etc. Navigate to your T43 My Docs and copy them across to to a USB stick or onto the T42 HDD etc etc.

Regarding the problem with the T43, as a 1871 it is be the best T43 version (in my 'umble opinion!) having the Intel Graphics chip rather than the ATI one which is prone to becoming unsoldered.

The problem is most likely going to be that some of the tiny solder balls on the Southbridge chip (located on the motherboard under the Trackpad in the middle front of the laptop) have become detached from the motherboard. A common symptom is that the USB ports work at 1.1 rather than 2.0, and since the Trackpad is linked into the USB system (I think), it may work again.
Also the USB ports may start working at full speed again.

Unfortunately this is a relatively common fault and can be quite easily repaired by a company which uses Infrared Reflowing. This heats up the solder balls and resolders them back onto the board again. There are a few companies in the US which do this (search within the forums for graphics reflowing or graphics resoldering).

Also for more info on reflowing look at this link within the forum to my own company in the UK - unfortunately carriage between us makes the costs prohibitive.

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
You could put the hard disk in the T42, but then the laptop would want to boot from it, and 'upset' all the T43-specific settings.
Not a good idea.
Get a USB enclosure for 2.5" PATA hard disks (not SATA), and put the T43 HD in there.
Then connect it via USB to the T42, where it will be seen as an extra drive.
You can now access all the data on that T43 HD.

[underclocker]

Regarding the drive move between the T43 and T42, they use different hard drive controllers, so you'll probably receive a blue screen if you try it.

However, if you prepare the T43 drive with four files and a registry key settings file import, you can do it. (Note: most machines already have the four files in the correct location, no need for any updates in this case, just import the registry settings.)

Here is a link that explains how it's done --> http://www.mostlycreativeworkshop.com/Article11.html

After the boot up, you'll have to update several drivers due to other difference between the machines, but that can be done via the Internet or a USB memory stick with the drivers.

I've done this procedure at least 100 times with various laptops, desktops and servers.

[EdMc]

Thank you all for the quick responses.
I like the idea of an 'adapter' to encase the T43 HD so that it will act as an external drive on the T42 through the USB. You guys are great.
I took a quick peek on eBay and saw this "USB-2-0-2-5-IDE-PATA-Hard-Drive-Disk-Case-Enclosure" on an item for sale (very inexpensive). Is this what I need?
Another question: If I decide to 'upgrade' to something like a T60 will I be able to use this 'adapter' to read the same T43 HD through the T60 USB?
Thanks
EdMc

[RealBlackStuff]

If that T43 HD is in a USB-enclosure, ANY laptop or PC can access data on it via USB (provided there's no HD-password...).
And the mentioned enclosure is fine.