Replacing motherboard on T42p

[articfox]

Hi All, I've had a t42p (type 2373-HVU) since 2004 and a year ago the screen started going black. Now there is no signal to the LCD from startup. A local laptop repair tech told me the video card on the motherboard had gone and that it is my best best to replace the whole motherboard. I've been looking on ebay and seen a for sale but was wonder what compatibility between different types and models is like.

What should I look for to be sure the motherboard is compatible?

Thanks.

[billp117]

Pretty much any MB from a T40 to a T42 should work for you. There are a couple companies that will repair the MB...that might be a solution for you. If there are problems with my suggestion...perhaps others will chime in on this question. Good luck...I have the same problem with a T40 and will probably send the board in for repair.

[Bruce Guttman]

The T42p has a higher resolution graphics chip and display. If it is a 14" it has SXGA+ LCD, and if a 15" it has UXGA LCD.

Most of the boards you will see on Ebay have XGA and the ATI 7500, so you won't get that nice resolution you are used to. The fancier boards often go for a bit more money repaired ($150 vs. $75).

You can use a T40p, T41p, or T42p to get the same performance. You can reuse your CPU, memory, fan, Blue Tooth Modem, and just about all the internal components with the replacement planar (motherboard).

A T40, T41, or T42 board will also work, as will an R50 or R51 but you won't get the extra resolution.

The T43 or R52 use different memory and CPU, but if you buy a whole bottom half (including CPU) and new memory you could use your display. Only problem will be a 2010 error from the BIOS not "liking" your hard drive. It complains, but otherwise the system seems to work just fine.

[ajkula66]

ANY T4x board (apart from an Intel-based T43) will drive both SXGA+ and UXGA LCDs.

The 3-D and higher-end graphics performance WILL be affected by switching to a "lower" board.

[articfox]

I have the 15" UXGA LCD. It seems like I have lots of options for replacement boards unless I want to keep the high-end graphics. To clarify, will the T40p, T41p., and T42p all have the higher-res graphic chips? Will the graphic components from the 14" T42p intended for the SXGA+ LCD also drive the 15" UXGA at it's max resolution?

I'm also now considering the repair option. Does anyone have any recommendations for shops that do this?

Thank you all for your responses and help.

[ajkula66]

T40p has a weaker graphic chip than T41p and T42p, but the board will work and drive the UXGA screen. I'd stay away from these boards, though...you'd be better off with a T42 board that has a Radeon 9600, than with a T40p board and Radeon 9000.

What are you looking to spend on replacement planar?

As for the repair recommendations, check this:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=90207

Good luck.

[RealBlackStuff]

Yes, all p boards have that, but the T40p only has 64MB VRAM. The others have 128. All run hot though.
As to repairs: see my signature.

[articfox]

Inquired into The Board Room via PM.

Also was looking on ebay and found at least three different boards from the T42p with different FRUs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-T41-T4 ... 1974wt_934
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-T42p-m ... _500wt_949
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-T42P-M ... _500wt_949

What is different about these?

Also, it seems like my issue could be a de-soldered graphics card though movement of the laptop or pressing above the card do not help. If this is the case, is my best bet to just have it reconnected. Ideally, I would like to spend under $100.

Thanks

[ajkula66]

The first one is a T42 board with a Radeon 9600 chip.

The second one has a bad Southbridge. Non-working USB ports....

The third one is the real deal, although it's the original version of the planar prior to IBM improving the soldering technique used on those.

Good luck.