Can a R51 mainboard (FRU 39T5510 ) drive an 15" SXGA TFT?

[frankiepankie]

Hi,

I have bought a T42 with a defective mainboard (ATi 9600 GPU issue).

I was thinking about replacing it with a R51 mainboard.

I have found the 39T5510 mainboard on eBay for good prices, but my question is, can the 39T5510 drive an 1400*1050 SXGA that my T42 currently has?

My T42 is an 2373-A23:

Product: ThinkPad T42 2373-A23 [change]

Operating system: All [change]

Original description: Based 2373-3YG: P M 735, 768MB RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HDD, 15 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon 9600, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, IBM 802.11a/b/g wireless, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion Batt, WinXP Home

[RealBlackStuff]

No it can't. It has Intel graphics.
39T5510 has been superseded by 93P4201, which also can't do it.
Only the R52 mobos with Intel graphics can drive all sizes XGA and (only 15") SXGA+
They require DDR2 RAM and different (533MHz FSB) CPUs.

[ajkula66]

It might...

I never had one of those myself, but there were some custom-ordered R51 units with Intel graphics and 15" SXGA+ screens...

In all fairness, you've got nothing to lose. You won't fry anything if you try, but make sure to use the proper (SXGA+ in this case) LCD cable.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[billp117]

The R51 39T5510 is a nice little board and a good replacement for the ATI board. I have converted one T40 and will do a T42 in the near future. Both have VGA screens and are pretty much plug and play. Windows XP has the best video driver but they will support Windows 7. You will need VLC to play DVD's under Windows 7.

That said...I also want to use an R52 (Intel based video) motherboard on a 14.1" T43p. Everyone says it cannot be done. I converted one a couple years ago and no longer have it. If I can get access to it, perhaps I can get the model numbers of the parts used. For now I would really like to hear about your success.

Good luck...

[frankiepankie]

Thanks for the reactions guys!

I have mailed someone who offered me a R52 mainboard a few months ago. I didn't need it back then, but maybe he still has it lying around.

ajkula66, what do you mean with

but make sure to use the proper (SXGA+ in this case) LCD cable.

?

Isn't it possible to use the cable that is currently connected to the LCD ?

[ajkula66]

That would be the correct cable...yes.

[RealBlackStuff]

I also want to use an R52 (Intel based video) motherboard on a 14.1" T43p. Everyone says it cannot be done.

AFAIK the R52/Intel GPU can only drive a 15" SXGA+, but I'd certainly be interested if that somehow works with a 14" SXGA+

[frankiepankie]

I will receive the R52 mainboard Friday, but i think i am going to do it else than i thought.

My current FrankiePad:
R51 mainboard in 14" T40 casing

The defective T42:
no mainboard, 15" SXGA


I think i will swap the R52 board into my FrankiePad (because R52 has DDR2 which is faster and cheaper) because my FrankiePad is my 2nd most used machine (T61 is nr1 )

The T42 won't be used as much, so i will swap the R51 mainboard into the T42.


And about the capabilities of what LCD the mainboard can drive, i found this at the ThinkWiki:

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:R51

One of the following displays:
14.1" TFT display with 1024x768 resolution
15.0" TFT display with 1024x768 resolution
15.0" TFT display with 1400x1050 resolution

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:R52

One of the following displays:
14.1" TFT display with 1024x768 (91 dpi) resolution
15.0" TFT display with 1024x768 (85 dpi) resolution
15.0" TFT display with 1400x1050 (116 dpi) resolution

But i think that the screens i marked bold only can be driven with the ATi GPU.


Can i destroy anything (mainboard / LCD) if i try the combinations?
I want to try if R52 mainboard can drive my T40 14.1" XGA, it probably will
I also want to try if R51 mainboard can drive my T42 15.0" SXGA, not sure about this one

[RealBlackStuff]

XGA and SXGA use different LCD cables but the same inverter.
If the R51 mobo has ATI GPU, then it will also be able to drive SXGA+, if it's Intel GPU, the answer is no.
As repeatedly mentioned here, the R52 Intel GPU can drive a 15" SXGA+, but not a 14" SXGA+ (as per ajkula66: try it, but it's highly unlikely).

[frankiepankie]

Just tried the R51 mainboard on the 15" SXGA, it lits up (CCFLs are lit) but no image.

There goes my plan of putting the R51 mainboard in the T42

[RealBlackStuff]

What graphics are on that R51? If Intel, the case is clear, NO GO, if ATI, the mobo might defective...

[frankiepankie]

Intel, that is why it is a FrankiePad, because the Intel GPU's aren't affected by the GPU flexing

[ajkula66]

@frankiepankie:

Which LCD cable did you use from R51 planar to 15" SXGA+ LCD?

[frankiepankie]

The cable that is attached to the 15" SXGA.

I only took the upper part of the T42 and connected it to the R51 mainboard, i didn't dismantle the LCD assembly.

[frankiepankie]

Would it work with an other LCD cable?

[ajkula66]

No. If it doesn't work with this one, it's unlikely that you'd get it working with the XGA cable.

[frankiepankie]

Just to confirm, i received the R52 mainboard (39T0322) Friday, installed it in the T42 casing, and it drives the 15" SXGA without any problems