Not happy - Just read all the posts about the nvidia graphics - Motherboard Replacement [ Edited ]

[Leeward2]

I guess I'm lucky in one way. I've made it this long before the motherboard gave out.

I have a question for anyone that could be of some assistance.

I need to replace the motherboard.  What motherboard options do I have for replacing the original non-working one, besides replacing it with the same one?

What I have: T61 6459 CTO T7500 15.4" Wide 42w7849 original - XP Pro

I am to understand that the following are compatible:

42w7653

42w7876

42w7877

I was unable to find specs on the differences between these 3 as well. What are the differences?

One other thing. Before I knew the motherboard was bad, I purchased a new hard drive. A Seagate Momentus XT  Solid State Hybrid SATA 500GB 32 MB Cache 7200rpm. So, hopefully, I will still be able to use this.

Thank-you in advance for any help.

[Leeward2]

PS. I am also the victim of the long beep - 2 short beeps. I have ... I had the NVS 140 Called support. No good. Out of warranty. 3 years and the computer crashes. Wow! So, far seems the easiest solution is to replace the motherboard.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

or purchase the cheapest post warranty warranty 1 year depot plan, as stipulated by Mark_Lenovo on the posts, which cost around 150 dollars or so. This is the cheapest option and the safest option (as many of the motherboard on the market have the problematic nvidia gpu on them).

[Leeward2]

Yes. Thank-you for the info. I should have mentioned that I have already investigated this option. I have no warranty of any kind available for my laptop. This is straight from a Lenovo Tech in Atlanta searching with the model and serial number.

I expressed my unhappiness with Lenovo.

1. Not notifying me (email, mail, phone) about a battery issue. I found out by accident, after I had already replaced my battery.

2. The system board nvidia issue. (Again, no notification) I found out by reading here, after the long beep with two short beeps error.

That's why I feel a $65.00 replacement system board that will (hopefully) bring me two years of use might be the best solution for now. Two years new laptop shopping. 

So, that leads us to the question again ... What system boards do I have a choice of installing into my T61 T7500 6459 CTO 15.4" Wide? 42w7849 - old board.

[Leeward2 · Accepted solution]

UPDATE:

After spending about 2-hours on the phone with Lenovo ... Here's what I found out.

If you have a Thinkpad T61 T7500 6459 CTO 15.4" Wide System board 42w3920 the compatible replacement system boards are:

42w7876 - Part number - $370 New

or

44c3928 Alternative - $300 New

[greenstrips]

I have the same problem. after exhausting my options as a tech savy hubby, I wound up here. I also have a lenovo ideapad that my wife has taken since her thinkpad died. (read my new post.)

The screen shows green stripes and fails to enter higher resolution than 640*480.

The warranty expired a few months ago. So can I still buy the waranty after waranty and how?


My laptop, the ideapad is not a happy lappy to start with, other lappy with vista 64 work fine with some hardware I got but not this one I own.

Back in China when they started selling branded computers they are not good for quality but they do well in customer service. I bet even this advantage is lost after they got IBM PC division. So sad there is no high-quality PC laptops any more. My wife deserves a good laptop. I can use any cray that is cheap.

[Leeward2]

greenstrips -

Sorry, to hear that.

Good luck with the after warranty. My laptop did not qualify. Hence, my new motherboard (42w7876 - $385) comes in tomorrow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything will be OK.

FYI - Lenovo is not the only laptop to have the nVidia gpu issues. Dell and a few others with nVidia onboard. That's why in my PC build I went with a Radeon 6950.

Yeah, as far as quality and value in a laptop ... hmm. Not sure anymore. 

[greenstrips]

good luck to you friend. I heard hp and dell extended their warranty because of this gpu problem. I didn't know new mobo costs this much. I will try to get the warranty.

does anyone have successful experience doing this? Using warranty after warranty to get their gpu problem fixed?

I really appreciate any input.

[Leeward2]

I might have to seriously consider a HP or Dell laptop next time, if that is true. (regarding extended warranty to address a GPU mistake)

The reason the motherboard is that price is, because it's a new one. I didn't want to take a chance on a used or refurbished one. The cost otherwise would be $150 - $200. I just want to get 2 - 3 more years out of it, before I need to shop for a new laptop. Plus, I had just purchased a new hard drive for it. I can't afford a new laptop right now. besides, the ones I liked were starting at around $1800.00. Ouch!

If you don't mind; let me know, if your laptop qualifies for the "after warranty". Or maybe don't tell me. Ha-ha.