New motherboard for T-40

I bought an off-lease T-40 and all was bliss... until the other day when
the video crapped out. It happened several times in succession, under
various conditions. I have a dual-boot XP/Ubuntu system, so I ruled out
software. I tried an external monitor, so I ruled out a loose
connection.

I assume I will have to replace the motherboard. I have three questions:

First, although I realize this is but a desperate hope, is there any
chance this could be fixed by changing BIOS settings?

Second, how precisely do I need to match the motherboard to the exact
model and type of my machine? Ebay listings seem to describe boards that
span a range of models, and I don't really know what all is integrated
into the motherboard. I don't want to have to reinstall my OS's if I can
help it. And I want to make sure I keep core functions, especially
wireless.

Third, I'm not an expert but I've put together a number of home-built
desktops and I have been inside a laptop at various times. But I've
never replaced the main board. Is this a project I should take to a
shop, or is it something I can do myself if I'm careful and read the
manual?

If anyone has had one of these things apart and can advise me, I'll be
most appreciative.

Thanks.

Charlie

Could it be heat-related?

I've never had a T-40 apart, but when I disassembled my A31 it looked
like a little mushroom farm inside. I have a photo of it somewhere.

Once I blew out the cooling fan duct and the rest of the innards with
compressed air and applied new heatsink paste, the fan runs about half
as often.

I'd look into cooling first.

After that, you can try the Thinkpad forum:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/

Charlie Wilkes wrote:
> I bought an off-lease T-40 and all was bliss... until the other day when
> the video crapped out. It happened several times in succession, under
> various conditions. I have a dual-boot XP/Ubuntu system, so I ruled out
> software. I tried an external monitor, so I ruled out a loose
> connection.
>
> I assume I will have to replace the motherboard. I have three questions:
>
> First, although I realize this is but a desperate hope, is there any
> chance this could be fixed by changing BIOS settings?
>
> Second, how precisely do I need to match the motherboard to the exact
> model and type of my machine? Ebay listings seem to describe boards that
> span a range of models, and I don't really know what all is integrated
> into the motherboard. I don't want to have to reinstall my OS's if I can
> help it. And I want to make sure I keep core functions, especially
> wireless.
>
> Third, I'm not an expert but I've put together a number of home-built
> desktops and I have been inside a laptop at various times. But I've
> never replaced the main board. Is this a project I should take to a
> shop, or is it something I can do myself if I'm careful and read the
> manual?
>
> If anyone has had one of these things apart and can advise me, I'll be
> most appreciative.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Charlie

Robert Barr wrote:
>
> Could it be heat-related?
>
> I've never had a T-40 apart, but when I disassembled my A31 it looked
> like a little mushroom farm inside. I have a photo of it somewhere.

Aha! found it: http://www.cycleorings.com/dust.JPG