T410s card reader upgrade?

I have a T410s with the standard 3-1 card reader, but would like to read SDXC cards. I have a SanDisk Extreme 128Gb SDXC that is usable a via an Integral usb adapter - and I can boot BartPE from it. So keeping an SDXC card in the slot would allow me to regular backup drives, and to restore them by booting via USB adapter .

The T410s alternative card reader appears to be FRU 45M2658 (a 5-1 adapter), but I don't think this accepts SDXC. Can anyone confirm this? Would this be a straight swap, or are other connectors required?

FRU 45M2658 seems to be T420s compatible, which suggests that T420s card readers will fit a T410s. There is a 4-1 card reader FRU 04W1701 listed in the T420s HMM and available from IBM Europe. Is this SDXC compatible? Would this be compatible? Another possibility is FRU 04W3932 from the T430s. Again, I don't know about compatibility.

Can anyone advise me? There was a thread here, but it was not very clear.

 

I believe the reader is a 34mm ExpressCard, right? You might be able to locate another ExpressCard that does what you want and replace it. Some of the ExpressCards in the ThinkPads are held in place by a single screw on the inside. It's a little hard to get to, but if you are careful, once removed you can pop 34mm ExpressCards in and out with ease.

See page 84 of the Hardware Maintenance Manual at http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/guides-and-manuals/detail.page?DocID=UM000911

Sometimes the card reader doesn't have the internal anchor screw so you can just push on the spring loaded reader and it will release from the ExpressCard slot. If it doesn't do that, then it's likely the anchor screw.

Be careful removing the palmrest. Those things are prone to cracking already just by themselves. The Keyboard is pretty easy to figure out. Be careful with the ribbon cable and connectors underneath.

 

Thanks for replying, Thors. That's right - and I am guessing it is held by a screw. It doesn't pop out.

I have already looked at the hardware manual for T410s (which shows a screw) and the hardware manuals for T420s and T430s, which don't have a screw. So I am still unclear as to whether cards intended for the later two models will be compatible. That is, FRU 04W1701 or FRU 04W3932. Any advice would be appreciated.

Ha! It is already cracked and due to be replaced under warranty! I will address the card reader after that is done.

 

Sorry, I really don't know which card readers provide the support you are looking for. But I have confidence you'll find one.

Regarding the palmrest replacement, have the tech remove the screw for the reader while the machine is getting fixed. It isn't really needed anyway.

 

I have ordered a "Transcend TS-RDF1 Express Card Reader for SD/SDHC/SDXC/UHS-I Cards". It is under £8, so not a great loss if it doesn't work.

Now that is interesting. I do not understand how the T410s seems to require a screw while the T420s & T430s seem to be spring-loaded. Is there similar provision for spring-loading in the T410s? I have not looked inside yet, as I do not wish to compromise the warranty work. After that, I will have a poke around.

 

I'm pretty sure all ExpressCard slots, and ExpressCards work the same way (spring loaded locking). It is after all a standard. Lenovo did the non standard thing of adding a stupid screw.

 

Oh well, I guess they screwed it up then

 

Oh well, I took it apart looking for that screw to release the express card, but it would not budge. It turns out that my particular model does not have a removable SD card reader. The standard 3-in-1 card reader is not replaceable. I then found it out here.

 

Bummer. I had no idea they had fixed readers like that. I thought they were all ExpressCard.