There are also these, much faster than USB:
PATA
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-IBM-IDE-PATA-2n ... 3cb2c308b8
SATA
http://cgi.ebay.com/SATA-2nd-HDD-caddy- ... 335f6d9b49

I have a couple of Knock Off PATA type, when I need to move large files fast, I use these. It will take the place of your CD/DVD player

Ron

Mine say:
Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R)
4 - M CPU 1.60GHz
1.20 GHz, 512MB of RAM
Does that mean I need to buy the memory card?

Open the lid on the bottom, nearest the front.
In there are the slots for 2 RAM modules.
If you find 2 modules, they will be 2 x 256MB.
If one, it's a 512MB module.
In either case, buy a 1GB PC2700 SODIMM, to top up your RAM to 1.25 or 1.50 GB.
Then you need to download and install the Intel Chipset software http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-44310
When installed, your T30 will run at 1.6GHz (provided you have both battery and AC connected), instead of 1.2GHz.

Thanks for the help...THIS IS THE BEST SITE I'VE EVER BEEN ON!!!! LOVE IT!!!

About the best price I have seen on memory for the last 60 days
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

There is no significant difference in any of the first 3 brands, I have used/heard good things from all.

Ron

Also, if you haven't removed a RAM module before, they are spring-loaded.

Use one hand to spread open the white plastic tabs that hold the module in place and use the other hand to hold/support the module, such that it doesn't suddenly "spring up" towards you.

Thanks for the instruction. I have never installed anything in a computer. This is the first computer I've owned....LOL I am so greatful for "plug & play"!!! LOL....I ordered the memory and 4 port card bus yesterday so when it comes....I'll revert to my notes from you....wish me luck!!! Once again, THANK YOU SO MUCH for ALL the help!!! You guys must be experts because you have not only an answer for everyones question but multiple answers....I couldn't have done this without this forum.

Not really experts, I dont think any of us have "formal" training.
In my case, I was/am too poor to do anything other than learn by trail and error!

Ron

LOL...All I can say is "BRAVO"....The entire country is under financial stress, myself included, but with forums like this we can come together as a community and help each other. Your my experts!!!!

I installed the 1BG PC2700 SODIMM and went to the link....but from there I'm LOST!!! I saved these instructions from the link you gave me but don't know WHERE to begin....Any HELP???!!! PLEASE!!! P.S. Still waiting for 4 port card bus to arrive as well. Should I still purchase the Apricorn Drivewire for a usb enclosure? SO CONFUSED!!!!

Did you read the README text file on installing the Intel chipset driver? It contains all the instruction you will need.

I will NOW!!! THANK YOU!!! Wish me luck....Hopefully things go well and I'll send a positive update....Thanks again....You guys bring tears to my eyes everytime I see a reply...the speedy response...the attention to detail....the technique...THANKS!!!

I read it, installed it and the new hardware is still not found. HELP!!!

After going to...
[Start][Control Panel][Performance Maintenance][System][General]

Your System Properties should now say:
IBM Corporation
Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R)
4 - M CPU 1.60GHz
1.20 GHz, 1.256 GB of RAM

-or-

IBM Corporation
Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R)
4 - M CPU 1.60GHz
1.20 GHz, 1.0 GB of RAM

depending upon whether you left the 256MB chip in the other memory socket.

-------------------------------
After you follow RBS instructions, it ought to say:

IBM Corporation
Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R)
4 - M CPU 1.60GHz
1.60 GHz, 1.256 GB of RAM
---------------------------
After going to...
[Start][Control Panel][Performance Maintenance][System][HARDWARE][Device Manager]
click on "Processors"
Do you see any red question marks, or yellow exclamation points?

Mine says:
Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 - M CPU 1.80GHz

Does yours say?
Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 - M CPU 1.60GHz

If so, click on it, as well, followed by [Driver Details]"Hardware Ids" (in drop down box)

Mine says:
ACPI\GenuineIntel_-_x86_Family_15_Model_2
*GenuineIntel_-_x86_Family_15_Model_2
ACPI\GenuineIntel_-_x86_Family_15
*GenuineIntel_-_x86_Family_15
ACPI\GenuineIntel_-_x86
*GenuineIntel_-_x86

Ignore the last part of my previous reply...

After going to...
[Start][Control Panel][Performance Maintenance][System][HARDWARE][Device Manager]
click on "Processors"

If there are no red question marks, or yellow exclamation points, yours ought to say:
Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 - M CPU 1.60GHz

Now, click on [Driver] tab

Mine says:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
Driver Date: 4/1/2004
Driver Version: 5.1.2600.0

Then, click on [Driver Details] button

Mine says:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\intelppm.sys

What does yours say?

Do you remember which file folder you downloaded (or copied) the
"INFINST_ENU" file?

Mine says:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\intelppm.sys

What does yours say?[/quote]

Mine also says:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\intelppm.sys.....Now what do I do? Can I save my music to C: now?
As ALWAYS, THANX!!!

I did exactly what you said....I never saw the new hardware be detected BUT the properties from our previous message match...
Do you remember which file folder you downloaded (or copied) the
"INFINST_ENU" file?[/quote]

Mine also says:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\intelppm.sys.....Now what do I do? Can I save my music to C: now?
As ALWAYS, THANX!!![/quote]

It appears that you have the necessary driver for your CPU chipset. Let's recap, where your machine stands.

There are 3 factors that determine the performance of your machine...
1) CPU processing speed
2) Memory capacity
3) Harddrive capacity and speed.

Let's start with the first two:

After going to...
[Start][Control Panel][Performance Maintenance][System][General]

Your Windows XP System Properties previously said:
IBM Corporation
Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R)
4 - M CPU 1.60GHz
1.20 GHz, 512MB of RAM

This means that you have an Intel Pentium 4M processor designed to run at 1.60 GHz.
This means that you have Main Memory capacity of .5 GB.

RBS noted that your processor was running at 1.20 GHz, instead of 1.60 GHz. He suggested that you may not have the correct WIN XP hardware device driver. Hence, he suggested downloading the correct device driver from Intel's website.

RON noted that your memory was below 1.0 GB. He suggested that you need to remove one of your 512MB memory chips and replace it with a 1GB memory chip. This process does not require any Win XP software updates.


What do your Windows System Properties say now?

IBM Corporation
Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R)
4 - M CPU 1.60GHz
1.20 GHz, 1.0 GB of RAM is what my settings say now.....am I good to go now? Should I still buy the Apricorn Drivewire? I'm still waiting for the 4 port cardbus to be delivered....

Is there a working battery in that T30?
On AC alone you won't get full speed...

I believe the battery needs to be replaced...when the powercord is unplugged and the battery runs low a pop up box comes up that says to replace the battery. I'll buy one from Ebay....Thanks!!!

Is your battery indicator light "yellow"? It is supposed to be green.

Please, someone who has better knowledge than me, verify that this is true...

I believe that it is better to run your machine with NO battery than to run your machine with a very weak battery -- as the power invertor will damage itself from forever attempting to charge a dead battery.

My battery says
Field Replacement Number: 02K7072
OEM Number: 02K7034

Make sure your replacement is 10.8 Volts



The next question to ask yourself...

How do you wish to store your music, videos, and other data files?

Some folks prefer...
1) SanDisk Cruzer and Verbatim USB Flash Drives
They are available in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and even 32GB. They are very convenient to use. However, some folks believe that they are expensive -- $20 for 8GB and $40 for 16GB. Also, since they are pre-formatted using FAT32 (Win 98 File System), they are not able to hold video files larger than 4GB. It is somewhat inconvenient to reformat a flash drive with NTFS (Win XP File System) everytime you buy a new flash drive.

2) Purchase a used PATA/IDE HD and place in UltraBay
When IBM originally designed these machine, they created the UltraBay to enable users to "swap-out" DVD/CD drive and replace with 1.44" floppy or a secondary PATA/IDE HDD. If you don't mind leaving your DVD/CD drive in your desk drawer, this is a good choice. UltraBay is faster than USB 2.0. However PATA/IDE HD (because they are no longer made) are more expensive than SATA.

3) Purchase a new SATA HD and place in UltraBay
There are clever Chinese companies that realize IBM Ultrabay HDD adapter only supported PATA/IDE HD. They now make aftermarket SATA versions.


4) Purchase a new SATA HD and use Apricorn Drivewire adapter

While the Apricorn product can interface with 3 types of HDD -- Desktop, Laptop PATA/IDE and laptop SATA, it has two disadvantages. 1) Many parts (inconvenient to take to local library or coffee shop) 2) Requires A/C power/

5) Purchase a new SATA HD and use USB enclosure
This is what I use. See my previous post on Silverstone's Raven. I like it because it is very easy to swap out one SATA HD and place in another. Most folks, simply purchase a cheaper enclosure and seldom change the HD. This option requires an USB 2.0 CardBus.

Can you tell me which one is cheapest and easiest to use? As I said in my other reply, I am currently waiting for the 4 port cardbus to be delivered. I want to store all my music downloads, video downloads, and pictures on one device. I want easy access to the files at all times via my laptop. I will not be traveling outside my home with the laptop so mobility is not a problem.

It depends upon which type of hard drive you wish to use. It is a matter of personal preference. Visualize yourself using one of the five options I listed in my previous message. Which one appeals to you?

You could always use the internal HDD inside of your machine..

[Start][Accessories][Windows Explorer]
click on "My Computer"

Under Hard Disk Drives:
(C:) Local Disk under columns Total Size and Free Space

However, I don't like storing my data files on the same HDD as my Windows XP System Files. I prefer to keep a copy of my data files on a seperate external HDD.

I guess that the questions to ask are...
Do you have an old used HD lying around from an old desktop? Do you plan on upgrading your original factory 4200 rpm HD with a faster 5400/7200 rpm HD? Do you have $90 in your budget to purchase an external 500 GB harddrive? Do you wish to keep your DVD/CD drive (to play DVD's or listen to music) inside of your machine?

Ron suggested a couple of USB HDD enclosures..
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid ... AU&cat=HDD
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0072150240

Do you have a Fry's Electronics store in your neighborhood?
http://www.frys.com/category/Outpost/El ... nclosures/

I like shopping at NewEgg...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... &x=13&y=34

Don't buy anything utill you tell us...
1) What type of (desktop, PATA, or SATA) HD that you plan to use.
2) Whether it is an inconvenience to have your Ultrabay DVD/CD drive in your desk drawer.

I did not check the prices on the below items, but use them FAR more often than I do the DVD-RW or CDR-RW.

PATA
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-IBM-IDE-PATA-2n ... 3cb2c308b8
SATA
http://cgi.ebay.com/SATA-2nd-HDD-caddy- ... 335f6d9b49

These are the same as I listed above.
If the Ultra-Bay battery is not in the machine, the Ultra-Bay HDD is.

YMMV
Ron

Ok guys....all of the answers I got back are great.....I need this answer back in COMPUTERS4DUMMIES terms...I want to use #5 of the previous message...Do I need to take the computer apart for any of this?

No, all of it is external.

Get this 2.5" SATA enclosure on eBay for $4.40 incl. shipping from USA (not Hong Kong)
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-2-5-SATA-Se ... 0394182112

For a 2.5" SATA hard disk, tell us your required HD size and perhaps budget.

Looks identical to the one I suggested @ Geeks, but the price is better!

As RBS said: How much storage do you need?
A movie will take about 1 gig of storage
A CD will take about .5 gig (1/2 gig)
These are rough numbers, but you can get the idea

Ron

Mrs O, here's your chance!
Today is Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras, whatever you call it.
Newegg has a very special offer: Western Digital Elements SE 1TB USB 2.0 Portable 2.5" Hard Drive.
That's ONE TERABYTE in a USB case, and all that for only $89.99 and free shipping!
http://promotions.newegg.com/neemail/ma ... -WDHDD#Per

Or scroll down a bit and get TWO TERABYTE for the same money (mind you that's a 3.5" hard disk! Heavy!)
HITACHI XL Desk 2TB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive HXSDNB20001BBB (0S02485) for $89.99