A beginner needs help with replacing the HDD with SSD (T42)

[D-XX]

So I'm basically a beginner when it comes to fixing and upgrading laptops or computers. I have IBM T42 and I would like to upgrade that with SSD. I (or basically my parents) will be using this laptop with Windows 7 after the process. I have 2GB RAM on my T42 so that's the only upgrade "project" that I have done to this laptop.

So,
1) I would like to have a 32GB SSD (the laptop will be only used for browsing the web) that works properly (as cheap as possible).

2) Also I would like to know the easiest (and the cheapest) way to do this upgrade, for example what's the best adapter that makes my job easier etc. All these kind of tips are helpful! Thanks in advance.

[RealBlackStuff]

It's all here: New SSD opt. for T4x : mSATA-to-IDE adapter ST663FD9 *PICS*

[D-XX]

Ok, so for example I buy this adapter: http://www.ebay.com/itm/mSATA-SSD-to-44 ... 258b232979 and this mSata 32gb http://www.ebay.com/itm/Free-Shipping-K ... 3a85b9dc58

place those where the CD/DVD drive is and I'm ready to go?

[RealBlackStuff]

No, they replace the original HD.

[GACrabill]

... and this mSata 32gb http://www.ebay.com/itm/Free-Shipping-K ... 3a85b9dc58

Please don't buy a tiny, slow KingSpec SSD ... Windows 7 is bigger than that ... buy at least a 64GB Crucial M4 (there may be used ones on eBay).

[Cigarguy]

Instead of going with the hassles as describe above. I bought an Ultrabay adapter for my T42, put a 32 GB Samsung SLC SSD in it, reload OS and programs. Works great. Not as fast as my T60 or T61 but it was a noticeable improvement. The original HDD was left in place and is used for data (downloads, my documents, music, etc). I don't miss the CD drive as I never use the CD drive.

Ultrabay adapter is bought here: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/IBM-2nd-SATA-Har ... 43a8bdf35c

The Samsung SSD was bought new from a local dealer for about $15 if memory serves me right. I got 5 of these for that price. If you go this route you can get any size SSD from a brand name manufacturer that is on sale. With shipping and everything, total upgrade for me cost about $35.

[D-XX]

So if I go that route, mSSD's are out of question? If so, are these OK?

Kingston SSD: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Kingston-SS ... 338ad7f722
And the adapter: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SATA-2nd-HDD-Ha ... 27cb65f41b

Those would make about 42 euros for me (the cheapest way I can found so far). It's kind of hard to find cheaper SSD's that aren't made by companies like Kingspec.

EDIT: that Kingston SSD has bad ratings so maybe I'll skip that.

[ajkula66]

Just do some reading here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=106749 ...in order to avoid less-than-necessary and costly mistakes...

Happy upgrading.

[D-XX]

I found this Thinkpad X40 upgrade project page: http://www.i4u.com/27653/ibm-thinkpad-x ... s-netbooks

So how about buying one of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/KingSpec-2-5-32 ... 1c3b577abe and following the instructions of that X40 upgrade guide? I want the easiest way to upgrade my old crappy HDD so could this work?

[ajkula66]

So how about buying one of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/KingSpec-2-5-32 ... 1c3b577abe and following the instructions of that X40 upgrade guide? I want the easiest way to upgrade my old crappy HDD so could this work?

You'd be upgrading a crappy HDD with an even crappier SSD...

[pianowizard]

You'd be upgrading a crappy HDD with an even crappier SSD...

I agree. This T42 is worth only about $40 now. Why spend more than that to get a crappy SSD and make the laptop's performance even worse, especially considering that this T42 will probably die within a year or two?

D-XX, what's wrong with your current hard drive? Perhaps a clean install without any unneeded software would speed it up significantly? For a short while I was running Windows 7 on my Dell Inspiron 8600 (equivalent to the T42) with an 80GB 5400rpm HDD and found it reasonably snappy. If I were you, I would rather sell this T42 and get a T60. Think about it, if you get $40 for this T42, and buy a $100 T60, it's the same cost as spending $60 to upgrade the T42, but you'd end up with a much faster and longer-lasting laptop. But try the clean install approach first. Just install the essential software (a virus scanner, "important updates" from Microsoft, and stick with Internet Explorer), keep the HDD as clean as possible (I like to run cleanmgr /sageset:1 and sagerun:1 periodically), periodically defrag the HDD, and try some Windows 7 tweaks that you can easily look up through Google.

[D-XX]

You'd be upgrading a crappy HDD with an even crappier SSD...

D-XX, what's wrong with your current hard drive? Perhaps a clean install without any unneeded software would speed it up significantly? For a short while I was running Windows 7 on my Dell Inspiron 8600 (equivalent to the T42) with an 80GB 5400rpm HDD and found it reasonably snappy. If I were you, I would rather sell this T42 and get a T60. Think about it, if you get $40 for this T42, and buy a $100 T60, it's the same cost as spending $60 to upgrade the T42, but you'd end up with a much faster and longer-lasting laptop.

I think you're right. I think I'll do a clean install with Win7 and see what happens, and then start checking for T60 or T61 (my brother has a T61 for his web browsing) if needed.

[ajkula66]

FWIW...

I've regained possession of (originally mine, a decade ago) a 15" T42p which can best be described as "sickly but refusing to die". Due to its condition I really wasn't about to start tweaking it or maxing it out. It currently sports a 1.8GHz Dothan CPU, 2GB of RAM an an old 40GB/5400rpm HDD.

Installed Fedora 19 on it and it's remarkably fast for a laptop of its vintage. Absolutely usable as a browsing/document work machine, 110%.