Upgrade T40?

[3h]

My T40 was not just my first Thinkpad, but the first laptop of any kind that I bought (used, about 1 year old, 11 years ago this fall), as well as being the most expensive laptop I've ever bought, and I really liked it. So even though I haven't used it much the last few years, I can't bring myself to get rid of it. I've recently started tinkering with it again and installed Slacko Puppy Linus 5.7 (non-PAE) with Xp (dual-boot). I also implemented most of the changes recommended on this page and noticed an improvement in performance: https://law.wustl.edu/computersupport/h ... rmance.htm

I am wondering what upgrades might be possible that would further improve performance without costing too much (I would try and buy used parts here or on eBay). Here's what I have that I'm considering upgrading:

1. Mobile Intel Pentium M, 1300 MHz (Banias)
2. 1280 MB RAM
3. SAMSUNG HM080IC (74 GB) HD
4. Intel(R) PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter

Suggestions?

[ajkula66]

1) You could go with a Dothan CPU instead of your present Banias one. PM 745 (Intel SL7EN) which runs at 1.8 GHz is likely the best bang for the buck.

4) Any IBM (Atheros-chipped) mini PCI wireless card will be superior to what you have now, as will Intel 2200BG.

Total cost for these two upgrades should be less than $20.

[brchan]

Another option would be to find a working T43 that has a cracked screen or broken case, and put the motherboard, cpu, ram, etc. into your T40. Sometimes you can find them for very cheap.

T40 hardware is quite old, and having even mid-spec T43 internals will give you a pretty good boost in performance and usability.

[3h]

1) You could go with a Dothan CPU instead of your present Banias one. PM 745 (Intel SL7EN) which runs at 1.8 GHz is likely the best bang for the buck.

4) Any IBM (Atheros-chipped) mini PCI wireless card will be superior to what you have now, as will Intel 2200BG.

Total cost for these two upgrades should be less than $20.

Thanks for your reply!

1. Would this one work in my T40?:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Pentium-M ... 35e7679be3

4. And would this also work in my T40?:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Atheros-AR5 ... 2a1e3cde03

Are there no wireless n mini-PCI cards that would work in the T40?

P.S. Happy Easter!

[ajkula66]

Yes to both the CPU and the wireless card.

There are a couple of "N" wireless cards that would work in a T4x, you'll need to apply the "no-1802" hack, though.

This is what I have in my T43pSF, 300Mb/s on the 2.4GHz spectrum, two antennae:

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WN861N ... B0035GV6FE

I'm not affiliated with the seller whose listing is linked in any way, proceed - or not - as you deem fit.

[3h]

Yes to both the CPU and the wireless card.

There are a couple of "N" wireless cards that would work in a T4x, you'll need to apply the "no-1802" hack, though.

This is what I have in my T43pSF, 300Mb/s on the 2.4GHz spectrum, two antennae:

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WN861N ... B0035GV6FE

I'm not affiliated with the seller whose listing is linked in any way, proceed - or not - as you deem fit.

Thanks for your quick and helpful reply!

Have a great evening!

[3h]

Where can I get the driver for this wifi card?:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Atheros-AR5 ... 2a1e3cde03

[RealBlackStuff]

https://www.atheros.cz/

[3h]

https://www.atheros.cz/

Thanks!

[lukee]

Don't forget for RAM. You can upgrade up to 2GB at total. 333MHz/400MHz DDR modules are fitting into your T40.

[3h]

Don't forget for RAM. You can upgrade up to 2GB at total. 333MHz/400MHz DDR modules are fitting into your T40.

I didn't forget. It now has 2 GB RAM.