Upgrade T43 to SSD

[Slipstream]

I'd like to upgrade my T43 1875DMU to an SSD.

I'd like to keep the cost under $100, but would like at least 60GB. I've found one with 128GB.

1) Is the T43 able to handle a drive that large? My research so far says it can, just looking for more current confirmation.

2) It seems the current Hard Drive is IDE/PATA. There are IDE/PATA SSDs available... but will they work?

Thank you

[RealBlackStuff]

As long as it is a PATA/IDE drive, any size SSD will work.
Newegg has a few: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... Submit=ENE

[brchan]

You could consider doing a SATA mod and sticking in a regular SATA SSD. IDE/PATA SSDs are faster than HDDs, but they are expensive and offer no where near the performance or capacities of modern SSDs.

[Dekks]

or get a m2sata ssd and the common ide adapters.

[ajkula66]

or get a m2sata ssd and the common ide adapters.

That approach hasn't worked well for most of the people who tried it on T43/p. It's a tough spot to be in...

PATA SSDs are unreliable and overpriced, generally speaking. SATA-mods are far more difficult to perform on an Intel-based planar which is what OP has. mSATA with an adapter is a hit-or-miss, with far larger chances of being a miss.

My take? Get a 7200rpm IDE HDD - or a Samsung HM160HC - and enjoy it "as-is".

[thinkpadcollection]

My vote for Samsung HM160HC too plus bios mod. Very nice and better performance, 160GB. If you can afford there is 320GB HM320HC as well. Tried Hitachi 100GB 7200rpm spinner in R52 w/ ATI (same board as yours not sure on your graphics type), not impressive.

The per platter density do matter, regardless of 7200rpm vs 5400rpm.

What I have in hard drive collection:
Hitachi 100GB is 2x 50GB platter (both rpms)
Hitachi 160GB is 2x 80GB platters, 5400rpm only, unfortunately.
Samsung HM160HC is 1x 160GB platter.
There is a Hitachi 320GB 7200rpm SATA (2x 160GB platters) and onwards if one is willing to do a SATA mod.
HGST released three editions based on 500GB platters: 500GB based on 7mm and 9mm chassis (I have them), and 1TB 9mm height (ditto); all SATA. Will work as well. The last highest capacity at 7200rpm is 1.5TB based on 750GB platters.

PS: I got a R52 1849-32U with bricked BIOS, is someone willing to rewrite a modified bios chip for whitelist and if possible, remove bridge chip, PATA connector as well? I have the hardware and tools to complete the SATA mod based on apple SATA connector with long cord instead of ugly hack of SATA connectors. This is my planned goal but the bios brick stopped the SATA mod plan.

Cheers, thinkpadcollector.

[Dekks]

That approach hasn't worked well for most of the people who tried it on T43/p. It's a tough spot to be in...

PATA SSDs are unreliable and overpriced, generally speaking. SATA-mods are far more difficult to perform on an Intel-based planar which is what OP has. mSATA with an adapter is a hit-or-miss, with far larger chances of being a miss.

My take? Get a 7200rpm IDE HDD - or a Samsung HM160HC - and enjoy it "as-is".

Didn't know it was that bad, i ran it for a few months on my T43 without issue on arch then moved it to another project machine putting a Hitachi 7200 rpm 100 GB instead.

FWIW i only see issues on X30 or older machines with the ide adapter. ide xfer errors on bootup

[ajkula66]

Didn't know it was that bad, i ran it for a few months on my t43 without issue on arch then moved it to another project machine putting a Hitachi 7200rpm 100GB instead.

You were one of the few lucky ones. Which adapter/SSD combo were you using if you don't mind me asking? It would be good to know for future reference.

[Dekks]

Which adapter/SSD combo were you using if you don't mind me asking? It would be good to know for future reference.

Lycos adapter with a 16 GB Kingston m2 SSD

[thinkpadcollection]

Is Lycos adapter based on Marvell bridge chipset?

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[Dekks]

Use search function - its been mentioned probably by automobus in one of his threads.

[Johan]

<snip> If you can afford there is 320 GB HM320HC as well. <snip>

Interesting! I've never, ever heard about this Samsung 2.5" IDE/PATA HDD before, and I also cannot find a datasheet on the internet?!? Are you sure that this is not a fake HDD, "manufactured" by some Chinese who simply rebranded a 320 GB 2.5" WD HDD (the WD3200BEVE), and then attached a *fat* pricetag?

Which adapter/SSD combo were you using if you don't mind me asking? It would be good to know for future reference.

Lycos adapter with a 16 GB Kingston m2 SSD

Highly interesting as well! I've also never heard about any Lycos IDE/PATA-to-M.2 SATA adapter, and I can't find it on the internet? Like George asked, I'm also very interested in a specific reference to this particular Lycos IDE/PATA-to-M.2 SATA adapter... thanks in advance!

With respect to other IDE/PATA-to-M.2 (NGFF) SATA adapters, see this post.

Is Lycos adapter based on Marvell bridge chipset?

Hint: See the sticky (at the top of this, the T4x-forum!) GUIDE: Make your T4x *FAST* by replacing the HDD with a SSD! pointing to the following thread: New SSD opt. for T4x: mSATA-to-IDE adapter ST663FD9 *PICS* where you will find the answer.

The latter thread is also interesting for the OP (Original Poster = user Slipstream) to read!

Sorry that I'm too lazy to repeat in this thread what I've already replied several times in the above-mentioned threads...

Johan

[Dekks]

Highly interesting as well! I've also never heard about any Lycos IDE/PATA-to-M.2 SATA adapter,

Johan

You won't find one, the m2 is in a SATA2 machine - the SSD i had in my T43 was a plain mSATA - my bad, getting confused in my old age

Lycom seems to have revamped their line, you might find the Dt-126 [T40/41?] and DT-132 [ACHI capable] of interest.

[thinkpadcollection]

Not right now with M.2. Just mSATA only with Lycom and one other as well. Both products using marvell bridge chip.

PS: HM320HC do exist at one point but supply on ebay seems to be exhausted. This is too bad that there is good demand for PATA large capacity but there none. Now 120GB and 160GB currently.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[Bibin]

or get a m2sata ssd and the common ide adapters.

That approach hasn't worked well for most of the people who tried it on T43/p. It's a tough spot to be in...

PATA SSDs are unreliable and overpriced, generally speaking. SATA-mods are far more difficult to perform on an Intel-based planar which is what OP has. mSATA with an adapter is a hit-or-miss, with far larger chances of being a miss.

I have done it to multiple Intel boards and I don't think the different placement presents any particular obstacle.