Upgrading HDD on T42

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PaulB · #1 Post by **PaulB** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:37 pm

Greetings, I am thinking of purchasing the T42 2378FVU which comes with a 40Gb 5400 RPM HDD and would like to replace the drive with a 7200 RPM one. I would use the IBM "Recovery CDs" to re-install the system on the new drive.

I have a few questions:

1) IBM does not appear to sell 7200 RPM drives by themselves. I assume I can find some from other vendors that would fit in the T42.

2) Do I have to bring the thinkpad to an authorized service facility or can I do the job myself (I would not want to void the warranty).

3) How can I find out if a replacement drive is compatible? Is there a list somewhere that shows which drives fit in the T42?

4) I assume it is worth going with a drive that has an 8Mb cache buffer (instead of 2Mb) for extra performance.

5) Would anyone have any recommendations for any particular drive? (I prefer to pay a bit more for quality and would be happy with 60 Gb).

Thanks for your help
,,,PaulB

First Light · #2 Post by **First Light** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 2:41 pm

Are you sure the 60 or 80g HD is not available on that unit under "Accessories and Upgrades?"

Humpa · #3 Post by **Humpa** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 6:18 pm

1. Call IBM and ask them, they may sell it. The FRU for the 60Gig 7200rpm hdd is 13N6807

2. The hdd is a CRU (Customer Replacable Unit), and you can find the detailed info on replacement in the HMM.
Here is a quote from the FAQ: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=1689

FAQ wrote:8. How do I get this thing apart?

Links to the Hardware Maintenance Manuals for all current and legacy
ThinkPads, as well as SelectaDocks I, II, III and WorkPad Z50, can be
found here:

http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.ws ... 39298.html

And this link will guide you to sites for detailed removal and installation instructions and video demonstrations:

http://www-306.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... ingPage.vm

But, if you purchase the hdd from somewhere else I'm not sure about the warranty (IBM never has to know, of course).

3. The 2.5mm notebook hdd's that are 9.5mm thick will all fit, as far as I know (the older one's used to be 11mm, and those are too thick).

4. ... sure

5. I have been assuming that the Hitachi Travelstar 60Gig 7200rpm drive 08K0939 is the same as the IBM FRU 13N6807, and I see it on newegg.com for under $200 with shipping (new, and the normal 3yr manufactures warranty).

Are you getting a good deal on that T42? Does it change the price too much by changing to the 60Gig?
You can always use the 40Gig drive in a hdd adapter in the slim ultrabay, if you choose this route.

3bqruk · #4 Post by **3bqruk** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:46 pm

I recently upgraded to a 5400rpm 60GB hitachi drive in my T30 with no problems.Purchased at zip zoom fly.com. I agree with the other post in saying the IBM does'nt have to know.

#5 Post by **jdhurst** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:26 pm

If you buy the Hitachi Drive from someone other than IBM, they won't warrant the drive (obviously), but that does not affect the warranty on the balance of the unit (I checked with my vendor). ... JDHurst

PaulB · #6 Post by **PaulB** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 11:56 pm

Thank you very much for taking the time to post a reply. This is very helpful. I will enquire about the Hiachi drive.

Humpa wrote:Are you getting a good deal on that T42? Does it change the price too much by changing to the 60Gig?

This is what I want:
- T42 (new Pentium M with 2 MB L2 cache)
- 14.1 screen
- at least 64 MB of video memory
- 7200 RPM HDD

The cheapest Thinkpad that satisfies these 4 requirements is the 2373KUU:
- Pentium M 755 (2 GHz)
- 14.1 screen
- 128MB ATI FIREGL T2
- 7200 RPM HDD (60GB)
And it costs $3579 from IBM direct.

But, except for the 7200 RPM HDD, the 2378FVU satisfies all these requirements:
- Pentium M 735 (1.7 GHz)
- 14.1 screen
- 64MB ATI Radeon 9600
- 5400 RPM HDD (40GB)
And it costs $1849

So there is quite a difference between $3579 and $1849. This is why I am considering replacing the HDD on the FVU unit.

Thanks again,,,
,,,PaulB

tyipengr · #7 Post by **tyipengr** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:32 am

Actually, one of the T42 Harvard models has a pretty nice setup which is basically a 2378-FVU but with the 1.8GHz, 60GB/7.2K HD, 512MB RAM, Bluetooth, and a 3-year warranty (model 2373H14) for $1905. Got to know someone at Harvard though I am assuming. My cousin graduated from Harvard Law last year so I don't think it is possible.

spotter · #8 Post by **spotter** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 10:09 am

harvard alumni can get some of the deals as well.

Upgrading HDD on T42

Upgrading HDD on T42

60 & 80g HD

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