New T40 Owner

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pcsmart24 · #1 Post by **pcsmart24** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:47 pm

Hi Guys,

Ive just bought a T40 Type: 2373-42G second hand and it is in perfect condition and running like a dream. Ive always been very impressed with thinkpads as i have used them at work and always wanted one for my self.. So now ive got my grubby little hands on one!

Just wanted to know if there is anything you guys would recommend to keep it running fine (hardware-wise, not really software obviously as it depends on how you use it).
Ive been looking around on here and noticed a few people mentioning something about a common problem with the compound on the CPU to heatsink getting dried up and not functioning as it should. Is this a case on the T40 or not?

Any other common problems that i should know about?

Great site and look forward to making some good friends here!

Thanks
Jason

#2 Post by **K. Eng** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:56 pm

pcsmart24 wrote:Just wanted to know if there is anything you guys would recommend to keep it running fine (hardware-wise, not really software obviously as it depends on how you use it).
...
Any other common problems that i should know about?

Beware of system board failures. The system board in my T40 failed a total of 3 times. Some members here have theorized that picking up the T4x unit by its corner causes the system board to flex and take damage. I don't know if this is true.

pcsmart24 · #3 Post by **pcsmart24** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:59 pm

Ahh ok i'll not be picking it up by the corner then! Which i suppose for such a thin laptop that can be expected.

Im still very very pleased with it hense why i would like to keep it going as long as possible!

Also, not that im going to do it now but, what is the MAX CPU i could put in this machine? Anybody know? Ive already upgraded the ram to 1GB and im pleased with that, at the minute ive got a 1.50GHZ centrino chip.
Any other upgrades people would suggest?

Sorry for asking all the questions! Im just excited about my purchase!

(Big kid here)

cmarti · #4 Post by **cmarti** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:03 pm

pcsmart24 wrote:Sorry for asking all the questions! Im just excited about my purchase! (Big kid here)

Have you inquire about the upgrades that you can do to your new toy?

pcsmart24 · #5 Post by **pcsmart24** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:06 pm

pcsmart24 wrote:Also, not that im going to do it now but, what is the MAX CPU i could put in this machine? Anybody know? Ive already upgraded the ram to 1GB and im pleased with that, at the minute ive got a 1.50GHZ centrino chip.
Any other upgrades people would suggest?

Yes

ciorbarece · #6 Post by **ciorbarece** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 9:03 pm

Congratulations for your Thinkpad !

Well, the flexing problem really exists, it occurs when you pick up the T4X by the corner in one hand. Otherwise these are rocksolid machines...

Greetings

jongordo8 · #7 Post by **jongordo8** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 9:06 pm

I have to also state that the flexing problem is real. I have been picking mine up in the manner in which they are describing since I got mine, and now I am dealing with freezing issues and the screen going blank. Now looking for a system board for it. Definitely handle with care, but other than that it is rock solid.

pcsmart24 · #8 Post by **pcsmart24** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:11 am

thanks for all the kind replies guys!

agarza · #9 Post by **agarza** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:32 pm

pcsmart24 wrote:Also, not that im going to do it now but, what is the MAX CPU i could put in this machine? Anybody know? Ive already upgraded the ram to 1GB and im pleased with that, at the minute ive got a 1.50GHZ centrino chip.
Any other upgrades people would suggest?

Pentium-M's can handle temps up to 100C, beyond that point the CPU would shut down to prevent damage.

You could post your CPU/GPU values idling/load using an amazin program called Thinkpad Fan Control, check the sticky.

Is your T40 noisy. Does it still have warranty?

If you decide to change the TIM choose either Arctic Silver 5 or Zalman Super Thermal Grease, the latter is easier to apply, contrary to AS5, where you need to apply exactly the correct amount and apply it evently, or you will get more degrees on the components.

pcsmart24 · #10 Post by **pcsmart24** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:01 pm

Idle Value is:

CPU: 31c
GPU: 36c

Under Load Values:

CPU: 47c
GPU: Unknown yet...

No problems with noisey fan for me. I can hardly hear it at all. Any ideas what size is the max CPU i can put in?

bfgun · #11 Post by **bfgun** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:14 pm

i think you can put in a 1.7, but going from 1.5 to 1.7 won't show much improvement. you'd do better with more memory instead and a faster hd.

I have 1 gig sticks for sale if you're interested. PM me.

-B

Sebbot · #12 Post by **Sebbot** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:02 am

Hi Jason,

I don't know if and how long your warranty still runs, but If it still does you should think about upgrading it. I have a T40p G1G and I bought a post warranty maintenance for 1 year. You can only buy that via an authorised IBM/Lenovo dealer, not via Internet.

Infos here:

http://www5.pc.ibm.com/europe/products. ... p2/237342G

Sebastian

skygodtj · #13 Post by **skygodtj** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:43 am

I went from a 1.5 to a 2.0ghz chip in my -40. If I remember right, you can go up to a 2.1 with a 400mhz bus, but the chips are very pricey. I managed to find my 2.0 for $167. You can expect to pay over $200 for a 2-2.1ghz cpu.

Other upgrades are max out the RAM, at least 512MB, and swap the hard drive for a 7200rpm drive.

Does yours have built in WiFi? If so, you can swap the OEM mini-pci network card to a Atheros 108G card, combined with a 108G router will give you faster transfer speeds.

good luck,

TJ

rfcroc · #14 Post by **rfcroc** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:44 am

skygodtj wrote: Does yours have built in WiFi? If so, you can swap the OEM mini-pci network card to a Atheros 108G card, combined with a 108G router will give you faster transfer speeds.

good luck,

TJ

TJ
Any particular mini pci card you had in mind? Mfr /part number recommended? Or just any atheros-based 108G card?

Thanks!

bfgun · #15 Post by **bfgun** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:05 am

not to confuse anyone but if you're connected to a home network, your transfer speeds will be limited to what your cable modem/dsl box provides. But if you're at an office with a DS3 line or with a connection that provides speeds in excess of 10 mb upload and download, then all for it, but you will NOT see speeds higher than what your network can provide from the outside world.

So, if you're on a dsl or cable modem and the ISP has capped the upload and download speeds, you will not see any improvement. The atheros card provides better reception, but find out what your speed limitatons are first. you could easily do this by using the onboard LAN port since they're rated at 10/100 mbps, with the exception of newer laptops, 10/100/1000 mbps.

regards,
-me

skygodtj · #16 Post by **skygodtj** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:38 am

yes, data from the internet depends entirely on ISP speeds, but data transfer between computers will be 108G. The wifi transfer speed depends on the chipset used in the router, if its an atheros chipset, you'll get the 108G speeds. Linksys uses Atheros chips..

TJ

skygodtj · #17 Post by **skygodtj** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:42 am

rfcroc wrote:
skygodtj wrote: Does yours have built in WiFi? If so, you can swap the OEM mini-pci network card to a Atheros 108G card, combined with a 108G router will give you faster transfer speeds.

good luck,

TJ
TJ
Any particular mini pci card you had in mind? Mfr /part number recommended? Or just any atheros-based 108G card?

Thanks!

The 5002 to 5004 cards seem to work the best. Dont go for the 5005/5006 cards, too many have reported those cards as not being 'flashable' to fool your laptop into thinking they are IBM OEM.

TJ

#18 Post by **underclocker** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:12 am

Congrats on joining the club.

I think putting in any Dothan cpu makes sense, since they have larger caches and should run cooler - and possibly use less battery.

Of course swapping in a 7200 rpm drive is always a winner, too.

Good luck.

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