T42 Upgrade Possibilities

[whizkid]

I just got a T42 from eBay and I'd like to know what my upgrade possibilities are. (What a junkie. I'm not even done setting it up!) The machine is my first T4x series and has a type of 2374-JU4.

- There's no recovery partition. What are the steps to fix that, or should I just make a good backup once I've tweaked the setup?

- It currently has 14.1" XGA. Can I just swap in an SXGA+ panel? Or a whole top assembly? Can the top be from any T4x? (I'm not worried about 3D performance.)

- CPU is a Pentium M 735 (1.7GHz). What are my CPU choices? (Limited to 2.1GHz as the Lenovo site suggests?)

I have 512MB RAM. (Hmm. I don't know what speed it is.)
- Will PC 2700 RAM perform better?
- Will matching banks help performance like it does in my T60?

- I'm looking at switching to 802.11n soon. I'm guessing I'll have to upgrade my BIOS and get an internal card from Lenovo to avoid an 1802 error. Right?

- Can I swap in a keyboard bezel with a fingerprint reader, or do I need a new systemboard for that?

- Can I add bluetooth?

[bill bolton]

I'm looking at switching to 802.11n soon. I'm guessing I'll have to upgrade my BIOS and get an internal card from Lenovo to avoid an 1802 error. Right?

Don't count on seeing 802.11n in a mini-PCI form factor anytime soon, if at ever. If you want 802.11n on a T4x model you'll need to get it via USB device or a Cardbus device.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[pianowizard]

- CPU is a Pentium M 735 (1.7GHz). What are my CPU choices? (Limited to 2.1GHz as the Lenovo site suggests?)

You should stick with those with 400MHz FSB. So yes, the 2.1GHz Dothan is the fastest you can get. I plan on getting the same thing for my 1.7GHz Banias R50p's. But since your 1.7GHz Pentium M is already a Dothan, you won't gain much by upgrading to 2.1GHz.

I have 512MB RAM. (Hmm. I don't know what speed it is.)
- Will PC 2700 RAM perform better?
- Will matching banks help performance like it does in my T60?

Yes, you need PC2700 RAM. The T42 doesn't support dual channel mode, so don't worry about matching the modules.

[whizkid]

Don't count on seeing 802.11n in a mini-PCI form factor anytime soon, if at ever. If you want 802.11n on a T4x model you'll need to get it via USB device or a Cardbus device.

Isn't 802.11n already available for some ThinkPads? I would expect that Lenovo would update the BIOS so those cards will work in older machines.

[SHoTTa35]

those cards are PCI-E cards or mini-pcie ones (PCI-Express) which is smaller and wont fit in the older T , X and R series that used mini-pci cards. There is no upgrade option there. As bill said you can get cardbus or USB 2.0 and that's prolly it.

As for the XGA part, it's better if you can get the whole top assembly. If you buy just the screen you'll have to replace the LCD cable because the one you have now (XGA) is only 1 channel and the SXGA+ ones require 2 Channel to work. IF you buy the top half as long as the LCD cable comes with it you should be more than set.

See if you can upgrade your TP to match mine (in my sig) I'll be added a 8X DVDRW DL and a bigger drive soon.

[whizkid]

PCI-E... bah.

Looking again at ltwbook, I see I'm also stuck with the ATI 7500 chip, but there were at least three T42's shipped with the 7500 and an SXGA+ display. Good to know that option is out there.

Thanks for the pointers so far, folks.

[Johan]

To improve performance (in random order):

1. Get a 7200 rpm HDD – check this, this and this recent thread.

2. Upgrade the CPU to a 2.1 GHz – see this thread (the post of Thu Jul 12, 2007) with information about this. Before doing this, I would personally check if your mainboard can source such a faster (and more power-hungry!) CPU... is the power supply, cooling system etc. capable of this? Before starting all this, check users comments about the actual benefit of upgrading the CPU… the actual advantage will highly depend on for what application you use your ThinkPad. If mainly surfing, writing etc. I don’t think that it is worth the money and trouble to go from 1.7 GHz o 2.1 GHz (I am comparing the “feel” between the 2.1 GHz T42p I’m using right now towards the 1.8 GHz in the signature).

3. I don’t think you have the option of upgrading the display to a FlexView/IPS type, because these are only available as 15” and I don’t believe that a 15” display will fit on a 14.1” ThinkPad (other users may confirm this). Check the Hardware Maintenance Manual. You should be able to upgrade to an ordinary (non-FlexView) 14.1" SXGA+ display, provided the GPU/VRAM will allow this. I admit not being a specialist here, but I guess that the 32 MB VRAM is not sufficient for SXGA+ so you might have to replace the entire display interface, inverter and the panel. According to the ltwbook T42's with XGA's came with the ATI MOBILITY RADEON 7500 display interface (w/32 MB VRAM), while the SXGA+ models had the ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 w/64 MB VRAM.

4. With your GPU and VRAM, either stay with Windows 2000, or alternatively upgrade to Windows XP... but stay away from Vista, if you want speed.

5. Some users might claim that a long fan will make your system slightly more low-noise... search this forum for “long fan” and judge for yourself. Lower noise is obtained installing Shimodax’ Fan Noise Control and undervolting/downclocking the CPU/GPU (check this thread (the post of Thu Jul 12).

6. Get a DVD-writer... see this thread.

7. Extend the warranty to the maximum – if still possible! See this thread (post of Wed Jul 04, 2007).

8. Adding Bluetooth is not so easy, because you need an antenna (which is mounted in the display), and I don’t believe that such an antenna is mounted in your non-BT model (why would IBM have done that?). Check the Hardware Maintenance Manual to see if your system includes a Bluetooth antenna. Read this thread on how to add Bluetooth.

9. If you have more money that you don’t know what to use for, consider switching your mechanical harddisk with a SDD (solid state disk) – read this thread.

10. (subsequent update, added for the sake of completeness!): Depending on your usage, you may, or may not, benefit from upgrading your amount of RAM. To check the actual RAM usage, open the Task Manager, or (better!) get the free and very usable program Process Explorer for Windows. See what processes/programs run, and see if you have some programs that have started automatically, but which you don't need. Disable or remove such unnecessary programs - use another very good, free tool for this: AutoRuns for Windows.

To establish the ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery (R&R) partition: You need to completely reinstall this… which will bring your ThinkPad back to its factory state. So, prior to beginning this, back up all there is on the HDD now, and then get a set of R&R Media (CD’s) – probably cheapest via the Marketplace here at forum.thinkpads or alternatively via eBay (found them for $ 16 incl. shipping here). Alternatively, you can order a set directly from IBM/Lenovo - but that's going to cost you about USD 45,- (you can order here: Lenovo’s site).

NB: According to your machine specs., it came with Windows 2000 (from IBM). Because of this, you need to check if the Windows 2000 COA will allow you to upgrade to e.g. Windows XP free-of-charge... check this before ordering the R&R Media, as these are specific with respect to the OS they will install.

Good luck with all the upgrades – hope they will not add up to more than what you paid for the T42 itself! 

… and, of course, don’t forget to report back here which upgrades you made, and what your actual user-experience was!

Kind regards,

Johan

[Temetka]

People also forgot to mention all the wonderful addons for the ultrabay.

I am running a Pentium M 755 CPU in my T41P. It is really fast, and pretty cool most of the time (around 56 deg c or so). The 755 runs @ 2GHz on the 400MHz FSB and is the second fastest Dothan you can get your hands on. I paid around $189 for mine plus shipping so be aware that the faster Dothans are expensive. Since the T42 is already Dothan I couldn't see any viable reason to upgrade it other than it can be done and you have the cash.

If you really want to spend money on upgrades, max the ram and pick up a 7200RPM HD or one of those new SSD drives which are reported to run faster than anything else.

Other upgrades have already been covered in the excellent and well detailed post above mine.

However I make it a point to stop in every T4x thread with the word "upgrade" in the title.


You know what would be awesome?

An SSD Raptor Drive.

[Johan]

Other upgrades have already been covered in the excellent and well detailed post above mine.

@ Temetka:

Thank you very much for these kind words - I'm immediately going to print out your post, enlarge it to the maximum, and hang it on my wall! Oh, well, just kidding (or perhaps not!), but such appreciation - and all the helpfulness and friendliness and kindness around here - is the fuel that makes this place go 'round... and also makes it such a pleasant experience to be part of this virtual "community". Thank you, Temetka.

@ whizkid:

One thing I should add to my above post, is, that if swapping the CPU and/or GPU to a faster one, or swapping the entire display, I guess that this would void the warranty (at least if IBM discover it!) - so there is probably no need to extend the warranty, if considering such delicate upgrades! It can perhaps be compared to claiming that your personal medical insurance must certainly cover an accident which is the sole result of you having done brain surgery... on yourself! There are most likely some people who would hestiate doing this... but go for it, if you feel safe!

Kind regards,

Johan

[whizkid]

@johan: My T42 has an XP Pro COA. I was looking at recovery media, but I just downloaded a new Rescue and Recovery, and I think it will let me burn a set.

I do not plan to upgrade the video chip, and as I think I mentioned above, there were at least three models shipped with the 7500 chip and the SXGA+ display, so I think that can be done too.

Thanks for all the ideas, Johan and all the rest of you!

[Temetka]

The video card CANNOT be upgraded.

The only way to upgrade the video is to replace the entire motherboard.

[whizkid]

The video card CANNOT be upgraded.

I know. I thought everyone knew.

[Temetka]

Some people still ask, so it still bears mentioning.

[zverg]

@johan: My T42 has an XP Pro COA. I was looking at recovery media, but I just downloaded a new Rescue and Recovery, and I think it will let me burn a set.

I do not plan to upgrade the video chip, and as I think I mentioned above, there were at least three models shipped with the 7500 chip and the SXGA+ display, so I think that can be done too.

Thanks for all the ideas, Johan and all the rest of you!

I can confirm that SXGA+ with 7500 is possible.. when Solectron replaced my motherboard with the WRONG MODEL I had a 7500 for a few days before I demanded immediate on-site service to replace it with the correct Radeon 9600 board.. it still worked fine with my sxga+ screen.

This thread has me thinking though.. about ditching my 2x512 sticks for 2x1gb and getting a dvd burner finally.. much cheaper than getting a new X60 tablet with said features

[rhema83]

As the proud owner of a T42 (2378-FVU) I think the most beneficial upgrades I have done are increasing the RAM and upgrading to a 7200rpm hard disk.

I now have 1.5GB RAM and I am going to replace that old 512MB module with a 1GB. It is about $100 shipped from Crucial. My 7K60 hard disk has been serving me well and I definitely recommend the 7K100. The 100GB ATA6 version can be had for about $100 from ZipZoomfly.

Check the IBM Maintenance Manual to determine if your particular model of T42 came with the BT antenna. If it did, all you need to do is to replace the CDC aka modem card with one that has BT, and hook up the antenna. However, that BT CDC seems to be pretty expensive ($90+ last time I checked).

[Johan]

... I now have 1.5GB RAM and I am going to replace that old 512MB module with a 1GB. It is about $100 shipped from Crucial. My 7K60 hard disk has been serving me well and I definitely recommend the 7K100. The 100GB ATA6 version can be had for about $100 from ZipZoomfly.

Rhema: Thanks for this feedback! If you are looking for a 1 GB RAM stick for your T42, rush and check this recent thread: Crucial 1GB PC2700 from Newegg - that will save you 25 %! If you are a really helpful and extremely kind person, you might also want to read my post in that thread of Mon Sep 03, 2007...

Best regards,

Johan

[rhema83]

Rhema: Thanks for this feedback! If you are looking for a 1 GB RAM stick for your T42, rush and check this recent thread: Crucial 1GB PC2700 from Newegg - that will save you 25 %! If you are a really helpful and extremely kind person, you might also want to read my post in that thread of Mon Sep 03, 2007...

Best regards,

Johan

Thank you Johan! I read the other thread. It is very similar to this thread. I guess we should link them somehow to consolidate the ideas.

[SHoTTa35]

As the proud owner of a T42 (2378-FVU) I think the most beneficial upgrades <snip>

hey how funny is that, That's the same system i'm selling also and it's a really nice one. I'm still contemplating if i should keep it or not. Oh well...

[whizkid]

Updating what has happened...

My wife is using the T42, and she does not have demanding applications. I did bump the memory to 1GB total, but that's the only modification so far.

The machine was acting badly; some sort of configuration error or entropy got to it. I got a set of recovery media (thanks Mike!), restored the hard drive to factory state, added updates, installed most of the software suggested by Lenovo, made a few backups, and it's working really well at the moment. We even installed Google Earth and the 3D performance is good. She's not (yet) much of a gamer, other than Spider Solitaire (and Dice Wars is more my speed).

So rather than spend more money and effort on that, when it works perfectly fine, I put my resources into making one of my boxes into a MythTV setup for broadcast HDTV. Very nice.

[ThinkPad]

To improve performance (in random order):

1. Get a 7200 rpm HDD – check this, this and this recent thread.

2. Upgrade the CPU to a 2.1 GHz – see this thread (the post of Thu Jul 12, 2007) with information about this. Before doing this, I would personally check if your mainboard can source such a faster (and more power-hungry!) CPU... is the power supply, cooling system etc. capable of this? Before starting all this, check users comments about the actual benefit of upgrading the CPU… the actual advantage will highly depend on for what application you use your ThinkPad. If mainly surfing, writing etc. I don’t think that it is worth the money and trouble to go from 1.7 GHz o 2.1 GHz (I am comparing the “feel” between the 2.1 GHz T42p I’m using right now towards the 1.8 GHz in the signature).

3. I don’t think you have the option of upgrading the display to a FlexView/IPS type, because these are only available as 15” and I don’t believe that a 15” display will fit on a 14.1” ThinkPad (other users may confirm this). Check the Hardware Maintenance Manual. You should be able to upgrade to an ordinary (non-FlexView) 14.1" SXGA+ display, provided the GPU/VRAM will allow this. I admit not being a specialist here, but I guess that the 32 MB VRAM is not sufficient for SXGA+ so you might have to replace the entire display interface, inverter and the panel. According to the ltwbook T42's with XGA's came with the ATI MOBILITY RADEON 7500 display interface (w/32 MB VRAM), while the SXGA+ models had the ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 w/64 MB VRAM.

4. With your GPU and VRAM, either stay with Windows 2000, or alternatively upgrade to Windows XP... but stay away from Vista, if you want speed.

5. Some users might claim that a long fan will make your system slightly more low-noise... search this forum for “long fan” and judge for yourself. Lower noise is obtained installing Shimodax’ Fan Noise Control and undervolting/downclocking the CPU/GPU (check this thread (the post of Thu Jul 12).

6. Get a DVD-writer... see this thread.

7. Extend the warranty to the maximum – if still possible! See this thread (post of Wed Jul 04, 2007).

8. Adding Bluetooth is not so easy, because you need an antenna (which is mounted in the display), and I don’t believe that such an antenna is mounted in your non-BT model (why would IBM have done that?). Check the Hardware Maintenance Manual to see if your system includes a Bluetooth antenna. Read this thread on how to add Bluetooth.

9. If you have more money that you don’t know what to use for, consider switching your mechanical harddisk with a SDD (solid state disk) – read this thread.

10. (subsequent update, added for the sake of completeness!): Depending on your usage, you may, or may not, benefit from upgrading your amount of RAM. To check the actual RAM usage, open the Task Manager, or (better!) get the free and very usable program Process Explorer for Windows. See what processes/programs run, and see if you have some programs that have started automatically, but which you don't need. Disable or remove such unnecessary programs - use another very good, free tool for this: AutoRuns for Windows.

To establish the ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery (R&R) partition: You need to completely reinstall this… which will bring your ThinkPad back to its factory state. So, prior to beginning this, back up all there is on the HDD now, and then get a set of R&R Media (CD’s) – probably cheapest via the Marketplace here at forum.thinkpads or alternatively via eBay (found them for $ 16 incl. shipping here). Alternatively, you can order a set directly from IBM/Lenovo - but that's going to cost you about USD 45,- (you can order here: Lenovo’s site).

NB: According to your machine specs., it came with Windows 2000 (from IBM). Because of this, you need to check if the Windows 2000 COA will allow you to upgrade to e.g. Windows XP free-of-charge... check this before ordering the R&R Media, as these are specific with respect to the OS they will install.

Good luck with all the upgrades – hope they will not add up to more than what you paid for the T42 itself! 

… and, of course, don’t forget to report back here which upgrades you made, and what your actual user-experience was!

Kind regards,

Johan

Excellent information. Thanks for posting

[dr_st]

I never understood the point of buying a used old machine off eBay and then spending a lot more $$$ to upgrade it with outdated parts, only to end up spending as much as it costs to buy a new modern model.

I guess it's a hobby.

[rhema83]

I never understood the point of buying a used old machine off eBay and then spending a lot more $$$ to upgrade it with outdated parts, only to end up spending as much as it costs to buy a new modern model.

I guess it's a hobby.

It can't be merely a "hobby" for everyone. Granted, there are purists out there, but there are also people who do it because it is the best option.

For me, I want a laptop that is powerful, light and reliable because I take it to meetings, my research lab and a pilot plant. My T42 fits the bill (specs in my signature). With the optical drive replaced by the travel bezel, it weighs only 4.7 lbs. It used to have 768MB RAM and the 7k60 HDD. When it was time to upgrade, what were my choices?

1. T61 14.1" WXGA+ (5.0 lbs with 4-cell)
2. T61(p) 14.1" SXGA+ (5.3 lbs with 6-cell) (increase in weight!)
3. X61 XGA (3.11 lbs with 4-cell)
4. X61T SXGA+ (3.77 lbs with 4-cell)

To keep travel weight down, I sacrifice either resolution (T61), resolution and graphics power (X61), or graphics power and put up with the bezel problem (X61T). Not to forget, any one of the three cost $1000+.

My other choice? Max out the T42: upgrade to 2GB RAM and a 7k100 HDD. Newegg sells Crucial RAM for $60+ per GB, and Zipzoomfly sells the 7k100 for a little more than $100. My total cost is about $250. And the 3-year-old T42 will serve me well for another 3 years.

Not trying to boast about the old T40 series here. Just want to illustrate how it can make economic sense.

[popsmoke]

Have posted about the T42 in other sections.
Aware that that the last post here was some considerable time ago. so this is really an historical archive in case there any other "hobbyists" that want to keep the machine working til 2020 or so. It is a truly great machine, will do everything but 1080p, is very light, and the "obsolete" screen tech is better than some more modern laptops (like the T61 - ugh).
Keyboard and tactility are to die for.
It sets up nicely to dual boot XP and 7. Some small graphic issues with 7, but XP is excellent.
Use TPFANCONTROL to keep the fan quiet (more on this below) in both OSs.
I have 6 working T42s and two used for parts. Love em
This post written in Dec 2014 on a T42. Duh. A 100% non-abused working T42 will run you LESS THAN $80.
Mandatory upgrades will run you another $110 approx and would include the following most of which can be purchased used:
* DVD burner about $15 ebay
* 2 gig ram, 2 sticks, about $40 ebay
* 7200 drive, about $70 ebay, new, hi-capacity
* small profile battery, new, about $30 ebay (machine is happiest when plugged in)
* PCMCIA Linksys wireless (only if you are very unhappy with the inboard) $20 ebay
If you want to go crazy and overclock or change chips or screen on try to install a PATA SSD, you are on your own.
Final tips:
The dire warnings about what happens when you pick up the machine by the front right corner are true and real. I blew a motherboard that way. One minute it worked and the next it did not.
Picking up by the screen top edge also a very bad idea -- the plastic left hinge will snap. The repair is very very very time consumimg.
Every T42 I have ever seen melts the thermal paste over the CPU over time and this creates subtle overheating problems. Temp should never exceed 72 even under load. Refresh the paste!
The fans are good (better than the T61s!!) but they do wear out.
Try to find a seller who has fitted a NEW fan into an OLD heatsink -- as low as $10, Ebay
The "long" fan is a bear to R&R because the rubber over the GPU melts. Use dental floss
If the CMOS battery dies ($3 Ebay) it will take a very long time to reboot, and you will get very nervous. But it will boot.
If female DC-in port has been damaged but still works, a little epoxy can stabilize it.
All T42s have speaker crackle, something to with proximity to the HDD. Fantastic speakers!
You can add USB ports via PCMCIA but to "power" them you will need a card that accepts an external power source and those are very hard to find.
And that's it, you are good to go.