T42 from Goodwill

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Bonnie_Raitt · #1 Post by **Bonnie_Raitt** » Sat May 09, 2009 8:52 pm

My neighbor bought a Thinkpad T42 (2373-3VU 990VAVF) at Goodwill yesterday and asked me to check it out. I booted it with a CD with a number of PC utilities and found everything to be in working order. It appears that the hard drive has been removed (empty bay) and there is no wireless card for it. I thought I would purchase one of the Seagate drives here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... me=Seagate.
Is there any reason to choose one over the other (besides size)?

I also thought I would buy a a wireless card (Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG 802.11b/g Wireless Network Adapter). Is this OK? Would I be better served with a different card?

Would it be worth posting on thinkpads.com marketplace for any of these items. Thanks

BR

#2 Post by **richk** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:04 pm

Any of the drives would be fine. As fare as the wireless cards, unless you use an IBM-branded card, you get an 1802 boot error. You can get around it with a BIOS hack. The cards are made by Intel or Philips. I never found any difference in throughput, but others have opinions that one or the other is better. A while ago I had an item in the marrketplace section for some of the cards. It is probably a long way down because I haven't bumped it. I still have a couple of them left. I am out of town on dialup so searching is hard for me. If you are interested and cannot find the item, send me a PM. If you want to use a non-IBM card and need a link to the hack, just search the forum for 1802.

Bonnie_Raitt · #3 Post by **Bonnie_Raitt** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:56 pm

I am trying to do this as cheaply as possible. The lady doesn't have any money to spare. I'm open to all ideas.

BR

Bonnie_Raitt · #4 Post by **Bonnie_Raitt** » Sun May 10, 2009 11:01 am

Another newbie question. I've never worked on a Thinkpad before. Do I need something in addition to the hard drive to successfully install the drive in the system? I see references to a "caddy" in Marketplace posts

BR

Bonnie_Raitt · #5 Post by **Bonnie_Raitt** » Sun May 10, 2009 11:30 am

I guess I've answered my question after further reading on Marketplace. Would this caddy work?

http://foxyurl.com/2e4

BR

#6 Post by **Harryc** » Sun May 10, 2009 1:12 pm

Yes, that would work fine for your 14" T42.

Bonnie_Raitt · #7 Post by **Bonnie_Raitt** » Sun May 10, 2009 3:12 pm

I have read that T42s potentially have a problem with loose graphic chips. I decided to boot Ubuntu off of CD amd run it for a while. I'm currently listening to internet radio (KSER.org) with Totem Movie Player with visual effects running. I thought I would run it all day and see if anything bad happens. Is this a good test or should I be trying something else

#8 Post by **Harryc** » Sun May 10, 2009 3:22 pm

Run the PC-Doctor video tests.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 56222.html
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 52871.html

poshgeordie · #9 Post by **poshgeordie** » Sun May 10, 2009 4:34 pm

Hi B_R and welcome to the forums.

Just to add to what's been added, the graphics fault problem can be reduced by correctly carrying and moving the Thinkpad (TP).

I've done a How to Carry a Laptop sheet which may help. Sorry the pictures aren't great but check back for better ones in the next few weeks.

I'm also a bit concerned at using Totem visual effects for a whole day to test the chip since it will get very hot indeed.
If you install Gkrellm ( I think) sytem temps app and display the CPU and GPU, you'll see what I mean.

As HarryC says, PC doctor for DOS on CD is sufficient - also do a 10 minute load test as well.

Bonnie_Raitt · #10 Post by **Bonnie_Raitt** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:58 pm

Well, my 160 Gig drive has arrived. Still waiting for Caddy. Can someone point me to a procedure for doing a fresh install of XP. I know how to load the OS. What I am looking for is any information for making sure I get the correct drivers, load order, pit falls, etc. Is there such a document anywhere or is it so simple there is no need for one?

Bonnie_Raitt · #11 Post by **Bonnie_Raitt** » Wed May 20, 2009 5:26 pm

Maybe a dumb question, but he caddy arrived and has a white palstic sheet covering the bottom. I'm thinking I should remove it before screwing the HD to the caddy. Am I right?

#12 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed May 20, 2009 5:39 pm

No, keep the plastic sheet intact. It's there to prevent electrical shorts since most disk drives are exposed on the bottom.

#13 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu May 21, 2009 5:18 am

Bonnie_Raitt wrote:Can someone point me to a procedure for doing a fresh install of XP. I know how to load the OS. What I am looking for is any information for making sure I get the correct drivers, load order, pit falls, etc. Is there such a document anywhere or is it so simple there is no need for one?

Your easiest way would be to obtain a set with XP-Pro Recovery Disks for your T42 (place a Want To Buy (WTB:) ad in the Marketplace forum).
Then follow instructions from here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=52133

The alternative: see How to Fresh Install Win XP (Step-by-Step Guide)

Bonnie_Raitt · #14 Post by **Bonnie_Raitt** » Fri May 22, 2009 4:59 pm

I'm in the process of loading drivers after installing Dell OEM XP Pro SP2. I tried changing the license number to the one on the bottom with the MS tool at http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhe ... f7a859db74 but it says the license number is not valid for this system. Any ideas?

#15 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri May 22, 2009 5:24 pm

Like I mentioned before, get a set of T42 Recovery CDs.
They contain a general IBM/Lenovo license valid on your laptop.
Anything else (other than a corporate license) is not valid.

JesseKnows · #16 Post by **JesseKnows** » Fri May 22, 2009 7:44 pm

Bonnie_Raitt wrote:I'm in the process of loading drivers after installing Dell OEM XP Pro SP2. I tried changing the license number to the one on the bottom with the MS tool at http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhe ... f7a859db74 but it says the license number is not valid for this system. Any ideas?

You cannot make the Dell OS accept any key. It'll just run on Dell PCs, and refuse any key manually entered.

You need IBM/Lenovo OEM (which will just run) or purchase a retail WinXP (full or OEM) if you can find one.
Or Linux.
Or add RAM and install Windows 7 RC1.

Bonnie_Raitt · #17 Post by **Bonnie_Raitt** » Sat May 23, 2009 3:27 pm

Found my problem. I put in the wrong license number. I thought a 8 was a B. Changed the number and registered with MS

Bonnie_Raitt · #18 Post by **Bonnie_Raitt** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:20 pm

I've come to the wireless section of drivers. How do I know which one to load?

Thanks

#19 Post by **Harryc** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:24 pm

Product: ThinkPad T42 2373-3VU

Original description: P M 735, 512MB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon 9600, CD-RW/DVD-R Multi-Burner, Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

That machine has the Intel Pro Wireless 2200b/g card.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-70504

Bonnie_Raitt · #20 Post by **Bonnie_Raitt** » Mon May 25, 2009 2:29 pm

I 've finished loading evrything and it's been through all the updates successfully. I did notice that when I unplugged it while running, it immediately died. I assume that means the battery's dead. If right where's a cheap place to get a good battery.

I want to thank everyone who has hlelped me on this project. My nighbor thinks I'm a hero (Just like Hiro)

#21 Post by **Harryc** » Mon May 25, 2009 2:43 pm

The best place would be to put up a WTB (wanted to buy) thread on our own Marketplace forum.

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