Thinkpad t40P as netbook

[fjs08]

Been thinking of getting a net book for travel. I've looked at the Lenovo Ideabooks, Dell, Sony W series, etc, etc. Usually run $ 400-$500 for an XP based unit with 1 GB ram and not much else.... net book. But they are all light, in the range of 2.5 - 3#.

I have an old T40P that is just sitting here. Used to be my wife's computer. Had loads of problems starting, crashing, etc. Sometimes it wouldn't start at all, sometimes I'd just get the opening screens, etc etc. Not exactly sure what it is, but I'm guess HD failure.

In the "old" days, we had 4 of these floating around between myself, wife, and 2 kids who used them at college. I found what "I think" is a HD in my drawer. It's in a silver pouch, 2 3/4 x 3 3/4" and is thin. Has IBM and Hitachi P/N number on it. 7200 RPM and 60 GB on it.... I'm figuring it's a HD. At this point, I'm not really sure why I even have it in my drawer. I do know my kids had problems with some of these.

I was thinking of just installing it into the T40P and see what happens???
Or at worst, if they are available, get a new HD w XP.. I doubt an old t40P would handle Vista or Win 7????????

Ultimately, I get a "netbook" that may be a bit heavier than something new, but it would be WAY more functional. I love that old keyboard of the t40P. AND I do live recycling old computer stuff. Kinda fun.

Thoughts?????
Thanks.
Frank

[dr_st]

In other words, you'll be getting a laptop, not a netbook.

It may be the HD that's bad, or a dozen of other things. If you have a new HD to try, it doesn't hurt.

[Harryc]

A T40P would handle Windows 7 with ease. You can't do Aero on it though. Try the new drive and let us know how you make out.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=77713

[fjs08]

I thought I knew how to get the HD out. I unscrewed the one screw. I thought it just popped out. Am I doing something wrong. Nothing is budging??
Thanks.
Frank

[Tony.Yarwood]

I thought I knew how to get the HD out. I unscrewed the one screw. I thought it just popped out. Am I doing something wrong. Nothing is budging??
Thanks.
Frank

You have to slide it out (with the lid open), using both thumbs is the best way.

It sounds like that laptop might have the GPU problem.

Best regards

Tony

Google ain't your friend.
More privacy, no tracking.
http://clusty.com/

[fjs08]

Guess I wasn't pulling hard enough. Replaced the HD and it started right up. Now it is finding stuff, etc.
Frank

[fjs08]

Wow, this may turn out ok. I cabled it up to my router and linked up to Windows updates. They are downloading now.
We'll see. How can I check to see what is exactly in this unit?? Like HD, RAM

[Harryc]

Try Everest;
http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?lang=en

For basic information about the model, plug the machine type and model information from the sticker on the botom of the machine into the box at this link;
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... country=us

[fjs08]

Ahh, found it all. Guess I have 1 GB ram installed. I can go up to 2 GB. I don't want to add a lot of "stuff" to the notebook, so I think 1 GB should be ok. But if I want to, I see a small 1 screw compartment on the bottom middle of the ThinkPad. Are both memory chips in there??
Frank

[sktn77a]

No, one memory stick is underneath the keyboard, the other is in the little compartment in the back. DDR is a little more expensive than DDR2 - you might want to stick with 1Gb - with XP it should be fine. Make sure you get all the correct hardware drives from the Lenovo website.

[fjs08]

>>the other is in the little compartment in the back.<<

Ahh, I didn't know that.

>DDR is a little more expensive than DDR2 <<

Checked on line and seems to run $ 60/GB. The 1 GB I have installed seems to run what I need just fine.

Frank

[ajkula66]

You can get a 1GB stick in the forum's Marketplace from $30-35, just post a WTB ad.