Plethora of T20 problems, please help!

[ninjapirate350]

First off, the reason why I'm into this mess is because I wanted to re-install windows and upgrade the processor to 1 GHz.

I have a Thinkpad T20 2647 81U.

BIOS Version is: IYET37WW 1.03

It has 256 MB of ram and windows XP SP1 installed (have yet to make myself a SP2 slipstream disk)

First off, let's talk about my OS install problems. I had lots of trouble installing XP until I decided to go into the BIOS and turn off EVERY single feature that was un-needed for installation. (I.E. Power management, serial port, speedstep, etc.) Basically what happened until I disabled everything is in the "installing devices" portion of setup it would hang up. I got around it and windows is installed.


After installing XP it seemed to work fine until I turned it off/on again and now XP hangs when it's trying to load up. I have turned on all needed services in the BIOS. However, the computer will boot into safe mode.

Now that that's out of the way I will say that I had the same XP install on my computer before and it worked fine.

On to the processor upgrade: I had a 700MHz SL3Z8 that I swapped for a 1GHz SL53S.

In the bios it only shows 800 MHz for processor speed but I have read that if the BIOS has not been upgraded then processor speed will not breach 800MHz, is there any truth to this? I don't believe it's speedstep related because I turned speedstep off in the BIOS just for installation purposes. Windows only shows processor speed around 700Mhz.

I also am having another problem with booting in general, the computer will not boot a disk drive (hard or DVD) without me removing the battery and plugging in the AC-Adapter before turning it on, again I'm starting to wonder if it's old BIOS gremlins.

OK, now onto building an approach to this problem.

1.) If I upgrade the BIOS will my processor speed go up, or have I bought the wrong upgrade for my mobo?

2.) What's the deal with the boot issue? This is getting irritatting removing the battery to boot the computer.

3.) Why is windows hanging per the report I have given you?

I never had any of these problems before, I should have never touched it.. But, what fun is that?

[ambientscape]

First off, the reason why I'm into this mess is because I wanted to re-install windows and upgrade the processor to 1 GHz.

I have a Thinkpad T20 2647 81U.

BIOS Version is: IYET37WW 1.03

It has 256 MB of ram and windows XP SP1 installed (have yet to make myself a SP2 slipstream disk)

First off, let's talk about my OS install problems. I had lots of trouble installing XP until I decided to go into the BIOS and turn off EVERY single feature that was un-needed for installation. (I.E. Power management, serial port, speedstep, etc.) Basically what happened until I disabled everything is in the "installing devices" portion of setup it would hang up. I got around it and windows is installed.


After installing XP it seemed to work fine until I turned it off/on again and now XP hangs when it's trying to load up. I have turned on all needed services in the BIOS. However, the computer will boot into safe mode.

Now that that's out of the way I will say that I had the same XP install on my computer before and it worked fine.

On to the processor upgrade: I had a 700MHz SL3Z8 that I swapped for a 1GHz SL53S.

In the bios it only shows 800 MHz for processor speed but I have read that if the BIOS has not been upgraded then processor speed will not breach 800MHz, is there any truth to this? I don't believe it's speedstep related because I turned speedstep off in the BIOS just for installation purposes. Windows only shows processor speed around 700Mhz.

I also am having another problem with booting in general, the computer will not boot a disk drive (hard or DVD) without me removing the battery and plugging in the AC-Adapter before turning it on, again I'm starting to wonder if it's old BIOS gremlins.

OK, now onto building an approach to this problem.

1.) If I upgrade the BIOS will my processor speed go up, or have I bought the wrong upgrade for my mobo?

2.) What's the deal with the boot issue? This is getting irritatting removing the battery to boot the computer.

3.) Why is windows hanging per the report I have given you?

I never had any of these problems before, I should have never touched it.. But, what fun is that?

Try updating your BIOS....no harm updating your BIOS. SOme older version of BIOS couldn't support Windows XP.

[tfflivemb2]

Ditto, as long as you have a working battery, you might was well upgrade the BIOS. It is pretty painless, as compared to the old way of updating the BIOS.

[ninjapirate350]

Well, you guys were right, I got on the Lenovo/IBM Support site and snagged the BIOS update + a few drivers I needed and that seemed to solve all of my woes. I think my 'pad never ever had the bios updated. But at least it all works now. Those guys have a great download site for computer drivers. Seems like all of the other manufacturers make it near impossible to get drivers (maybe to sell new computers?)

I'm very happy now and somehow my computer has found an extra 128 MB of ram in this process, I guess one of the SODIMM's wasn't plugged in good so I've gone up from 128 to 256. I thought the old processor I took off supported 256 MB of ram?

Thanks for the replies everyone, I feel like I have a new computer again.

The temps aren't too bad, it doesn't go all the way up to 1 ghz very often. It usually stays at 700Mhz and temps range from 48-55C and I saw it shoot up around 89C when I was really pushing it to see what the old computer could do.

[JVG]

Hello!

This comment from you:

The temps aren't too bad, it doesn't go all the way up to 1 ghz very often. It usually stays at 700Mhz and temps range from 48-55C and I saw it shoot up around 89C when I was really pushing it to see what the old computer could do.

Makes me think that you have probably NOT replaced the fan. I would do that to prevent problems.

Regards,

JOSE

[ninjapirate350]

That's right, I have not replaced the fan yet, just ditched the original thermal transfer crud for some AS5.

[skou]

When you replace the fan, look for a T22 fan. It is spring-loaded, and pushes against the CPU, for a much better thermal transfer.

Also, did you put something in the space where the rubber pad was, when you replaced it with AS5? THere is a gap in there, about as thick as 2 or 3 playing cards, and AS5 won't stay in there. With a T20 fan, it is better to use the rubber pad, instead of AS5. (Just because of the gap in there.)

steve

[ninjapirate350]

When you replace the fan, look for a T22 fan. It is spring-loaded, and pushes against the CPU, for a much better thermal transfer.

Also, did you put something in the space where the rubber pad was, when you replaced it with AS5? THere is a gap in there, about as thick as 2 or 3 playing cards, and AS5 won't stay in there. With a T20 fan, it is better to use the rubber pad, instead of AS5. (Just because of the gap in there.)

steve

Thanks for the advice, I probably need to do this upgrade soon if there's such a gap!

Do you know the FRU# by chance?

Is this like what I'll need to get?

[skou]

That LOOKS like it, but I can't see under the cover.

With my bad eyes, here is the FRU#04P3448.
IBM part #04P3295.

Hope this helps.

steve

[betabily]

Basically what happened until I disabled everything is in the "installing devices" portion of setup it would hang up. I got around it and windows is installed.

This happens when the OS install finds broken hardware devices. Usually it's the mini pci modem card. Take it out and the OS doesnt see a broken device.

Been there, did that.

[ninjapirate350]

Basically what happened until I disabled everything is in the "installing devices" portion of setup it would hang up. I got around it and windows is installed.

This happens when the OS install finds broken hardware devices. Usually it's the mini pci modem card. Take it out and the OS doesnt see a broken device.

Been there, did that.

Yeah, I've noticed that it won't detect my modem anymore, I must've zapped it or something.

Here's another idea I had for the fan. I'm considering taking a feeler gauge and figuring out the approximate gap between the core and heatsink, then I'll take a file or die grinder and take that much metal off the bottom of the screw bosses on the heatsink assembly, this should make close the gap between the heatsink and fan and then I'll be in business without having to buy a new fan.

Might work, might not, anyone tried this?