(new member) [T20] Gen, Fan, Vid swap, etc ?s

[slipnfall]

Hi folks,
I used to be a member way back when the old forum was still active. Anyways I haven't lost any respect for my T20, and have been putting it through the ringer for about 3years now. It has help up remarkably well, and besides a few scratches and scuffs, is still running strong. It is becoming more apparent that I need to do some upgrades.

Also worth mentioning: I am still amazed at how well Thinkpads retain their resell value. I looked up my girlfriend's Gateway Solo 1400(1.2Ghz, 256M, no wifi, cdrw) on the internet and was suprised at what I found! My T20 sells every day for almost $1-200 more than this 'Solo. A 700Mhz! So it goes without saying I'm a brand-loyal customer in this case for life. My model experiance hasn't included any high-end models, maybe someday. Off the top of my head I've experianced the 560X, 701C, 760ED, 730T, this T20, and one other...)

What I think is amazing, is the amount of value you get out of even a used Thinkpad: I have never owned a new one, but interestingly enough, have never felt the need to. I have just upgraded models over the years for $1-200 more. I've had OEM warranty for one or two, but IBM has good enough repair documentation to make self-repair a good alternative.

Anyways, sorry for the positive rant. As mentioned above I'm doing a little upgrading:
-maxing out the memory(Micron, can't go wrong with them, and 256M was only ~$43 or so?)
-a new Hitachi 5K100 40Gb(8Mb cache should help things). My original Travelstar is on the way out
-A new fan/heatsink(T21/22 spring loaded style).
-Finally the appropriate 72W adaptor, since I just picked up a new 4400mAh battery
-The usual(for me, am I alone?) complete system dissassemble/cleaning

Now, I do have some specefic questions for you veterans.

First the T21/22 heatsink. Is it true that the T2?/1Ghz model is the only heatsink that does not require the thermal transfer pad? (FRU 04P3448 is the one I bought, but it is not clear which model this is from). Also in either case, do I need the 'Z'-shaped bracket, and the spring-loaded clip for use in my T20?

Secondly, regarding screen/video swaps:
-Can I swap a 14" screen in for my 13.3"(major oversight when I bought the T20)? What's the latest T series that I can use, and will I need the inverter board?(obviously i will need the bezel, lid, possibly hinges?)

-Can I use the 16Mb version savage video card?

-If yes and yes so far, can I use a WiFi enable T2x screen for the embedded antennae? I was told the 802.11b/g/e cards will work in the T20.

Thanks for reading, I know it's probably a bit winded.

Cheers,
Jamie

[slipnfall]

Well no responses: perhaps I should have split it up into seperate threads. Anyways, I may as well post an update to my status.

The Crucial/Micron ram worked just fine[of course]. I intended on going straight to 512MB, but crucial only had one 256M in stock! What timing. I tell you what though, that extra 128M really helped Win2k move along quicker... I can't wait to see what another 128M will do. BTW, anyone have a need for a genuine IBM 64Mb SODIM? PM/email me.

The fan replacement went well also.
The new fan is FRU 04P3448.
The old fan was FRU 08K6396.
(Both are rated 5V/200mA FWIW.)

Somethings I didn't see mentioned in any other threads:

1) The new heatsink rests *directly* on the CPU: the 'standoffs/supports' do not touch the PCB at all. I assume this is intentional. I wasn't sure how much to tighten the spring loaded supports, so I tightened them just enough for the screw to clear the surrounding heatsink.

2)The keyboard 'CRU insulator'(the plastic piece beneith the keyboard) needs to be trimmed: the heatink was in the way about 1/4" on the left hand side.

3)Lastly, the new fan is only 3-pin, vs 4-pin. I don't know what IBM was using the other pin for.

Just some last minute notes... The thermal grease I used was OC Z Ultra 5+ silver. A 3g tube last forever!(leftover from some desktops). Gaining access to the inside(my first time dissassembling a T series) was pretty straight forward. Just be *very* careful with the keyboard, it is insanely fragile. No need to remove it for the fan, but I tore it down completely to do a good cleaning.

The fan is very quite, and I can tell it is working more efficiently... the heat out of the vent is *much* hotter than it normally was. I am working on reinstalling 2k on the above mentioned drive, so I'll let you know the typical temps(I was running about 48* normally, and 52-53+ with a PCMCIA 802.11b NIC).

Cheers,
Jamie

[awdark]

First the T21/22 heatsink. Is it true that the T2?/1Ghz model is the only heatsink that does not require the thermal transfer pad? (FRU 04P3448 is the one I bought, but it is not clear which model this is from). Also in either case, do I need the 'Z'-shaped bracket, and the spring-loaded clip for use in my T20?
Well, you seem to have figured this out already, but anything but the T20 heatsink will work with thermal goop. The T20 just has a crappy heatsink. Haha.
I am not sure about that Zshaped bracked or that spring loaded clip, but I just used what came with my T21 heatsink... (heatsink had a thin weird metal thing on it I assume to give a bit of space between keyboard and fan I just left it on)

Secondly, regarding screen/video swaps:
-Can I swap a 14" screen in for my 13.3"(major oversight when I bought the T20)? What's the latest T series that I can use, and will I need the inverter board?(obviously i will need the bezel, lid, possibly hinges?)
I recall they said these thinkpads are wonderfully modular. Those 13.3" ones are really rare and I recall they are just supposed to have a larger bezel around the edge. As far as I know it should plug right in. The invertor board is right under the LCD, but I don't recall exactly how it was connected. You should be fine with that invertor though. (If you want to make sure, the IBM service manual is very helpful to help you visualize all the stuff without taking it apart)

-Can I use the 16Mb version savage video card?
No, all the video stuff is part of the motherboard and I think its just shared memory so it eats up my prescious ram also...

-If yes and yes so far, can I use a WiFi enable T2x screen for the embedded antennae? I was told the 802.11b/g/e cards will work in the T20.
I don't think the T20 likes the MiniPCI wifi cards. (Anyone correct me if im wrong) if it did, im soo going to buy one. You will loose ethernet and modem functionality though because the onboard is currently used for those things.


my question so 256->384 is noticable on win2k? Because im tempted to upgrade but dont know if its worth the cost.

[slipnfall]

Thanks for the response, 'preciate it. I read that the T20 in particular does not have a hole in the mobo for the WiFi antenna... so no wifi love for me.

I wouldn't mind finding a 14.1" screen, but since I can't upgrade my video it wouldn't be worth it right now. My screen is still in great shape, so I'll wait untill I *need* to replace it.

In regards to the heatsink/fan: all seems to be running great now. Startup is aroud 37*C, and is still warming up on a wooden desk(currently at 40*C, no load, no adaptors installed).

Worth mentioning: I tried to do the FFT burn-in test(in another thread, for reporting temperatures at full load). I did this right after a fresh install of 2k/SP4, and before any major updates besides video/LAN. My temp climbed to 76*, the fan kicked in, and Windows promptly blue-screened! So after all the updates/drivers possible, I can run it for about 10-15mins, and the temps never exceed 74*C. If I install my cardbus 802.11b adaptor, it will rise to right around 75*, but never kick the fan on. This is all on AC power(72W) with good battery.

I was suprised to learn that the fan doesn't actually run untill above around 75*C... I always just assumed it was quietly running at a lower speed.

So I'm extremely happy once again with my T20, and believe it's worth hanging onto for a little longer. I think my next move will be a T40, so I can finally run some CAD programs.

Cheers,
Jamie