Thinkpads Forum

I want to upgrade a T61 Type 6459-CTO with the following and I am aware
of the usual sources, Newegg, ebay, etc. but was wondering if people here
have any lesser known quality sources:

4GB RAM - After looking on ebay and not having much luck for less than 30-$40
I'm inclined to go with DDR2 5300 GSkill from Newegg and was wondering if this
RAM is known to work well in the T61 or if there are better suggestions. I am
aware of the Crucial guarantee but am not concerned about trying others. This
system had 4200 RAM in it and I believe that this is fine when run interleaved
in dual channel mode. I wouldn't mind 8GB but am not going to pay the over
$100 premium price to get it.

Processor: I'm inclined to go with the T9500, but don't really feel that a smaller
cache gives up much so perhaps a T8300 is better from a heat standpoint. There
is the speed difference 2.4 vs 2.6 GHz and if the T9500 is not much hotter I'd
probably lean that way. Looking to keep fan noise down as much as possible and
don't mind underclocking the T9500 if that is easy to do from software when I
need minimal noise.

Battery is known to have issues FRU#42T4511 (it is completely dead) as discussed
here:
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/T61-and-pri ... 28/page/13

Has anyone tried unlocking these batteries with the Smart Battery Workshop program
discussed here - I might look into it:
http://sbworkshop.com/

Is there a replacement part number for the 9 cell battery that corrects the above
problem?

Mainboard: Quality sources at a reasonable price? I'll try ebay but any others?
I'll open this up to clean it and do the processor upgrade but I'm fairly certain that
it has failing graphics. I prefer Intel only graphics since in my experience I do not
need anything better for business apps.

Thanks in advance, Pete

You may want to do some calculating and check whether all the upgrades make financial sense or should you just look into a newer machine...

$40 for RAM, $30 for the T8300 CPU, $50 for the battery...and we haven't even touched the motherboard itself.

Part the machine out and get a T500/W500 instead...

My $0.02 only...

What is your estimate for a T500 in decent shape? I will also look on ebay.

I get $229 buy it now as the least expensive if I search for t500 and 4GB, of
course with DDR3 RAM the upgrade, even to 8GB is much more reasonable.

I do notice that it uses DDR3 RAM, supports a higher 1066 FSB and the built in
Intel video option is superior. OK I see your point. I kind of like the T61 as
the last of the IBM types and so perhaps I'll just get it going and not do all
the upgrades.

Pete B wrote:What is your estimate for a T500 in decent shape? I will also look on ebay.

That's going to depend on a zillion factors, but $300 should get you a decently configured one.

You could simply do them one at a time, at leisure, which won't be as large a single hit on your wallet.

Pulled Intel mainboards go higher than bases with mobo and CPU, and of course the base gets you extra screws and parts.

I just scored an Intel base with CPU and board for 40 bucks shipped.

Pete B wrote: I kind of like the T61 as
the last of the IBM types and so perhaps I'll just get it going and not do all
the upgrades.

In all honesty, a T61 is as much of an IBM as are T/W500...

farmall wrote:You could simply do them one at a time, at leisure, which won't be as large a single hit on your wallet.

*raises hand*

However, my spending time looking for the slickest deal wasn't done with penny-pinching in mind, but the fact that pennies were often all I had at times.

If money is not as tight, and a more current T (or W!) actually looks affordable, go with that. Otherwise, study up on part numbers (original and compatible), exact types/descriptions, start a thread in the marketplace here, and watch eBay and deal sites like a hawk...unless you save some searches that will email you back - then you have some time for coffee.

Time can be money, so that's another point for the newer TP column, but best of luck whichever way you go.

ajkula66 wrote:In all honesty, a T61 is as much of an IBM as are T/W500...

Ah, but that IBM logo looks so pretty. If only there were a IBM version of the T61 clear plate, I'd be rid of my eyesore.

Pete B wrote:I wouldn't mind 8GB but am not going to pay the over
$100 premium price to get it.

Get it here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200794951372?ss ... 1438.l2649

I've installed five sets of these in X61 and X61t. One set had to be replaced.

I'm not set against eBay, despite most reasonably-priced RAM not being new (can't tell if overclocked) and without manufacturer warranties (lots of OEM pulls), but I wouldn't buy generic ram like that with just a warranty from the seller. That said, I paid for 8GB of Dell-pulled Elpida DDR2 on eBay and shelled out less than $80 for the pair. In that situation, many lots were available from the seller (lower-risk of OC), they looked brand new, it wasn't an unknown brand, and passed memtest without a hiccup. Slight risk, but an educated one. He had excellent feedback too. That's not to say I didn't end up hurting for a bit (did after the T9300, too), but if you space out the upgrades it can be survivable.

Of course, DDR3 is obscenely cheaper, so that's another check in the T500 column.

Radioguy wrote:Ah, but that IBM logo looks so pretty. If only there were a IBM version of the T61 clear plate, I'd be rid of my eyesore.

You can get a 'neutral' clear plate here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Thinkpad-T6 ... 0527712260
Then cut off the T60/T60p and replace it with your T61/T61p.
Doesn't say IBM but doesn't name your enemy either!

Nah. The adhesive on these things tends to dry out from the ends, so even if I were willing to cut (!) the plate I had, it would pop off sooner than the rest of that T60 one.

Ever heard of double-sided sticky tape?
Or use Elmer's Rubber Cement. I use that to put the screw covers back on the TPs.
Holds very well, but still comes off easy if needed

RealBlackStuff wrote:Ever heard of double-sided sticky tape?
Or use Elmer's Rubber Cement. I use that to put the screw covers back on the TPs.
Holds very well, but still comes off easy if needed

The tape raises the plate a bit. Rubber cement is more feasible, but since this is already academic (my smilies are being ignored!), I guess I'll never find out.

Hell, if someone over in China were to run off a T61 version of the T60 plate, I really would swap it out.

precip9 wrote: Get it here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200794951372?ss ... 1438.l2649

I've installed five sets of these in X61 and X61t. One set had to be replaced.

I built a system with memory from this same seller, it worked, but testing showed that it slowed down the system considerably compared to modules made by patriot with the same specs, even the windows experience score dropped considerably. My guess is they use substandard ram chips.

I'd rather spend a bit more and get some new ram made with first quality chips.

ps. I cannot speak to this specific seller, but many generic ram builders get defective chips and disable the circuits that don't work, so instead of 8 good chips on a module (for example), you may have 9 or 10 partially working chips. This "can" be a valid method for making cheap ram, but would I want it in my thinkpad? definitely not.

OK, let's see if I can explain a bit better. This is not my main laptop, I'm not
really that into laptops anyway. I decided to look into rugged and semi rugged
laptops which led me to the T61 and the Panasonic Toughbooks. I just want
to get this T61 working at the moment, and to hold onto it for let's say
historical reasons.
I'll leave the processor for now, increase the RAM with whatever I have on
hand up to probably 2 Gig. First I'll try to sort out the motherboard and
battery.
Again, anyone know the best replacement battery for the problematic #42T4511?