IBM ThinkPad R40 (2722-BDG) 06/2004 - Project

[norrinraddhr]

Hi Thinkpads,
recently I get from my friend some old IBM ThinkPad R40 without Power Supply and CD-RW/DVD ROM Drive. He tried him before send me and they can go to BIOS but installed Windows XP crushes after some time, he said that the HDD is bad so I need new one. This is the oldest ThinkPad in my collection now and I try get the missing parts to get him working properly again but I need some help from you.

IBM ThinkPAD R40
- Intel Pentium M 1.40GHz
- RAM 768MB
- Type: 2722-BDG
- Date: 06/2004

1) POWER SUPPLY AC Adater
- Is the correct power supply 16V 4.5A 72W?
I find some on AliExpress but I need someone to confirm me is that O.K.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003005643806.html?

2) MECHANICAL IDE HDD or M2 SSD (M2 Adapter IDE to M2)
- I find on YT that someone has used M2 SSD with M2 Adapter to IDE, is this one of good solutions to go or is better stick with mechanical IDE HDD?

3) DDR SDRAM MEMORY
- I have some 512MB Ram memory from my IBM X60s but I ques he must to have DDR1, whats the right RAM Memory Description PC2100 DDR SDRAM SODIMMs and the maximum capacity is 2GB?

4) WINDOWS XP SP3 INSTALLATIONS
- After I get the new HDD or SSD I must install new Windows XP and without CD/DVD is difficult. Can on R40 Windows be installed via USB maybe?

*IBM R40 - Specification
https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc. ... lang=en-ZZ

YouTube
IBM ThinkPad R40 with a 500GB SSD (mSATA to IDE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk3tuIdw274

New SSD in old laptop? IBM ThinkPad X40 getting faster than ever!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx7aYawEuKI


Some pictures of IBM R40 taken from my friend















Some pictures taken be me when he arrived...

[RealBlackStuff]

Get a 16V/72W charger such as this: https://www.ebay.ie/itm/143421475255

Best HDD is Samsung HM160HC.
IDE-SSD is very expensive and hard to find.

You need PC2100 SODIMMs, maximum 2 x 1GB

If you need XP stuff: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=128170
You could try an external USB CD/DVD drive.

[norrinraddhr]

Hi RBS,
nice to here you.

I have tried to find original one IBM 16V 4.5A 72W on AE but no chance, so yes, it is better to choose the original then some cheapo one. O.K. i will take this on ebay.com, it is double price as the China but the AC Adapter is important here.

I have do some cost sheet and yes, it' hurts.

Find some RAM on AE like 1x2 GB PC2700S DDR SDRAM from Samsung like this and they have some Samsung HDD IDE/PATA too, so it's possible to get all main Staff that I need.

1) Original Lenovo IBM Power supply - 72W 16V 4,5A ThinkPad R40 (18,90 + 4,90 = 23,80€)
https://www.ebay.de/itm/143421475255

2) SAMSUNG SEC DDR DDR1 2GB 333MHz PC-2700S - (14,21€)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32819663861.html?

3) Samsung HM160HC 40GB - (14,82 + 1,36€ = 16,18€)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000278291447.html?

Can you please confirm me about the RAM Memory, can I use PC-2700S instead PC-2100 SODDIMs DDR1 and what's about the combination of M2 SSD and M2 Adapter to IDE, I find that better then an old HDD Samsung HM160HC?

[RealBlackStuff]

Most laptops of that era can use both PC2100 and PC2700 RAM, but I don't know the R40.
You mention 2GB RAM, but you can only use 2 pieces of 1GB each!
I never bothered about M2/adapter/SSD, so can't help you there.

But are you sure you want to waste all that money on such an old laptop?
Those parts will cost more than the R40 is worth!

[norrinraddhr]

The RAM PC2700S is 1x1GB as you see from link on AE I just wrote 2GB in total. We all used the DDR2 800MHz instead 667MHz on X and all other models, me self including too, so I thing the PC2700S must working, i ques. It would be nice to confirm if someone uses this RAM already in R40 or in some R versions.

Yes, your question are in place but I don't know... This was a gift from my friend and they just have this laptop without CD/DVD and AC Adapter, he used some universal just for testing to see if they still works.

I'm interesting to have such old laptop with integrated Parallel port and S-Video, maybe I can use this laptop for connection with Commodore 64 and the S-port for monitor and that would be great for testing purpose and in this way it wouldn't be so bed to have one and he have Croatian Keyboard, that's rare too and nice to have.

O.K., I buy the original AC Adapter as you suggested and than I will see...

Just one question about using USB to install Windows XP Pro or Windows 7. Can I use the USB for Installing and can I use Win7 instead XP?

[RealBlackStuff]

https://www.techsupportforum.com/thread ... 40.601588/

[norrinraddhr]

Thanks RBS, very useful information found there. I prefer Win 7 instead XP Pro because I have already one USB ready and I like Win 7 more. I have looked fore some combination with mSATA SSD/IDE Adapter + mSATA SSD on AE and I find something...

3) Kston mSATA SSD 128gb - (13,98€)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004231646683.html?

4) mSATA SSD To 44 Pin IDE Converter Adapter - (3,56 + 1,02 = 4,58€)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003445662805.html?

The mSATA SSD is the cheapest that I could found on AE, so it could be nice combination and not so expensive, important is that the mSATA Adapter have +5V DC as the IDE HDD and as I see it has.

For now I have already some information and go first to get the cleaning job done on R40 and wait to AC Adapter to arrive, after that I go to second part.

[Gonzaleitor]

2) MECHANICAL IDE HDD or M2 SSD (M2 Adapter IDE to M2)
- I find on YT that someone has used M2 SSD with M2 Adapter to IDE, is this one of good solutions to go or is better stick with mechanical IDE HDD?

3) DDR SDRAM MEMORY
- I have some 512MB Ram memory from my IBM X60s but I ques he must to have DDR1, whats the right RAM Memory Description PC2100 DDR SDRAM SODIMMs and the maximum capacity is 2GB?

4) WINDOWS XP SP3 INSTALLATIONS
- After I get the new HDD or SSD I must install new Windows XP and without CD/DVD is difficult. Can on R40 Windows be installed via USB maybe?

2. I'd go with the IDE adapter for mSATA SSD. It will have less chances to fail than the mechanic and the random reads and writes will be faster, so it will be a little more snappy.
3. I guess they run on DDR1 rams. If that it's correct, 2gb is the maximum capacity
4. Use Easy2boot. It simulates like you use the CDs and it is pretty easy to use.
I think the x60 has DDR2 RAM. They won't even fit in the socket, you need DDR1 RAMs

[norrinraddhr]

2. I'd go with the IDE adapter for mSATA SSD. It will have less chances to fail than the mechanic and the random reads and writes will be faster, so it will be a little more snappy.
3. I guess they run on DDR1 rams. If that it's correct, 2gb is the maximum capacity
4. Use Easy2boot. It simulates like you use the CDs and it is pretty easy to use.
I think the x60 has DDR2 RAM. They won't even fit in the socket, you need DDR1 RAMs

Hi Gonzaleitor,
yes, I go rather with mSATA Adapter to IDE then to use some old Mechanical IDE HDD and the benefit is what you mentioned, the price is equal so I prefer mSATA SSD.

Thanks for the Advice for Installations Win 7, I will try to setup some USB with Easy2boot, hope that everything go fine with the installations.

In the meantime I have found that he use DDR1, the link from AE is up but the question is can I put PC2700S instead PC2100 DDR1?

[Gonzaleitor]

Thanks for the Advice for Installations Win 7, I will try to setup some USB with Easy2boot, hope that everything go fine with the installations.

In the meantime I have found that he use DDR1, the link from AE is up but the question is can I put PC2700S instead PC2100 DDR1?

Yes, you can put up to PC3200, they are backward compatible down to PC1600. The only thing is that if the memory bus is slower than the ram, it will clock it down to match the speed.
Something I noticed is that you put an S in PC2700. Is that for a particular reason?

[norrinraddhr]

No, the S is marked on the Samsung Memory that I found on AliExpress and this is the reason to ask here fits this memory in IBM R40 without problems?

2) SAMSUNG SEC DDR DDR1 2GB 333MHz PC-2700S - (14,21€)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32819663861.html?

[norrinraddhr]

Hi Thinkpads,
some news is here... The new/old originally Power Supply is arrived, the Samsung DDR1 RAM 1x1GB and the Lenovo M2 SATA SSD too. I'm waiting now for IDE to SATA Case Adapter and then I have all I need. But first the Samsung DDR1 Memory is installed and works like a charm and now I have 2GB RAM on this old IBM R40.

Here some pictures...

[norrinraddhr]

Hi guys,
can someone help me with the Easy2Boot and how to prepare Windows 7 on USB Drive to install it on IBM R40?

Have tried to find some tutorial but nothing is quit well explained and if someone have used E2B USB to install Windows 7 on this old Laptop that could help me a lot and the Drivers, where to find them too is the question now?

[axur-delmeria]

Just use Rufus https://rufus.ie/en/ to create the Win 7 installation USB disk, then get the drivers from the the Drivers link at the top of this site, below the site banner.

[norrinraddhr]

Hi axur-delmeria,
I have one USB 3.1 16GB ready for this with Windows 7 Ultimate, I used on my old IBM X60s, so if this works on IBM R40 too that would be great news and I found the drivers here, just forgot the web site. Thanks!

*LENOVO EOL_Thinkpad R40
https://download.lenovo.com/eol/index.html

[ibrazhko]

Hello, I actually have an R40 that runs Windows 7, and does so very smooth considering its age. Let me know if you need any help with drivers (I spent so much time making everything work), would be glad to help.

[norrinraddhr]

Hi ibrazhko,
thanks you for your goodwill I let you know if help is needed.

For now I'm waiting for the IDE to SATA Case Adapter to set up Lenovo M2 SATA SSD 128GB and to Install Window 7 with USB, prepared with Rufus. If that goes well the next step is cleaning inside everything, the vents, put new Thermal Paste and I must glue some plastic with 2K Epoxy because it's broken on two places, the Lid and the palmrest, nothing serious and that's the plan for now.

Thanks for your reply and it's nice to have someone with this old Laptop to ask for advice.

[norrinraddhr]

Hi,
finally the IDE to SATA Adapter is arrived after long journey from 3 months and I tried today to install Win 7 Ultimate with USB prepaired with Rufus but there was nothing and I tried booth USB Ports too. I need your help to solve this. If I had some IDE to SATA Adapter I will use IBM X60s, install Win 7 and bring back the mSATA to IBM R40 but unfortunately I don't have any Adapter, so if anybody have some advice it would be nice to bring back to life this old R40.

[axur-delmeria]

When preparing the Windows installer with Rufus, did you select "BIOS/CSM mode" instead of "UEFI"?

[norrinraddhr]

Hi,
it's prepared for BIOS because I used this USB for all my IBM/Lenovo from 2005-2008. Years and this all Laptops use BIOS, so it should be alright and with this USB I installed bunch of Laptops last Years, X61 and X61s, everything works perfectly. Is there any other setup in BIOS from IBM R40 that should be made before using USB prepared with Rufus?

[RealBlackStuff]

Shouldn't you install a 32-bit system on that R40?
AFAIK R40 does not support 64-bit.

[norrinraddhr]

Hi RBS,
this prepared USB with Rufus has Win 7 Ultimate x86 & x64, so I can choose what to install, but on IBM R40 of course I will use x86 here but this is not the problem, he doesn't want to boot the USB to get the Windows option, this is the problem.

The Screenshot is from other prepared RUFUS USB to install Windows with original key, it's not from this USB...

SanDisk USB 16GB

[axur-delmeria]

Do the USB ports work at all? I'm starting to wonder if there's a hardware problem somewhere...

[RealBlackStuff]

Maybe R40 cannot boot from UBS?
Also, since R40 is not a real IBM laptop, check this: https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/BIOS_Upg ... lash_drive

[norrinraddhr]

I need someone with R40 or similar laptop to confirm or to help me with some advice. I tried booth USB ports several times but only the same message appears every time "Don't find any Operating Systems". I think that the mSATA is working I have seen some blinking on the LED HDD symbol.

I think that is not any problem with the USB ports, because my friend told me everything was working before, just the IDE HDD has fail, but everything is possible because I can not check any of this when I don't have Windows installed.

The easiest way would be If I have some SATA to mSATA Adapter and to install Windows on IBM X60s but I don't have any so it seems to me that the best way is to order one from AliExpress.

If you have any suggestion please share here, thanks.

[axur-delmeria]

Does it have a DVD drive? you can try that too.

[norrinraddhr]

If I had DVD Drive I wouldn't mess around with no working USB, see my first post..."recently I get from my friend some old IBM ThinkPad R40 without Power Supply and CD-RW/DVD ROM Drive."

I have this Windows 7 Ultimate on DVD too so it would be no problem to try but the R40 came without DVD drive and the DVD drives from X60s doesn't fit in R40. I don't wont spend more in this laptop and the easiest way would be to buy mSATA to SATA 2.5" Adapter. This Adapter can be used in another laptops too and it's about 4.50€, so it's not so expensive as some original new/old DVD Drive or some USB DVD Drive.

[ibrazhko]

I own an R40 and can confirm that it can boot from USB. I have installed Windows 7 x86 on it a few times and it worked flawlessly.

Not sure what to suggest here... Are you sure that you selecting the proper device to boot from? Make sure that USB HDD is listed among the boot sources in BIOS. It might help to reset BIOS settings to factory defaults.

[norrinraddhr]

Hi ibrazhko,
thanks for your reply and suggestion.

I noticed that the BIOS not recognized USB Flash Drive and the HDD mSATA drive too and that should be, or?

Unfortunately I don't have time now for further testing, but I will try with inserting the old IDE HDD to see if they is recognized that missed me eye and I will look some closer the booth USB port and use some Contact spray just to be sure for good contact.

If that don't work than I will try to Reset the BIOS to default settings, I never done this before so I hope that will no causes some more problems.

In meantime I have ordered mSATA/NGFF to SATA Adapter and IDE to SATA USB 2.0 Cable to have for the old IDE HDD and I have another IDE HDD in some Satellite Receiver so it it's good to have them.

[axur-delmeria]

I'm wondering if this is a southbridge chip failure (which the early T40 series suffered from as well). USB detection issues are among the symptoms of that issue.