Updating Z61t questions!

[HarryWild]

I looking to update my Z61t by replacing my 2.5 harddrive with a SSD. But what standard am I look at? SATA II or SATA III or other?
Will updating the harddrive increase the speed on surfing the web and bringing the webpages up faster. All my memory is max. with 3GBs in two slots. Under the Lenovo system info - it list:

zDimm Slot 1 as 1GB installed;
Dimm Slot 2 as Installed size: Error: Invalid Size; Enabled size: Invalid size.

Under the Memory device Information section

DIMM 1 Size 1024
DIMM 2 Size 2048
So does that mean I only have 3062GB - can I upgrade to more then that? Like 4GB or more? like get another 2048 in slot 1?


I looking at a SSD 80GB-100GB. What do you recommend for the fastest SDD for the Z61t?

I running Windows XP with 3rd service pack. Windows IE 8

Thanks.

[RealBlackStuff]

Your Z61t is limited to SATA I (1.5 Gbit/s) speeds.
You can put in a SATA II or III drive, but it will still only act like a SATA I drive.
However, an SSD is faster than a rotational HD, the machine will boot faster and bring your apps (like Word/Excel etc.) up almost instantly.
It will NOT speed up your web browsing, that is purely due to your provider's internet speed.
But items that have been stored in your browser's cache will come up faster (again), so you might have a 'faster feeling'.
You can put in 2 x 2048MB, but only 3GB can be used, that's a built-in chip limitation.
So you may as well leave it as-is.
Running an SSD with XP is NOT recommended.
If you go the SSD way, you should get at least Vista or W7.
One of the best and most reliable drives in your size would be a 128GB of the Samsung 830 series.
Check the likes of Newegg, Amazon etc. for special deals.
You should be able to get it for under $100.- (and Black Friday is coming...)

[HarryWild]

Your Z61t is limited to SATA I (1.5 Gbit/s) speeds.
You can put in a SATA II or III drive, but it will still only act like a SATA I drive.
However, an SSD is faster than a rotational HD, the machine will boot faster and bring your apps (like Word/Excel etc.) up almost instantly.
It will NOT speed up your web browsing, that is purely due to your provider's internet speed.
But items that have been stored in your browser's cache will come up faster (again), so you might have a 'faster feeling'.
You can put in 2 x 2048MB, but only 3GB can be used, that's a built-in chip limitation.
So you may as well leave it as-is.
Running an SSD with XP is NOT recommended.
If you go the SSD way, you should get at least Vista or W7.
One of the best and most reliable drives in your size would be a 128GB of the Samsung 830 series.
Check the likes of Newegg, Amazon etc. for special deals.
You should be able to get it for under $100.- (and Black Friday is coming...)

Hi RealBlackStuff,

How about installing Windows 8 on my Z61t with a SSD? It cheaper for me to upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows XP then to upgrade to Windows 7. I just need a Keycode for either to install the upgrade but Windows 8 loads 30% faster then XP Pro.

Thanks.

[RealBlackStuff]

Currently W7 is the flavor of the day.
I have no experience with W8, and do not plan to get any either. YMMV.

[ZaZ]

If you want a Windows like experience, I'd suggest getting Windows 7. Windows 8 is different, which some people will like and others will not. Maybe you want to check it out before you buy.

[emeraldgirl08]

^^ the user-experience is subjective for sure. I feel if you have a tablet and are used to the ergonomics and swipes that a tablet requires then W8 would work well. For example using a mouse to swipe between desktop and the tile screen (labeled 'start') would work better on some type of touch-screen. I find that the lack of the start icon interface was done for the tablet crowd. Is Microsoft coaxing users into tablets now? With the release of their surface tablet I feel it appears so.

It might be also be a good thing to know that Lenovo does not seem to support driver updates for any of their products pre-X201, T410, W510 and the early i-era laptops. Looking for drivers of my own for the T400 I have discovered that the WDDM (Windows Display Driver Module) requirement for W8 is 1.2 while the WDDM for W7 is 1.1 (same as Vista). Either way if you install W8 on your Z61t and like it that's what really matters at the end of the day. Have fun

WDDM information

[Neil]

There are also ways to have a Windows 7 style start button and menu with Windows 8, without which 8 would not interest me at all.

[HarryWild]

Thanks for your replies. I going to add up all the cost of the upgrade and compare it to the cost of a new Thinkpad. Since the new versions of Windows 8 Thinkpads are upon us; Windows 7 Thinkpads maybe a better deal then for me to upgrade the Z61t!

[Radioguy]

Before you do, stare hard at that Z61t. I find that ThinkPads, even older ones, are so impressive compared to other brands that it's hard not to help each reach its full potential.

[emeraldgirl08]

Before you do, stare hard at that Z61t. I find that ThinkPads, even older ones, are so impressive compared to other brands that it's hard not to help each reach its full potential.

The more exposure I have to the ThinkPad line the more I find this to be true!

[HarryWild]

Well, I foundout that my Z61t has only a x86(32 bit) t2400 @ 1.83GHZ!

I found that the top of the CPU is either a T7200 or T7400 which are x64(64 bit).
If I can swap out to the higher class CPU; I can put in a seond 2GB memory stick and get 4GB!
Has anyone swapped out the CPUs? Is it easy or not?

I also found out that my 945 Graphic Set on the Z61t has a top resolution of 1680X1050. But the most I can get is 1440X900. Does anyone know what I need to set to display this higher resolution?

Is there a wireless PCI card that I can replace to get "g" in 2.4 and 5.0? I am willing to spend so dough on this item. I am currently using an USB Berkin that has a "g" but it not that much faster.

By the way; I did purchase Upgrade Windows 8 Pro in retail version. Just hoping I easily swap the CPU and load the 64 bit version on to my Intel 520 SDD 120GB!

[DaKKS]

Well, I foundout that my Z61t has only a x86(32 bit) t2400 @ 1.83GHZ!

I found that the top of the CPU is either a T7200 or T7400 which are x64(64 bit).
If I can swap out to the higher class CPU; I can put in a seond 2GB memory stick and get 4GB!
Has anyone swapped out the CPUs? Is it easy or not?

It shouldnt be horribly difficult, although i've never done work on a z61 (t or not). Check the HMM (aka. The Thinkpad Bible, It shall never lead you astray) and look after the screws.

I also found out that my 945 Graphic Set on the Z61t has a top resolution of 1680X1050. But the most I can get is 1440X900. Does anyone know what I need to set to display this higher resolution?

If your display can show 1680x1050, then you need to reinstall your drivers. If not, you need a new screen for that res. I believe in this case, its the latter.

Is there a wireless PCI card that I can replace to get "g" in 2.4 and 5.0? I am willing to spend so dough on this item. I am currently using an USB Berkin that has a "g" but it not that much faster.

You can even go WiFi-N on the Z61t. As long as you ether use IBM/Lenovo parts, modded bios or the no-1802 mod, it'll run fine.

By the way; I did purchase Upgrade Windows 8 Pro in retail version. Just hoping I easily swap the CPU and load the 64 bit version on to my Intel 520 SDD 120GB!

Should work if there are drivers for vista/seven. So far they seem to be compatible with W8...

[Neil]

Yes, the CPU swap is easy. Just follow instructions in the "Hardware Maintenance Manual", and it will go smooth as silk.

But it's not the CPU that is limiting you to 3GB of RAM. The motherboard chipset has that limit, so even if you replaced the CPU and OS, you will still have the 3GB limit.

And, it's your LCD panel that is limited to 1440x900 resolution, and not the Intel GPU. You can drive higher resolutions on an external monitor.

[HarryWild]

Yes, the CPU swap is easy. Just follow instructions in the "Hardware Maintenance Manual", and it will go smooth as silk.

But it's not the CPU that is limiting you to 3GB of RAM. The motherboard chipset has that limit, so even if you replaced the CPU and OS, you will still have the 3GB limit.

And, it's your LCD panel that is limited to 1440x900 resolution, and not the Intel GPU. You can drive higher resolutions on an external monitor.

Thanks. I made a mistake on the 64 bit too! All CPUs are still 32 bits. Kind of disappointed.

[HarryWild]

DaKKS,

Thanks for your replies.

I will search for a wireless PCI Express card!

[HarryWild]

How about replace the current motherboard with a more recent model motherboard? Since most Thinkpads are shape pretty close to that of the Z61t - does anyone think that this will work at all?

[Neil]

Don't think any of the newer motherboards will fit the Z61t chassis.

[HarryWild]

I been checking out the CPUs for Z61t:

•Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology
•Available processors are: ◦Intel Core Duo processor T7200 (2GHz), T7400 (2.16GHz) ■4 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus

◦Intel Core Duo processor T5600 (1.83GHz) ■2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus
Intel Core Duo processor T2300 (1.66GHz), T2400 (1.83GHz), T2500 (2GHz) ■2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus

◦Intel Core Solo processor T1300 (1.66GHz) ■2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus


I just do not know if the type of Z61t CPU to look for? It is a M socket CPU

Here is what I going upgrade to:

A T7600 CPU shown below:

LF80537GF0534M is an OEM/tray microprocessor
BX80537T7600 is a boxed microprocessor

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/In ... 7600).html

What do you think ????

[ajkula66]

I been checking out the CPUs for Z61t:

•Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology
•Available processors are: ◦Intel Core Duo processor T7200 (2GHz), T7400 (2.16GHz) ■4 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus

◦Intel Core Duo processor T5600 (1.83GHz) ■2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus

Any of these listed above would be an upgrade.

Intel Core Duo processor T2300 (1.66GHz), T2400 (1.83GHz), T2500 (2GHz) ■2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus

◦Intel Core Solo processor T1300 (1.66GHz) ■2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus

Any of these would be a downgrade apart from T2500, but you'd never notice the difference between the T2400 and T2500.

I just do not know if the type of Z61t CPU to look for? It is a M socket CPU

Here is what I going upgrade to:

A T7600 CPU shown below:

LF80537GF0534M is an OEM/tray microprocessor
BX80537T7600 is a boxed microprocessor

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/In ... 7600).html

What do you think ????

T7600 is nice, but that money would be better spent on SSD or an OS upgrade, from XP to W7.

You will not notice a difference in performance between T7200 and T7600, but your budget will...

[HarryWild]

I been checking out the CPUs for Z61t:

•Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology
•Available processors are: ◦Intel Core Duo processor T7200 (2GHz), T7400 (2.16GHz) ■4 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus

◦Intel Core Duo processor T5600 (1.83GHz) ■2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus [/quote]

Any of these listed above would be an upgrade.

Intel Core Duo processor T2300 (1.66GHz), T2400 (1.83GHz), T2500 (2GHz) ■2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus

◦Intel Core Solo processor T1300 (1.66GHz) ■2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus

Any of these would be a downgrade apart from T2500, but you'd never notice the difference between the T2400 and T2500.

I just do not know if the type of Z61t CPU to look for? It is a M socket CPU

Here is what I going upgrade to:

A T7600 CPU shown below:

LF80537GF0534M is an OEM/tray microprocessor
BX80537T7600 is a boxed microprocessor

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/In ... 7600).html

What do you think ????

T7600 is nice, but that money would be better spent on SSD or an OS upgrade, from XP to W7.

You will not notice a difference in performance between T7200 and T7600, but your budget will... [/quote]

I purchased the T7600 because it was only $60 more new from mainland China! It was a $600+ CPU back in 2007 while the T7200 was price at $250+. So I felt that I got the better deal for $60 more! It seem that I am getting more value plus it is around 15% faster then the T7200! It is the top of the line of the Duo 2 Core line. I will never purchase an used item for Thinkpad after I purchased a stripped wi-fi PCI Express mini card that did not work and I spend around 3 days trying to make it work - end up spending $60 for a USB wi-fi + wasted $14 for combo bridge part and used wi-fi PCI Express mini. I could purchased at that time new wi-fi PCI Express card for $45. I check back on Ebay and that card gone up to $75! So I learn from that experience never buy used again because you end paying much, much more in the end!

Now I have to decide if I should put it in myself or have someone else do it? I not sure how easy it is to do!

[HarryWild]

I have a question on after installing the T7600; can I then install a 64 bit version of Windows and if I upgrade my memory sticks with two 2GBs; will that show up as 4GB? I know that on my T2400; the limit is 3GB!

Thanks again for all your help!

[HarryWild]

I got a new brand new Lenovo IBM fan from ebay for $9.98 with free thermal paster - shipping free! Now that a deal! Lenovo charges around $75 the last time I checked that was about 3 years ago - when I was planning to do this then! Pays to be a procrastinator like me I guess!

[Neil]

...after installing the T7600; can I then install a 64 bit version of Windows and if I upgrade my memory sticks with two 2GBs; will that show up as 4GB?

Might show up as having 4GB installed, but only 3GB will be usable.
Chipset limitation....remember?
In my opinion....you should just enjoy this fine ThinkPad for what it is. If you really need more a more powerful CPU, more RAM, faster this and faster that, buy a machine with those capabilities.

[HarryWild]

Thanks Neil!

I will look forward to tell you all the CPU and fan replacement project follow by the SSD and Windows 8 upgrade replacement project!

[HarryWild]

Okay - to the video/graphics card. I read that the Z61t can use a separate Geforce Nvidia 6600 256 MB PCI Express Card? Is that correct? I could not find this card to purchase.

Is there other compatible graphics cards that will fit in the Z61t that are even more powerful?

Is there another PCI mini slot for the video/graphics card other then the WiFi?

Also, I was browsing another thread and this came up? " ExpressCard/54 interface with the SATA and USB 3.0 ports"
Can I add this to my Z61t to get faster performance?


Thanks.

[RealBlackStuff]

You cannot swap the graphics card (because the laptop does not have one), but you CAN buy another motherboard with a different/more powerful graphics chip.
Only one PCIe Mini slot.
Why don't you read up some in the HMM, and look at some of the pictures in there?
Adding such a card does not give your laptop a faster performance, only a possibility to use USB3.0

[HarryWild]

Thanks RedBlackStuff!

RE: "Why don't you read up some in the HMM, and look at some of the pictures in there?" I looked all around the board and am puzzle as to where that is located?

I have an additional question that been bugging me since the answer varies - that on how much memory I can use if I added a T7600 to my notebook! The specs on the 950 saids: 4GB! and Lenovo saids 4GBs too. Here is the link below shown the Z61t overview:

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-64171

What do you think; 4GB??? I in the process of buying the additional 2GB DDR2 stick and wonder if it worth it? I have currently 3GB.

[ajkula66]

Don't waste your money.

Chipset limitation on these machines is 3GB although they will boot with 4GB installed.

[HarryWild]

Don't waste your money.

Chipset limitation on these machines is 3GB although they will boot with 4GB installed.

Is there a way to get a "doctored" bios so it can read and use the 4GB max?

Also, where can I go (link) " "Why don't you read up some in the HMM, and look at some of the pictures in there?" What does HMM stand for?

[craigmontHunter]

HMM = Hardware Maintance Manual

The 3gb limit is a hardware issue, and there is no way to recognize more than that. IIRC any computer with that chipset (950?) is limited to 3gb, regardless of the manufacturer.