A31 upgrade options?

Message

Surfrider · #1 Post by **Surfrider** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 11:37 am

A few questions:

1. The CPUs in A31s are soldered to the motherboard, right? Or are they actually upgradable?

2. Can onboard wifi and bluetooth be installed in A31a? I am aware that the A31p was available with onboard wifi and bluetooth, but I am not sure if that is an indicator of the A31s upgradability here, as the A31p uses a different motherboard (or so I was told; can anybody confirm?).

Thank you very much.

-Surfrider

a31pguy · #2 Post by **a31pguy** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:47 pm

Well we are about to beat a dead horse here.

Yes - the CPU in the A31 (or A31a) is upgradable. Maximum speed is a 2.6 GHZ Pentium 4-M. Straight plug and play swap - with only a few caveats.

Yes - the wireless in the A31 is upgradable. Couple of options: Intel 2200 BG card or the newer IBM A/B/G II card will work. If you have wireless already you can just swap the mini-pci card - but you will lose the modem (who cares). Otherwise you will need the antennas as well.

Yes - the Bluetooth can be added on. You'll need a few parts and the BDC card. If you go the wireless G option as well - you can put in the Bluetooth BDC III card with modem.

I also believe that you can upgrade the RAM to 2 GB with the lastest embedded controller and BIOS.

You can also add the DVD multi-burner.

ThinkPad A31 is almost identical to the A31p with the exception of the screen, the firewire port, the motherboard, and the video card.

This pages gives an overview of all ThinkPad A31 related topics.

Features

* Intel Mobile Pentium 4-M 1.6, 1.8, 1.9 or 2.0GHz
* ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 with 16 or 32MB
o 14.1" TFT display with 1024x768 resolution
o 15.1" TFT display with 1024x768 resolution
o 15.1" TFT display with 1400x1050 resolution
* 128 or 256MB memory standard
* 20, 30 or 40GB HDD
* AD1881A AC'97 Audio controller
* UltraBay 2000 (left side) with one of the following:
o none (empty)
o Diskette Drive
* UltraBay Plus (right side) with one of the following:
o CD-ROM drive
o CD-RW drive
o DVD-ROM drive
o DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive
* MiniPCI slot with one of the following:
o none (empty)
o IBM High Rate Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Adapter with Modem
* CDC slot 1 with the following:
o Ethernet Daughter Card (EDC)
* CDC slot 2 with one of the following:
o none (empty)
o Modem Daughter Card (MDC)
o Bluetooth Daughter Card (BDC)
* Embedded Security Subsystem on select models

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:A31

Surfrider · #3 Post by **Surfrider** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 1:33 am

a31pguy wrote:Well we are about to beat a dead horse here.

I'm sorry; I did search for the answer before I posted. If it really is a well-hashed issue, I don't know how I missed it. I'm sorry. =(

-Surfrider

a31pguy · #4 Post by **a31pguy** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 1:40 am

It's totally cool! Not a problem.

But you have a bunch of options! If you have anymore questions - please post em!

a31pguy · #5 Post by **a31pguy** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:58 am

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... t=a31p+cpu

The dead horse beating thread....

IBM A31 & 600E · #6 Post by **IBM A31 & 600E** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:36 am

Yes - the wireless in the A31 is upgradable. Couple of options: Intel 2200 BG card or the newer IBM A/B/G II card will work

you seem to be the person to ask, the newer minipc wireless card you mentioned earlier...does it have the modem adapter on the card? do you know where i can purchase one thanks. i know i could just go with ethernet...just like to have it working if possible thanks for any help

a31/600e

a31pguy · #7 Post by **a31pguy** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 4:35 pm

IBM A31 & 600E wrote:Yes - the wireless in the A31 is upgradable. Couple of options: Intel 2200 BG card or the newer IBM A/B/G II card will work

you seem to be the person to ask, the newer minipc wireless card you mentioned earlier...does it have the modem adapter on the card? do you know where i can purchase one thanks. i know i could just go with ethernet...just like to have it working if possible thanks for any help

a31/600e

I saw you replied to my other thread. You can if you have a CDC card slot with either a CDC bluetooth or CDC modem card. The connector is simple two-wire plug.

paapaa33 · #8 Post by **paapaa33** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 4:20 am

Hi

you said that (my) A31 support prosessors up to 2.6Ghz.
Is that for sure? I am going to buy a faster one and now i have 1.8 Ghz.

And...please inform me if the following prosessor works on in my A31:

http://processorfinder.intel.com/script ... spec=sl6k5

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor - M Return to list

Results

sSpec Number sl6k5
Processor Frequency 2.40 GHz
CPUID String
0F27h
Package Type 478 pin
Core Voltage
1.300
Bus Speed 400 MHz
Thermal Guideline
35.0W
Core Stepping C1
Thermal Spec
100°C
L2 Cache Size 512 KB
Manufacturing Technology 0.13 micron
L2 Cache Speed
2.40 GHz Bus/Core Ratio
24
Spec Update
http://developer.intel.com/design/mobil ... tation.htm
Product Order Codes

Box Order Code
BXM80532GC2400D
OEM Order Code
RH80532GC056512

Notes

This processor supports Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep™ technology. In Maximum Performance Mode, this processor runs at 1.30 V. In Battery Optimized Mode, this processor runs at 1.20 V.
---------------------------------------------------------------

please advice me

a31pguy · #9 Post by **a31pguy** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:30 pm

Yes that will work. Happy computing!

paapaa33 · #10 Post by **paapaa33** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 3:58 pm

a31pguy wrote:Yes that will work. Happy computing!

so nice to hear that

thank you for info.

ohh i allmost forgot.! is it worth of buying the 2.4ghz processor????
Instead of using my current 1.8ghz processor?
well it will cost about 250 $ so its not that much but still....

-Kai

zone · #11 Post by **zone** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 10:15 am

paapaa33 wrote: ohh i allmost forgot.! is it worth of buying the 2.4ghz processor????
Instead of using my current 1.8ghz processor?
well it will cost about 250 $ so its not that much but still....

-Kai

I got 2.5GHz for my A31p (1GB RAM 60GB HDD) but mostly runs on 1.2GHz anyway, when CPU power is needed I may say it makes difference from old 1.8GHz CPU.

You may get 2.4GHz for 120 $ from ebay righ now (with buy it now).
2.6GHz however goes there around 250 $.

z

paapaa33 · #12 Post by **paapaa33** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 1:10 pm

zone wrote:
paapaa33 wrote: ohh i allmost forgot.! is it worth of buying the 2.4ghz processor????
Instead of using my current 1.8ghz processor?
well it will cost about 250 $ so its not that much but still....

-Kai
I got 2.5GHz for my A31p (1GB RAM 60GB HDD) but mostly runs on 1.2GHz anyway, when CPU power is needed I may say it makes difference from old 1.8GHz CPU.

You may get 2.4GHz for 120 $ from ebay righ now (with buy it now).
2.6GHz however goes there around 250 $.

z

unfortinately that 120 $ bargain incl. no international shipping :/
and i am From Finland, Europe. havent found any other deal in that area of 120 $. any suggestions please? I really would like to savet that 120-130 $....

-Kai

zone · #13 Post by **zone** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 1:46 pm

paapaa33 wrote: unfortinately that 120 $ bargain incl. no international shipping :/
and i am From Finland, Europe. havent found any other deal in that area of 120 $. any suggestions please? I really would like to savet that 120-130 $....

-Kai

Oh you are in EU too, I got my 2.5GHz from ebay.fr for 102 EUR so be patient. Search ebay for one of these;

Pentium 4M

2.4GHz - SL6LS SL6K5 SL6VC
2.5GHz - SL6P2 SL6WY
2.6GHz - SL6WZ

hope it helps

z

zone · #14 Post by **zone** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 1:55 pm

Question, what difference in practice make Core Stepping level in these CPUs.

Code: Select all

 
Pentium 4M

Core Stepping    B1    C1     D1

    2.4GHz  -  SL6LS  SL6K5  SL6VC
    2.5GHz  -         SL6P2  SL6WY
    2.6GHz  -                SL6WZ

paapaa33 · #15 Post by **paapaa33** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 3:47 pm

zone wrote:
paapaa33 wrote: unfortinately that 120 $ bargain incl. no international shipping :/
and i am From Finland, Europe. havent found any other deal in that area of 120 $. any suggestions please? I really would like to savet that 120-130 $....

-Kai

Oh you are in EU too, I got my 2.5GHz from ebay.fr for 102 EUR so be patient. Search ebay for one of these;

Pentium 4M

2.4GHz - SL6LS SL6K5 SL6VC
2.5GHz - SL6P2 SL6WY
2.6GHz - SL6WZ

hope it helps

z

huh ok, well then i still have hope

thanks man! You know all those
models in your list works in my A31?

zone · #16 Post by **zone** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 3:55 pm

paapaa33 wrote:
zone wrote:
2.4GHz - SL6LS SL6K5 SL6VC
2.5GHz - SL6P2 SL6WY
2.6GHz - SL6WZ

hope it helps

z
huh ok, well then i still have hope thanks man! You know all those
models in your list works in my A31?

Yes, all of these will work on A31/P it was discussed already on this forum.

happy hunting

paapaa33 · #17 Post by **paapaa33** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 5:06 pm

zone wrote:
paapaa33 wrote: huh ok, well then i still have hope thanks man! You know all those
models in your list works in my A31?
Yes, all of these will work on A31/P it was discussed already on this forum.

happy hunting

thanks again. at last i feel like knowing enough to find one for a decent price =D

#18 Post by **daeojkim** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 5:19 pm

Instead of spending $250 for a 2.6Ghz processor, it is probably better to get a 7k100 HD. The original 60GB 5400 rpm 2MB cache HD's are pretty slow.

You can have a fast processor but most of the times the HD is performance bottle neck.

Just a thought.

JK

a31pguy · #19 Post by **a31pguy** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 8:06 pm

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... t=a31p+cpu

there is info on the core steppings, price, and 2.6 vs 2.4 in this thread.

paapaa33 · #20 Post by **paapaa33** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 3:01 am

daeojkim wrote:Instead of spending $250 for a 2.6Ghz processor, it is probably better to get a 7k100 HD. The original 60GB 5400 rpm 2MB cache HD's are pretty slow.

You can have a fast processor but most of the times the HD is performance bottle neck.

Just a thought.

JK

i will buy a 7k100 HD.i allready have watched a proper one

its just, that i will buy a faster processor OR the hd for this christman...
and the rest upgrades in January. heh its quite expensive here...the
7k100 HD-->

http://www.verkkokauppa.com/popups/prod ... p?id=17221

228 € huh!!! well 3 years guarantee and 8mb cache....

zone · #21 Post by **zone** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 7:56 am

paapaa33 wrote:at last i feel like knowing enough to find one for a decent price =D

Check this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-Mobile-P4-PRO ... dZViewItem

zone · #22 Post by **zone** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:00 am

a31pguy wrote: there is info on the core steppings, price, and 2.6 vs 2.4 in this thread.

a31pguy thanks on link

I may post 2.5GHz benchmarks later.

paapaa33 · #23 Post by **paapaa33** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:04 am

zone wrote:
paapaa33 wrote:at last i feel like knowing enough to find one for a decent price =D

Check this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-Mobile-P4-PRO ... dZViewItem

thanks...but i cant bid..the seller has blocked other than UK countries :/
but i asked to let me bid

ramcelroy · #24 Post by **ramcelroy** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 9:20 pm

I thought I knew all the upgrades for the A31p but A31pguy has given me new info. Let me see if I understand. I can upgrade my A31p wireless to 802.11a/b/g with either the Intel 2915ABG or ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter II and use the existing antenna. But I will loose the modem. However, if I also upgrade the BDC to IBM Integrated Bluetooth IV with 56K Modem (BMDC-3), I can plug the modem wire into the BDC and have it all! This is great. Is there a EDC that will let me upgrade to Gigabit ethernet?

Thanks,
Bob

elemental666 · #25 Post by **elemental666** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 8:55 am

this dead horse thing is a dead give away that this info should be stickied...

a31pguy · #26 Post by **a31pguy** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:35 pm

On the gigabit adpater. No go. There are a few mini-pci gigabit adapters. However, the A31 uses a ethernet CDC card which there is no gigabit card that I can see. All newer thinkpads use an Intel chipset that includes a realtek gigabit chip on the motherboard.

Keep in mind - CDC cards are not supposed to be user upgradable. Mini-pci however is.

The Bluetooth III and IV with 56k card isn't a straight plug and play. Some have reported that the software modem doesn't work. The IBM drivers will not recognized the CDC card (unless you hack the license).

The IBM Atheros A/B/G (model I and II) card gives BIOS warnings (however it still works). The warning is "Too many ethernet controllers". No workaround currently exists that is universally available.

The intel 2200 BG works and the Intel 2915 A/B/G card works without issue. The latest 2915 drivers include LEAP and WPA/RADIUS support.

The easiest way to add functionality without BIOS or driver issues is still the PCMCIA card slots.

A31 upgrade options?

A31 upgrade options?

A response.

Re: A response.

for A31p guy

Re: for A31p guy

A31 2652-MZG

=D

Re: =D

but :/

Re: but :/

Core Stepping ?

Re: but :/

Re: but :/

Re: but :/

ok...well...

Re: but :/

Re: but :/

let me see if I understand

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