Upgrades for an a31p -2653R4U

[david_thinkpad]

Two questions...

1.) need to know if I can put a faster processor in the unit, if so what speed and specification

2.) Can you put above 1GB of memory in the unit? I have heard yes and no on this.

Also if you want to know an Ebay seller has DVD +/- R's for $99. Lemme know and I can get you a link.


Thanks
David

[k2jsv]

1.) As long as you get a processor with the same bus speed you should be fine. I think it will only support up to a 2.6 GHz processor though.

2.)More than a gb of ram is possible. I have 2GB in mine right now and it addresses(and recognizes) the entire portion like a champ.

[ElbertR]

Two questions...

1.) need to know if I can put a faster processor in the unit, if so what speed and specification

2.) Can you put above 1GB of memory in the unit? I have heard yes and no on this.

Also if you want to know an Ebay seller has DVD +/- R's for $99. Lemme know and I can get you a link.


Thanks
David

1)

Any of these processors will work:

Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor-M (400 Mhz bus speed)

2.2 GHz: SL6VB, SL6LR, SL6J5
2.4 GHz: SL6K5, SL6LS, SL6VC
2.5 GHz: SL6P2, SL6WY
2.6 GHz: SL6WZ


2) Yes, just put in 2 sticks of PC2700 1GB memory (which will work in PC2100 compatibility mode). Running 2GB in my A31P right now.


3) Be careful with cheap dvd burners. Would avoid Panasonic models. For a DVD burner do an ebay search for 'ultrabay multi burner' and look for a NEC model (6500, 6650, 6750 or newer).

Other upgrades to think about:
- add build-in wireless antenna's if your A31P doesn't have them.

- Upgrade / install a wireless card (Intel 2200BG, 2915 ABG or Atheros cards work good). Will require no-1802 bios mod. (do a search for that on this forum).

- Upgrade to a bigger/faster hard drive. Currently running a 160GB 5400 Seagate Momentus myself.


Other nice things to get for this laptop (which can be found on ebay):
- Spare battery (don't buy used batteries on ebay, be careful with non-ibm replacements)
- Ultrabay battery (again: don't buy used batteries on ebay)
- Ultrabay hard drive caddy (you can have up to 3 hard drives in your A31/A31P)
- Ultrabay LS120 or LS240 floppy drive (much faster than a regular floppy drive)
- Ultrabay device carrier with numeric keypad
- Ultrabay Zip 250 drive
- Ultraport bluetooth module
- Ultraport webcamera
- Docking station (type 2631, which has another ultrabay, a regular PCI slot and its own power supply build in.)
- Ultrabay portable drive bay (19K4492/19K4499) to hook up additional ultrabay drives using USB (unfortunatelly only usb 1.1).
- 6 in 1 PCMCIA multi memory card reader, so you can read almost any memory card from digital camera's (does not support Compact Flash, for that you can get the CF UltraPort Module).
- AC/DC power adapter which comes with a cig.lighter connector.
- If you want USB 2.0 you can get a USB 2.0 PCMCIA card or if you use the docking station put a regular USB 2.0 PCI card in it.

All these available options make this still a great laptop to have.

[david_thinkpad]

Thanks for the answers, I think I will work on the memory upgrade first before the processor. Just knowing I am not limited to 1GB of memory will help tremendously. I wonder what the upper limit is though?

As far as the 2631- I bought a brand new one from an IBM authorized vendor (approx. $26 and the things just induce static on my speaker system). I may just buy a docking bay from lenovo and plunk down the money for it. Least then if it induces static on my speakers, then I know why.

As far as the burners I will have to check yours out and see what NEC might have over the OEM IBM burners I bought. The DVD +/-R burners were direct IBM parts, even had the IBM stickers for them.

As far as wireless, I have a PCMCIA wireless card already, No desire to really put one in the laptop. Although I did find some USB 2.0 compliant PCMCIA cards that would give you 4 USB 2.0 compliant ports, and it works fantastic.

I am going to look at the larger hard drive, I think I am good for it.

[schen]

Just knowing I am not limited to 1GB of memory will help tremendously. I wonder what the upper limit is though?

As far as the 2631- I bought a brand new one from an IBM authorized vendor (approx. $26 and the things just induce static on my speaker system). I may just buy a docking bay from lenovo and plunk down the money for it. Least then if it induces static on my speakers, then I know why.

The upper limit on RAM is 2Gb. You could try the Port Replicator which is VERY cheap and shouldn't create a problem.

[david_thinkpad]

That's what I have on there now, is the port replicator, and it's done a better job than the docking station did.

Another thing I should have clarified, it's noise, not static.

[david_thinkpad]

Will they fit directly into the laptop's docking bay or is there modifications involved? on the NEC's and such?

[schen]

Will they fit directly into the laptop's docking bay or is there modifications involved? on the NEC's and such?

Once a Ultrabay 2000 caddy (all of 3 pieces and 6 screws) is attached to the drive, all you need to do is to take the bezel off and cut the lower right corner to match the profile of the bay. That's what I did on both of our burners and they work like a champ.