R52 Purchase

[w9cw]

Last week I purchased one of the new 1.73GHz Pentium M-based ThinkPad R52's available from the Lenovo Outlet from $499, plus tax. The time of purchase to delivery (from China) was one week. I thought I would mention something I found with my sample, which hopefully doesn't exist with other samples purchased by others who read this forum.

After configuring the R52, I ran the supplied PC Doctor diagnostic, and it confirmed something I noticed on the Windows System page - the 1.73GHz Pentium M CPU was only running at 797MHz! I confirmed this with a couple of other CPU speed test utilities. I noticed that the R52 was running pretty slow, but who would have guessed this?

After discussing the problem with a very helpful Technical Customer Support person, it was determined that during the initial system build at the factory that the Intel 915 INF chipset bridge file was not installed. After executing the chipset INF file downloaded from the support site, all is now correct - except for the flag on the Windows System page since it was written during the initial install of WinXP Pro prior to the INF installation. PC Doctor, and all other CPU speed test programs, now report the CPU running at 1.73GHz.

Interesting . . . this is the first new ThinkPad I've purchased with a system install/config glitch from the factory. So, everyone should be aware, and double-check your new notebook during the WinXP config stage.

[ymemuser]

Last week I purchased one of the new 1.73GHz Pentium M-based ThinkPad R52's available from the Lenovo Outlet from $499, plus tax. The time of purchase to delivery (from China) was one week. I thought I would mention something I found with my sample, which hopefully doesn't exist with other samples purchased by others who read this forum.

After configuring the R52, I ran the supplied PC Doctor diagnostic, and it confirmed something I noticed on the Windows System page - the 1.73GHz Pentium M CPU was only running at 797MHz! I confirmed this with a couple of other CPU speed test utilities. I noticed that the R52 was running pretty slow, but who would have guessed this?

After discussing the problem with a very helpful Technical Customer Support person, it was determined that during the initial system build at the factory that the Intel 915 INF chipset bridge file was not installed. After executing the chipset INF file downloaded from the support site, all is now correct - except for the flag on the Windows System page since it was written during the initial install of WinXP Pro prior to the INF installation. PC Doctor, and all other CPU speed test programs, now report the CPU running at 1.73GHz.

Interesting . . . this is the first new ThinkPad I've purchased with a system install/config glitch from the factory. So, everyone should be aware, and double-check your new notebook during the WinXP config stage.

Would you please provide the file address you mentioned to download. Thanks.

[ymemuser]

I got it on the same way. What is your plan for upgrade? Thanks.

[w9cw]

Go to the www.ibm.com website, and type migr-58627 in the Search Box at the upper-right of the home page. This will take you to the support page - click on the link for search results item #1. Here's the page link:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-58627

Download the oss505ww.exe file to the desktop, and double-click the .exe file. Once installed, locate the file, and execute the INF file. Once this is done, all should be OK.

If you have a problem, you call call the Customer Service number at (800) 426-7388 and follow their instructions for tech support for ThinkPads. You will actually talk to a Customer Service Support Rep in Atlanta, GA.

[w9cw]

If anyone knows how to change the System General Information tab "system information," please let me know. Since WinXP Pro was configured on my new R52 prior to the installation of the Intel 915 chipset INF file, the System General information tab shows the original CPU speed of 797MHz, rather than the 1.73GHz for the 740 Pentium M. Most likely this information was originally written to a registry file, and it may have to be edited, or a new script written to check the CPU speed.

Any ideas? It's not big deal, but I thought if it was something that could be done rather easily, I would do it.

[Eric Giles]

Very odd-I have never seen that before either. I have unboxed three of the five $499 R52's my company ordered, and each of them have shown the correct CPU speed-as long as I put the system in high-performance mode. I will keep an eye on the other units as I set them up.

And by the way-the five $599 R52's that were supposed to ship out today-the shipping date has been pushed back to 7/05. I ordered when there were less than 20 of these left, so I hope we get all of them.

[w9cw]

Since the Pentium M supports Intel SpeedStep, I originally thought it was possibly due to this. However, with the ThinkPad Default power setting for operation on AC, I was still receiving the 797MHz CPU speed with any test utility. Thus, it was a glitch in manufacturing - my very typical "Luck of the Irish." I can't count the number of times things like this happen!

But, the IBM (and, interestingly, that's what he called himself - an IBM Support Tech - not Lenovo) was exceedingly helpful, and the hold time was zero.

If I run the R52 on battery, the CPU speed test does register a lower speed other than the 1.73GHz - this is exactly what SpeedStep is supposed to do. During the manufacturing, build, and test process, the Lenovo worker(s) simply did not load the INF file for the Intel 915 chipset. It will be interesting to see if anyone else has this problem with either the $499 or $599 R52. I would have "popped" for the $599 unit, but when I checked the site, it was not there.

For those desiring a ThinkPad from the Lenovo Outlet, I would suggest checking the site daily, if not more often - that's how fast these units move. And, why not - it's a heck of a deal.

Now, if I can only figure out how to change the CPU speed splash on the System Properties General Tab, everything will be great.

[ymemuser]

Go to the www.ibm.com website, and type migr-58627 in the Search Box at the upper-right of the home page. This will take you to the support page - click on the link for search results item #1. Here's the page link:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-58627

Download the oss505ww.exe file to the desktop, and double-click the .exe file. Once installed, locate the file, and execute the INF file. Once this is done, all should be OK.

If you have a problem, you call call the Customer Service number at (800) 426-7388 and follow their instructions for tech support for ThinkPads. You will actually talk to a Customer Service Support Rep in Atlanta, GA.

Thaks for you answer and time was taking.

[charles mcdaniel]

where did u purchase this laptop at i'm interested in one but i can't find one on the lenovo website. can u provide a link to the site if possible.
Thanks, Charles

[watchtower7]

not available anymore