a couple thinkpad r31 upgrade questions

[awong]

I recently purchased a thinkpad r31 on ebay for a good price. So far I like using it and linux works great on it. But I have a few questions about my thinkpad and a couple upgrade questions. My R31 is a 2656 m1g part III, with the 1.2 celeron processor and upgraded to 640 megs of ram.

First thing is my keyboard. My R31 appears to be a turkish model keyboard so the keyboard is a bit different, is it possible to swap the keyboard from a US model and put it on mine? Currently on linux I am using it like a US keyboard, but at times its difficult to use and if my friends or family need to use it some of the keys are different. and the left key is broken on it so it bearly works

Next thing is the processor, I read a previous thread about being able to put a P3M on it, the 1.12 or so I believe, but it depends on the socket. Without openning it, how would I tell what socket I have on my R31? And changing the processor, how hard is it to change? I have more experience with desktop building and this is my first laptop. Also how much of a preformance difference will I see with the fastest p3 vs my celeron, and is the upgrade worth it? CPU scaling, etc make a difference?

About internal wireless, I read about how it is important to get an ibm one so the bios wont reject, how much would be needed to take apart to install the antennas? Any guides online on how to do it? Thinking of doing this, since I want to use the pcmcia slot for more usb slots and if I do do this, I guess it would be a good idea to change the keyboard at the same time

[vanaya]

Welcome to the forum!!

The first place to go is lenovo.com and download the Hardware Maintenance Manual. The keyboard replacement is fairly easy on these newer models. I have an R40 and T21, it is 2 screws on bottom of lappy and remove keyboard.

I can't help you as far as the CPU upgrade, but I'm sure others will chime in to help.

[Chris001]

awong,

Here is the homepage of your laptop:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... ry=2656m1g

Get your HMM:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-39797

From the HMM it looks like your model had the option of three CPUs:

CPU Cel 1200 MHz 26P8157
CPU Cel 1.13 GHz 26P8284
CPU Cel 1.33 GHz 26P8158

Good Luck.

Chris

[awong]

thanks for the links I'll probably not upgrade the processor, and probably just do the 1gig of ram, and change the keyboard and also a new battery.

edit: reading over the processors available, I guess I am stuck with a celeron then?
does the 1.33 make a difference over the 1.2 that I have?

[awong]

an update on the keyboard, i got a new one and had to trim a piece up front of the metal where it screws it up top, but other than that it fits prefectly and works like brand new, no broken keys. I think the one screw is good enough as it feels fairly solid

[awong]

another update, I just put in the p3 1.13 on it, dropped right in without a problem and the laptop has cpu scaling now