Thinkpad R40e?

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new_user · #1 Post by **new_user** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:33 am

I just found this site and I though I get some ideas. Just got a used thinkpad r40e off ebay. He said tested and working. But I just need a few things.

I need an ac adapter. Don't want to buy a new one. Already have this kensington 120w ac adapter laying around. Just need a new tip. Does anyone know is this ok?

It says IBM but doesn't say which models.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kensington-Smart-Ti ... 18Q2el1247

Also memory, does it have be low or high density. It doesn't say here.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-41751

Just says 2100 or 2700 but it doesn't say low or high.

Also caddy I need for HD varies by size. But I didn't know R40e had 13", 14", ad 15". How do I tell which is the one I'm getting just from the photos? Or do I have to wait for it to arrive to measure?

And finally battery. I know it's expensive. But I need ac mostly not battery. Besides ebay is there somewhere I can buy a dead one just to fill the battery area so I don't damage the pins.

Any help on this would grately be appreciated, thanks.

kajencik · #2 Post by **kajencik** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:20 am

Hello,

for the adapter - just make sure the voltage match - the original one has 16V and 3,5A, to function properly the adapter you have should be similiar, especially not less current than 3,5A

the R40e was 13,3" or 14" size, you can determine what is yours by the 7-digit model type on the bottom, mine for example has: 2684-LKG, I also recommend you to take a look at the top of the forum page, where you can find and advertisement offering the hard drive caddys.

To the memory - I'm not sure here, but I think there is no difference between low/high density chips with the DDR SDRAM which R40e uses. I certainly didn't care when upgrading memory in my R40e and it just works.

Second hand battery is not so expensive as the original one, you can get a chinese one off ebay for about $60, which may not be so good as the original IBM one, but it works great for me anyway and gives my R40e about 2.5 hours on battery

In case you would be interested, I have a dead battery for the R40e (acutally already two of them

) as a fill and I could send it to you for the price of shipping, but I'm afraid it's not worth it, as I'm from europe.

sarbin · #3 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:04 am

@new_user...

welcome to the forums.

i'm not familiar with the r40e, specifically, but you might have a look here: http://thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:R40e
thinkwiki has a wealth of information on many models of thinkpads.

hth.

#4 Post by **schen** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:06 am

new_user wrote: I need an ac adapter. Don't want to buy a new one. Already have this kensington 120w ac adapter laying around. Just need a new tip. Does anyone know is this ok?

Also memory, does it have be low or high density. It doesn't say here.

Just says 2100 or 2700 but it doesn't say low or high.

Also caddy I need for HD varies by size. But I didn't know R40e had 13", 14", ad 15". How do I tell which is the one I'm getting just from the photos? Or do I have to wait for it to arrive to measure?

I'd keep an eye on eBay for the A/C adapter. The main thing spec-wise to watch out for is that it at least meets the minimum for your machine. If your machine requires a 45watt (3.5a), then any of those and higher will be OK, if it's needs 72watts (4.5a), then you'll need one of those. For all machines older than the T/R/X60s, then you'll need the voltage to be 16v, of which there are a lot of. They are easy to find on eBay and cheap; just make sure you watch out for the shipping charge. Sometimes you can find a seller who will "combine" shipping and you can get more than one for a good price. It's always good to have at least one spare. I keep one by my chair, one by the bed and one in the bag!

The RAM is simple. Pretty much any DDR 2100 or 2700 will work. I've never come across a machine spec'd for 2100 that wouldn't take 2700 which is what I'd recommend if I was trying to buy RAM. There's virtually no difference in costs and the 2700 has the added benefit of future-proofing to some degree with the ability to move to the T41/42 and R50/51. If you're buying new in the market, 2700 is all you can find right now and large retailers such as Fry's and Micro Center often have sales that lower to the costs (after rebates) to below $30ea for 1Gb modules (less for 512Mb). Also, it's been found that virtually all machines with original specs of 1Gb max will take 2Gb. You might want to do a search on others with the R40e to see if they can confirm this. In any case, I had 1Gb in my wife's A31 and my T30 and both machine ran very well.

On your last question; unless there's a difference between the R40 and R40e, the regular ThinkPad caddy that has been in use back to the 600 is fine for the R40. Again, they can be found cheap and most folks have spare ones of those. If not included, it's usually the HDD cover that ends up being more expensive since those are specific to the models. If you can't find one, I've got enough spares that I can let you have one cheap.

I would provide one caution for you though on the R40/e is to be careful about putting strain on the A/C plug in back. That seems to be a weak spot on all the Acer contracted ThinkPads and often develop cold solder joints that need to be repaired or replaced.

new_user · #5 Post by **new_user** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:23 pm

I'll let everyone know when it arrives. I'll be better able to tell model numbers here.

It was shipped today by ups. Probably ground so it should be here shortly.

As for the ac adapter it says r40e here but under hp not ibm.

http://www.unitedsale.com/product_info. ... s_id=18545

HP doesn't have an r40e do they or is that a typo.

sarbin · #6 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:34 pm

yeah, looks like a typo. all of the #'s listed w/hp are ibm/lenovo tp models.

kajencik · #7 Post by **kajencik** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:43 pm

I apologize, the needed current is indeed 4,5A at 16V. (see here why I made a mistake on this http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=439004)

new_user · #8 Post by **new_user** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:03 pm

So is that N2 tip worth the risk. Or this instead.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AC-Adapter-IBM-Thin ... dZViewItem

new_user · #9 Post by **new_user** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:32 pm

Oh and for memory will pc3200 do also if I'm getting a good deal? Or only pc2100 and pc2700?

#10 Post by **schen** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:01 pm

new_user wrote:Oh and for memory will pc3200 do also if I'm getting a good deal? Or only pc2100 and pc2700?

AFAIK, that will not work on any of the TPs that use 2100/2700 RAM.

I think that your power supply should work, but if you are the least bit doubtful, it's best to pick up an actual IBM PS since they are so cheap. The 4.5a/16v ones are very easy to find at a good price. The 3.5a ones will only run the machine, but will not charge the battery at the same time. I also don't know what the long term use of them would mean for the machine either.

#11 Post by **schen** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:05 pm

new_user wrote:So is that N2 tip worth the risk. Or this instead.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AC-Adapter-IBM-Thin ... dZViewItem

This one looks like a correct one for what you need. If you look at the picture in the upper left-hand corner of the adapter you'll see a little brownish colored rectangle. That is normally where a sticker that says IBM is located, so this should be what you are looking for. I don't know whether the guy altered the image or that somehow the sticker came off, but that is common to IBM adapters of this vintage.

new_user · #12 Post by **new_user** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:03 pm

Well yes but that is a lot thicker than my other adapter. Maybe I can call kensington and ask. As for the memory to be safe I just ordered this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=023

#13 Post by **schen** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:16 pm

new_user wrote:Well yes but that is a lot thicker than my other adapter. Maybe I can call kensington and ask. As for the memory to be safe I just ordered this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=023

The thickness of the IBM adapters of that generation is generally about the same. Now, it might be thicker than the Kensington, but that's neither here nor there since they are an after-market manufacturer and there product was undoubtedly not produced by IBM's supplier. As far as IBM's adapters are concerned, there's even some variation within the same spec'd models, but that's not an issue as long as the voltage and amperage is correct. The adapter I have in my travel case is a AC/DC version so it's physical dimensions are anything like the others that I have.

As far as the RAM is concerned, the one you bought on eBay should be fine.

new_user · #14 Post by **new_user** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:33 am

It's a lot thinner. But I asked at notebooktreview and he says it's ok, so I'll try it.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=280126

Also for the caddy before I receive the unit maybe there is a way to tell. Is the layout of ports different on the 13" model versus the 14"? Or is 13" physically smaller? There has to be a difference.

new_user · #15 Post by **new_user** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:41 am

BTW what is shipping to the US from europe?

sarbin · #16 Post by **sarbin** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:23 am

new_user wrote: Also for the caddy before I receive the unit maybe there is a way to tell. Is the layout of ports different on the 13" model versus the 14"? Or is 13" physically smaller? There has to be a difference.

can you post the ebay link for the machine you've got coming?

new_user · #17 Post by **new_user** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:51 pm

I finally got a battery off ebay so no need anyomre but thanks. As for the unit here you go.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=001

sarbin · #18 Post by **sarbin** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:47 pm

new_user wrote:Also for the caddy before I receive the unit maybe there is a way to tell. Is the layout of ports different on the 13" model versus the 14"? Or is 13" physically smaller? There has to be a difference.

the pictures on the auction page don't help much. when you get the unit, post the 7-character model-type number from the back. that will help us help you better.

#19 Post by **schen** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:50 pm

sarbin wrote:
new_user wrote:Also for the caddy before I receive the unit maybe there is a way to tell. Is the layout of ports different on the 13" model versus the 14"? Or is 13" physically smaller? There has to be a difference.
the pictures on the auction page don't help much. when you get the unit, post the 7-character model-type number from the back. that will help us help you better.

I have to laugh at this link.

I live just up the road from Mabank and coach with a guy that still lives there. Appropo to Nothing of course.

new_user · #20 Post by **new_user** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 11:54 pm

I will see on monday when it arrives and give all the info. Also while I wait for my 512mb to arrive will this do.

http://www.spartantech.com/product.asp? ... SC25%2F128

Is there any harm in using non ibm brand memory in my system? Will it fry my system. Or as long as I use 2100 or 2700 2.5v any maker will do?

#21 Post by **schen** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:34 am

new_user wrote:I will see on monday when it arrives and give all the info. Also while I wait for my 512mb to arrive will this do.

http://www.spartantech.com/product.asp? ... SC25%2F128

Is there any harm in using non ibm brand memory in my system? Will it fry my system. Or as long as I use 2100 or 2700 2.5v any maker will do?

No, definitely not. Out of the maybe 10 working ThinkPads I have around the house at the moment, I'd say the maybe 2 have actual IBM branded RAM.

new_user · #22 Post by **new_user** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 4:17 pm

According to this N2 tip is ok, and that's straight from Kensington. And I have the 33197 as pictured so it's good looks like.

http://us.kensington.com/compApp/ktgUSP ... ageId=9162

As for the laptop itself there is no 7 digit number. It says 2684 but I see no 7 digit number.

sarbin · #23 Post by **sarbin** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:14 pm

so the sticker on the back doesn't show "2684-xxx", where xxx are three alphanumneric characters? for example, the machine i'm using right now is a 2668-92u.

new_user · #24 Post by **new_user** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:55 pm

TYPE 2684 - QBU S/N 99 - MXR05 0411

Sorry that's all I got.

#25 Post by **schen** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:24 am

new_user wrote:I will see on monday when it arrives and give all the info. Also while I wait for my 512mb to arrive will this do.

http://www.spartantech.com/product.asp? ... SC25%2F128

Is there any harm in using non ibm brand memory in my system? Will it fry my system. Or as long as I use 2100 or 2700 2.5v any maker will do?

I hope what's in the link isn't what you ordered, because it pulled up as a 128Mb module! Although it's listed as 200pin RAM, the picture shows a stick of desktop memory. You might want to double-check on this.

new_user · #26 Post by **new_user** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:07 pm

I do business with Spartantech all the time. It's local for me. They let me pickup from their office. So I can call and ask or return right away if I need.

Anyhow, I already ordered from ebay a 512mb stick so we'll just wait and see if it is as in the listing. If not it is no big deal cuz he accidentally left 128mb in the laptop. He said no memory in the auction. But hey if he doesn't complain I'll keep it. He probably just forgot to mention that. Anyhow I peeled the top label back and underneath it said pc2100 I think. It was hard to read. But it looks like 2100, 2.5. If it is then 128mb is enough to install Windows XP right? It maybe slow but justt to test the unit 128mb is enough?

Anyhow as for the caddy does that part number I mentioned before give any clue? Would one of these do?

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl ... category0=

#27 Post by **schen** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:46 pm

new_user wrote:I do business with Spartantech all the time. It's local for me. They let me pickup from their office. So I can call and ask or return right away if I need.

Anyhow, I already ordered from ebay a 512mb stick so we'll just wait and see if it is as in the listing. If not it is no big deal cuz he accidentally left 128mb in the laptop. He said no memory in the auction. But hey if he doesn't complain I'll keep it. He probably just forgot to mention that. Anyhow I peeled the top label back and underneath it said pc2100 I think. It was hard to read. But it looks like 2100, 2.5. If it is then 128mb is enough to install Windows XP right? It maybe slow but justt to test the unit 128mb is enough?

Anyhow as for the caddy does that part number I mentioned before give any clue? Would one of these do?

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl ... category0=

Yeah, I remember Spartantech, although I typically used CDWG (Government Sale Division of CDW) out of Vernon Hills so I could just run up there if it was an emergency, but they usually used a local shipping company that had my orders to my in a day. I used to be the Coordinator for IT at the Campus Housing Department of UIC.

I'm certain that stick of RAM in the machine will be 2100 if it was original to the unit. You can load XPP with 128Mb, but you won't like it. It will be painfully slow. I don't like to load XP on machines with less than 256Mb and typically use 512Mb as a personal minimum, although we don't have any machines in the house that run XP with less than 1Gb.

I'm certain that, that caddy will be fine. The silver part is the actual caddy and they are common to almost all ThinkPads after the 600, with the except of the i Series. It the plastic door that's critical, since those are specific to the model and in most case, the sub-model (such as 14 vs 15 inch LCD).

new_user · #28 Post by **new_user** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:27 am

Here's the story.

This is all I got off the bottom of the laptop.

TYPE 2684 - QBU S/N 99 - MXR05 0411

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...ddy&category0=

One of those will do? Cuz some say 14" and some say 15"? But r40e never had 15" right? And mine has the audio ports and 1 usb port but not that extra fourth hole as they are all pictured.

Or is there another caddy and door I can use? Cuz I need both a caddy and door.

That's why I got to be sure cuz the caddy thing sounds ok but I need to know about the door. Doesn't that part number say anything?

sarbin · #29 Post by **sarbin** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:52 am

@new_user...
here's the link to the r40/r40e hardware maintenance manual: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... 3n6183.pdf
pg 157 is the exploded parts view for a model-2684 r40e
- part #22 is the hd cover
scroll down to pg 160 for part #22
- Hard-disk drive cover (13/14 in TFT) - P/N 46P3117

searching ebay for: 46P3117 comes up with 1 hit: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-46P3117-IBM-Thi ... 18Q2el1247

you could also google the part number to find other vendors.

hth.

new_user · #30 Post by **new_user** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:28 am

Yes but that says r40 not r40e? But I need the caddy also and those look similar to the rest so I'll order one of those other ones and try anyway. It's only 12 dollars anyway.

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