Thinkpads Forum

Is 40 mb the max for a 365 or can the BIOS be changed to accept more? Also, What is the largest in GB hard drive for this unit?
Thanks
mi-oldradios in hurricane alley (central Florida)

There is a limitation,i guess is on chipset of this series of machines(my mom's 380D has the same problem...), not even the BIOS upgrade will solve. If you have some luck, some drives 10 or 12Gb will be recognized, but mostly only 8.4Gb drives are fully suported. Sad, but true.

There is a limitation,i guess is on chipset of this series of machines(my mom's 380D has the same problem...), not even the BIOS upgrade will solve. If you have some luck, some drives 10 or 12Gb will be recognized, but mostly only 8.4Gb drives are fully suported. Sad, but true.

Thanks. I saw an auction on fleabay for 64MB card that was supposed to fit in a 365XD along with many other TP's. I thought 40 was max and thats why I had to ask. The HD OTOH is a horse of a different color. I have a 6.4GB Travelstar I just might try there. Thanks.
mi-oldradios in hurricane alley (Ocala, FL)
GO AWAY JEANNE

mi-oldradios wrote:Is 40 mb the max for a 365 or can the BIOS be changed to accept more? Also, What is the largest in GB hard drive for this unit?
Thanks
mi-oldradios in hurricane alley (central Florida)

I've got 72 MB and a 6 GB HD running, in my ol' 365XD.
It's one of the last produced. From february or march 1997.

During POST it displays the memory like this 073728 KB.
I'm still wondering if it can take a 128 MB EDO SO-DIMM module.
The zero being the first digit could be a hint in that direction.
But hey......I'm *very* naive, when it comes to upgrading an ol' ThinkPad.

Kindest regards
Brian

I have a 365X, also with 72MB (8+64). I bought the 64MB chip almost three years ago and I do recall that it took me a while to identify the right chip to buy and also that I updated the BIOS.

Can you remember the RAM you got? What version of BIOS?

mi-oldradios wrote:Can you remember the RAM you got? What version of BIOS?

I've got a IBM 64MB EDO SO-DIMM module here.
FRU: 42H2817

BIOS is the latest from IBM.

Mine is p/n 76H0268. You should be able to find it (or compatibles) for less than $20. BIOS 1.1, I think.

Here's an old thread you may find interesting:
Again: ThinkPad 365X/XD and 64 MB RAM module

BTW, I think both memory sticks are equivalent, at least according to this guy.

Hi all,

I too have a 365XD ... Just updated the BIOS to the last one (at least, AFAIK) which is 1.10 ..

Now, I've read (from the old thread mainly) that only IBM 64 MB modules would work : is it sure ? Can't I just buy any 64 MB SoDIMM EDO module on Ebay for example ??

I purchased memory from this seller. Guarenteed to work with the 365 and it did!
Check out eBay seller:

for_the_animalzzz

Good seller on fleabay. Good memory and she has another 64MB stick listed there now.
mi-oldradios

Nobody ever checked with non-IBM modules ?

From what I have heard, non IBM may not always be a problem but could be a problem. I figured I could buy memory cheaper but I might buy stuff I couldn't use. By the way, I did check with Kahlon.com and they have memory for the 365 at $33 for 128MB I spent $24. Kahlon has memory for a lot of older laptops and they also have those hard to find 10GB and smaller hard drives.

128 MB ?? Does it fully work with the 365XD ??

For he hard drive, I dunno how to recognize one that the 365XD would accept ... hence my other topic about upgrades ..

NO--NO--NO! My mind and fingers need to get together. It is a 64 MB stick that works. I don't know about 128MB.

About the HD. I have a travelstar 6.4GB and it works fine. I seethis at Kahlon.com regarding a drive they sell to fit the 365:

Specification
Capacity 20 GB Notebook Hard drive


Height / Width 9.5 mm / 69.85mm


Data Transfer Rate 100MB/Sec


Average Seek Time 13 ms


Interface ATA-2/3/4/5


Rotational Speed 4200 rpm


I have purchased a number of items from this company and they always have stuff that works. Anything with those specs will work and even a 12mm high HD will fit.
Right now I have 72MB RAM 6.4GB harddrive, pcmcia modem card at 56K and Windows 98SE running well on this system. Thought about some form of Linux but figured the RAM too low to run well.

Thanks !

20 GB !! It's huge ! Let's check the price tag

So nothing particular to check with the pins ? Any notebook HD with Height / Width 9.5 mm or 12 mm / 69.85mm will do ?


For Linux, 72Mb is enough, you just must avoid the heavyweight desktop
environments like KDE and GNOME ..

Now mind you, I only have a 6.4GB Travelstar harddrive in my 365 but Kahlon.com says they have a 10m and 20GB that will work in the 365. Price for the 20GB should be in the $85 range. New with 1yr warranty.

As far as Linux goes, I was thinking along the lines of KDE and I know KDE likes memory and lots of it. Could probably use KDE with a heafty swap file though. If I only could get it to boot from the CD I'd try Knoppix on it.

LOTS of places are selling 20GB drives for US$68-70. Newegg for one and there are more. Ten more dollars will get you 5400RPM.

And I know some people don't like to shop eBay, but there are deals to be had there.

Ya, I know the other venders are selling cheaper. I was just using kahlon.com as an example. I will never buy a hard drive from eBay again. Always expect junk when buying a HD on epay. Buy from a reputable dealer and get a guarentee.

Thanks

Whizkid> you sure the 365XD can cope with a 5400 rpm HD ?

debian1sy8 wrote:Thanks :)

Whizkid> you sure the 365XD can cope with a 5400 rpm HD ?

Not at all! I was just giving a price reference point.

My very first post... happy to have found this forum!! Also, glad to learn how to boost my 365X's memory past 40MB... I will go for a BIOS upgrade and a 'compatible' 64MB SO-DIMM.

FWIW, I've tried a few times over the past few years, to put in a 64MB memory (not IBM brand), and in both cases, only the first 40MB was recognized. Nothing appeared to be damaged. Don't know if the problem was the BIOS or the memory itself.. But now I know the solution.

Probably just needs the newest BIOS from the IBM site. I'm searching right now in my junk box for a 128MB card to try in the 365. The worst it can do is just sit there and grunt at me. BTW the memory does not have to be IBM brand to work in the 365 but it does balk at some memory sticks for some reason. I also have changed the HD to a 6.4GB and loaded WIN98SE. It works and no need for the IBM drivers using 98SE.

mi-oldradios wrote:I'm searching right now in my junk box for a 128MB card to try in the 365.

I'll be interested in hearing if this works.

Well I don't have a 128mb stick to try in there. Anyone ever try a 128mb in a 365?

debian1sy8 wrote:Hi all,

I too have a 365XD ... Just updated the BIOS to the last one (at least, AFAIK) which is 1.10 ..

Now, I've read (from the old thread mainly) that only IBM 64 MB modules would work : is it sure ? Can't I just buy any 64 MB SoDIMM EDO module on Ebay for example ??

FYI, you can put any brand and it should work with the last shipped BIOS.

Well I just bought the drive from Kahlon, it's actually a Momentus Seagate ST92011A. Side mounts ok but no holes for the two screw cover.
Also, I'm trying to get the external floppy drive to boot, no luck.
The upgrade BIOS recognizes the drives, and test OK, however no go on the external floppy, it just sits there rotating, lights are on but nobody home.
Must be an issue with the 8 gig drive limit on th HD or something. Anyone else have this problem?
Well, I might have to try this gizzmo:
http://www.drivesolutions.com/cgi-bin/s ... &itemid=a7

I noticed after I bought the drive Kahlon is selling a USB similar gizzmo for $75

mi-oldradios wrote:About the HD. I have a travelstar 6.4GB and it works fine. I seethis at Kahlon.com regarding a drive they sell to fit the 365:

Specification
Capacity 20 GB Notebook Hard drive


Height / Width 9.5 mm / 69.85mm


Data Transfer Rate 100MB/Sec


Average Seek Time 13 ms


Interface ATA-2/3/4/5


Rotational Speed 4200 rpm


I have purchased a number of items from this company and they always have stuff that works. Anything with those specs will work and even a 12mm high HD will fit.
Right now I have 72MB RAM 6.4GB harddrive, pcmcia modem card at 56K and Windows 98SE running well on this system. Thought about some form of Linux but figured the RAM too low to run well.

I would think you could get EZ Drive right off Western Digital's web site (for free?). I bet this is why your 20GB drive isn't being recognized. Problem is, if your floppy doesn't work, how will you load EZ Drive (Does your CD work?)

When I upgraded the hard drive in my 365X, the holes didn't line up either, so I poked new ones through the thin plastic/metal flap which goes on top of the drive, and it works fine (but maybe the XD model is different inside???)

Seems like the holes for this drive get coverd up that side of the case. It appears that you can only assemble the holding case one way.

It's more than the easy drive software it's also the cable, PC Card and external storage case. Software too. It's a whole kit.

CD works but you can't boot from it according to the BIOS.

leoblob wrote:I would think you could get EZ Drive right off Western Digital's web site (for free?). I bet this is why your 20GB drive isn't being recognized. Problem is, if your floppy doesn't work, how will you load EZ Drive (Does your CD work?)

When I upgraded the hard drive in my 365X, the holes didn't line up either, so I poked new ones through the thin plastic/metal flap which goes on top of the drive, and it works fine (but maybe the XD model is different inside???)