Thinkpads Forum

Are you sure the L2 cache is being enabled with PowerLeap? I'd check the cpu status with something like WCPUID just to be sure because in my laptop, the PIII upgrade is very significant speed-wise and as for video, even though I can't test DVD's since I don't have the DVD player, MPEG and AVI files run perfectly on my laptop. I'll test DIVX later when I find my collection of movies.

JHEM wrote:That being said, I have never had good results with upgrading the 600E with a non-Speedstep or Speedstep PIII. Even when I could get them to BOOT well, the machines were unreliable and would throw all kinds of errors at the most inopportune times.

A few days after installing a Pentium III 750 in my 600E, it started being very inconsistant about when or when it wouldn't POST and Windows 2000 loved giving blue screens. However, after going into the BIOS and going to "Initialize" which resets all of my settings, my computer has been running just fine since. At first, I thought my onboard RAM was being pushed too hard with the overclock but when I got the same issues with the RAM disabled, I then decided to start messing with the controls to see if I could get any results before reverting back to a PII and the "Initialize" function seems to have yeilded good results.

So you are running your 600E with a PIII but the bios was resetted to PII status?

Are you still getting 127 error on L2 cache?

DNA_DAN wrote:So you are running your 600E with a PIII but the bios was resetted to PII status?

Are you still getting 127 error on L2 cache?

The BIOS has always been at PII status as it hasn't a clue what a PIII is, the software was written before the PIII even existed.

As for the 127 error, not after I went back into the hex editor and changed the correct values again.

AlphaKilo470 wrote:Are you sure the L2 cache is being enabled with PowerLeap?...

Hmmm...No. It didn't cross my mind to check, having trusted Powerleap to do its job as I have set it to run at Windows startup. Anyway, that was only a quick tweaking, so surely I will check it next time with WCPUid, and I'll post the results. Thanks for the reminder.

Rick

Rick Aguinaldo wrote:

AlphaKilo470 wrote:Are you sure the L2 cache is being enabled with PowerLeap?...

...I will check it next time with WCPUid, and I'll post the results...

Rick

WCPUID reports that L2 cache is enabled. Runs cooler now also with the 16-bit video resolution - 66 degrees C flat at 21 degrees C ambient while playing a 1.5-hr dvd movie. One minor mod not mentioned earlier is coating the original cpu heatsink rubber thermal pad with Thermaltake grease. I originally intended to replace the thermal pad with copper shim but laziness took over. No further tweaking planned since quite satisfied with the overall result. BTW, the unit - a 2645-5AU and the p3-650 cpu are both eBay requisitions.

Ever since installing Windows 2000 Professional on my ThinkPad 600E with the Pentium III 750 upgrade, my computers reliability declined by the day and earlier this week, it was impossible to boot without a blue screen. At this point, totally locked out of Windows, I decided to try swapping CPUs and putting the old Pentium II chip back in place. The computer not only boots fine now, but there are no blue screens, the computer actually seems to be booting faster and the overall performance in Windows is about the same.

When I had Windows 98SE on this computer, I never had issues with the PIII what-so-ever so I'm currently trying to figure out exactly why Win2000 didn't like my chip. My guess right now is because of the stricter way Windows 2000 handles it's hardware compared with Windows 98SE.

EDIT: Upon close inspection of my PIII 750 chip, it appears that it's been modified at one point. There is a big resistor soldierd on that despite being a clean soldier, is obviously not from the factory. There is also a small resistor that appears to have been pulled off and resoldierd a few spaces down. I'm not sure if this is part of the cause of the blue screens or not but if anyone here has a modified PIII MMC-2 card in their system, I look forward to reading post from you.

More than likely what you are looking at is the forced speedstep mod on the MMC2 module. it's typically a 2.5k Ohm resistor. Also on the wimsbios forum I read about people removing transistors to lower the vcore temperature so they can run higher CPUs in their 600E.

At any rate, if you bought the MMC2 module on ebay and the person did not specify it was adulterated, you might want to contact them and let them know is wasn't original equipment.

I did the MMC2 mod on my PIII 650mhz and have not noticed any problems so far. I am also running windows 2000 pro just like you.

The chip was as is and was stated as untested so I'm not going to do anything about it. I might try undoing the mod and seeing how that goes.

I've been researching and there's really not much documentation on this...

One of the BIOS updates for the following Thinkpad 600e models notes support for 256MB memory modules:

2645 - 3xx, 4xx, 5Ax, 5Bx, 5Jx, 8xx, AAU, ABU, ALx, AMx, BAU, Cxx, Dxx, Exx, Fxx, Gxx, Ixx, JJ3, Mxx, Nxx, Pxx, RP1, RRx (except for RRA), Sxx, Uxx
2646 - All models

I have a 55U, which falls under this list and uses a different BIOS:

2645 - 55x, 56x, 57x, 58x, A5x, A6x, Bxx (except for BAU), JJ1, JJ2, RRA

So my 55U maxes out at 288MBs (32MB onboard + 2x128MB)? Will a P3 CPU work in a 55U with the same BIOS L2 cache workaround as used on the other models?

I don't think anyone can answer your questions exactly, and I will tell you why.

No one to my knowledge has tracked successful PIII upgrades to model serial numbers. I don't think this is bios dependent, but rather mobo dependent. There are a few different versions of the 600E motherboard out there and I haven't seen a successful listing showing which ones were successful in the PIII upgrade. Certainly the bios version might follow a switch in mobo revision simultaneously, which may be the case, but again, I don't think anyone has tracked it. I am using a 2646 model and it works with a PIII650 just fine.

For memory, you can take it on face value for what the support site says, or you can just try more memory. The site lists my model as using PC66 memory, but with the PIII the FSB bumps to 100 mhz and my onboard memory is fine running at this speed.

Bottom line is, unless someone has the EXACT bios and mobo as you, and it didn't work for them, then you have a pretty good answer to your question. Otherwise, you might as well just buy a PIII and try it out for yourself. It's very easy to do the swap and if it doesn't work, you can always just sell the item on ebay to another person. These parts are still in high demmand so the value of your unused MMC2 module isn't going to depreciate that fast as soon as you realize it didn't work.

People are using these laptops far beyond their intended specs, so the support site isn't going to include any more information beyond what laptop was designed for. Take the plunge! It's been a blast for me so far.

DNA_DAN wrote:. . . you might as well just buy a PIII and try it out for yourself. It's very easy to do the swap and if it doesn't work, you can always just sell the item on ebay to another person.

I've taken apart one laptop (a Compaq Presario K6-2 based machine). Last night I read through IBM's 600/600e/600x maintenance manual and it said the laptops use nylon screws that can only be used ONCE. It says they must be replaced if they're ever removed.

Do they become significantly less tight? My ThinkPad feels very sturdy and I don't want to ruin that feel.

I have taken apart a 600 and a 600E. The screws to open the case are metal. The actual screws are covered with a thin plastic circle which can be easily lifted with an exacto knife or a razor blade and carefully put aside (Sticky side up) until you need to reseat them. As long as you use the appropriate size screwdriver and don't dammage the screw head, you should be fine. I haven't noticed any difference in how "solid" the case feels after opening it 4-5 times now. I think the actual molded part that the screw goes into is nylon, but again, just don't overtighten the screws.

I have not come across any nylon screws in the upgrades I have done. Perhaps some other people here know where the nylon screws are located. As long as you take your time and you don't "force" anything, changing the CPU is very easy on these things.

I think the screws in the 600/E/X are metal screws with a micro-thin nylon coating. They are not nylon screws, but they do look to me like they could have some kind of very, very thin black nylon coating covering the metal.

Like DNA_DAN, and many, many other folks, I have taken apart and put together my 600x machines several times and simply used the same screws with no ill effect.

IBM's recommendations are probably the best practice, and the use of new screws may indeed be helpful in certain rare cases, or in cases where a machine has been dissassembled many, many times. But unless you are repeatedly doing this on the same machine, I think you can safely ignore this recommendation.

See also, the thread: new screws whenever replacing a part ? from the General forum area -- this issue is common to a wide range of ThinkPads and not only the 600/770 series.

Phil.

According to the Hardware Maintenance Manual, the screws are coated and the reason IBM wants you to use new screws is because the coating can wear off.

tp 600e can be overclocked either 5 or 8% via ikohm resitor from c21 south adjoining either r157(5%) or r164(8%) adjacent to cpu pin locator on mobo.

*the only way possible to run full speed speedstep cpu on any non speedstep supported machine is with a resistor modded cpu*(period).

I was flipping through this thread justnow and saw that there were a couple of posts regarding DVD playback on the ThinkPad 600E.

FWIW, my laptop has 160mb RAM and a 400mhz Pentium II. DVD playback was total crap when I ran Windows 2000 on here, however, after installing Windows XP Professional, DVD playback is flawless. I'm not sure if there were some different settings that can be changed on 2000 or if Windows XP handles DVDs differently but I find that with Windows XP Pro SP2, my computer runs about the same as it did on 2000 Pro but now, mulitmedia files and DVDs run much smoother. I also find that many third party apps such as Media Player Classic (not to be confused with MS Media Player) do better at playing DVDs than does the conventional Microsoft software. Also, with both, the Pentium II and Pentium III chips, I found that DVDs will only playback under 16bit color. I get codec errors if I try playing back in 24bit color. I guess the video chipset in my 600E just isn't up to some tasks.

I was browsing at the earlier posts and when I came to Katch's 'disguised' Celeron topic, I became suspicious of my P3-650 which worked first time - without cpu module modification, to full speed during the P3 upgrade. I fired up WCPUID again, and indeed it reported 128kb L2 cache. It is a Celeron! No wonder the sluggish performance in heavy multimedia decoding. Well this is where the saga ends, it has been a learning experience . Thanks to sharedoc, et al.

I've got a 600E 2645-4AU and trying to update to the latest BIOS which is INET36WW. My current BIOS version is really old which is INET24WW back on 5/24/99.

Question is, Can I just update the BIOS using the latest version or do I need to update each BIOS version from INET24-INET36? I think there are 10 BIOS versions out there between the latest one and what is on the 600E.

Also, has anyone update the BIOS without a working battery? Any advice would be appreciated.

THanks.

You need a working battery!

One need only install the latest BIOS, it will contain all of the incremental updates offered in prior versions.

Regards,

James

This is probably a dumb question but why do you need a working battery to update the BIOS? What is the risk in not having a working battery? Is it not even possible to update the BIOS without a working battery?

IBM's BIOS update seeks a working battery. There are ways around it if you search through the forum. Having said that, there is a reason that they require a 100% functional battery...if for some reason the power goes out during the BIOS update, and you don't have battery power, you can almost guarantee a dead systemboard. There are several posts about this as well....including someone that "tripped" over their own power cord while updating.

Rick Aguinaldo wrote:I was browsing at the earlier posts and when I came to Katch's 'disguised' Celeron topic, I became suspicious of my P3-650 which worked first time - without cpu module modification, to full speed during the P3 upgrade. I fired up WCPUID again, and indeed it reported 128kb L2 cache. It is a Celeron! No wonder the sluggish performance in heavy multimedia decoding. Well this is where the saga ends, it has been a learning experience . Thanks to sharedoc, et al.

You can tell if it's a Celeron or not by looking at the Product information code on the CPU. The information below comes directly from the intel.com support site.


Mobile Module Markings (MMC-1 and MMC-2)
The Product Tracking Code (PTC) determines the Intel assembly level of the module. The PTC is on the secondary side of the module and provides the following information:

The PTC will consist of 13 characters as identified in the above example and can be broken down as follows: AABCCCDDEEEFF

Definition:

AA - Processor Module = PM
B - Pentium® II processor (MMC-1)=D
Pentium® II processor (MMC-2)=E
Pentium II processor with on-die cache (MMC-1)=F
Pentium II processor with on-die cache (MMC-2)=G
Intel® Celeron® Processor Mobile Module (MMC-1)=H
Intel Celeron Processor Mobile Module (MMC-2)=I
Intel Pentium III Processor Mobile Module or Intel Celeron Processor Mobile Module (MMC2) - .18µ=L
Pentium III Processor Mobile Module with Intel® SpeedStep Technology (MMC-2)=M
Intel Celeron Processor (.18µ) Mobile Module (MMC-2)=N
CCC - Speed Identity = 266, 300, 333, 366, 400, 433, 450, 466, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900 and 000 (1 GHz)
DD - Cache Size = 01 (128 KB) - Intel Celeron processor
Cache Size=02 (256 KB) - Pentium II or Pentium III processor
EEE - Notifiable Design Revision (Start at 001)
FF - Notifiable Processor Revision (Start at AA)


Example: PMH33301001AA PM=Processor Module
H=Intel Celeron processor Mobile Module (MMC-1)
333=333 MHz
01=128 KB Cache
001=001 Notifiable Design Revision
AA=AA Notifiable Processor Revision

I have a 600E 2645-4AU with Win NT current on it. I want to replace it with XP and I have the cd for it. What are the steps I should take when doing this? Should I reformat the C drive and then install XP? Or do I just put in the XP install cd and let it run it as an upgrade?

Any comments would be appreciated..

Never, EVER, do an upgrade Windows OS install if you have the choice to perform a clean install!

Regards,

James

So what are the exact steps I need to do for a clean install?

mmc-2 OOPS ! .. doing the speedstep mod i destroyed R10..can anybody just tell me the value of that resistor please ?
ronco "at" metrocast.net...tnx

Hey guys, I have a 2645-31U. What are my options for upgrading the motherboard? I need to do so in order for it to recognize all my ram in both slots and well it needs a speed boost.

I hope I'm not breaking any forum rules against auction spotting (I know it is frowned upon in some forums, but I could not find anything here).

Someone (not me) is selling a dozen P3M 850MHz MMC-2s on Ebay, auction 200047445930, supposedly new, at buy-it-now for $90 each. From what I gathered on this forum these CPUs are rather rare and can get quite expensive.

I've now ordered two for my 600Xes. If the market for these has changed and I was totally ripped off, then feel free to laugh at me. Otherwise, maybe some other upgrade-happy 600-users will find this information useful.

Björn

Here are my CPUZ dumps, if anyone is interested:
http://localhosted.net/~nitro2k01/stuph ... -dumps.rar

I'm posting this file here because it seems like a reference material to me.