Thinkpads Forum

Its fine,sturdy,happy with it except for the processor...its slow.The laptop is fine for internet browsing and I use 3 mobile broadband which again is fine,if a little slow.I want to upgrade the processor to use and make skype phonecalls(not bothered about video calling).I have skype version 3.8 and it runs fine for IM messages but try to make a call and it runs the cpu at 100% and the whole thing slows and freezes.I want to upgrade the cpu,first is this possible and second question is,does anyone here use a 600 laptop for skype phone calls(not just the IM messaging which as I say runs fine)?Would an earlier version of skype,say 2.0 version help somewhat?Skypes infomation page tells me version 3.8 requires at least 1Ghz or above.I like my 600,would just like to upgrade somehow.Whats the best processor I can hope to upgrade to?

Thanks

Welcome to the forum!

I personally don't use skype, but depending on your model # (2645-???) upgrades are limited. If you have a plain 600 not many choices. If you have a 600e, you have little. Then the 600x you have a little more. I will double check the skype requirements, but on any 600/e/x you will not get 1 ghz of either RAM or CPU. The plain 600 is limited to 416mb ram (depending on model #), 600e are limited to 544mb (depending again on model #), and 600x 544mb of ram.

will find out the model for you.I realise 1Ghz is not possible but maybe pentium III up to 466Mhz?

http://www.bobjohnson.com/_store/Displa ... ID=10L1230


is this any good/what to expect?

Fastest 600 systems that were available from the factory came with the Pentium II processor at 300Mhz. 600E started at 300Mhz and went to 400Mhz (also P II). The 600X had 450Mhz, 500Mhz or 650Mhz Pentium III CPUs. My understanding is that in most cases it is possible to install faster processors but some "fiddling" may be needed.

Here's a recent thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=59051

model is indeed 2645

There should be a smaller bar code label on the system with "2645", followed by three more characters. For example, 2645-51U. If it has been removed, then you should be able to get this information from the BIOS (Easy Setup) screen.

edit: Hold the F1 key down while powering up and continue to hold it until you see the "Easy-Setup" screen. The "System-unit serial number" contains the TYPE in the first seven characters.

ah ok,I am new to this......2645-AL3

Plugging that TYPE number into this site:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... OME-LENOVO (Support and Downloads)

shows the following information for your system:

Product: ThinkPad 600E 2645-AL3
Operating system: All

Original description: PII 366MHz (256KB) 64MB RAM 6.4GB 13.3 XGA TFT 24X 56K(ACP) DOS7 Direct

There should be a keyboard nameplate up near the LED status lights (above the F5 key). There should be a "600E" there. If yours says "600", then somebody must have swapped the keyboard. Generally speaking, you should go with the TYPE number that's printed on the bottom of the system when trying to identify what you have. In many cases people change out the keyboard and don't bother to transfer (or notice) the model nameplate. Although there's no guarantee that somebody didn't also swap out motherboards . You can double check the TYPE and S/N (serial number) information from the bottom of the system with what is displayed in the BIOS screen.

So, the 600Es top out at 400Mhz from the factory. I'm not that knowledgeable when it comes to maximizing the CPU in this system. Here's some threads which might help:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=29058
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=41031
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=29638

thanks for your patience with me,I am new to this.Someone has removed the nameplate you mentioned.I can assume this is a 600e model then?Ok that helps.I am happy with it,its slow but actually have grown fond of it even though everyone tells me I shouldnt have bought it(it was a cheap laptop as I was running low on money)

ok......2645 51U78AD348 processor 233Mhz

Ah, this is getting stranger.... if that information (2645 51U) comes from the Easy Setup menu, then that means:

Product: ThinkPad 600 2645-51U
Operating system: All

Original description: PII 266MHz (512KB) 32MB RAM 4GB 13.3 XGA TFT 24X 56K(ACP) Win95

So it seems like you have a 600 motherboard (2645-51U) inside a 600E (2645-AL3) case. Furthermore, the original 266Mhz processor has been replaced with a 233Mhz CPU; about as slow as you can go with the 600. Upgrade path is now a little bit harder. You'd be trying to speed up a 600 system, not a 600E.

If you have a 2645-51U your max processor is a Pentium II 400. I just did one. You have to have a specific processor, Intel # PMF40002001AA.
Here is the one I bought on ebay for $32.00 delivered. It is really easy to swap but you may need more processor than the 600 can handle. It still makes a sturdy little light surfing machine.

Strange, I was happy for you when I read it was -AL3 but disappeared quickly when I read the type+serial#. I have lots of spare parts to get you to a decent 600e. I would like to help as my corner is getting smaller.

the casing on the back just shows it as a 600 and then then sticker with serial number on the underside did have 2645-AL3,so this is also confusing to me