Thinkpads Forum

Hi all

I just upgraded to a Pentium III iSeries 1200 1161 93U and installed Windows XP SP2.
Oops its slow ....

I need urgently to upgrade the RAM (I have only 122 MB) and the Hard Drive (currently 20GB).

I have heard a few stories about this beauty being able to swallow 256MB of Ram
and huge hard drives.

I will be trying to find old threads on this matter, but would like to know any success stories about upgrades, specially RAM and HD's.

RAM - I need as much RAM as the pad can swallow and found a thread with someone claiming to easily installed 256MB. Anyone as done better then this with say 512 MB ?

HD - I was thinking in a Seagate Momentum IDE 160GB 4200 RPM for storage.
Can I install it ? Any precautions ?


Any warnings.

All the best
Stilicho

I just installed one pc100 256 RAM and it took it. 64Mb on-board plus 256Mb, I now have 320Mb. I did have 192Mb running at pc133. I dont know if down grade from pc133 to pc100 has any factor.

Tho, I dont see any speed different from 192Mb to 320Mb.

I have 700Mhz
XP Pro SP1, some how I think SP2 is slower on older machine. Just my opinion.

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

I badly need this old thinkpad and I am willing to go for the biggest RAM I can get, hence the question.

I have 128 MB right now (64+64) and its unbelievable slow with Windows XP SP2. I went to see several old threads and got some success stories with 256 MB sticks, couldn't see nothing above that.

Is it possible to take a picture of your ram and put it somewhere so I could print it and request the same exact specifications ? If not could you copy all specs, Brand, and all remaining data so I can use it too ?

I simply cannot afford to fail an order and then having to go for another one.

Thanks a lot.
All the best
Stilicho

Sure I'll post it when I have time. I was lucky I got it for $22 shipped from HK. Too bad, that seller is not register anymore.

Right now I'm working on battery. 8 refill will cost me about $40.

Hi NautTboy

Thanks again. I have to upgrade, RAM and Hard Drive and buy a new battery as mine was already finished when I got the pad.
Any good experiences in these things I am very interested also.

I am using what these theads say and then go for computer shops that also do repairs, trying to get cheaper used pulls as I am on a tight budget.

Any info about bettery also welcome

All the best
Stilicho

Well now I have 192 MB

I added a 128MB stick and I am now looking to be as successful with a 256MB.

Anyone have any luck with a 512mb stick?

I tried a stick of 512 low density ram, but it didn't recognize it at all.

I noticed that this is 2 year old post, but it may be still relevant for other users of i1200 series.

I run i1200 (1161-51G) with 64+128 MB RAM (Celeron 600 MHZ) and that machine is simply too weak for XP SP3. Tried it, didn't like the experience at all. The CPU was very stressed by XP requirements so the CPU fan was spinning at max speed all the time. Noisy, hot, overworked (that sound like me after high school, LOL).

Anyway, PC100 or PC133 doesn't make the difference as chipset's max FSB is 100 MHz anyway. So the only way it could matter is if the PC133 had tighter (i.e. faster) timings. But my PC100 (Kingston KGM100x64C2/128SO) is pretty good as far as SDRAM timings go.

I formatted the hard disc and installed Windows 2000 SP4, with latest RollUp patch. And downloaded all the drivers for Windows 2000 from IBM/Lenovo official website. I'm running Microsoft Office 2000 with Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack, so it can read and save in the latest formats if necesary. Other apps: VLC 1.0.5, Avast 6 FREE, Winamp 5.05, PDFCreator, 7-zip, Unlocker, QuickSFV, Total Commander, Adobe Reader 7, IrfanView. And (most importantly) K-Meleon as my default browser - it's lightning-fast.

With this software setup this machine flies with 192 MB RAM!
So if you can't (or don't want to) get extra RAM, try this solution.

Windows 2000 is based on NT core, so with latest updates (SP4 + Rollup) it's approximately as stable & secure as XP, but MUCH less resource-hungry. So as far as netbooks go, it's perfectly fine machine if you don't mind 800*600 screen resolution (and rather short battery life). It definitely beats original ASUS Eee PC 700.

EDIT: if you don't have to run windows, i.e. you use this machine just as netbook and a typewriter, you may be happier with Linux. Lubuntu 10.04 (basically streamlined Ubuntu with LXDE) works great on this machine (you do need to manually adjust X.org though, but it's no biggie, if you need help post here) and this version is a LTS which is a nice bonus.