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SL500 Restoration Blog
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- Sophomore Member
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:46 pm
- Location: Schenectady, NY
SL500 Restoration Blog
Just picked up a new laptop for my collection (sisters old laptop). This Lenovo SL500 Thinkpad is running a dual core P7350 CPU and clocks at a whopping 2.0Ghz right out of the gate. The laptop itself is fairly beat up but we have a plan in motion to restore it back to like new condition.
And we wont keep it stock, that's for sure! Seeing as though it supports the 1066Mhz FSB speed, I went right to the top of the ladder and just ordered up an Intel X9100 core 2 extreme processor which will be paired with 4GB kit of DDR2 RAM @ 800Mhz.
So far, we have performed the RAM upgrade and ditched the old mechanical hard drive for a 60GB SSD. Fixed the broken hinge with JB weld, and as you can see there is also some damage to the speaker grill, so we have a new speaker grill ordered up as well. We also have a new keyboard on the way, as the letter a is damaged, and we simply cannot have that.
The SSD paired with the Intel X9100 should eliminate some performance bottlenecks and I am confident we can do something like a 10 percent overclock with roughly a 1.1500 vcore. All CPU performance adjustments will be done with Throttlestop. Looks like TPFanControl does not work with the SL500 laptops...
We have the system now set up with Windows 10 64 bit.
I will update this thread as the build progresses. For now, enjoy some low quality pictures snapped from my cell phone.
https://ibb.co/Sv5WBbW
https://ibb.co/zs75Dth
https://ibb.co/1ZDPqHG
https://ibb.co/NC5vHf8
https://ibb.co/7jVNLvV
https://ibb.co/fQ4vXgk
https://ibb.co/syLkFt4
https://ibb.co/ccj0LM3
https://ibb.co/C8CnbYw
https://ibb.co/KqrDWVq
https://ibb.co/MssqVCj
https://ibb.co/dt3hPMy
https://ibb.co/gzjXJ1s
https://ibb.co/gP6ygb8
https://ibb.co/xLPZx70
https://ibb.co/jMbdCSt
https://ibb.co/d6CjKXg
https://ibb.co/7y9fhRX
https://ibb.co/dGWQ04P
https://ibb.co/ZXQk8NK
https://ibb.co/P58p2yz
https://ibb.co/T2DZLvK
https://ibb.co/DgwzW2F
https://ibb.co/VMPZ2Mh
https://ibb.co/3dcW4X7
https://ibb.co/4Mqg0Zr
https://ibb.co/GT97SqG
https://ibb.co/kH6pfxb
https://ibb.co/XsYybgf
https://ibb.co/pxR0HPV
https://ibb.co/4SxK8g4
https://ibb.co/Yjp5Bsw
https://ibb.co/THytpNc
https://ibb.co/mbBCpS4
https://ibb.co/Y3W68mX
And we wont keep it stock, that's for sure! Seeing as though it supports the 1066Mhz FSB speed, I went right to the top of the ladder and just ordered up an Intel X9100 core 2 extreme processor which will be paired with 4GB kit of DDR2 RAM @ 800Mhz.
So far, we have performed the RAM upgrade and ditched the old mechanical hard drive for a 60GB SSD. Fixed the broken hinge with JB weld, and as you can see there is also some damage to the speaker grill, so we have a new speaker grill ordered up as well. We also have a new keyboard on the way, as the letter a is damaged, and we simply cannot have that.
The SSD paired with the Intel X9100 should eliminate some performance bottlenecks and I am confident we can do something like a 10 percent overclock with roughly a 1.1500 vcore. All CPU performance adjustments will be done with Throttlestop. Looks like TPFanControl does not work with the SL500 laptops...
We have the system now set up with Windows 10 64 bit.
I will update this thread as the build progresses. For now, enjoy some low quality pictures snapped from my cell phone.
https://ibb.co/Sv5WBbW
https://ibb.co/zs75Dth
https://ibb.co/1ZDPqHG
https://ibb.co/NC5vHf8
https://ibb.co/7jVNLvV
https://ibb.co/fQ4vXgk
https://ibb.co/syLkFt4
https://ibb.co/ccj0LM3
https://ibb.co/C8CnbYw
https://ibb.co/KqrDWVq
https://ibb.co/MssqVCj
https://ibb.co/dt3hPMy
https://ibb.co/gzjXJ1s
https://ibb.co/gP6ygb8
https://ibb.co/xLPZx70
https://ibb.co/jMbdCSt
https://ibb.co/d6CjKXg
https://ibb.co/7y9fhRX
https://ibb.co/dGWQ04P
https://ibb.co/ZXQk8NK
https://ibb.co/P58p2yz
https://ibb.co/T2DZLvK
https://ibb.co/DgwzW2F
https://ibb.co/VMPZ2Mh
https://ibb.co/3dcW4X7
https://ibb.co/4Mqg0Zr
https://ibb.co/GT97SqG
https://ibb.co/kH6pfxb
https://ibb.co/XsYybgf
https://ibb.co/pxR0HPV
https://ibb.co/4SxK8g4
https://ibb.co/Yjp5Bsw
https://ibb.co/THytpNc
https://ibb.co/mbBCpS4
https://ibb.co/Y3W68mX
AMD Phenom II 965 @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
AMD Phenom II 960T @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
Lenovo T61p 15.4" - Core 2 extreme X9000 CPU @ 3.4Ghz, SSD
Toshiba Satellite A505D - 2.5Ghz, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD
AMD Phenom II 960T @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
Lenovo T61p 15.4" - Core 2 extreme X9000 CPU @ 3.4Ghz, SSD
Toshiba Satellite A505D - 2.5Ghz, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD
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- Sophomore Member
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:46 pm
- Location: Schenectady, NY
Re: SL500 Restoration Blog
Also ordered up a genuine Lenovo battery and P9700 CPU in case the X9100 runs too hot.
AMD Phenom II 965 @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
AMD Phenom II 960T @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
Lenovo T61p 15.4" - Core 2 extreme X9000 CPU @ 3.4Ghz, SSD
Toshiba Satellite A505D - 2.5Ghz, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD
AMD Phenom II 960T @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
Lenovo T61p 15.4" - Core 2 extreme X9000 CPU @ 3.4Ghz, SSD
Toshiba Satellite A505D - 2.5Ghz, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD
Re: SL500 Restoration Blog
Most people wouldn't bat an eye at restoring an SL-series. They were cheap to begin with and are so cheap now it is not hard to just order a new one in good enough condition if defects in the plastic are of concern. They are very thicc.
They can be upgraded to WSXGA+, and presumably WUXGA with the same cable. No idea how hard to find that cable is.
This generation of SL series uses Ideapad BIOS which is why TPFC doesn't work. I wonder if they accept Core 2 Quad? Highly doubt it.
They can be upgraded to WSXGA+, and presumably WUXGA with the same cable. No idea how hard to find that cable is.
This generation of SL series uses Ideapad BIOS which is why TPFC doesn't work. I wonder if they accept Core 2 Quad? Highly doubt it.
lenovo X230 i5 3320m IPS 8GB
lenovo T430 i5 3320m FHD 8GB
lenovo T430s i5 3230m QHD 8GB
lenovo T500 P9700 WUXGA 8GB
Enable 2 finger scroll on any Synaptics touchpads with registry: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=122612
lenovo T430 i5 3320m FHD 8GB
lenovo T430s i5 3230m QHD 8GB
lenovo T500 P9700 WUXGA 8GB
Enable 2 finger scroll on any Synaptics touchpads with registry: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=122612
Re: SL500 Restoration Blog
I believe that this modified version of TPFanControl is capable of controlling your SL500's fan, but its fan's speed reading won't be properly detected.
They don't, unfortunately. The SL500's APIC table contains only 2 entries for 2 cores, which means the 2 extra cores will not be recognized or initialized. Installing a Core 2 Quad into such a machine with a heatsink that looks like this, is not a good idea either.
They don't, unfortunately. The SL500's APIC table contains only 2 entries for 2 cores, which means the 2 extra cores will not be recognized or initialized. Installing a Core 2 Quad into such a machine with a heatsink that looks like this, is not a good idea either.
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- Senior ThinkPadder
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- Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 9:25 am
- Location: N. Bellmore, ny
Re: SL500 Restoration Blog
I tried it...I got this:Screamer wrote: ↑Sun Jan 13, 2019 6:32 amThey don't, unfortunately. The SL500's APIC table contains only 2 entries for 2 cores, which means the 2 extra cores will not be recognized or initialized. Installing a Core 2 Quad into such a machine with a heatsink that looks like this, is not a good idea either.

Thinkpad4by3's Law of the Universe.
The efficiency of two screens equally sized with equal numbers if pixels are equal. The time spent by a 4:3 user complaining about 16:9 is proportional to the inefficiency working with a 16:9 display, therefore the amount of useful work extracted is equal.
The efficiency of two screens equally sized with equal numbers if pixels are equal. The time spent by a 4:3 user complaining about 16:9 is proportional to the inefficiency working with a 16:9 display, therefore the amount of useful work extracted is equal.
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- Sophomore Member
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:46 pm
- Location: Schenectady, NY
Re: SL500 Restoration Blog
I know it's a cheap machine, but I've chosen to restore it for sentimental reasons. Once completed I will re-gift it back to my sister.
One advantage I see of the SL 500 over the T61 is CPU installation. Very easy on the SL500, T61, not so much.
I am thinking the P9700 is 28W, so it should do fine @ 2.8Ghz and undervolted with Throttlestop.
One advantage I see of the SL 500 over the T61 is CPU installation. Very easy on the SL500, T61, not so much.
I am thinking the P9700 is 28W, so it should do fine @ 2.8Ghz and undervolted with Throttlestop.
AMD Phenom II 965 @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
AMD Phenom II 960T @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
Lenovo T61p 15.4" - Core 2 extreme X9000 CPU @ 3.4Ghz, SSD
Toshiba Satellite A505D - 2.5Ghz, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD
AMD Phenom II 960T @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
Lenovo T61p 15.4" - Core 2 extreme X9000 CPU @ 3.4Ghz, SSD
Toshiba Satellite A505D - 2.5Ghz, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD
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- Sophomore Member
- Posts: 168
- Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2018 9:55 pm
- Location: Winthrop, Massachusetts
Re: SL500 Restoration Blog
It will make a good gift for your sister. Not as nice as a T series but still decent.
ThinkPad T440p|i5-4300M|16GB Ram|HD 4600|1600x900 HD+ Display|Intel AC 7260 Wireless|Non-Backlit Keyboard|SmartCard|Zheino 256GB M.2 SSD|Samsung 256GB SATA SSD|Windows 10|9-Cell Battery
Collection: R400, TR452, R31
Collection: R400, TR452, R31
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