Thinkpad T42 QUESTIONS....

[ParzanM]

Hey Everyone,
I am planing to buy a T42(23734VU) from lenovo soon. I just had a few questions if you guys can help.

Specs
P M 735
512MB RAM(guessing 1x512MB..can someone confirm this if possible.. so I dont buy 1GB stick and cant use it becuase no open slot)
80GB 5400rpm HDD
14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD with 32MB ATI Radeon 7500
24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD
Intel 802.11b wireless(MPCI) Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM),


1)Should I upgrade the wireless card to a G card, if so do I just make sure it is a (MPCI) platform card?
2) Will installing the ram(from lenovo) and wireless card(from lenovo) myself void my 3 year warranty?
3)Does the warranty start on date it was made or date of purchase?(I know the T42 is an older model)

I will be using this laptop for mostly MS office,browsing, chat and other basic apps, plus maybe some older games like counter-strike since the ati7500 cant handle newer games.

Any input from anyone will be a great help

Cheers
ParzanM

[GomJabbar]

(1) Yes, I would recommend upgrading the card. Unless you get an IBM branded card (whether Intel, Cisco, IBM or other), you will have a problem booting up. To get around this, you have to apply the no-1802.com hack. This requires a floppy drive to boot from, or you have to make a bootable CD to apply the hack. Search forums for more info.

(2) No, that will not void your warranty - they are considered Customer Replaceable Units (CRU). AFAIK, ThinkPads shipped from Lenovo in their stock configuration will have one RAM slot filled under the keyboard. The other slot is easily accessable under a door at the bottom of the laptop, and should be open.

(3) If I'm not mistaken, the warranty begins from the ship date on new ThinkPads.

System service parts - ThinkPad T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p

Warranty

[ParzanM]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I think the wireless card is a intel 2100 wireless B card. Will that still be a problem?


also can i get any company mpci card or i HAVE TO buy a "lenovo approved card" from their website?


Thanks
ParzanM

[GomJabbar]

B is slower, but it is common. It's up to you.

Only a Lenovo/IBM card will work without the 1802 hack. Click on the Search button at the top of the page and type in 1802 to find threads discussing this.

BTW, welcome to forum.thinkpads.com. You should be able to get most of your questions answered here.

The Search button works pretty well for finding solutions to common problems. I usually click on the radio button "Search for all terms" to get better results. Just type in a few key words. Of course, you can post your question, and someone will likely respond sooner or later. Be sure and check out the READ ME FIRST FAQ then post - on the index page, if you haven't done it already.

[al7kz]

Edit: please delete

[GomJabbar]

Well Lenovo is phasing out the T42, according to a rep I talked to today they only have a basic model left, 256 MB ( of course you can order it with 512), 40 GB, 14".... The resellers appear to have plenty tho...

I believe if the model originally comes with 256, and they sell it to you with 512, then what Lenovo does is add another 256 module to the other RAM slot, and then both are tied up.

[al7kz]

Edit: please delete

[ParzanM]

thank you all for your responses

when I check the info for the T42 (23734VU) it says
ramslots (available)= 2 (1)
doesnt that mean there are 2 slots and 1 is available meaning there is only 1 512MB stick? please let me know..cuz i put in an order today!!



thanks guys
Parzan M

[Hanson]

thank you all for your responses

when I check the info for the T42 (23734VU) it says
ramslots (available)= 2 (1)
doesnt that mean there are 2 slots and 1 is available meaning there is only 1 512MB stick? please let me know..cuz i put in an order today!!



thanks guys
Parzan M

Yes.

[GomJabbar]

when I check the info for the T42 (23734VU) it says
ramslots (available)= 2 (1)
doesnt that mean there are 2 slots and 1 is available meaning there is only 1 512MB stick? please let me know..cuz i put in an order today!!

Don't worry. What I was referring to was if the model you ordered came stock with 256. The 2373-4VU comes stock with 512. So you will get one 512 stick.

Product: ThinkPad T42 2373-4VU [change]
Operating system: All [change]

Original description: P M 735, 512MB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11b wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

[ParzanM]

thanks....gomjabbar