How to speed up G40

[adnangazaly]

Hi,

Pls, I noticed that my new G40 notebook (2.8 GHZ, 256 MB, 40 GB 4200 RPM)is slower than my old desktop (1.6 GHZ, 256 MB, 40 GB 5400 RPM).

I format the HD and install fresh win 2K, but still slow.

Please how I can speed my notebook.

Another questions, how can I download recovery CD-ROM.

Thank you very much in advanced.

[avalanchez71]

The primary difference in speed is caused by the 4200rpm hard drive used in your ThinkPad. Hard drive speed has more to do with performance than most people think. This is especially true with only 256mb RAM, since Windows XP requires half of that just for itsself, meaning your system is constantly swapping data between the RAM and HD.

The best way to achieve the best possible performance is to keep the Windows install as clean as possible and defrag every now and then.

I don't think there's a way to download the recovery CD's. Using the "Access IBM" button on the keyboard should boot you into the recovery program. If not, you can buy replacement CD's from IBM.

[sdmarcotte]

I came across an Hitachi white paper on RPM speed for laptop drives. In the paper they reported that a 7200 RPM drive is approximately 66% faster than a 4200 RPM drive and 33% faster than a 5400 RPM drive with little impact on battery life.

In a more real world test, I replaced the stock 4200 RPM drive in my R40 with a new 7200 RPM drive and it makes a big difference! My laptop feels more like my desktop now. As far as battery life goes, I get about 4 hours running Linux. I can't advise you on what to do about the predesktop area, I don't use Windows so I didn't attempt to save it.

I would also suggest that you upgrade your memory to 512 MB. I don't know if your G40 has PC2100 or PC2700 installed, but it might be adventageous to replace the stock memory with a 512MB stick of PC2700. You might get a slight boost from the faster memory.

[avalanchez71]

The G40 uses the B level Pentium 4, meaning a 533 FSB. IBM should have put PC2700 in it to match the FSB, if they didn't it would make a slight difference, but the amount is most importatnt, you'll notice a considerable difference with 512.