Hello! thinking about buying a used T4x -novice SSD question

[NYU02]

Hello everyone.
I've been reading the boards and find everyone here extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I'm in the market for a new thinkpad and I'm a little concerned about the new t400. I'm not sure if the keyboard and build is the same. I was thinking about buying a used t42 or t43 online. I can get one for about $300. In order to fix it up to my needs I will need to upgrade the memory and hard drive.
I'm a novice when it comes to computers so I was hoping everyone here can help. Memory shouldn't be a problem, that is simple. It's the hard drive. I would like to upgrade to an ssd hard drive. My question are this.

1) is the t42,t43 pata or sata hard drive?
2) I know how to screw it in but if I dont want to transfer any files and install a fresh ibm xp operating system, is that hard? I read about all the work that has to be done with bios etc. Will I need to do that with a fresh install? If so, can someone show me how or link an article on how.
3) Is this worth it? How much better is the t4x vs new t400s?

Thanks everyone very much. It is appreciated.

NYU02

[ssd_thinkpad]

All T4x models use pata drives. The T43(p) model is a bit strange as it internally uses sata, but connects only to pata drives. It is picky about which drives it will takes without giving you errors. The T42 models are said to be cooler with having around the same speed. Batteries are not longer produced for the T4x series. I only consider the T4x series better than the T4xx series if you take a Flexview model (15 inch non xga). Otherwise the advanced (mini) docking stations from the T6x / T4xx series is more comfortable at least for me to use. If you like to use 4:3 displays you can consider taking a T6x model which is also nice but somewhat heavier.

If you buy a T4xx model now from lenovo, you get one with a much better keyboard typing quality.

[dsvochak]

Which is better? Like almost everything related to computers, the answer to the questions is “It depends on your expected use and your personal preferences.” A T42 or 43 can still do pretty much everything a later machine can do.

There are a lot of discussions on this forum and elsewhere about drive cloning. While many of them report problems, I haven’t been able to duplicate any of the problems reported. In general, it transferring everything on the old drive to the new drive is much easier and quicker than doing a new install.

There is a thread with benchmarks and a comparison chart on cf and ssd drives in the X forum which is useful for a cost/benefit analysis of SSD v conventional drive. (http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=71881)

If you decide on a T42/43 a machine from the marketplace here is best source. Or you could post a WTB.

[NYU02]

Since I will be installing the new pata ssd right when I get the referb I won't need to clone anything - right?

What I am hoping to do is buy the t42, buy a pata ssd (2.5inch right?) and unscrew the old hard drive, install the ssd. and load windows from an install cd. Is that not possible? Is this a difficult task?

thanks everyone again,
NYU02

[dsvochak]

Yes it's possible and no not hard.

[NYU02]

Ok, thanks!

so here are a couple more questions. Sorry for going over this again and again, just want to make sure the idiot that I am can do this.

If I buy this ssd - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820208444
I can just remove old hard drive, stick this one in and put the recovery cd in. - that will work? no need to adjust bios, etc.?

thanks,
NYU02

[ssd_thinkpad]

If I buy this ssd - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820208444
I can just remove old hard drive, stick this one in and put the recovery cd in. - that will work? no need to adjust bios, etc.?

Exactly, there is not much more to do. When you put out your hdd, you notice that this hdd is in some special case. You just put the old hdd out of this case and put your new ssd inside this case. Then you put the case in your notebook back.

This slc ssd is only 16 gb, this is great for xp, but vista would like a 32 gb hdd more. (It is possible to install vista and office on 16 gb but it takes some effort). I can recommend the slc ssds from samsung (I currently write this on a thinkpad with samsung ssd). Of course bigger slc solid state discs cost some money, my ssd did cost more than the T60 I bought last month

[NYU02]

ssd_thinkpad,

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SPEEDY REPLY. If you don't mind me asking a couple more simple questions I would greatly appreciate it.

1) Does the t42 come with cds or i should create them before I remove the hard drive?
2) If it just that simple, why did I read posts about people have trouble with the bios? Is that something else?
3) If I dont use the the recovery cd will a fresh copy of XP work or it won't have the drivers?

Oh, and its 2.5 pata not 1.8 right?


Thank you very very much!
NYU02

[ssd_thinkpad]

You need a 2.5 pata drive.

Most likely your used thinkpad does not come with restore cds. If you do not have these cds, you can burn them yourself with Windows > Start > Thinkvantage > "burn restore cds program" (I do not know the name of this program). This is highly recommended as otherwise it is hard to get some of these cds. So when buying a used thinkpad, first boot up with the installed hdd which should have the ibm partition already installed (this is a secret partition where you can reinstall your system if there are errors etc.). Make sure this partition is there when buying a thinkpad.

I never use these lenovo partitions and much prefer to install a clean windows. To do that, I start the thinkpad, boot from a normal windows installation cd and repartitionate and format the whole hdd. Then you install windows. After that, you can go to lenovo pages and download all drivers you want. Most important drivers are automatically installed by windows anyway.

Only the T43 and T43p models have bios problems with some hdds, as they have a white list: Only hdds which are mentioned in this white list are okay for these models. Other hdds also work, but then the thinkpad gives you a "you do not use a right hdd" message when booting. Your T42 model does not give you any bios problems. You have to decide which T42 model do you want, the 14 inch models are said to be the best for mobile users, where the 15 inch non-xga models (called Flexview) have a very great display, but this very great display is power hungry so you do not get much battery hours out of these models. The T42p has a faster graphic card, but therefore also needs more power and tends to be hotter.

[NYU02]

ssd_thinkpad,
Thanks so much. You have been a big help. The purpose to buying this was to save money and I like the old 4:3 screens better then wide screen. Plus for what I need (office, email) another 1gig (to 1.5) and an ssd with make it as powerful for my use and new laptops.

Two more stupid questions (and I thank you for your help with this novice walk through).

1) after I make the recovery cd to I put it in the cd drive before I switch hdds or install the pata ssd and it will promp me to install the recovery cd?

2) I will be getting a t42. I have no knowledge of bios or how to fix it so it will literally just install from recovery a fresh xp. Do I need to do anything to the SSD drive?

Thanks again. - This is the T42 and SSD I want. http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Le ... oduct.html OR http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/IB ... oduct.html --- why is one lenovo and one ibm? aren't they both IBM days? Just a website error? & http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820208444 (UNLESS you know of a cheaper SLC pata drive that is good) Thanks


What do you think? If you think that it will work I will order today and try to install next week. I will def. keep you updated.



Thanks,
NYU02

[ssd_thinkpad]

1. You just start the thinkpad you get without changing anything and burn your restore cds. Then you replace your hdd. After that put the restore cd in your thinkpad, boot it up and install your system restore cds.

2. You do not need anything to do to your ssd hdd. It is a normal hdd, whether it is ssd hdd or not - your notebook does not know.

If you want to use an external display, I'd go with the docking station which provides you the digital video port dvi. The docking is also extremely cheap today (around 25 $). For the T4 series, there are two docking stations: the replicator II and the mini dock II. The replicator II is only giving you 1 "usb 1" port, where the mini dock II gives you four "usb 1" ports but has a fan which some users turn off by removing its power cable. The replicator is smaller. Both give you dvi, vga, and old school ps2 adapters for mouse and keyboard. All T4 series notebooks are ibm notebooks, as far as I know in this time there were already some discussions with lenovo and maybe some stickers are lenovo and some stickers are ibm. But that does not matter, you get the same notebook. The laptop is definitely very good for xp with the 1.5 gb ram and the slc ssd.

[NYU02]

Great. Just bought the lenovo model it is def an ibm though.

one other question. If I am using this just for office and interenet - can I get away with the 8gig with pata ssd with xp? Saves about 100 bucks.

thanks,
NYU02

[Johan]

One other question: If I am using this just for office and internet - can I get away with the 8 GB with PATA SSD with XP?

I'd say yes. The T42p which I am typing this on has a full Win XP Pro SP2 installation (with no "tweeks" to reduce memory or HDD space requirements), and the c:\windows directory takes up around 4.8 GB while c:\I386 takes up 500 MB and c:\documents and settings takes up 500 MB as well and c:\drivers takes up 250 MB. Then c:\programs\microsoft office (containing Microsoft Office 2003 w/Word, Excel, Powerpoint) takes up 140 MB. Add to this mics. system files (the swap file etc.) and you will still be well within 8 GB.

You may however "shrink" a Windows installation considerably through the XP Lite. I never tried it, but a colleague has recommended it for a fast, optimized, small installation. Try search this archieves here; there might be reports about how to optimize a ThinkPad Windows installation.

Congratulations with your new Thinkpad! Please report back here about your experience with the SSD installation (ease of installation and particularly the "feel" with a SSD on a T42; is it snappy, speedy or somewhat slow?). Thanks!

Johan

[NYU02]

will do thanks!
I'm a little concerned about buying a refurbished 5 year old comp.

any thoughts on how long I can expect the parts (excluding the hard drive) to last?

[ssd_thinkpad]

There are people who use the Thinkpad 600 which was produced 9 years ago. I'd say your T4 notebook will last for lots of years if it does not fall down on the floor or some other accident happens.