T41: 1.6 GHz Banias => 1.7 GHz Dothan - NOT WORKING!

[tdavis34]

Hi there,

I just received an M735 (SL7EP, 1.7 GHz, 400 MT/s FSB) that I bought on eBay ($18 shipped!) and installed it in my T41 (2373-7FU) - with no luck! Computer powered on, but screen stayed blank. No beeps, nothing. Holding down the power key for just a second or so turned it back off. I put my old CPU back in and everything worked fine again. I repeated this cycle and got the same results.

Is it safe to assume the M735 I got is a dud? I do have the latest BIOS for my T41.

I bought this T41 on eBay a while ago because I love the old ThinkPads and have since added a bigger battery, maxed out the RAM and replaced the WiFi with 802.11g (it had b), and am looking forward to swapping out the drive for an SSD soon when prices come down a little more. I KNOW I could have a faster, newer computer for the money I’ve spent so far (~$350), but pimping my T41 is fun! Thanks to everyone here for all the helpful advice I've gotten so far.

-Tim

[Harryc]

Definitely a bad CPU. An SL7EP should work just fine.

[tdavis34]

Thanks. I contact the eBay seller and they said they'd ship me out a new one. I'll post again after it gets here as to whether or not it works.

Also, how critical is it to apply the thermal paste to the new CPU? I find it interesting that a tube of that is $10, more than half the cost of the CPU itself...

-Tim

[Harryc]

Very critical when the CPU gets up to high loads for long periods of time.

[tdavis34]

Ok, cool. I'll get some - I see that I can get it at TigerDirect here in town for $6. I may even have a buddy with some to spare...

Thanks again!!!