Thinkpad R60 T945795U: Need some advice, please help!

[Pepsibottle1]

Hello all. Just got a Thinkpad R60 for X-mas model # T945795U, and I'm looking to do a little project. It hasn't come yet, my parents bought it for me from IBM refurbished, so I'm only going by what I have here on the sheet in front of me.

But I'm a bit scared. Being the gamer I am, I love the Thinkpad, it's bulletproof. However, I only have the Intel intregated video, and that is obviously a major bottleneck. And although I have a IntelI'm very knowlegeable about computers, but I'm very unsure of what I can do with this laptop. I was expecting a bit more, but with a 1.66 GHZ Core Duo and a gig of ram, I may have a chance to pull a "Christmas Miracle", and install a new video card. I don't care what it is, anything is better that intergated video you know! So I was looking for a bit of advice

First, what can I expect from what I have now?

However, I've heard that IBM's are very customizeable, so here's my question. I really want to install a new video card. I believe it's Mini PCI Express, so if I find a card with that format, I should just be able to pop it in and go, right?

I really hope I will be able to do this. I really need a dedicated video card, and the Intel onboard just will not work for me. Some way to game on this thing

Also, it says that the maximum memory for the model is 2048, but I thought you could put 4GB max. Maybe it's just the 32 bit but I have a desktop with 2.5GB on 32bit XP, and other R60 models have a max capacity of 4GB. Could someone explain that?

Sorry, just a bit paranoid, lol. Get it from my mom. But I should be able to do something videowise, right? Again, anything is better than onboard video, I'll even put a low grade dedicated card if need be. I'm just nervous, first laptop, and I know IBM thinkpads are great. Had a X600. I'm too daggone paranoid!!

[goofyGAguy]

Sorry, the GPU is soldered to the motherboard.

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum and Merry Christmas.

This is what your R60 looked like when it left the factory:
Product: ThinkPad R60 9457-95U [change]
Operating system: All [change]

Original description: T2300E(1.66GHz), 512MB RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HD, 15in 1024x768 LCD, Intel 950, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

Bookmark this link for more info: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... yle=lenovo

I hate to put a damper on your Xmas spirit, but you can NOT upgrade the video card in this laptop (or any other Thinkpad AFAIK).
Physically you can put up to 2x 2GB RAM in it, but it won't recognize more than 3GB (due to built-in chipset limitation).
Thinkpads were never meant for gaming, although with the Intel GPU and its shared intelligent memory management you are very flexible.
The R60 is a rock-solid business machine, that should give you many useful years. Enjoy them!

[Pepsibottle1]

Well, that stinks. Was hoping not to hear that. . Thanks for the help. I'm glads I have a IBM though, they are bulletproof, as my X600 was. I can't unsoldier the card? Anyway possible at all? I'm really good with computers, and if there is a open Mini PCI-E slot, I don't see why not. I'll try though, give it my best shot. I've done video cards in laptops before, so it's not like I'm going in blind. I'll open it and see what I have, however, from what it sounds to be, it looks like I'm stuck with onboard video. Oh well, at least I have a laptop!

How is the 1.6ghz Core Duo? Is it overclockable or replaceable by any chance.

Thanks for the quick response, and Merry X-Mas to you all. Could some explain why it's not possible though?

[ajkula66]

No, you can't un-solder a graphic card-especially not an Intel integrated one-without destroying the motherboard. People who repair GPU failures on ThinkPads with discrete graphics usually have equipment worth tens of thousands of dollars...

CPU is both overclockable and replaceable, you can run up to T7600 Core 2 Duo in that machine.

You can get a dock and stick a stronger graphic card in it, I believe...

[Pepsibottle1]

Thanks.

Hmmm. If there is integrated video on my R60, then there should be a MIni PCI-E slot open, right?

If so, well, look at this.

So I keep googling, and I find out about the 1802 error. Something about the system not being able to boot if a "non approved" card is placed in the Mini PCI-E slot, right? Then, I found this thread in the FAQ section of the forum:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=42252

A workaround, or so it seems.

It's all weather or not I have a open slot free on the boars. If so, I may just be able to do this...

But someone will probably shoot my dreams down in a ball of flame, lying in wake of something else I didn't know about. Weirder things have happened in the world, take for instance, "The Play", where Cal beat Stanford by returning a kick with the band on the field.

Honestly, "How hard can it be?"

*pushes the Staples red easy button*

Nothing can beat the willpower of a 15 year old computer techie. If there's a will, I'm sure as heck will find a way. Hey, why am I doing this, when people like me should be trying to find the cure for cancer or global warming?

So, with that said, is there a open slot?

[Pepsibottle1]

*BUMP* What is the board used on this model? If it uses intergated graphics, it must be the Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset. I matched the one for my CPU, the T2300E, and here is what I should have

http://ark.intel.com/system.aspx?groupI ... etID=26998

And that board has the Intel 82945GM Graphics and Memory Controller, which has a PCI-E 16X slot

And back to the intergated video. According to Intel, the chip is built into the motherboard, and it also explains that in the Benefits to Consumers section, under upgradability, it goes on to explain about the possibility to add a stronger video card to the extra PCI-E 16X slot. "PCI Express* x16 port available¹ to upgrade to higher performance graphics card if required for extreme gaming."

http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/gma950/index.htm

[ajkula66]

That applies to desktop boards using the given chipset, not the laptop ones. Not too many cards can fit in a mini-PCI-e slot...

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:R60

As I previously stated, I believe that a dock could solve your problem regarding a stronger graphic card.

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkPad_ ... _Mini_Dock

[Pepsibottle1]

Ah, okay. So I just put the card into the dock and connect it to my Thinkpad?

Gotcha. Is it PCI-E compatible though?

[RealBlackStuff]

To put in an extra card you'll need the advanced dock: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 61232.html
Here's the next 'gotcha': to enjoy the more powerful graphics of the card in the dock, you also need an external monitor hooked up to that dock.
The DVI port pass-through on the dock does not work with laptops that have integrated GPUs.
You can read up a lot more on this subject here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=22358

Nothing can beat the willpower of a 15 year old computer techie

...until he meets his Destiny in the shape of an R60 ...
Also, don't forget that you are talking here to people, some of whom have already forgotten more about these laptops than you will ever know...
Heads up, you're young. So your mom didn't get you exactly what you wanted...
Count yourself lucky to HAVE an IBM laptop, and take it from there!

[Pepsibottle1]

True, guess I got a bit off my rocker. Sorry bout that.

Anyways, I'm really happy with what I'm getting. The R60, from what I've looked up, isn't much of a budget computer, especally with my setup. A 1.66 Ghz Core Duo, 1GB of RAM, that in itself is very respectable. The Intel GMA 950 as at least much faster than the Extreme chipsets, and I should be able to play retro games like Doom 1 and Nascar Racing 3 very respectable.

Adding 2GB of RAM however should really liven the system as a whole, that's my plan once I get my report card (5 A's, 2B's, I've got a 100 in Computer Engineering right now .).

I apologize if I came off a bit too on edge. Now that I look at it as a whole, I'm really lucky to be getting not only a very, very nice refurbished laprop, It's a Thinkpad! A great replacement for my X600, which has stood the test of time until now, I'll miss it. I look foward to a long time with this, and who knows, maybe with some more RAM, for use with the onboard video, I can even take a pop shot at BF2?