ThinkPad 390 Questions

[lilserenity]

Hiya,

I have a TP 390 on the way for a friend that is just the basic Pentium 233MHz MMX model. I have a 128meg SDRAM (PC66) DIMM on the way, listed as 390 compatible and looks to be just fine so that will help boost it (to give it 160MB) and a bigger hard disk.

I understand MMX models use the 430TX chipset and the PII 233/266 models of the 390 use the 440BX, but both use MMC-1 modules - is there any chance the 430TX will accept a MMC-1 Pentium II/Celeron?

The main task for me on this one is repair the busted hinge (yes that old 3xx series chesnut )

Thanks!
Vicky

[MagicBoy]

The MMC-1 module isn't just the CPU - it contains the CPU, the northbridge (ie the 430/440 chip) and the voltage regulators. Its certainly possible to change the unit and get an upgrade from a P-MMX to a PII, but it's possible you might run into BIOS problems and memory type incompatibilities.

Have look here : http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/200011 ... pu-07.html for more information.

[lilserenity]

Thanks for the reply, my next step will be to repair the hinge, I have the machine here and bar not having a hard disk it does indeed work. I sourced the necessary screws too to replace the missing and knackered ones.

When the thing is running well on the P233MMX, I'll chuck in a 300MHz Celeron and see whether it will go (Since it's likely to be cooler than the Klamath based Tonga PII 233/266s)

If that works, I might put on XP on the thing to save some headaches for the recipient, with regards to wireless networking.

Thanks again!

Vicky