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    Hoping to Upgrade my outdated thinkpad

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by UCHacker11, Jul 29, 2007.

  1. UCHacker11

    UCHacker11 Notebook Consultant

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    I curently have an old IBM ThinkPad A31 with the following setup:

    CPU: Intel Pentium 4 mobile 1.60 GHz
    MOBO: ?
    RAM: 512 MB
    HDD: 20 GB of unknown maker
    CD-ROM drive and Floppy Drive

    I was hoping to upgrade the RAM (prolly 1 GB), Optical Drive, switch the floppy for a second DVD drive, add a better processor, and definately upgrade the HDD to at least a 60 GB; hopefully a 100 GB. I figured i might have to put in a new MOBO That has wireless built in (running on plug-in wireless card at the moment.) However, i have heard that many laptops cannot be upgraded and was wondering if this was true for my laptop. If i can upgrade any hardware suggestions would be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance!
     
    UCHacker11, Jul 29, 2007
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  2. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

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    wearetheborg, Jul 29, 2007
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  3. David

    David NBR Random Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    You are definitely better off purchasing a new notebook. Laptops are usually non-upgradable except for the ram, HDD and sometimes the CPU (if its not soldered). It's a lot more tricky than building a desktop.
     
    David, Jul 29, 2007
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  4. Tailic

    Tailic Notebook Deity

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    I also think it might be a good idea to buy another if you're thinking about a new cpu, hard drive, ram, mobo and dvd drive. For all that you can probably buy yourself a new R61 thats faster then all the upgrades you can get for that old clunker.

    Ebaying your old Thinkpad probably could pay for half of the price of a new R61.
     
    Tailic, Jul 29, 2007
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  5. UCHacker11

    UCHacker11 Notebook Consultant

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    Ok but i want to upgrade this one because i want the experience. Also i already have a new XPS M1210 so i dont "need" a new laptop just want to use this as a backup and for general use. If i can only upgrade the RAM and HDD then thats fine by me. Can i at least swap out the optical drive?
     
    UCHacker11, Jul 29, 2007
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  6. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

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    wearetheborg, Jul 29, 2007
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  7. UCHacker11

    UCHacker11 Notebook Consultant

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    Is there any way to determine what my MOBO is?
     
    UCHacker11, Jul 29, 2007
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  8. moon angel

    moon angel Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    I reeeeeeeally wouldn't bother with the motherboard it'll almost certainly be more difficult than is worth if not impossible to properly upgade. I'd stick to ram and hard disk and maybe cpu if you're feeling adventurous.
     
    moon angel, Jul 30, 2007
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  9. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

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    The CPU will be hard to find though. You need a Socket 478 CPU. The Intel Pentium 4 mobile works, but the same socket is used for desktops and they might or might not work. It depends on your bios/motherboard.
     
    fabarati, Jul 30, 2007
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  10. UCHacker11

    UCHacker11 Notebook Consultant

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    ok thanks to all your responses. Can i pull the useless floppy out and add a second optical drive cuz they are both 5" bays? I want to be able to burn disc to disc instead of having to rip the item to my computer.
     
    UCHacker11, Jul 30, 2007
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  11. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

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    Not sure, but I don't think so. Unless it's got MultiBay. But those usually have one drive.
     
    fabarati, Jul 30, 2007
    #11