Thinkpad T510 Owners lounge

Thanks for your reply! I do like that sleeve and may order one. The backpack is nice also, though a bit thick/deep for my personal needs. I'm going to browse around Amazon some more over the weekend and see if I can find something there. I notice the Swiss Gear bags all say they can't be shipped outside of the US, but the Case Logic ones apparently will. Hopefully other brands.

 

Let me know if you find anything Mutnat, I can't find any good bags in Canada either.

 

I've noticed something on my T510 that's interesting and also a little disturbing. If I run the T510 off the power adapter, without the battery, the clock frequency never goes over 50% (according to the Win7 Resource Monitor) even though both processor cores are at 100% load (I am using LinX to load the processor). The CPU temp is only 42c so it's not a temperature issue. I have the power options set for max performance. If I put the battery in, the max frequency immediately goes to 110% (Turbo Boost), so this behavior seems to be a power issue. I guess it is by design, the battery is used as secondary power source when extra power is needed, if the battery is not there than the clock stays low. This is a little disturbing though, because it means is that I have to leave the battery in the laptop - not the best thing for the battery life.

The T510 comes with two different power adapters, a 65w and a 90w. I have the 65w. I wonder if there would be a change in this behavior if I got the 90w adapter. I would really appreciate it if somebody with the 90w adapter would run a test (take out battery, load cpu, and check clock freq with Resource Monitor) and let us know the result. TIA!

 

Yeah, that adapter might be a reason for that. If I remember correctly there have been previous laptops that don't go to max performance without a battery in too. I don't remember too many details. Your battery won't get over charged or anything if you leave it in though. You can use Lenovo's power manager to adjust the charge thresholds too.

 

so what are the options on the t510 ultrabay?

i understand there will be a sizeable gap if you use a harddrive. how big is it? will there ever be a properly fitted solution?

 

how difficult is artic silver 5 application with this layout? would it void warranty?

 

Small update on whine issue.

So after failed attempt to install XP Pro on T510, I did a clean install of Win 7 Pro, which didn't help in any way.

I also tried to start RMClock w/o any success. After googling a bit I found out about 2 more tools, CrystalCPU and CPUGenie.

1st one apparently doesn't support i5 properly as it wasn't showing all info about my cpu, like cache...

After that I tried CPUGenie, which has this Voltage optimization wizard, during this process I got BSOD, after restarting I experienced some unstable behaviour, like hanging.. which made me to re-install windows one more time.. and I ran it one more time , this time with the safest option.. but again I got BSOD.

But, I noticed one important thing. Initially when I was having whine noise, CPUs voltage was 1.075V, but currently is 0.9375V and I have no whine whatsoever.

I cannot explain why voltage went down. I even can confirm that Core Temp was showing 1.075V and after couple of seconds went down again to 0.9375V.

One thing to mention would be that i have unlocked voltages but I don't remember saving settings or even changing it...

Right now I'm not hearing that high pitch noise and the voltage is 0.9375V.

So, bottom line. It looks like a/the fix would be to undervolt the CPU a bit, but I'm not sure what are the side effects, as I've noticed that under full load it CPU's speed doesn't go higher than 2.8GHz...

 

Thanks for the update. I still think that it (whining noise) should not happen on a brand new laptop. I would like to go through some troubleshooting with Lenovo to narrow it down.

The last time they send a tech to change my fan. Although both the tech and I don't think it's the problem, we changed it and reported back to Lenovo. The next think on the list, I would think is, if they can send me another battery and/or AC adapter to rule these two component out. Then would be the RAMs - last think would like to try is the CPU, GFX and the board itself. I am suspecting it's some AC to DC circuitry in the board.

On the sidenote, there're a few times when I use the fingerprint reader that it gave me some electric shock. It's nothing serious but more than just static. Plus the shock seemed to happen only when I use it with the system powered on. Wonder if it's a related issue. Lenovo has bumped the case up to some safety team before the tech support can pick it up again.

 

Smart move coming up with that "electric shock" bit. We all know this is a result of some bad board design or possibly bad capacitors or other components on the board. It definitely has something to do with the power saving circuitry on the board. My bet is that if you ran all of your CPU cores at full speed, you wouldn't hear the noise.

Laptops have had this problem for a few years now, and I'm very disappointed that they haven't resolved it yet. I guess they don't consider things like this to be "real" problems. All you can do is keep calling them under warranty so it keeps costing them money to send someone out. It's sad, but that's the only way to get their attention about it.

It would be quite simple to check if it's the AC adapter... put your ear to it and see if it's coming from there.

 

So how long is it supposed to take for there to be a status change on your order? Order date says 3/9. Today is the 14th and my bank account still hasn't been hit.

Is this normal? Maybe I'm just getting a bit too excited...

Any updates on those reviews?

 

do you have 0.9375V across the board? is this the lowest stable value?

 

I ordered on 3/8 and the estimated date shown 2 days later was 4/1, which was far beyond my expection and its original estimation. I called customer service 3/11 and complaint about it. The second day it was shown as shipped.

By the way, I just choose HD screen.

 

I'm sorry I do not know yet. The CPUGenie showed me 0.712V, I think, the lowest stable.. however I didn;t get there yet...

 

i hope you keep us posted!

 

I got my T510 back from Lenovo.

Unfortunately, they did NOT fix the problem. They said the high pitch noise was fan noise, which was so obvious not the case.

They just updated the BIOS and sent the machine back. Now, I am still hearing that annoying high pitch noise as I type.

I doubt Lenovo can ever fix that problem.

 

Sorry man, haven't had the chance to do anything yet. Hopefully sometime this week.

 

I actually have two 90W AC adapter comes together with the order, and the noise happens with both. I doubt it's the adapter too, as I can hear that noise with only the battery on, or with AC on while having the battery out. But I would really like them to send me another adapter & battery to really rule these out. I would think, in some way, I am trying to troubleshoot some of their design problems, but I don't mind it at all.

I upgrade to onsite with $29 for the first year, as I cannot afford not having my machine around. I will have them look into this closely this year until they nail down to a particular source. If it came to a point that it is inherit to the design and they cannot fix it, so be it; but I'd like to have them nail it down.

 

Okay so I finally ordered a bag today! I got the Targus TBB060US Chromatic Backpack for 16" laptops.




I was going to order it from Amazon.com ( http://www.amazon.com/Targus-Chroma..._1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1268611716&sr=8-1), but their shipping to Canada is crazy-expensive. I ended up ordering it from TigerDirect.ca instead ( http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=T22-0133). I added a couple of other accessoreis too ( http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=B20-0123 and http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=B20-4000) and that pushed me into free shipping price range (>$100 CDN).

Why did I pick this bag? Well, it claims to fit a 15.25" by 10.5" by 1.65" laptop, which is virtually perfect for my 14.75" by 10.5" by 1.625" T510 (with 9-cell), the bag doesn't appear to be extremely bulky, the straps look wide, thick, and well-padded, and I like the general look of it.

I'll post an update and maybe some pics with the T510 and bag together when I receive it.

Cheers!

 

Congratulations, mutnat. it's really nice.
Another interesting thing to share. I made my order at 3/7, then I called them at 3/8, they told me the laptop would shipped in several days and take another 6-10 days to delivery.

Today I checked the UPS status. Just shown like below:

Location Date Local Time Description
US 03/13/2010 4:11 A.M. CARRIER AND CUSTOMS RELEASED
CN 03/11/2010 10:20 P.M. DEPARTURE
03/11/2010 10:00 P.M. RECEIVED INTO UPS SCS POSSESSION
03/12/2010 10:06 P.M. BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

it's fast. The laptop took 6 days to fly from China to US border.. lol....

 

LOL yeah I think most of that time it was probably sitting in US Customs waiting for clearance. I hope you receive it very soon!

 

What I mean is that if it's the adapter, the noise will be coming directly from the adapter itself. There's nothing in the adapter that would cause a noise in another part of the system (like if it's coming from somewhere inside the laptop).

 

Thanks Mutnat, i could not wait to own a much faster laptop..lol

 

Yup. I think you're right. I don't think it's the adapter too, so I don't mind if they don't offer to send an extra adapter for me to test. It's only my usual paranoid to REALLY rule this out. But again, I agree with you it's not likely from the adapter.

 

Mine hasn't even been charged to my account yet and your guys' have already been shipped.

I think I am going to give them a call on monday. This doesn't seem right.

 

Same with me Kiwikat, maybe with all the sales lately they are a bit backed up?

 

Mine shipped (yea!). I'm in Anchorage. Crazy UPS ships from Hong Kong to Anchorage, then has to go to their central facility in Louisville, then back to Anchorage!! So sad to see it a mile from my house then thousands of miles away. But, should have it Monday or Tuesday. Won't be able to do anything serious with it until Friday anyway due to my work.

I'm concerned about the whine. I wear hearing aids which will make it worse since they amplify high pitch sounds. On the plus side, I probably won't hear a whine at all without my hearing aids.

.


.

 

I believe UPS processes packages through customs at Louisville, so all parcels go through their facility there. Seeing as it already left customs, though, you should receive it very soon

The "CPU whine" issue, at least in the past, wasn't universal - only a few people complained of the problems, and I would imagine that it's the same in the Tx10 generation. So hopefully your T510 doesn't have that issue.

When you receive it, be sure to post some feedback and pictures

 

May I ask what exactly happens when it ships? Do they send you an email to the email on your account? Or do they just change your order status page and add a tracking number there?

 

Ahh, customs in Louisville. That makes sense. I figured it was just their system of distribution.

I'll definitely post some impressions and a few pics, though not much new that hasn't already been posted for visuals.

Thanks for the reassurance on the whine odds.

 

I got an email. It's short so I'll post it so you can see what to expect. It has a link to your order status.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Customer,

Thank you for choosing Lenovo!

All or part of your order has shipped. In some instances your order may be
shipped from more than one location, which will result in multiple
notifications. You will only be invoiced for products that have shipped.
Please visit our online status tool to view the latest information on the
status of your order:

www.directlenovo.com/orderstatus/login.cfm?cid=xxxxxxxx&oid=xxxxxx

(Shipment tracking numbers, if applicable, will be posted to the website
within 24 hours.)

 

pstrisik, i noticed that your shipping was originated from HongKong, why did mine come from CN...and I think your shipping really fast, mine laptop has the stats of "CARRIER AND CUSTOMS RELEASED" for almost 2 days, the gods knows what they about doing there....

 

Does the T510 has a service bay light (or whatever it's called) like the T500? I am referring to the light that is next to the DVD drive.

If they still have it hopefully there is a way to turn it off without having to use the black tape approach.

 

The T510 does NOT have the green power on light on the button right of the ultrabay like the T500. You should be aware with the T510 you can no longer simply pull out the ultrabay devices from the side of the computer like the T500 instead you will have to turn the computer over and push on two separate latches which is really inconvenient.

 

Yeah, from announced shipping to arrival (today or tomorrow) it was pretty quick... 3/12-3/15 or 3/16. My original order date was 3/3.

Tracking shows it was back in Anchorage last night, so I'm hoping for delivery today.

Wow!!! UPS came to my door as I was typing this post! Won't have time to even open it until 1:00pm my time due to work though!

 

pstrisik, congratulations on the new PC. What were your specs? I ordered one on the same day 3/3 and the ship date has moved from 3/12 to 3/16. Today the estimated shipping date was blank and when I called I was told my date is now 3/18. All the CSRs say is trust me it will ship, needless to say I do not trust them. Here are my specs.

4313CTO CONFIGURED SYSTEM
45M4818 SBB INCR I5-540M 2.53GHZ,3MBL3
45M3090 VBB GENUWIN7PROFES.64
45M4918 SBB G.WIN.7PROF64US ENGLISH
45M4595 SBB 15.6HD+ANTI-GLW/LEDBKLIGH
45M4578 SBB NVNVSXXX512MBDDR3W/IAMTCH.
42X6309 VBB 4GBPC3-8500 1067MHZ2DIMM
45M4839 SBB KEYBOARDUS ENGLISH
45M4631 SBB CAMERA(2.0 MP)
45M4613 SBB 250GB H.DISKDRIVE5400RPM
45M4608 SBB MULT.RECORD.OPTDRIVE12.7MM
75Y0174 VBB EXPCARSL+5IN1CARREAD
45M4816 SBB 9CELLLI-ION BATTERY
39T6442 SBB COUNTRY PACK NORTH AMERICA
45M4804 SBB IN.CENT.ULTIMATE-N 6300
44C7950 SBB INT WRLSSWDAREANTWRK UPGR
45M4676 SBB LANGUAGEPACK US ENGLISH

Has anybody else with similar specs had this problem?

 

Mine still says IN PROCESS, EST SHIP DATE of 3/22/10, and my bank account has yet to be hit. You ordered yours almost a week earlier though. Looks like I will actually be waiting the whole time till the 22nd or possibly later...

 

My ship date went blank for a bit also, then reappeared a few days later. I suspect that ship dates will get better as they get caught up with demand.

My specs are:

SYS.4313CT CONFIGURED SYSTEM
4313CTO THINKPAD T510 - 1 YEAR DEPOT
45M4818 SBB INCR I5-540M 2.53GHZ,3MBL3
45M3090 VBB GENUWIN7PROFES.64
45M4918 SBB G.WIN.7PROF64US ENGLISH
45M4595 SBB 15.6HD+ANTI-GLW/LEDBKLIGH
45M4577 SBB IN.5GFX5700MHDW/INADM.TECH
45M4572 VBB 4GBPC3-10600DDR3 1333SODMM
45M4839 SBB KEYBOARDUS ENGLISH
75Y0171 VBB ULNAVTRPOITOUPADFINGREADER
45M4631 SBB CAMERA(2.0 MP)
45M4618 SBB 500GB HDISK DRIVE7200RPM
45M4608 SBB MULT.RECORD.OPTDRIVE12.7MM
75Y0174 VBB EXPCARSL+5IN1CARREAD
45M4815 SBB 6CELLLI-ION BATTERY
41W1787 SBB CPK NORTH AMERICA
45M3043 SBB BLUETOOTH W/ANTENNA
45M4804 SBB IN.CENT.ULTIMATE-N 6300
44C7950 SBB INT WRLSSWDAREANTWRK UPGR
45M4676 SBB LANGUAGEPACK US ENGLISH
45M4733 SBB CL.PLATET510WLAN+WWAN+WPAN
45M4734 SBB SYST.LABELW/COMPLIANCEID
44C8401 SBB ENERGYSTAR 4.0 TIER 2 PACK
60Y6005 SBB NEWIN.LAB2010IN.COREI5VPR
45M4731 SBB MECHMISCPARTS
45M3419 SBB MSLAB.(WIN.7STANDARD)
75Y0781 SBB ODD SW DVD REC VW7 CRL
45M4713 SBB PACKAGINGMOWEXCEPTCN,HK,JP
45M4600 SBB ULNAVTRPOI.+TO.PADW/F.READ
60Y8445 SBB INT INTGR GRP 5700MHD,TPM
60Y6092 SBB REARCLEARPLATEW/OCOL.SENS
45M4607 SBB 4GBPC3-10600DDR3 1333MHZSM
45M4585 SBB BASE2NDTOUCH-INTELINTEGR.
45M4725 SBB WLANM.PARTS-3X3 HALF(H1)
45M4728 SBB WWANM.PART-WWANREADYFULLF1
75Y1079 SBB 15.6HD+LD B/L 11N,WWN,C
45M4754 SBB FCCLABEL
45M4736 SBB GEOLABELUS,WLAN,BLUETOOTH
45K5985 3YR Onsite + 3YR ADP

It's hard to figure out what some of these lines mean!
.

 

stop before you kill yourself.

 

xD I think I am too excited to do that!

(if nobody noticed...)

 

ordered 2/28. ive been released from customs.

 

Does anyone's T510 make a buzzing noise when the backlight is at less than 100% brightness? I know these laptops aren't silent, but this noise is only coming from the screen. I'm running Linux and trying to figure out if this is a bug in the backlight driver. Thanks!

 

I hope yours has started moving again today towards your home?

 

No buzz per se, just a bit of a whine noise. And it doesn't seem to vary with the backlight brightness, I tried stepping up and down from 0 to 15 and back a few times just now and noticed no change.

 

Hi! I'm about to buy a T510 on Lenovo's Canada website and they are asking for the following selection:

Pointing device:
- UltraNavN-FPR for Color Sensor
- UltraNav FPR, No Color Sensor [add $20.00]

I can't find infos about what exactly these mean. Does the "N" in UltraNavN-FPR means No Finger Print Reader? And what is the color sensor?

 

I guess I have to eat my words. I just got the shipment confirmation 20 minutes ago . Now let's hope that UPS can get it through customs without a problem.

 

Flopp, I too just got a shipment confirmation. No, tracking yet though. I can't wait for this stupid thing to arrive

 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Mine was shipped today!!!

Now the F5ing really begins!

 

Oh my GOD , how did you get it shipped so fast???? I'm simultaneously very happy for you, plus very annoyed (considering how long mine took in comparison, LOL).

 

I dunno. I chose 2 Day shipping if that does anything.

Does that mean 2 days after it clears customs?

The impatience never ends.

 

Oh, if only that had been an option!