T41 2373-8SU Wireless Problem

[goretsky Community Moderator]

Hello,

I ran Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition x86 on a ThinkPad T43.  Performance was not "snappy," but it was good enough for running typical office productivity software and web browsing.  I would imagine Windows 7 would perform better, if anything.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

[JAKsIBMs]

I was able to upgrade my cpu to a T43 (Pentium M 2.1 GHz) that has a faster speed then the 1.6 Ghz from the original machine configuration's CPU.  (I bought this on eBay.)  I did this because I wanted to use the T41 with an updated WIndows 7 OS  (I think it requires a 2.0 GHz CPU as a minimum) though I was able to work around the PCMCIA issues with XP SP3 OS.  I also had to upgrade the fan to the long fan to increase the cooling of the CPU that should go with this CPU upgrade.  There are threads in this forum that handles this upgrade to the 2.1 GHz cpu.  As long as you have the repair manual and a screw driver and other basic tools (including the thermal compound that adheres the CPU to the system board which is available from Radio Shack and other electronic outlets) then it is a pretty straight forward upgrade.

The T41 now runs great with Windows 7 except for the graphics which will not handle all of the enhanced Win 7 graphics capabilities (Windows Aero and gaming graphics).  This does not allow the use of the computer with games and other fast paced software which I don't use anyway.  However, for my use with this computer, it works pretty well and is significantly faster in other performance areas compared to XP.  I use a new network PCMCIA card for the N network (Linksys).  It was a lot cheaper to go this route than to buy a new computer with all the bells and whistles that are needed to use Win 7.  Plus, the Lenovo Thinkvantage Toolbox is also compatible with WIndows 7 for updates and computer maintenance needs.