Help w/ buying RAM, HDD, Wifi, and Opitical Drive for Thinkpad Barebones

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tjweaver

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May 21, 2002
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Through someone's suggestion on this forum I just purchased a barebones IBM Thinkpad T42 through educational pricing. I now need to purchase RAM, a Hard Drive, a Wifi card, and optical drive seperately. The machine is a 2378EYU T42 INTEL PENTIUM M 1.8GHZ and I have no idea about compatiblitiy issues as I've never peiced together a laptop. One person mentioned Bason Computer for HDD's, Newegg for RAM, and ebay for a mini-pci wifi (not sure what mini-pci is) and DVD ROM. I'm looking for suggestions on specific parts that would work with my machine so I don't order the wrong things. I'm hoping for at least 512MB or RAM (or more), a 40 gig or larger hdd, I'd like the wifi card to be g compatible, and I'm hoping to find a good price on a DVD ROM/CD Writer combo (Does the optical drive need to be an IBM brand in order to be compatible?) I will be installing XP pro. Is there anything else I'm missing or not thinking of? Any hints, tips, and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time and help,

jake
 
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Abhi

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2003
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Dont know too much about this...

Any 2.5 " Hdd should work fine for you. Make sure you get a 7200 rpm drive.

Also, check crucial.com for RAm. They gaurantee it to work with the computer they sell it for.
 
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cy7878

Senior member
Jul 2, 2003
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I was the one on you mentioned before. I put together my X31 from barebone.


I think the best deal on RAM is actually from CompUSA during their Sunday sales -- cheapest price I saw was $69 after rebate for a 512mb PC2700 stick by PNY. normal price range $90-140.

Newegg.com or Basoncomputer has lot's of notebook drives available. 60G 5400 rpm is what I bought for about $139.

Mini-pci card (check IBM website for what this looks like) can be bought from IBM for $59 or on ebay for less. IBM has a install video on its support pages, just look for it.

Optical drive, cheap on eBay. You can search for any Portable Drive bay 2000 compatible device. a DVDROM is about $39-59. a CDRW/DVD is about $119.

Did you get a battery with the barebone? If not, this is the only piece I would suggest buy direct from IBM, as there are too many imitation batteries out there.
 
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cy7878

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Jul 2, 2003
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By the way, make sure all stuff bought off ebay are genuine IBM parts. It won't be hard to find.
 
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tjweaver

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May 21, 2002
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Thanks so much cy7878! I'm looking into all of this now and I'll post back.

It looks like a battery was not included. :( One more thing I need to hunt down and payfor.

jake
 
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cy7878

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Jul 2, 2003
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I would recommend buy that off IBM's site. You still get the Ed discount even on parts. You definitely want the IBM battery for the warranty.
 
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tjweaver

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May 21, 2002
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cy7878 someone on another forum said I will need a hard drive caddy. Do you know if this is true?

thanks,

jake
 
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cy7878

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Jul 2, 2003
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http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=0&q1=t42&q2=HDD&uid=psg1MIGR-46474&loc=en_US&cs=utf-8&cc=us&lang=en


Parts listings and diagram. Technically the caddy holds the HDD in place. But based on my previous and current experience, you can "plug" the HDD into the connector easily without the caddy. To be anal about this, after you plug in the HDD, you can pad the bottom with a very small piece of foam to cushion. The HDD cover and screw is included with the barebone.


I don't know what the clear cover is. Can you post the link to that message? I can assume they are talking about the cover over the Wi-Fi card. But I need to read that post to know.


Also, now that IBM has taken barebones out of their Ed Site, did you have to call to order? If you don't mind me asking, how much did you have to pay for the barebone?
 
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cy7878

Senior member
Jul 2, 2003
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I know the HDD will fit into the slot without the caddy support. But the caddy makes the fitting tighter and if you can pick one up cheap, I would do it.
I am having problem in my X31 in HD coming loose and now I padded the HDD with double sided tape.


The clear plate is a piece of plastic shield that goes over the internal cards as a shield. The $13 is relatively cheap IMO.

If your system wasn't meant to be bluetooth enbaled, I wouldn't bother. An USB BT adaptor is much simpler.

Again, the ultrabay slim drive is important.

BTW, your price is amazing. After you figure in all the components you will end up with a kick-ass computer that will cost easily $500 more from IBM.
 
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tjweaver

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May 21, 2002
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Thanks for the vote of confidence on the price. I was starting to get a little worried while adding all these extras up. :) Is there anyway I can find out if this barebone sytem came /w the clear plate, or is it a forgon conclussion that it has not. I've just got so many multiple orders out and i'm worried about shipping prices adding up. I'm already getting the battery and the dvd rom drive from ibm directly.
 
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cy7878

Senior member
Jul 2, 2003
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Well have you priced a 1.8Ghz system from IBM? They are all easily over $2500.

Remember, IBM charges more than $200 for a 512Mb stick, you can buy for $90. IBM charges $200 for Windows, which you can buy for less or use your own copy. HDD is another place where you save lots. It is some work to put everything together, but it will be worth it.
 
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tjweaver

Member
May 21, 2002
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I got a 512meg stick of Crucial memory for around $100. I'm looking at a 60 gig Hitachi 7200 rpm drive that costs around $180 at Newegg. I'm trying to decide if i really want the 7200rpm or if i should save a little money and go w/ a 5400, but either way it is cheaper than what IBM lists comperable components for.

jake
 
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cy7878

Senior member
Jul 2, 2003
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I never used a 7200rpm notebook drive, so I can't comment on speed. But I have been impressed by the 5400 rpm drive I have. I do wish sometimes I bought a 80G size because I would "rip" a DVD movie into the HD and watch it without the optical (X31 needs a base) and each movie is ablout 9G. But everyday use, my 60G / 5400 rpm is pretty speedy. After factor in the $60 price difference..... I don't know if I would go with a 7200 drive, since the excercise is to save money.
 
AnyMal

AnyMal

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
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I did not know one could buy IBM TP as barebones. How do I go about getting one? Any info would be highly appreciated.
 
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tjweaver

Member
May 21, 2002
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I got mine through the educational pricing as I work for a University. IBM's site had some models listed as BYO or build your own. It does look like they are geting out of that practice now - so i'm not sure what the future holds. It may be worth it for you to dig around a little more on it - sorry I couldn't be of much help.

jake
 
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cy7878

Senior member
Jul 2, 2003
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Originally posted by: AnyMal
I did not know one could buy IBM TP as barebones. How do I go about getting one? Any info would be highly appreciated.
Click to expand...

ALso instead of trying to buy on-line, just call the 800 number and talk to a rep. I think they work on commission, so you may be able to get one that way. From what I know, all the models offer barebone. Saving really only come from RAM,HDD, and OS.
 
AnyMal

AnyMal

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
15,780
0
76
Originally posted by: cy7878
Originally posted by: AnyMal
I did not know one could buy IBM TP as barebones. How do I go about getting one? Any info would be highly appreciated.
Click to expand...

ALso instead of trying to buy on-line, just call the 800 number and talk to a rep. I think they work on commission, so you may be able to get one that way. From what I know, all the models offer barebone. Saving really only come from RAM,HDD, and OS.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
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