IBM Thinkpad 760LD

[bcblair]

I have a IBM Thinkpad 760LD running on Windows95. I have not used it in a while, but have some need for a laptop now. Can I upgrade it to Windows XP. How upgradable is it?

It has a 5 gb hard drive. I mainly want to use it for internet and a wireless networked station that links up to my computer when at home and one at a work location when I am there.

TIA

 

[fbrdphreak]

I did a quick search and didn't find much, except the words EDO RAM :Q :Q :Q :Q
EDO RAM is SO wicked old its not funny. I doubt you could put enough RAM in it for XP to run faster than a slideshow. Put 98 on it and be happy

MAYBE Win2K, but you're pushing it (esp with the HDD)

 

[phaxmohdem]

I used to have a 760LD laptop myself... Back in 1968 J/K

All kidding aside, it MAY be possible to run XP, however I need some more into. Namely RAM. It would be murder to try and use XP on a unit with less than 128MB RAM. Some of teh older thinkpads with EDO RAM topped out at 80-96MB. How much does your unit have? Also processor speed.... Does it have MMX?

Also to take into consideration, a typical install of XP with normal options slected, and an office suite such as office 2000 will take up right around 2 gigs of HDD space right from the start.

If it were my laptop, and replacing it wasn't an option, I would opt for Windows 98. That will give you the most performance/functionality for your hardware I believe. Still let me know wthe full specs, and I'll try to make a recommendation.

 

[bcblair]

I can't remember how to check the system info on 95 for all the specs, buit it appears to only have 48 mb of ram. What else do you need to know and how can I find out. Where is a good place to find out if I can expand that.

 

[phaxmohdem]

I did a quick Google check, and your 760LD system can only address a maximum of 64MB of RAM. IT has 8MB built onto the motherboard and most likely 2 memory slots where you can put 2- 32MB sticks max. (The computer may actually see 72MB due to the 8MB built in RAM).

Your notebook will also sport a Pentium CPU in the 90-120MHz range most likely. You can run CPU-Z to determine the exact processor in there.... I posted a zip file of it here.... http://www.auctionspice.com/misc/cpuz.zip <--linky

Regardless of clock speed it looks as though your best option at this point is to install Windows 98SE... (It does have a CD-ROM Drive I hope). With your limited RAM it will get you the most performance and features your lil lappy friend needs.

Note: I just realized, my old Thinkpad was in fact a 760XL model... Still same era though.

Best of luck with this. Also depending on how esperienced/comfortable you are with Linux, you may try downloading a smallish distro and using that. Even older ones should have good driver support for your Thinkpad.

 

[bcblair]

CPU-Z says

Name: Intel Mobile Pentium MMX
Package: TPC/MMC
Technology: 035u
Spec: Intel Mobile Pentium MMX
Family: 5
Model: 7
Steping:0
Ext Family: 0
Ext model: 0
Revision: MA4
Clocks
Core speed: 900 MHz
Cache
UDATA: 16 Kb
UCode: 16 kb

Memory Size 48MB

 

[phaxmohdem]

Hmmmm CPU-Z may be having problems with the older CPU. Try this one. it is a version of WinCPUID I've saved for a while. IT should do better with older procs. http://www.auctionspice.com/misc/wincpuid.zip <--linky

My guess from that readout is that it is a Pentium 90 non-mmx (even though it says it has it there were no 90MHz MMX models produced)

 

[phaxmohdem]

If WINCPUID doesn't work, you can always get down and dirty with the old school DOS syschk. That will definately give you the good info on older machines.

http://www.auctionspice.com/misc/syschk46.zip <--linky

 

[bcblair]

wincpuid would not work ata ll.
syschk said the following:

CPU: Intel Pentium (>1
FPU: Internal
CPU Speed: 90 MHz
Rom Date: 02/23/96
Model: AT Clone
Dos Version: 7.0
DOS memory: 640 kb
Free: 381 kb
Extended memory: 2269 mb
Free:47mb
Expanded memory: None

If you need anything else let me know.

I have a copy of windows 98 se, but it is for new installation not an upgrade. How can I install it, can I remove 95 then install it from dos or do I need to get an upgrade copy.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: bcblair
I have a copy of windows 98 se, but it is for new installation not an upgrade. How can I install it, can I remove 95 then install it from dos or do I need to get an upgrade copy.

Do you want to save the existing install?

IIRC, Win98 discs that were full install ALSO upgraded? I can't remember

Anyway, I would just wipe it and do a fresh install. Only thing you might want to do is backup your drivers.

 

[phaxmohdem]

Yeah, just wipe your HDD clean after saving any files you may want to hang onto. Win 98 should pick up most of the drivers you need, maybe all of them, but if noty you can always find them on the net. The win98 CD-ROm should be bootable as well. It will pop up a screen that has tho options I think, boot from CD-ROM and Boot from HDD. However you may want to test out your laptop to make sure it is capable of booting from the CD-ROm before you completely wipe things. If it is not capable of booting from a CD-ROM then you will need a boot disk with CD-ROM drivers. Most currently installed WIN98SE computers whould be able to make you a boot disk w/ generic CD-ROm drivers.

 

[The Linuxator]

hey no way you can use winxp in there like, not even win2k would run on that thing .
My advice to you run damn small linux, I use it on ancient hardware, because it's 50 Mb total it has firefox, a program to write office documents some apps here and there to get you around, it would be nice on that thinpad. link to Damn Small Linux

When I say run, I mean performance wise it would be like that guy said a slide show.