Thinkpad - General HARDWARE/SOFTWARE questions

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Thinkpad - General HARDWARE/SOFTWARE questions

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Where to reliably source old(er) OS, Software and more

Last post by RealBlackStuff « Thu Oct 22, 2020 2:35 am
Replies: 4
by RealBlackStuff » Fri Sep 23, 2016 7:07 am

Based on the many regular request on this forum for old(er) OS versions and Software, I think this is NOT spamming.
On the contrary, this is what...

4 Replies

27757 Views

Last post by RealBlackStuff
Thu Oct 22, 2020 2:35 am
Black foil on mainboards

Last post by RealBlackStuff « Fri Oct 24, 2025 10:53 am
Replies: 2
by ThinkChris » Fri Oct 24, 2025 8:36 am

Hello,

does anybody know if there's a source for the black insulation foil that covers big parts of most mainboards? Often I have to remove it for...

2 Replies

102 Views

Last post by RealBlackStuff
Fri Oct 24, 2025 10:53 am
Docks -- 40AS and Lenovo E14 Gen 2 series

Last post by Scorpion8 « Wed Oct 15, 2025 11:30 am
Replies: 5
by Scorpion8 » Mon Oct 13, 2025 12:27 pm

Okay, After the rebuild on my Gen 2 E-14 from an Intel-based to an AMD-based unit I got caught up in the dock chase. Finding the dock that would...

5 Replies

967 Views

Last post by Scorpion8
Wed Oct 15, 2025 11:30 am
Anyone heard of the Infinite Noise random number generator?

Last post by tata124 « Thu Oct 02, 2025 5:55 pm
Replies: 1
by cultOfThinkpad » Sun Oct 02, 2022 3:13 am

For a long time, I've had my eye on the Infinite Noise TRNG.
Anyone heard of it? Anyone made use of it in their Thinkpads?

Basically, as far as I...

1 Replies

7811 Views

Last post by tata124
Thu Oct 02, 2025 5:55 pm
External DC Power

Last post by axur-delmeria « Mon Sep 08, 2025 4:43 am
Replies: 1
by Old Hippie » Sun Sep 07, 2025 11:48 am

I am an e-bicycle tourist who does not have access to AC often enough to keep my L390 charged. I configured a DC to DC converter to go from my 48 V...

1 Replies

4933 Views

Last post by axur-delmeria
Mon Sep 08, 2025 4:43 am
Which laptop to choose?

Last post by cddiablotin « Mon Sep 01, 2025 11:06 am

by cddiablotin » Mon Sep 01, 2025 11:06 am

Hello, in first i'm french, I would like your advice. I'm a ThinkPad user. I currently have four: a ThinkPad Yoga 15 converted into a desktop...

0 Replies

1328 Views

Last post by cddiablotin
Mon Sep 01, 2025 11:06 am
Factory restore VS Clean OS installation

Last post by PhoenixR « Sun Jun 22, 2025 11:49 am
Replies: 8
by PhoenixR » Tue Apr 22, 2025 3:00 am

Now this one is an important issue.
I'm sure everyone re-installing the OS had this choice. Every option has it's pros and cons.

Clean OS...

8 Replies

5637 Views

Last post by PhoenixR
Sun Jun 22, 2025 11:49 am
What brand of thermal paste does Lenovo use?

Last post by RealBlackStuff « Wed Jun 11, 2025 12:22 am
Replies: 5
by euless » Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:12 am

hi

I bought these Grizzly Kryonaut thermal paste 5 years ago. I think this paste is not very good because I have to repaste my T440p every year.

I...

5 Replies

4843 Views

Last post by RealBlackStuff
Wed Jun 11, 2025 12:22 am
Flush-mount Laptop Adapters Part 8: More USB 3.0 and a little USB 3.1 *PICS*

Last post by axur-delmeria « Mon Jun 02, 2025 11:24 am
Replies: 8
by dr_st » Fri Jan 11, 2019 2:37 pm

This thread is a multi-part review.

Part 1 (CardBus-USB2) can be found here .
Part 2 (ExpressCard-USB3) can be found here . You may want to read...

8 Replies

22671 Views

Last post by axur-delmeria
Mon Jun 02, 2025 11:24 am
CPU cooling fan disassembly

Last post by teamde78 « Thu May 08, 2025 9:39 am
Replies: 13
by MrDale93 » Thu Apr 03, 2025 1:03 pm

Good evening.

I am curious, can the cooling fan inside of a ThinkPad be taken apart? For what it is worth, this is a T440p with the basic cooler. I...

13 Replies

8555 Views

Last post by teamde78
Thu May 08, 2025 9:39 am
CPU cooler heat pipe paint removal

Last post by MrDale93 « Thu Apr 03, 2025 1:14 pm

by MrDale93 » Thu Apr 03, 2025 1:14 pm

Hello,

I would like to remove the black paint that is on my CPU coolers heatpipes, and take them down to their copper base. From what I have found...

0 Replies

2219 Views

Last post by MrDale93
Thu Apr 03, 2025 1:14 pm
Compatibility VS AHCI on SSD

Last post by PhoenixR « Thu Apr 03, 2025 9:05 am
Replies: 2
by PhoenixR » Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:46 am

Yesterday I tried to install a clean XP x64 on my T400 SSD and got BSOD. Changed AHCI to Compatibility and it worked, naturally. So I wondered -...

2 Replies

2916 Views

Last post by PhoenixR
Thu Apr 03, 2025 9:05 am
What to do with dead 28++ slice batteries?

Last post by ThiccPadBoy « Thu Apr 03, 2025 12:14 am
Replies: 6
by m11k » Sun Aug 30, 2020 7:53 pm

Through some bad luck on eBay, I've wound up with 5 seemingly unused, but dead, 28++ batteries. They won't take a charge (tried T430, W530, and TP...

6 Replies

7739 Views

Last post by ThiccPadBoy
Thu Apr 03, 2025 12:14 am
170MB IBM Microdrive - anyone ever seen one?

Last post by ThinkDan « Sat Mar 01, 2025 6:01 am

by ThinkDan » Sat Mar 01, 2025 6:01 am

As per the title, I have a number of IBM / Hitachi Microdrives in various capacities, but I've never come across the 170MB variant. Just curious as...

0 Replies

2602 Views

Last post by ThinkDan
Sat Mar 01, 2025 6:01 am
IBM Thinkpad 600X bios chip

Last post by hcooll3 « Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:14 pm
Replies: 3
by hcooll3 » Sat Feb 22, 2025 4:48 pm

does anyone know where or how I can identify the bios chip on a 600x system board? I want to reprogram it with ch341a mini programmer. A picture...

3 Replies

2850 Views

Last post by hcooll3
Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:14 pm
SK-8855 with tpmiddle working on Desktop PC?

Last post by axur-delmeria « Thu Feb 13, 2025 5:32 am
Replies: 8
by surfbro » Thu Nov 12, 2020 4:46 pm

Would love to get some input to figure out if this is possible or not.

I have 10 Thinkpads, and I am used to typing on the classic 7 row keyboard...

8 Replies

10494 Views

Last post by axur-delmeria
Thu Feb 13, 2025 5:32 am
Where buy mickey mouse power cord that has foil shielding against LF/AC electric fields?

Last post by lewellyn « Thu Feb 06, 2025 12:24 am
Replies: 1
by newac » Sat Feb 01, 2025 8:52 am

Hi,

Shielded power coords are available on the market, for instance here .

Their benefit is to not contribute to alternating current electric...

1 Replies

2734 Views

Last post by lewellyn
Thu Feb 06, 2025 12:24 am
Which to daily - T430 vs W530 or maybe T480?

Last post by SAIYAN48 « Wed Jan 22, 2025 10:15 pm
Replies: 5
by Everyday_Normal_Engineer » Tue Jan 21, 2025 12:34 am

So I currently own all 3 and trying to decide which one to focus my time with. Specs are below:

T430 - i7-36320QM, 16GB Ram, Dual SSD, DVD-RW,...

5 Replies

4145 Views

Last post by SAIYAN48
Wed Jan 22, 2025 10:15 pm
Hardware modding FN/CTRL swap on SK-8855

Last post by Kocane « Sun Jan 05, 2025 9:53 am
Replies: 7
by Kocane » Wed Sep 04, 2024 8:53 am

Since there's no existing method to swap these two buttons on the SK-8855 keyboard, I got to thinking whether the two keys can be swapped thru...

7 Replies

7485 Views

Last post by Kocane
Sun Jan 05, 2025 9:53 am
ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 > LCD Upgradeable?

Last post by axur-delmeria « Tue Dec 24, 2024 2:19 pm
Replies: 5
by Kitdrewne » Fri Dec 20, 2024 11:11 pm

Hi there! I’m strongly considering purchasing a ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 as my first ThinkPad, and I have what may be a bit of a stupid question: If I were...

5 Replies

4752 Views

Last post by axur-delmeria
Tue Dec 24, 2024 2:19 pm
2611

Last post by RealBlackStuff « Mon Dec 09, 2024 9:39 am
Replies: 1
by Nvmarv » Mon Dec 09, 2024 7:51 am

Got a question about cd rom removal and did search with no results. My cd player says it can’t play and I have another thinkpad want to try the cd...

1 Replies

2471 Views

Last post by RealBlackStuff
Mon Dec 09, 2024 9:39 am
OSD with green bars

Last post by TPFanatic « Fri Nov 29, 2024 8:07 pm

by TPFanatic » Fri Nov 29, 2024 8:07 pm

I'm looking for the version of On Screen Display with the Green Bars as could be restored from an XP or Vista recovery disk.

Anyone have this...

0 Replies

2821 Views

Last post by TPFanatic
Fri Nov 29, 2024 8:07 pm
Samsung 980 NVMe M.2 not being detected on T480

Last post by Novaraptor « Tue Nov 19, 2024 9:16 am
Replies: 9
by Novaraptor » Thu Nov 07, 2024 11:36 pm

Hi everybody

I just bought a Samsung 980 500GB NVMe for my T480. But after installing it, it won't detect the drive in
BlOS nor diskpart when trying...

9 Replies

6394 Views

Last post by Novaraptor
Tue Nov 19, 2024 9:16 am
mini dock operation

Last post by diling3r « Sun Oct 27, 2024 8:51 am
Replies: 5
by diling3r » Fri Oct 25, 2024 8:31 am

Hi,

I'm considering buying a mini dock for my X230 laptop on the second hand market but some points are still unclear to me.

1. Are the laptop usb...

5 Replies

4607 Views

Last post by diling3r
Sun Oct 27, 2024 8:51 am
Ultranav SK-8845 Windows 10 driver

Last post by onionskin « Tue Oct 15, 2024 3:08 am
Replies: 5
by ikules » Tue Mar 15, 2016 2:15 pm

Hi,

did anybody managed to find and install drivers for SK-8845 on Windows 10?

My keyboard is working but I cannot make my trackpad and mouse...

5 Replies

29909 Views

Last post by onionskin
Tue Oct 15, 2024 3:08 am
replace usb-c port (solder)

Last post by caffemusse « Sun Aug 18, 2024 1:25 pm

by caffemusse » Sun Aug 18, 2024 1:25 pm

Hi,
I have now for the second time managed to ruin the USB-C/TB3 port on my laptop - currently an x390 yoga. Luckily there are 2 ports, but I fear...

0 Replies

5242 Views

Last post by caffemusse
Sun Aug 18, 2024 1:25 pm
Get a used Type C Dock for other Brand Notebook?

Last post by Boy2006 « Sun Aug 18, 2024 1:09 pm
Replies: 6
by Boy2006 » Wed Jul 31, 2024 11:53 pm

Hi
I saw on ebay there are some Seller who resell refurbed Docks. Thankfully I have a lot of old Thinkpad Power Supply left so that isnt any problem....

6 Replies

8474 Views

Last post by Boy2006
Sun Aug 18, 2024 1:09 pm
X40 or X61s?

Last post by ZaZ « Tue Jul 30, 2024 1:03 pm
Replies: 6
by guythingit12396 » Mon Jul 29, 2024 9:51 pm

I found two listings on eBay, one is the X40 and the other is X61s.
The X40 has been upgraded to 1GB of RAM and runs Windows XP. It has a small...

6 Replies

5314 Views

Last post by ZaZ
Tue Jul 30, 2024 1:03 pm
Looking for a Thinkpad with a parallel port

Last post by axur-delmeria « Tue Jul 30, 2024 6:22 am
Replies: 24
by Wickeycolumbus » Fri May 25, 2012 4:40 pm

Hey guys, I'm new here, very nice site!

I currently working on a project that requires a computer with a parallel port (USB printer adapters will...

24 Replies

18592 Views

Last post by axur-delmeria
Tue Jul 30, 2024 6:22 am
New ThinkPads BIOS Supervisor Password Graphic

Last post by RealBlackStuff « Tue Jun 11, 2024 9:49 am
Replies: 6
by igtoth » Mon Jun 10, 2024 8:04 am

Hey everyone,

I recently acquired a ThinkPad T14 Gen 3, and while setting up the BIOS supervisor password, I encountered something unexpected....

6 Replies

8812 Views

Last post by RealBlackStuff
Tue Jun 11, 2024 9:49 am
Copper tape as a cooling solution?

Last post by cultOfThinkpad « Mon Apr 22, 2024 12:23 am
Replies: 11
by cultOfThinkpad » Sat Apr 20, 2024 9:56 am

Today, I've been talking with someone about modding a Thinkpads cooling system to improve thermals (gluing new heat pipes and stuff like that) and...

11 Replies

10052 Views

Last post by cultOfThinkpad
Mon Apr 22, 2024 12:23 am
Best gaming mobo for no gaming

Last post by axur-delmeria « Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:50 pm
Replies: 4
by rs79 » Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:53 pm

I have a few laptops (r61's, g550, e570, t60's) and want to swap in a new motherboard to one of them so's I can watch 4K movies. Plus for work I need...

4 Replies

65157 Views

Last post by axur-delmeria
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:50 pm
How to apply Honeywell PTM7950 Thermal Pads

Last post by RealBlackStuff « Wed Mar 06, 2024 12:03 pm
Replies: 5
by RealBlackStuff » Wed Aug 16, 2023 3:33 am

Lately it has become all the rage to use Thermal Pads instead of Thermal Paste .
This applies specifically to Honeywell PTM7950 Thermal Pads .

Good...

5 Replies

27265 Views

Last post by RealBlackStuff
Wed Mar 06, 2024 12:03 pm
Nordic layout of Thinkpad keyboards

Last post by mikemex « Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:01 pm
Replies: 11
by zil » Sat Feb 10, 2024 5:19 am

Hello,

I’m new to this forum, but I feel like I have something very important to say. Namely, the Lenovo keyboards, which are widely regarded as...

11 Replies

9047 Views

Last post by mikemex
Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:01 pm
Thinkpad x230 replacement for music production (Ableton)

Last post by TOTAL « Thu Feb 22, 2024 3:38 pm
Replies: 3
by TOTAL » Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:34 am

I am very happy with x230 16 gig ram but would like to make a smart switch to a newer model.
Which ones have the optimal performance to price ratio...

3 Replies

23484 Views

Last post by TOTAL
Thu Feb 22, 2024 3:38 pm
Can you charge a T23/T30/T40 battery in a T60?

Last post by kfzhu1229 « Tue Jan 09, 2024 3:09 pm
Replies: 4
by RealBlackStuff » Sat Dec 30, 2023 11:34 am

Saw this on Reddit and it is exactly what I'm looking for.

Charge a T40 battery in a T60 possible?

5-pin Battery from T40 is charged using a 16V...

4 Replies

31284 Views

Last post by kfzhu1229
Tue Jan 09, 2024 3:09 pm
L14 G1/2 LCD Backcover Replacement Help Needed

Last post by ColdWarrior « Mon Dec 25, 2023 2:36 am
Replies: 4
by ColdWarrior » Sun Dec 24, 2023 11:51 am

Hello,

Long time listener first time caller...

I have a L14 G1 and the top cover or LCD back cover (whatever you want to call it) got damaged. Ive...

4 Replies

9854 Views

Last post by ColdWarrior
Mon Dec 25, 2023 2:36 am
Need a Thinkpad recommendation - 2009 Era

Last post by KwikFab « Wed Dec 20, 2023 5:48 pm
Replies: 11
by KwikFab » Sat Dec 16, 2023 1:09 am

Good Evening group, and thanks for having me.

Could I just do my intro here? I'll make it quick - think I was 12 years old and I played Diablo 1 for...

11 Replies

13454 Views

Last post by KwikFab
Wed Dec 20, 2023 5:48 pm
Please help me to choose between T14 and T14s (Gen 4 AMD)

Last post by mikemex « Mon Dec 11, 2023 10:04 pm
Replies: 1
by Inferno » Sat Oct 21, 2023 6:22 pm

I'd like to buy a Ryzen 7 PRO 7840U T14 or T14s model.

Is it true that T14 is noisier?

Does T14 have better thermal efficiency under heavy loads...

1 Replies

35618 Views

Last post by mikemex
Mon Dec 11, 2023 10:04 pm
What's the best way to remove paint from stock Thinkpad coolers?

Last post by RealBlackStuff « Sun Dec 10, 2023 12:55 pm
Replies: 1
by cultOfThinkpad » Sun Dec 10, 2023 6:52 am

I'm looking to solder or stick new heatpipes onto my stock laptop cooler (T440p, if you must know)
and am convinced I need to remove any paint from...

1 Replies

32208 Views

Last post by RealBlackStuff
Sun Dec 10, 2023 12:55 pm
Modified GMA 9xx drivers, not sure where it can be posted

Last post by lolvatveo « Thu Dec 07, 2023 12:05 pm
Replies: 6
by steveg1988 » Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:35 am

I recently came across this forum, , and they offer a GMA9xx series modified driver for vista,7,and xp (xp has version 1.2)

For example using the...

6 Replies

15351 Views

Last post by lolvatveo
Thu Dec 07, 2023 12:05 pm
Serious Computrace Warning!

Last post by n2ri « Sun Nov 19, 2023 4:01 pm
Replies: 38
by RealBlackStuff » Mon Sep 12, 2016 5:28 pm
1

2
Today I was absolutely stumped by seeing a warning in a T61 BIOS that Computrace was active!
I just put a new T61 mobo from TuuS in a T60 chassis, to...
38 Replies

97171 Views

Last post by n2ri
Sun Nov 19, 2023 4:01 pm
Geteltorito (ISO --> USB-key) working under Windows (WARNING: PICS)

Last post by dr_st « Sun Nov 12, 2023 6:56 am
Replies: 2
by RealBlackStuff » Sun Aug 13, 2023 4:44 am

Having noticed various posts about people not succeeding to make a USB-stick from a BIOS ISO-file, I found this:
Lenovo X220 und T520: BIOS-Update...

2 Replies

62124 Views

Last post by dr_st
Sun Nov 12, 2023 6:56 am
I need to upgrade my old X220

Last post by TPFanatic « Thu Nov 09, 2023 2:47 pm
Replies: 6
by Sweden » Tue Jun 27, 2023 9:19 am

What should I replace my old X220 i7 laptop with?

If I want a higher resolution then 1920x1080, is it possible with 13 screen?

I need at least 16...

6 Replies

10031 Views

Last post by TPFanatic
Thu Nov 09, 2023 2:47 pm
PM Device Version For Critical Thunderbolt Firmware Patch

Last post by TPFanatic « Wed Oct 25, 2023 8:49 am

by TPFanatic » Wed Oct 25, 2023 8:49 am

If you have lately attempted to patch the Thunderbolt Firmware on one of the infamously affected models as described here you may have encountered...

0 Replies

10854 Views

Last post by TPFanatic
Wed Oct 25, 2023 8:49 am
Square tip + usb-c combo charger?

Last post by ThorOfAsgard « Wed Oct 18, 2023 5:41 am

by ThorOfAsgard » Wed Oct 18, 2023 5:41 am

I'm guessing Lenovo doesn't make one as I've looked quite a bit. Would like a single charger that can charge both types of Thinkpads. I've found some...

0 Replies

9126 Views

Last post by ThorOfAsgard
Wed Oct 18, 2023 5:41 am
40A2 Dock - 4 wattages....

Last post by basscleff « Mon Oct 16, 2023 3:02 pm
Replies: 2
by basscleff » Mon Oct 16, 2023 2:28 pm

Hi, puzzled about the 4 wattage versions of the 40A2 dock. My W540 needs the 170watt, but I'm puzzled as top why it matters, since the AC adapter is...

2 Replies

7101 Views

Last post by basscleff
Mon Oct 16, 2023 3:02 pm
VMware and recovery

Last post by TrainsOfBritain « Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:07 pm

by TrainsOfBritain » Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:07 pm

This is a complete shot in the dark but I might as well give it a go. For some reason my Thinkstation S20 will not work with the recovery disks I...

0 Replies

7731 Views

Last post by TrainsOfBritain
Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:07 pm
Changing German Recovery Discs to English

Last post by rheacox « Fri Sep 29, 2023 9:33 am

by rheacox » Fri Sep 29, 2023 9:33 am

There at a lot of recovery iso's on archive.org that are in German. I'm particularly interested in the older sets for the 3 and 7 series. Only...

0 Replies

11549 Views

Last post by rheacox
Fri Sep 29, 2023 9:33 am
How to disable Bluetooth on a MiniPCI-E WIFI card?

Last post by axur-delmeria « Thu Sep 21, 2023 8:01 pm
Replies: 2
by ibrazhko » Thu Sep 21, 2023 4:39 am

Greetings, I recently purchased an Intel 8265 WIFI card in MiniPCI-Express format (yes, you can find that on Aliexpress) for my old but gold W500. It...

2 Replies

33002 Views

Last post by axur-delmeria
Thu Sep 21, 2023 8:01 pm

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