Thinkpad 240X

seeyasoon

New Tinkerer
Sep 29, 2024
3
0
1
I have a Thinkpad 240X running P3 500MHz, std 40GB 5400 RPM HD and 64MB memory on motherboard and 256MB SDRAM in slot 2 total 320. Also running windows XP with update 3. The system is a turtle but I wasn't expecting much more. I do have more modern system to fill the performance gap. The questions I have is can I upgrade to a 500GB SSD drive and up to 10GB on the memory? I also would like to run Windows 10 64 bit and any thoughts on a Wifi adapter or card? Your thoughts please.
I know it's an old system but would like to increase the specs and use it for a few more good years.

Thank you so much,
Frank​
 

Anden Selmani

New Tinkerer
Sep 28, 2022
22
10
3
Albania
Hello My Friend!

No, you cannot! That is a very old computer.

You may be able to upgrading the disk to 500GB SSD drive and running windows 7 at the most but it will be very hurtfully slow.

You can add 128MB SDRAM SODIMM at most. Wifi will be slow too! But you can use CardBus slot to install wifi. Maybe not supporting WPA2 :unsure:

My advise: increase memory with 128MB SDRAM SODIMM and downgrade OS to Win-2000, then use for old tasks!

Or maybe I would be interest in buying it if for sale :LOL:
 

seeyasoon

New Tinkerer
Sep 29, 2024
3
0
1
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your suggestions and opinions.

I wasn't expecting the system to have similar or anything close to the performance of todays laptops. I was hoping to see some performance gains with the SSD drive and increase in memory. I currently am running a total of 320 MB's memory and was checking on the availably of 4 to 10 GB of SDRAM chips. Do you think Windows 7 or 2000 is best for this vintage system and at 32 or 64 if the option is available? Lastly, since most current web browser are not supported on anything under Windows 10... which one do you think would work the best on my application?

Your time is greatly appreciated.

I think I'll pass on your purchase interest.... for now.

Frank
 

Stinkerton18

Moderator
Staff member
Aug 18, 2022
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46
18
Windows 7 is out of the question. All Intel CPUs from the 386 through the Pentium iV, are 32-bit only and cannot support more than 4GB of RAM, if the motherboard/chipset can even support that much. It wasn't until the late Pentium 3 (late coppermine/tualatin) and Pentium IV systems that 2GB - 3GB was possible. It's not a matter of parts, it's a matter of architectural limitations.

Outside of an SD-to-IDE or mSATA-to-IDE adapter switch the hard drive over to an SSD, there aren't any other improvements you can really do. The conversion to an SD card or mSATA drive will give it some more life and make it more responsive, but XP/Windows 2000 are your limit.
 

seeyasoon

New Tinkerer
Sep 29, 2024
3
0
1
Thank you for your reply and comments. I'm running XP on it now but it's been giving me nothing but problems and will probably revert back to Windows 2000 .. your thoughts on this? Do you have a recommended SSD drive to use that would make sense?

Thanks again for your assistance.
 

3lectr1c

Active Tinkerer
May 15, 2022
629
293
63
the United States
www.macdat.net
Lastly, since most current web browser are not supported on anything under Windows 10... which one do you think would work the best on my application?
Even if you get a modern web browser running, it will be so anemic that even basic modern websites will be unbearably slow. There's honestly not much of a point in trying.

For an SSD - an mSata to IDE adapter with a 128GB mSata drive will likely work fine in the 240X. Probably.
 

Stinkerton18

Moderator
Staff member
Aug 18, 2022
60
46
18
I'm impressed that one that old worked. They're usually unreliable/nonworking on anything older than a Pentium III.
Granted, I did have to run EZBios to enable LBA48-bit and access anything past the 8GB barrier, but it does work! Installed/Runs Windows 98SE without a hitch.