IBM Thinkpad 600E bios mod for processor update

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fdsafdsa
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Not sure exactly what it was, but I found an IBM firmware update for the Fujitsu drive on the IBM website and updated the BIOS to the latest version. It would still not boot the cloned drive, but did a clean XP install from CD and it worked.
Sharedoc
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Installed my old 700MHz-PIII back to my600E. Wanted to check if Vcore setting has anything to do it not booting with higher frequency. This turned to be the case: Upped Vcore to 1.55Volts and it now boots at higher frequency. I had been running it at 1,35Vcore previously.

Running now PIII-700@829MHz (fsb 118.5).
Billy the Squid
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Nice one - now of course it's not that simple :-) I don't have a floppy drive - I was trying to do the upgrade using a bootable CD I burnt with Nero, it worked as far as the charged battery thing though. I guess a USB floppy drive would be no good?

I'm guessing that it's all a bit of a gamble - the thing has now been solid since I encountered the original problem but it's gotta be still there, I haven't fixed it. Shall I wait until it falls over again or attempt teh upgrade....oooo choices choices :?:
zverina
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[quote="Sharedoc"]650MHz-PIII-printed-circuit-board looks to be identical to 700MHz. SpeedStep controller chip seems to be labeled "JAPAN AI GCL 04309".

Original SpeedStep mod applies.

Thanks for your help! :)
fdsafdsa
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I've upgraded my TP 600e to a 600 Mhz processor module (runs at 500MHz), have installed 512M memory modules, upgraded HDD to 40G, and upgraded the BIOS to latest IBM version, PowerLeap enabled L2 cache.

Here is my question: What else can be done to get a little more performance out of my 600E or at least run it at 600MHz?. I have been reading about circuitry mods, etc, but what mods are currently stable? It would be great if someone could provide a brief bulleted list of other performance upgrades. No need for detailed instructions, I'll just search the thread. I just want to know what to search for. I do have the competence/tools to do the circuit mods myself.

Thanks for any assistance


Processor Module Info:
PN: PMM60002201AC
MMC-2
PIII 600
256K L2
Sharedoc
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(1) 108MHz fsb mod would give in your case 500-> 550MHz.

(2) SpeedStep mod would give you alone 600MHz and together with (1) 650MHz.
Smeghead
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Has anyone had any success overclocking the original pII from the 600e?
Sharedoc
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I did overclock 366MHz PII to 400MHz using the +8% fsb mod. I did even further, if i remember right, up to around 430MHz using turbo-PLL.

Processor update to PIII gives much bigger impact in performance, because memory access is 100MHZ vs 66MHz
fdsafdsa
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Are the 108 overclock and speedstep mods stable? I hope so, that would be about a 30% performance boost!

Thanks.
Smeghead
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Or another question how stable is the turbo circuit running at 118.5mhz?

Correct me if I am wrong but if 118.5mhz was stable with P3 850 (if you could find one!) wouldnt that net you a near mythical 1007 mhz?
Sharedoc
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fdsa,

SpeedStep mod is totally stable. It just enables original higher speed of the processor.

108MHz fsb is overclocking processor and memory 8%, so it may or may not be stable. With my 700MHz procesor 756MHz was stable, but with my 750MHz processor 810MHz was not stable.
Sharedoc
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Smeghead,

It seems that 600E motherboard, BX chipset and memories allow FSB bus overclocking up to about 139 - 140 MHz, but problems are coming well before from harddisk, which does not boot properly over 127MHz fsb. I am using 2001 year Fujitsu 10G drive. Maybe newer drives could work higher but I haven't any.

Speculation how high a 850MHz PIII would overclock is very intriguing, and would love to find one to test it.
number
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so, Sharedoc, you found a way to activate speedstep at every boot? I wrote some months ago in this post but I lost the bookmark, I use a 850 P3 @ 700 mhz. I was very lucky, I found it on eBay listed as a Sony Vaio part, now I would like to make it run at full speed, it would be great. Congratulations for your findings, I found it very useful!
Sharedoc
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SpeedStep mod + boot from battery + keep processor cooling air output closed during boot => boots higher speed

Don't burn fingers, use paper or cloth.
Smeghead
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I upgraded my TP600e to a P3 750 (no speedstep mod) I am having trouble getting the L2 cache to enable. I tried powerleps cpu conrol panal that another user suggested but it wont even install. Any other suggestions?
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