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= = =ThinkPad T61 Wiki =

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The ThinkPad T61 notebook computer was released in May 2007 as part of Lenovo's premier line. The business-oriented T61 includes high-end features such as a magnesium alloy rollcage, 7-row keyboard, screen latch, Lenovo UltraBay, and ThinkLight. Models included the 16:10 aspect ratio 14.1" and 15.4" widescreen, along with traditional 4:3 aspect ratio 14" screens.

=BIOS= Install the Middleton BIOS (additional download links below) on the ThinkPad T61 to enable the following:
 * **SATA-II (3 Gbit/s) drive speeds** - the stock ThinkPad T61 BIOS limits the SATA interface to 1.5 Gbit/s
 * **SLIC 2.1 tables** - simplify licensing of Microsoft Windows
 * **Whitelist removal** - allow installation of a wider variety of internal components such as wireless cards
 * **Thermal sensing error fix** - allow installation of Penryn-class CPUs on motherboards designed for Merom CPUs
 * **CTRL-FN key swap** (optional)
 * **Dual-IDA (Intel Dynamic Acceleration) support** - allow both cores of CPU to simultaneously run at higher speeds

Download the Middleton BIOS for the ThinkPad T61 here alternate source [|here] alternate source for all *61 Middleton BIOS downloads available [|here]

=HARD DRIVE=
 * Any standard 9.5mm 2.5-inch form factor SATA hard drive can be installed in the ThinkPad T61
 * Install a Solid State Drive (SSD) with a SATA-II or faster interface to take advantage of the significant speed increase unlocked by the Middleton BIOS

=RAM SUPPORT=
 * The Intel 965 chipset in the ThinkPad T61 supports up to 8 GB of 200-pin DDR2 PC2 5300 or PC2 6400 non-ECC RAM
 * Install two modules of any capacity to enable Dual Channel memory support
 * To utilize more than 3.25 GB of RAM a 64-bit operating system must be installed*


 * Some 32-bit versions of Windows such as Windows Server 2003 Enterprise and Datacenter editions as well as some 32-bit Linux operating systems do support RAM over 4 GB.

=CPU OPTIONS= The ThinkPad T61 supports the following 800MHz Front Side Bus CPUs:


 * = __**Name**__ ||= __**Model**__ ||= __**sSpec**__ ||= __**Frequency**__ ||= __**L2 Cache**__ ||= __**Class**__ ||= __**Power**__ ||= __**Lithography**__ ||= __**Core Voltage**__ ||
 * = T5270 ||= Core 2 Duo ||=  ||= 1.4 GHz ||= 2MB ||= Merom ||= 35 W ||= 65 nm ||= 1.075V-1.250V ||
 * = T5670 ||= Core2 Duo ||=  ||= 1.8 GHz ||= 2MB ||= Merom ||= 35 W ||= 65 nm ||= 1.0375V-1.30V ||
 * = T7100 ||= Core 2 Duo ||= SLA4A ||= 1.8 GHz ||= 2MB ||= Merom ||= 35 W ||= 65 nm ||= 1.075V-1.250V ||
 * = T7250 ||= Core 2 Duo ||=  ||= 2.0 GHz ||= 2MB ||= Merom ||= 35 W ||= 65 nm ||= 1.075V-1.250V ||
 * = T7300 ||= Core 2 Duo ||= SLA45 ||= 2.0 GHz ||= 4MB ||= Merom ||= 35 W ||= 65 nm ||= 1.075V-1.250V ||
 * = T7500 ||= Core 2 Duo ||= SLAF8 ||= 2.2 GHz ||= 4MB ||= Merom ||= 35 W ||= 65 nm ||= 1.075V-1.250V ||
 * = T7700 ||= Core 2 Duo ||= SLAF7 ||= 2.4 GHz ||= 4MB ||= Merom ||= 35 W ||= 65 nm ||= 1.075V-1.250V ||
 * = T7800 ||= Core 2 Duo ||= SLAF6 ||= 2.6 GHz ||= 4MB ||= Merom ||= 35 W ||= 65 nm ||= 1.075V-1.250V ||
 * = X7800* ||= Core 2 Extreme ||= SLA6Z ||= 2.6 GHz ||= 4MB ||= Merom ||= 44 W ||= 65 nm ||= 1.100V-1.375V ||
 * = X7900* ||= Core 2 Extreme ||= SLA33 ||= 2.8 GHz ||= 4MB ||= Merom ||= 44 W ||= 65 nm ||= 1.100V-1.375V ||
 * = T8100 ||= Core 2 Duo ||= SLAYP ||= 2.1 GHz ||= 3MB ||= Penryn ||= 35 W ||= 45 nm ||= 1.000V-1.250V ||
 * = T8300 ||= Core 2 Duo ||= SLAYQ ||= 2.4 GHz ||= 3MB ||= Penryn ||= 35 W ||= 45 nm ||= 1.000V-1.250V ||
 * = T9300 ||= Core 2 Duo ||= SLAYY ||= 2.5 GHz ||= 6MB ||= Penryn ||= 35 W ||= 45 nm ||= 1.000V-1.250V ||
 * = T9500 ||= Core 2 Duo ||= SLAYX ||= 2.6 GHz ||= 6MB ||= Penryn ||= 35 W ||= 45 nm ||= 1.000V-1.250V ||
 * = X9000* ||= Core 2 Extreme ||= SLAQJ ||= 2.8 GHz ||= 6MB ||= Penryn ||= 44 W ||= 45 nm ||= 1.000V-1.275V ||
 * Not officially supported by T61 so careful monitoring of temperatures is recommended

=**MotherBoards (Planar Card)**=

Motherboard table is a work in progress. Any errors or suggestions can be submitted to TuuS316
 * = ====**FRU**==== ||= ====**CPU**==== ||= ====**Aspect Ratio**==== ||= ====**Graphic System**==== ||= ====**Manufactured**==== ||= ====**Model**==== ||= ====**Compatible**==== ||
 * ~  ||~   ||~   ||~ ===**14.1 WideScreen**=== ||~   ||~   ||~   ||
 * = 41w1487 ||= Merom ||= 16:10 ||= Intel X3100 ||= 2007 ||= T61 ||= T61 R61 ||
 * = 41w1489 ||= Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2007 ||= T61 ||= T61 R61 ||
 * = 43y9044 ||= Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2008-2010 ||= T61 ||= T61 R61 ||
 * = 42w7866 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 16:10 ||= Intel X3100 ||= 2008 ||= T61 ||= T61 R61 ||
 * = 42w7867 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2008 ||= T61 ||= T61 R61 ||
 * = 44c3933 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2008-2010 ||= T61 ||= T61 R61 ||
 * ~  ||~   ||~   ||~ ===14.1 Standard=== ||~   ||~   ||~   ||
 * = 42w7648 ||= Merom ||= 4:3 ||= Intel X3100 ||= 2007 ||= T61 ||= T61/p T60/p* R61* ||
 * = 42w7649 ||= Merom ||= 4:3 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2007 ||= T61 ||= T61/p T60/p* R61* ||
 * = 43y9045 ||= Merom ||= 4:3 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2008-2010 ||= T61 ||= T61/p T60/p* R61* ||
 * = 42w7650 ||= Merom ||= 4:3 ||= nVidia fx570m 128mb ||= 2007 ||= T61p ||= T61/p T60/p* R61* ||
 * = 43y9046 ||= Merom ||= 4:3 ||= nVidia fx570m 128mb ||= 2008-2010 ||= T61p ||= T61/p T60/p* T61* ||
 * = 42w7872 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 4:3 ||= Intel X3100 ||= 2008 ||= T61 ||= T61/p T60/p* R61* ||
 * = 42w7873 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 4:3 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2008 ||= T61 ||= T61/p T60/p* R61* ||
 * = 44c3924 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 4:3 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2008-2010 ||= T61 ||= T61/p T60/p* R61* ||
 * = 42w7874 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 4:3 ||= nVidia fx570m 128mb ||= 2008 ||= T61p ||= T61/p T60/p* R61* ||
 * = 44c3926 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 4:3 ||= nVidia fx570m 128mb ||= 2008-2010 ||= T61p ||= T61/p T60/p* R61* ||
 * ~  ||~   ||~   ||~ ===15.4 Widescreen=== ||~   ||~   ||~   ||
 * = 42w7651 ||= Merom ||= 16:10 ||= Intel X3100 ||= 2007 ||= T61 ||= T61 T61p T60 T60p ||
 * = 42w7652 ||= Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2007 ||= T61 ||= T61 T61p T60 T60p ||
 * = 43y9047 ||= Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2008-2010 ||= T61 ||= T61 T61p T60 T60p ||
 * = 42w7653 ||= Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia fx570m 256mb ||= 2007 ||= T61p ||= T61 T61p T60 T60p ||
 * = 43y9048 ||= Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia fx570m 256mb ||= 2008-2010 ||= T61p ||= T61 T61p T60 T60p ||
 * = 42w7875 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 16:10 ||= Intel X3100 ||= 2008 ||= T61 ||= T61 T61p T60 T60p ||
 * = 42w7876 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2008 ||= T61 ||= T61 T61p T60 T60p ||
 * = 44c3928 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia nvs140m ||= 2008-2010 ||= T61 ||= T61 T61p T60 T60p ||
 * = 42w7877 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia fx570m 256mb ||= 2008 ||= T61p ||= T61 T61p T60 T60p ||
 * = 44c3931 ||= Penryn/Merom ||= 16:10 ||= nVidia fx570m 256mb ||= 2008-2010 ||= T61p ||= T61 T61p T60 T60p ||


 * modification required to install 4:3 T61 board in 4:3 T60 or R61 models. These hybrids are commonly referred to as "FrankenPads"

Motherboards designed to use Merom CPU can run a Penryn CPU if Middleton BIOS is installed. This modified BIOS will suppress a false thermal sensing error generated by the boards inability to read the Penryn CPU's more advanced digital temp sensor. This BIOS will NOT provide full Penryn support.

Identifying information for a T61 motherboard can be found on a label under the battery or under the RAM modules.

=NVIDIA GPU MOTHEROBOARD ISSUES=

There is a [|well known issue] with the nVidia discrete graphic system used on T61 series ThinkPads. It was first discovered in 2007 that these GPU chips were experiencing a greater then anticipated rate of failure. Although the rate of failure is believed to be low, perhaps less then 1%, with millions of units produced this adds up to a significant number. nVidia began addressing the problem as early as February 2008, but neither nVidia nor Lenovo ever admitted publicly that the chips were defective. The issue was handled as one of quality control with no "official" revisions issued, and no recalls. Failure rates sharply declined after February 2008, but it wasn't until July 2008 that Lenovo removed the subject Planar Cards (motherboards) from production, replacing them with cards based on a new shipment of GPU chips.


 * Laptops with production date code of 08/08 (2008/August) and later are NOT affected**, assuming the original motherboard is still present.

Production of the T61 series was cancelled after August 2008, but a few special order system were made in September and October 2008, and boards with the new GPU design continued to be produced until about 2010. The supply of new boards was quickly exhausted, however, and currently only refurbished boards are provided by Lenovo/IBM service. Some boards refurbished by Lenovo contain, while others appear to have the. To determine which chips a board contains it is necessary to examine the chip itself which bears a four digit date code represented by yy/ww (year/week). The (new) example linked above was manufactured in 2010, 21st week and the older one 2007, 25th week. Original boards from ThinkPads manufactured in August 2008 vary from 0820 to 0829. Since there were many production lines and many factories producing these chips, the actual date on the chip isn't a conclusive way to demonstrate the chip is the improved version. The date on the laptop itself is the key factor.

There have also been reports of [|counterfeit chips], most likely re-badged chips that were pulled from old boards, being used in boards refurbished by third parties.

Lenovo attempted to address this problem by offering free out-of-warranty repairs to anyone experiencing this problem. This free repair program ran from March 1st 2010 until March 31st 2011. Since this date there has been no further help offered by Lenovo, but the [|community forum] has been helpful in assisting members.

=OPERATING SYSTEMS and DRIVERS=
 * [[file:lenovo.thinkpad.t61.r61.recovery.disks.xp.professional.32bit.torrent|Recovery DVD images for Windows XP Professional]] - two disk images to restore a T61 to it's original factory condition - [[file:lenovo.thinkpad.t61.r61.recovery.disks.xp.professional.32bit.torrent|torrent file here]]
 * Lenovo official drivers and software
 * Linux installation guides for ThinkPad T61
 * Apple OS X Lion 10.7 installation guide for ThinkPad T61 with Intel X3100 video chipset
 * Apple OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.4 installation guide for ThinkPad T61 with Intel X3100 video chipset

=WIRELESS NETWORKING= The network adapter is the most capable internal WiFi adapter that shipped with the ThinkPad T61. See the discussion section below regarding newer WiFi adapters that can be installed in the ThinkPad T61.
 * Operates in both the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz spectrum providing data rates up to 300Mbps
 * Provides up to 5x greater speeds and up to 2x greater range than standard a/b/g adapters
 * Capable of connecting to wireless N access points and routers
 * Capable of connecting to any of the legacy Wi-Fi standards: 802.11a, b or g
 * Supports Multiple-Input/Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology to increase connection speed and range
 * Full specifications and users guide
 * Lenovo part numbers: 42T0865, 42T0867, 42T0869, 42T0871, 42T0905
 * Search now on eBay

=ULTRABAY SLIM DRIVE= The ThinkPad Super Multi-Burner Ultrabay Slim Drive is the most capable optical-media drive available for the ThinkPad T61.
 * Records DVD video to DVD+R/-R for playback in most consumer DVD players
 * Records to DVD+R/-R Double Layer (DL), DVD-RW and DVD+RW media
 * Full specifications and users guide
 * Lenovo part numbers: 39T2677, 39T2679, 39T2829, 39T2851, 39T2855, 42T2501, 42T2506
 * Search now on eBay

=BATTERIES=
 * 3-cell 2900mAh 10.8V Ultrabay battery - up to 1.2 hours of charge time | Part number: 57Y4536
 * 4-cell 2600mAh 14.4V - up to 3.6 hours of charge time | Part number: 41U3196
 * 6-cell 5200mAh 10.8V - up to 5.5 hours of charge time | Part number: 41U3198
 * 9-cell 7800mAh 10.8V - up to 8.6 hours of charge time | Part number: 43R2499

=CONTROL FAN SPEED and HEAT=
 * TPFanControl (Windows) alternate link
 * Thinkfan (Ubuntu)
 * Cleaning and reapplication of thermal compound
 * Additional suggestions pdf of article [[file:sectorfej.net-Thinkpad_T61_Heat_Problem_Fix.pdf|here]]

=CPU UNDERVOLTING and THROTTLING= The maximum CPU clock speed may be limited when the system is operated on the 65W AC adapter and no battery is installed. source

By reducing voltage the CPU will run cooler and draw less power, usually providing an extra 10 to 30 minutes of battery life. CPU speeds can also be throttled to reduce temperatures and extend battery life.
 * RightMark CPU Clock Utility (Windows) [|64-bit drivers] (required for installation on Windows 64-bit; alternate source [[file:rtcore64.zip|here]])
 * Undervolting Guide for configuring RightMark CPU Clock Utility
 * Video Tutorial for configuring RightMark CPU Clock Utility (Windows)
 * Windows 7 Power Options can also be configured to throttle CPU speed and extend battery life
 * Undervolting Guide for configuring **phctool** in Ubuntu 11.04, Ubuntu 11.10, and Ubuntu 12.04
 * For other power saving options in Ubuntu, see this page

=MULTI-TOUCH TOUCHPAD= Windows: The touchpads on most models of the ThinkPad T61 are capable of multi-touch features, including two-finger scrolling, with the proper touchpad driver.
 * 1) Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features
 * 2) Uninstall Lenovo UltraNav driver
 * 3) Uninstall Lenovo UltraNav utility
 * 4) Download and install the Synaptics Gesture Suite™ Device Driver
 * 5) Restart the computer

Linux: Two-finger scrolling should work without any special configuration in Ubuntu. If not, follow the procedure here.

=HARDWARE MODIFICATION & REPAIR=
 * Add WWAN antenna and SIM card slot printable version of English translation [[file:WWAN_upgrade_T61.pdf|here]]
 * Add a webcam
 * Replace loose or broken hinges
 * Clean or replace fan

=WINDOWS 7 ADJUSTMENTS= Increase the speed and responsiveness of Windows 7 by doing the following
 * Turn off hibernation
 * Turn off System Restore
 * Disable search indexing
 * Turn off visual effects
 * Uninstall unused programs
 * Install a lightweight antivirus package

=WINDOWS 8 ADJUSTMENTS= = = =DISCUSSION FORUMS=
 * Prevent Charms Menu appearance from accidental touchpad swipes by adding the registry edit here (right-click to save file): [[file:Touch.reg|Touch.reg]]
 * Re-enable touchpad gestures with the registry edit here (right-click to save file): [[file:TouchEnable.reg|TouchEnable.reg]]
 * Use Windows 8's "hidden" backup to clone and recover your whole PC pdf of this article [[file:Using Windows 8 Backup.pdf|here]]
 * Lenovo ThinkPad T61 Forum
 * Lenovo ThinkPad T61 Knowledge Base
 * ThinkPads.com T6x Forum
 * ThinkWiki: T61

=DOCUMENTATION=
 * Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad R61, R61i and T61 14.1inch widescreen alternate source here
 * Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T61,T61p 14.1 inch standard screen - alternate source here
 * Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T61, T61p 15.4inch widescreen - alternate source here
 * Service and Troubleshooting Guide - ThinkPad T61, T61p - also available in other languages here
 * Personal Systems Reference Lenovo® ThinkPad® Notebooks 2005 to present - withdrawn
 * ThinkPad T61 Brochure
 * ThinkPad T61 Cleaning Guide

=LENOVO PARTS LOOKUP= @http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/partslookup

=LENOVO WARRANTY STATUS LOOKUP= @http://support.lenovo.com/en/warrantylookup

=REVIEWS=
 * Trusted Reviews - August 9, 2007
 * Laptop Magazine - June 28, 2007
 * CNET.com - May 27, 2007
 * Notebook Review - May 17, 2007
 * PCMag.com - May 9, 2007

= =