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  1. 71
      src/x301/hardware.md
  2. 2
      src/x301/paintjob.md
  3. 8
      src/x301/preamble.md
  4. 2
      src/x301/software.md

@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ modifications would be a good idea. Some things I would like to do are:
2. USB-C charging, cheap USB-C PD power delivery [boards][usbc] can be used 2. USB-C charging, cheap USB-C PD power delivery [boards][usbc] can be used
instead of the default charging connector, they signal compatible power instead of the default charging connector, they signal compatible power
supplies to deliver 20V thus charging the laptop. This is very cool because supplies to deliver 20V thus charging the laptop. This is very cool because
it allows old Thinkpads to be charged via modern chargers, which are among it allows old ThinkPads to be charged via modern chargers, which are among
other things, much more efficien and light. other things, much more efficien and light.
3. Cleaning the fan bearing. The old bearing is, well, old and it makes an 3. Cleaning the fan bearing. The old bearing is, well, old and it makes an
awful sound. This is not only very unpleasant but also lowers cooling and awful sound. This is not only very unpleasant but also lowers cooling and
@ -27,6 +27,62 @@ modifications would be a good idea. Some things I would like to do are:
SSDs, this will increase the responsitivity of the machine by a lot. SSDs, this will increase the responsitivity of the machine by a lot.
7. Upgrade the bluetooth module from 2.0 to 4.0, this is not only for better 7. Upgrade the bluetooth module from 2.0 to 4.0, this is not only for better
speeds but also for better power saving. speeds but also for better power saving.
8. New third party battery, this is also needed on most old laptops
## The Easy Stuff
This stuff is rather easy, calling replacing a card a "hardware mod" is a
stretch but better put it here than somewhere else.
In general a good resource for simple modifications and general informations
about the ThinkPad x301 is the [Mc Donnell Tech webstite][donnell]
Let's begin with the battery, the ThinkPad x301 came with three battery
[options][batteries]:
- Battery 49, 3 cells, 27.3 Wh
- Battery 49+, 6 cells, 43.2 Wh
- Bay Battery 50, 3 cells, resides in the UltraBay Thin slot, 23.7 Wh
The best _new_ option is to get some third party battery with 6 cells more
or less equivalent to the 49+. As for the UltraBay battery, they don't make
them new, and buying a new old stock costs an eye and a liver. Also having a
DVD reader in 2021 is comfy.
Buying a new battery can cost you upwards of 50€ and I'm not really sure about
the difference between the third parties, I'll have to do some more research
on that.
Moving on to WiFi, the preinstalled one is an Intel 5XXX wifi link something
something. Not bad but not great, some other options are:
- [Atheros AR9382][wf], good driver support but _average_ speeds, also this
chip is used in [freedom respecting][ryf] hardware
- [Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300][centrino] (FRU 60Y3233), better speeds and
power efficiency, unsure about driver support and "freedom respect"
- [Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 Plus Bluetooth][ac7260] (FRU 04W3814), as
the name implies it has bluetooth builtin and even greater speeds, again tho
I'm not sure about drivers and freedom. Also a [hardware mod][ac7260mod] may
be required for it to work.
**NOTE:** all these cards can be installed only after flashing a new BIOS with
the device whitelist removed, a good resource on that is once-again
[Mc Donnell's website][donnell].
Onto Bluetooth, there are a couple of [FRUs][fru] (cards) that will work out of
the box (and for all I know at all), there are:
- The preinstalled BT 2.0 boards
- [FRU 60Y3303][bt1] bluetooth 4.0 from Foxconn
- [FRU 60Y3305][bt2] bluetooth 4.0 from Liteon
One of the 4.0 cards will serve me nicely, as far as I know there is no real
difference between the two so no stress in picking one or the other.
Finally the [micro SATA][usata] to [mSATA][msata] converter board. The x301
originally used a micro SATA SSD or HDD, these come in a non-common 1.8"
format which to my knownledge manufacturers no longer use. So the idea is to
use a [commercially available][umconverter] converter board along with a
[3D printable caddy][caddyfile] (source [here][caddy]) in order to use
common mSATA SSDs.
## Display Panel Replacement ## Display Panel Replacement
@ -43,3 +99,16 @@ This image was taken [from this forum post][affsforum]
[wf]: https://static6.arrow.com/aropdfconversion/3819c6435740abdd592c1d40adffdfba809ffe79/ar9382.pdf [wf]: https://static6.arrow.com/aropdfconversion/3819c6435740abdd592c1d40adffdfba809ffe79/ar9382.pdf
[ryf]: https://ryf.fsf.org/ [ryf]: https://ryf.fsf.org/
[affsforum]: http://thinkpads.kr/xe/?mid=gallery&document_srl=80883 [affsforum]: http://thinkpads.kr/xe/?mid=gallery&document_srl=80883
[batteries]: https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/pd013390
[centrino]: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/it/it/ark/products/59474/intel-centrino-ultimate-n-6300-dual-band.html
[ac7260]: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/it/it/ark/products/75439/intel-dual-band-wireless-ac-7260.html
[ac7260mod]: https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/49wjv1/x220t_and_intel_wirelessac_7260_installation_woes/
[donnell]: http://x301.mcdonnelltech.com/
[fru]: https://support.lenovo.com/it/it/solutions/ht118572-what-is-a-field-replacement-unit-fru-service-part
[bt1]: https://www.amazon.it/Adattatore-Bluetooth-Thinkpad-60Y3303-60Y3305/dp/B07XQ8MHCC
[bt2]: https://www.amazon.it/Adattatore-Bluetooth-Thinkpad-60Y3303-60Y3305/dp/B07XQ8MHCC
[usata]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA#Micro_connector
[msata]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA#Mini-SATA_(mSATA)
[umconverter]: https://www.amazon.it/Sconosciuto-msata-Express-Converter-Adapter/dp/B01AP5RSZY
[caddy]: https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/e0rbfq/thinkpad_x301_msata_adapter_caddy/
[caddyfile]: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3996754

@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ Title: Thinkapd x301 Restoration: Paintjob
Author: Alessandro Mauri Author: Alessandro Mauri
# Thinkpad x301 Restoration Project: Paintjob # ThinkPad x301 Restoration Project: Paintjob
There are basically two options worth noting: There are basically two options worth noting:

@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
Title: Thinkapd x301 Restoration: Preamble Title: Thinkapd x301 Restoration: Preamble
Author: Alessandro Mauri Author: Alessandro Mauri
# Thinkpad x301 Restoration Project: Preamble # ThinkPad x301 Restoration Project: Preamble
I had an unfortunate accident, well 3 to be precise, I bought 3 used Thinkpads I had an unfortunate accident, well 3 to be precise, I bought 3 used ThinkPads
x301 in working condition. Someone might say "jeez good for you" because those x301 in working condition. Someone might say "jeez good for you" because those
things are beautiful, old, and somewhat rare. things are beautiful, old, and somewhat rare.
## PHOTO HERE all three af them ## PHOTO HERE all three af them
Well not so fast because, as I learned the hard way, the Lenovo Thinkpad x301 Well not so fast because, as I learned the hard way, the Lenovo ThinkPad x301
has a particular quirk: It has what I think is the shittiest rubber coating has a particular quirk: It has what I think is the shittiest rubber coating
among all Thinkpads. among all ThinkPads.
Three out of three of the laptops I bought had some issues with the coating, Three out of three of the laptops I bought had some issues with the coating,
on the lid AND the palmrest which, in this particular model, is treated with the on the lid AND the palmrest which, in this particular model, is treated with the
same coating as the lid. The problem is that this coating is now over 11-13 same coating as the lid. The problem is that this coating is now over 11-13

@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ Title: Thinkapd x301 Restoration: Software
Author: Alessandro Mauri Author: Alessandro Mauri
# Thinkpad x301 Restoration Project: Software Side # ThinkPad x301 Restoration Project: Software Side
Of course me being me I can't just modify the hardware, I also have to do Of course me being me I can't just modify the hardware, I also have to do
something about the software side of things. Afterall if I just slapped something about the software side of things. Afterall if I just slapped

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