Confirmation of Middleton BIOS improvements

[balanga]

Apparently, if I apply the Middleton BIOS to my ThinkPad X61 I can expect this improvement:-

SATA II speed unlocked
Original BIOS limits drives to slower SATA I (1.5 Gb/s), but Middleton BIOS enables full SATA II (3.0 Gb/s), improving SSD performance.

What is the best way of recording pre- and post- performance to see if I actually get any benefit?

 

[blackbird9]

I have done this on the X61, although I tested it with linux using hdparm to test performance, it definitely worked. And I remember also dmesg reports the 3 Gb/s interface when the drive is initialised, although that's not really a test. It's several years ago now, I don't remember all the details. The machine definitely ran freebsd fine with middleton bios installed, I used to run freebsd on that laptop. Middleton bios and a sata 2 SSD gave a nice speedup. I installed middleton using a genuine thinkpad usb cdrom drive, or possible the ultrabay drive in the docking station, can't remember now which one I used. I do remember it all worked and I didn't have any problems.

 

[balanga]

Thanks, I'll try installing hdparm.

 

[blackbird9]

hdparm: Configure and test disk performance

This article offers a thorough guide on using the **hdparm** tool for enhancing disk performance on Linux systems. It covers installation instructions for various distributions and demonstrates how to configure disk settings, test disk speeds, and ensure secure data erasures. Alongside practical...

linuxbash.sh

 

[blackbird9]

I don't have any X61's left now. I switched over to X201 a few years ago, then X220.

 

[balanga]

I don't have any X61's left now. I switched over to X201 a few years ago, then X220.

I'm a ThinkPad collecter, but most of my collection is back home and it includes an X201 and X220.

But I'm currently using 2 X61's a W520 and an X1 Gen1.

I would lke to install 8GB of ram in one of them since Middleton is supposed to allow that, but don't really know exactly what which SIMMS are suitable.

 

[blackbird9]

Now you're asking... I've definitely got 8GB in the X201's, I can't remember if I ran with 8GB in the X61.
I found this thread https://www.thinkwiki.microsoft.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=131338

I got rid of my X61's because I got fed up with my palm being burned by the heat from the wifi adapter under the palm rest. They were nice little machines though. T61 is basically the same generation in a larger form factor, that is also a nice machine and I've run that with middleton bios too.

 

[blackbird9]

A-Tech 8GB (2 x 4GB) RAM for Lenovo THINKPAD THINKPAD X61 | DDR2 667MHz SODIMM PC2-5300 200-Pin Non-ECC Memory Upgrade Kit at Amazon.com

Buy A-Tech 8GB (2 x 4GB) RAM for Lenovo THINKPAD THINKPAD X61 | DDR2 667MHz SODIMM PC2-5300 200-Pin Non-ECC Memory Upgrade Kit: Memory - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Sure is pricey. I'm wondering if I have any left over lying around in a box somewhere. It was a few years ago that I got rid of my X61s though.

 

[blackbird9]

8GB 2x 4GB 2GB PC2-5300S DDR2 667MHz 200Pin SODIMM Laptop RAM For Crucial Lot UK | eBay UK

Picture For Reference Purpose Only. Item Discription : • 200-Pin DDR2 Laptop Memory • Original Chips,Double-Sided • 200Pins, Notebook Memory • Dual Channel Support • 1.8V • superior quality and best price • Unbuffered, Non-ECC, Non-Registered • Fully tested • Lifetime Warranty Packet Content ...

www.ebay.co.uk

I just can't believe these memory prices ... they are asking 65 GBP, well, at least it's half the amazon price, but it's still crazy. This is nuts, DDR2 is ancient now. I will have a dig in my parts box and see if I have any left.

 

[blackbird9]

I'm not sure now whether I had 8GB working in the X61 or not.

 

[blackbird9]

I had a rummage, I've got some 4GB PC3-10600, but not PC2-5300, unfortunately. Looks like whatever I had has gone. I cleared out all my old hardware a few years ago.