T60: Disable CPU dual core mode with BIOS 2.27 and T7x00?
Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2022 2:58 pm
Hi all. Recently I picked up a clean used T60 2007-WHC, for running a few ancient Windows 2000 programs that I cling to like a sinking lifeboat.
I chose a T60 because
- It was pretty reasonably priced
- It's one of the last Thinkpads for which Lenovo still supplied Windows 2000 drivers
- I didn't have to sweat the T61 Invidia graphics chip problems
- A SATA SSD dropped right in
This one has 1gb of memory and a T2400 processor.
To give it a bit more utility, I'm considering bumping the memory to 4gb (3gb usable) and fitting a T7200 or T7400 processor.
That way I can dual-boot Win2k and 64-bit Linux, as 32-bit Linux doesn't have too bright a future.
I've read a LOT of CPU upgrade posts here, to where I think my eyes are almost bleeding. But so far I haven't found an answer to a major concern.
One of the Win2k programs I use refuses to play nice with the T2400 in default mode. It loads but doesn't function. In some situations it belches forth the infamous BSOD, then seconds later, crashes Win2k completely, right to a reboot and chkdsk.
HOWEVER! This cranky program works *perfectly* with the second core disabled in the BIOS config/CPU section.
My T60 came with BIOS version 2.16 (2007-07-13). As I understand it, I'll have to update the BIOS to version 2.27 before fitting a T7x00 processor.
But I'm worried about that difficult program.
So, I'm asking for a big favor.
Would someone who has a moment, and BIOS version 2.27 on a T60 with a T7200 or T7400 processor, please check to see whether T60 BIOS 2.27 still has an option to disable the second CPU core?
Thanks!
I chose a T60 because
- It was pretty reasonably priced
- It's one of the last Thinkpads for which Lenovo still supplied Windows 2000 drivers
- I didn't have to sweat the T61 Invidia graphics chip problems
- A SATA SSD dropped right in
This one has 1gb of memory and a T2400 processor.
To give it a bit more utility, I'm considering bumping the memory to 4gb (3gb usable) and fitting a T7200 or T7400 processor.
That way I can dual-boot Win2k and 64-bit Linux, as 32-bit Linux doesn't have too bright a future.
I've read a LOT of CPU upgrade posts here, to where I think my eyes are almost bleeding. But so far I haven't found an answer to a major concern.
One of the Win2k programs I use refuses to play nice with the T2400 in default mode. It loads but doesn't function. In some situations it belches forth the infamous BSOD, then seconds later, crashes Win2k completely, right to a reboot and chkdsk.
HOWEVER! This cranky program works *perfectly* with the second core disabled in the BIOS config/CPU section.
My T60 came with BIOS version 2.16 (2007-07-13). As I understand it, I'll have to update the BIOS to version 2.27 before fitting a T7x00 processor.
But I'm worried about that difficult program.
So, I'm asking for a big favor.
Would someone who has a moment, and BIOS version 2.27 on a T60 with a T7200 or T7400 processor, please check to see whether T60 BIOS 2.27 still has an option to disable the second CPU core?
Thanks!