Uploaded September 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Basically today we are converting a low-end ThinkPad X240 into a high-end one. Complete with adding a battery, 1080p IPS display, X250 touchpad, fingerprint reader, and backlit keyboard! I also replace the old stock thermal paste with fresh Arctic MX-4 and demonstrate how to replace the internal storage. As always, thanks for watching!
Basically today we are converting a low-end ThinkPad X240 into a high-end one. Complete with adding a battery, 1080p IPS display, X250 touchpad, fingerprint reader, and backlit keyboard! I also replace the old stock thermal paste with fresh Arctic MX-4 and demonstrate how to replace the internal storage. As always, thanks for watching!
![[Livestream] Not a counterfeit battery.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MR1JTvN4qNk/mqdefault.jpg "[Livestream] Not a counterfeit battery.
Putting a ThinkPad X230 Tablet back together, trying out Ubuntu on a ThinkPad X301, and dealing with horrible internet connections.
Timestamps:
1:40 Opening the battery box
2:50 Getting parts organized
13:02 Taking out the motherboard
15:45 Future plans with a MacBook
17:58 Re-pasting the CPU
31:37 Cleaning the bottom case
36:10 Putting the motherboard back in
39:28 Answering questions regarding juggling YouTube, hobbies, and school
46:00 Looking at the display assembly
50:20 Adding a fingerprint reader to the display assembly
1:05:56 Re-installing the display
1:12:06 Re-installing keyboard bezel, dealing with cable management
1:27:35 Cleaning and re-installing palmrest
1:33:50 Re-installing keyboard
1:36:48 SMOKE TEST!!!
1:42:09 Installing SSD and upgrading RAM
1:46:27 Starting up Windows, dealing with driver updates
2:03:30 Putting Ubuntu onto a flash drive
2:07:10 Briefly looking at a ThinkPad T440p
2:14:33 Introducing the ThinkPad X301
2:16:01 Booting into Ubuntu
2:18:20 Connecting to Wifi
2:24:10 Online
2:25:01 Testing YouTube and stream freeze")
![ThinkPad T430: Getting rid of Lenovos Battery Whitelist [READ DESCRIPTION]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MWZlktXFNJk/mqdefault.jpg "ThinkPad T430: Getting rid of Lenovos Battery Whitelist [READ DESCRIPTION]
2019 EDIT: Starting with T430 BIOS version 2.82, EC version 1.14, Lenovo has started to include a digital signature that prevents this whitelist from being removed, the EC patch for T420 keyboards, and other aspects of this mod from working. DO NOT upgrade the BIOS to any version newer than 2.81.
Starting with the xx30 series of ThinkPads, Lenovo began blocking out third-party/aftermarket batteries from working properly in their laptops. This is a huge annoyance especially as the original batteries begin to wear out and lose their charging capacity. As of taping this video Lenovo DOES still sell batteries for these older ThinkPads, but that could change at any time as these are 3rd-generation Intel laptops that are now over 5 years old. The fact that Lenovo still offers replacement parts for such old computers is commendable, and I am glad they still support their older products as well as they do. However, if you take the genuine route, a new battery from Lenovo is $150! Some of these laptops cost less to purchase second-hand nowadays! While some may question the quality of after-market batteries, I personally have not had any issues with them and have used them in a number of my laptops and devices, ThinkPad or not. While capacity is not always AS good as the original batteries were when they were new, it is generally an improvement over the worn-out originals. Why pay $150 to get a new battery from Lenovo or even $80 off Amazon when you can get a replacement that is just as good for only $30-40? Again, some may question the quality of generic replacements, and Im sure if any warranty is still left on any of these machines it would be voided with using a non-genuine part, but I have never had issues with them, and its just easier to get a replacement than to try to rebuild the original battery.
Anyway, for those of you who dont want to pay outrageous prices for a replacement battery to use in your xx30 series ThinkPad, heres a link to the BIOS mod (this must be built in Linux):
https://github.com/hamishcoleman/thinkpad-ec
Be sure to check out my channel for other tech-related videos, and other random stuff! Thanks for watching and consider subscribing!")
