I got this used Thinkpad T43 to add my old hard drive, power supply and etc from my other, failing T43, and everything works great on it. For two days I have been able to connect usb devices no problem, but now it asks me to install the hardware. This is was no problem for my printer or MP3 player, but my Thinkpad external hard drive is causing me issues.

I was able to connect it yesterday but not today. Until now I wasn't asked to install it. I think the problem with this is that I need to type in a code on my external hard drive in order for the computer to recognize it. Once I type in the code on the HD and press "continue" on the installation, the HD's light flashes green, then red, then green, then stays red and fails to connect, leaving the computer looking for the hardware it was about to install.

This obviously poses a problem

Sorry if this isn't the right section to ask about this. If it's not, please have it moved to the right section so I can get my question answered? Most of my stuff is on that external hard drive..

Thanks

No Thinkpad flashes RED.
Are you sure you are talking about an IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad?
With code, do you mean a password?

The back of my external HD reads Lenvo thinkPad eSATA/USB Secure Hard Drive - 500GB. And it does flash red, at least in this case it does. http://www.pclaunches.com/entry_images/ ... 50x372.jpg
And yes I mean password.

Do you mean the light on the external USB hard drive enclosure flashes red? Most of these USB enclosures come with a cable that has two USB connectors on the end. One of the USB connectors is for extra power only and it has no data contacts. Maybe you are using the wrong connector or maybe the hard drive needs so much current that both USB connectors need to be plugged into the Thinkpad for it to work.

I see from the picture that what I said originally may not apply. I'm not familiar with the enclosure in the photo.

Since it operated without problems (and no need for driver installation) for two days, I would connect the external HDD to another machine.

I suspect that the problem may be with your new to you/used T43 and not your external HDD.

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product ... MIGR-74406

Rather that try to troubleshoot problems with your P4M T43, I would move on to much more powerful Core 2 Duo T60 or T61.

Here is someone else with same description as your problem...
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Options-Acc ... 5951#M1630

Huh...T43 is a PM not a P4M...generational difference, and a huge one at that...