T30 picky for HDDs?

[Raidriar]

So after unlocking the SVP, flashing a custom BIOS and updating the EC, it has come to my attention that this T30 is very particular about which hard drives it likes. I have tested 3 hard drives: 2 hitachi drives and 1 toshiba. The toshiba and the 30gb hitachi give a constant HDD LED, never gets recognized by BIOS or windows installer. However, the 30gb hitachi is recognized in the 600E, but not the T43 (or the T30). The toshiba is not recognized in any of my thinkpads, but it spins up just fine when booting into the XP installer (though not recognized). The 40GB hitachi from the T43 is recognized in the T30. What gives?

[ajkula66]

I've never had an issue with any of the systems from this era not recognizing certain hard drives.

Silly question: are you using a proper caddy, securing the drive with all four screws as well as with the HD cover?

[Raidriar]

I am using the hard drive that came with the computer, so it had its cover, its caddy, and the screws. None of the pins on the back are bent. Strangest issue I've ever had on a computer, and I've handled a lot of them....

[RealBlackStuff]

The usual way to go is to first update EC and then update BIOS.
You say you used a custom BIOS, could that be faulty?

Also, if you copied/cloned the drive, IBM prefers the 'old' source in a USB-case and the 'new' target in the HD-bay.
The other way around has been known to cause problems.

[Raidriar]

Problem existed before the BIOS/EC update. I was hoping that updating both would resolve the problem, but it has not.

I can't even format the drive because nothing is seeing it, weirdest issue ever. Never had a drive behave like that.

[RealBlackStuff]

In BIOS, Startup/Boot, do you see +Hard Drive?
If so, click on it and it should show the HD model.

Don't forget that these laptops (and the HDs) are all well over 10 years old.

Try the HD in another laptop under Windows, then go into DiskMgmt.msc and see if that HD is even initialized.

[Raidriar]

No, it is not recognized in the BIOS in any of my computers. I have another HDD that is recognized only in the 600E and not in the T43 or the T30, but it also spins in the T30 during windows XP install disc start up (but never recognized).

At this point, I will probably buy a mSATA to PATA adapter and see how that will fare.