mini PCI-E SATA controller: Will it work in a T61?

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xirtyllo · #1 Post by **xirtyllo** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:49 pm

would it be possible to use a Mini PCI-Express card like this one on a T61?

(it's a SATA controller)

http://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/ ... PEXSATA22I

dr_st · #2 Post by **dr_st** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 11:06 pm

With the right whitelist-removing BIOS, it should be. But how would you connect the drives to it? Will you run the laptop open with the keyboard removed all the time?

xirtyllo · #3 Post by **xirtyllo** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 5:34 am

No, I wouldn't want to keep the keyboard off... I figured that I can carve a small hole somewhere to pass the two SATA cables outside -I don't use the modem, so maybe through that port..?-
Then I would connect two SATA hard disks externally and power them from the mains with some kind of adapter.

I am just unsure if the laptop will recognize ANY kind of Mini PCI-E card (apart from wireless cards)... just like a desktop PC would recognize any kind of PCI-E that you plug in..

Anyone has actual experiences?

jcvjcvjcvjcv · #4 Post by **jcvjcvjcvjcv** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:24 pm

I doubt the card is even thin enough to get the keyboard back on.

You do know that the modem port is quite distant from that mini PCIe slot? And that in between is the HSF...?

twistero · #5 Post by **twistero** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:07 pm

flyingfishfinger tried the same card in a X61 and it didn't work. See here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=107360

If your goal is to connect external bare drives, consider an Expresscard-based eSATA card.

flyingfishfinger · #6 Post by **flyingfishfinger** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 10:32 pm

I had (slightly) better luck with this card: http://www.hwtools.net/Adapter/PM362.html.

It works if you install it when the system is running, but you won't be able to boot with it installed for some reason. I'm still trying to figure out if that's a BIOS whitelist problem or something else, but so far I haven't gotten a response from the MDL folks...

R

jronald · #7 Post by **jronald** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 3:31 pm

As long as you are not looking for massive amounts of space, give this a try. Works very well!
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=114312
Its also very cheap.

Ron

xirtyllo · #8 Post by **xirtyllo** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 9:34 am

hey Jronald,

thanks for the input! I might well try it out

jronald · #9 Post by **jronald** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 5:32 pm

I have several units running around with these installed. You can also uses sd cards, however the total cost comes in higher, but with it you could wind up with 128X2 gigs. Largest Im running with the USB stick is 128 gig, but many of mine are 64 gig.

Ron

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