Thinkpads Forum

I'm installing SSD (X25-M) for the first time (or any kind of drive, really). I'm putting it in my T61.

First of all, when I put it in, I probably need the rubber things that are on my HDD sides, but do I also need the metal frame? The rubber stuff feels a little loose on the SSD. Then there's that plastic tape thingy in my HDD that's used to pull the drive out. Can I pull that off and put it in my SSD or do I need to get something like that so I can also pull my SSD out when necessary?

I don't need to clone any hard drives or move any files to the SSD. I'm going to install Linux (Debian) on it. How do I go about to install the empty SSD? I don't need any OS for it first, do I? I can just put it in (then what?) and install the OS?

I'm such a noob at this hardware stuff (never even added RAM to a computer before).

I'm typing this in my T61 with a X25-M as well, and yes, you better keep the metal frame and use the rubbers as any normal drive. Don't also pull off the plastic of the frame.

You don't need an existing OS in the SSD to install Linux. I'm using Ubuntu in this machine so I guess installing Debian will be fairly the same. I suppose you have burn a bootable CD or a created a bootable USB stick with the OS. Just make sure that you include the boot media in the boot order in the BIOS. Once you put the media in, Debian will start and you will have to follow the instructions.

Good luck with your installation and keep us posted of the results!

Thanks a lot. My HDD adapter for UltraBay should arrive tomorrow and the HDD and RAM later this week or perhaps the next. I'll do everything then and post the results later.

FYI: Harrc posted these helpful instructions for changeover to SSD: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=92486
There's some good stuff there!