X31 O/S needed

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grabitanrun · #1 Post by **grabitanrun** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:29 pm

Guys,
I'm new here so treat me gently

I've been given an X31 but it has no O/S loaded, given that there is no CD drive, how do I format the HDD and load XP? - The machine is in great condition and I'm loathe to get rid of it.

Sorry if this is a dense question, but I'm stumped !

Regards,

Grabbit

comptiger5000 · #2 Post by **comptiger5000** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:04 pm

Try a USB CD drive.

grabitanrun · #3 Post by **grabitanrun** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:08 pm

I'd tried a USB memory stick and that didn't work - so and external USB cd would be recognised?

comptiger5000 · #4 Post by **comptiger5000** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:10 pm

Likely. Is there anything in bios referencing to USB boot devices?

NorrisCell · #5 Post by **NorrisCell** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:11 pm

comptiger5000 wrote:Try a USB CD drive.

This would be the easiest way. If you don't have access, and know a bit about boot disks, you can also try a network install. You'll need to have some sort of flash drive or PCMCIA card reader though, as you'll need to boot from a boot disk with network support.

grabitanrun · #6 Post by **grabitanrun** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:12 pm

No, HDD, CD, 'External Device' (looks lie a symbol of a floppy) and one with some kind of weird code

NorrisCell · #7 Post by **NorrisCell** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:18 pm

I'm able to boot my X31 from USB with no issues. You must make sure it is enabled in the BIOS settings and that the USB stick is inserted before the computer is powered on

grabitanrun · #8 Post by **grabitanrun** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:20 pm

OK, I'll try in the morning - thanx

grabbit

#9 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:25 pm

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

The other alternative is to get a media slice (aka, UltraBase) for the system. It can accommodate an Ultrabay 2000 drive. There's also various ports (modem, ethernet, serial, parallel, etc.) available in the base.

ref: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 44207.html

jtt3011 · #10 Post by **jtt3011** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 11:05 am

grabitanrun wrote:No, HDD, CD, 'External Device' (looks lie a symbol of a floppy) and one with some kind of weird code

If this is true, then the first thing you have to do is to acquire and install a HDD. Then you'll need a CD/DVD reader from which to install an OS. Any 2.5" laptop HDD will do

Since I'm in the UK, if you get a HDD and send it to me, I can install an XP system for you. Alternatively, I can send you an X31 recovery DVD from which you could install an XP system - but you'd have to make sure that you obtained a CD/DVD reader, and not just CD.

sparta.rising · #11 Post by **sparta.rising** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 11:25 am

If you have another computer with a CD drive and usb port, you can install XP via usb flash disk... just google "xp install usb" and there will be lots of guides, follow whichever you find the easiest. Make sure you are using an OEM CD. The Product Key needed for install is on the CoA sticker on the bottom of your laptop (well it should be, unless someone peeled it off).

X31 O/S needed

X31 O/S needed

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