Can an X41 Tablet be run from an external USB Drive?

[dvallejo530]

In rebuilding an X41T (1.5GHz/1.5GB mem) I bought recently without a hard drive, my first step has been to acquire the XP Tablet software needed to restore the system (why XP? Because I want to use Adobe CS2 Suite software, and both Vista and Windows 7 don't play well with CS2). The tablet came with an XP Tablet COA sticker, and I've since acquired a 9-disk set of XP X41 Tablet restore disks, and a single Windows XP Tablet SP1 disk that should accept OEM keys(I also have Vista, but haven't tried installing it).

As I haven't yet been able to find a compatible 1.8 PATA HDD at a reasonable price, and SSDs are out of my price range right now (not interested in considering Flash options at this stage), I've tried unsuccessfully to install the software using an external 1.8 USB hard drive. Using an IBM DVD ultrabay slim in a X4 media base (yes, I know these aren't physically designed to fit together, but the base connector fits and does allow me to utilize the DVD drive; I'm searching for a suitable external USB optical drive to use in it's place), Here are my steps to date:

1. Using the 9 disk Restore & Recovery disks, The first R+R disk installs to the point where I can do a System Information check. The USB HDD is recognized, and I'm able to start a system restore. After reaching the point where Windows Setup starts to install, an error window pops up stating that an internal error has occurred, and then the installation stops.

2. Using the single Windows XP Tablet disk, I'm able to format my drive and reach the first installation boot during the OS installation. the Windows XP splash screen appears just prior to Windows continuing the installation, and then a dreaded blue screen appears, stating that "A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer." The technical information states:
*** STOP: 0x0000007B, (0xF78A2640, OxC0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

The problem of course may be the laptop itself. It was bought used off eBay from a reputable seller missing the HDD/caddy/stylus but otherwise seemingly complete; although it was presented as being in good operating condition, there may be undiagnosed hardware problems.

Assuming the problem doesn't lay with the actual laptop itself, is it possible that attempting to install the OS to an external USB hard drive is the problem? Does the initial OS installation need to be on a HDD attached to the IDE hard drive port?

Since I'm attempting to install from an optical drive on the X4 media base where the laptop is not fully in place due to structural incompatibility between the X41 Tablet and the X4 Media Base, maybe this this the source of the problem.

I could try to install my Vista OS on the unit, but prefer XP on the tablet for software compatibility reasons. Has anyone had a similar install problem?

[RealBlackStuff]

There are good, used X41 hard drives for sale in our market forum.
Your method will not work, the HD needs to be inside the laptop.
Any external USB CD/DVD-drive will work, you don't need the X4 base.

[dvallejo530]

There are good, used X41 hard drives for sale in our market forum.
Your method will not work, the HD needs to be inside the laptop.
Any external USB CD/DVD-drive will work, you don't need the X4 base.

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look in the Marketplace for HDD options.

[Tasurinchi]

You are not only limited to the old, slow and noisy Hitachi drives, check my thread here for some alternatives. But it will require some extra work...

[dvallejo530]

You are not only limited to the old, slow and noisy Hitachi drives, check my thread here for some alternatives. But it will require some extra work...

By "extra work", are you referring to using a ZIF-IDE adapter caddy? Other than connecting the drive to the adapter caddy and inserting the drive to the HDD connection port, is there any more involved with the installation? Also, except for the occasional domestic offering on eBay, can you recommend a local source for these other than caddies purchased and delivered from Chinese vendors on eBay)?

Preferrably, I'd like the tablet to also handle DVD playback (I understand that solid streaming video is probably beyond the X41T's graphics ability). Any suggestions?

[Tasurinchi]

is there any more involved with the installation?

Normally I always remove the keyboard and the palmrest to have better access to the IDE connector, it's fairly easy if you follow the hardware maintenance manual.

Unfortunately I don't know any other reliable source for adapters other than Ebay. I've bought three adapters from China and never had a problem so far (knock on wood)...

I never tried DVD playback with my X4x's machines. But 720p video files did run quite smoothly.

[RealBlackStuff]

Also check this: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=98390