How do I Install from Pcmcia Slot

[joediamond]

Hello,
i have a x60s with an external cd drive running off the pcmcia slot. i am trying to get notebook to boot from this slot so i can reload windows xp. but it doesn't look like i can set this up from bios. can anyone help please.

x60s with external Archos mini cd [CDS-1-T24]

thank you

[BillMorrow]

the x series (X40 and X60) seem to have problems with non (IBM) lenovo CD drives through the USB slot..

but first, did you make the USB a bootable port..?
this setting is in the bios setup..

[joediamond]

Hi BIll, does Bios consider PCMCIA slot as USB? i have just gone in and changed boot sequence to USB CD as first boot but with no luck. here is a list of boot priority options:
1 USB CD:
2 USB FFD:
3 ATAPI CD1:
4 ATAPI CD0:
5 ATA HDD0: GTS5410..... BLA BLA BLA
6 PCI LAN: IBA GE SLOT 0200 V1231
7 -USB HDD
8 ATA HDD1:
EXCLUDED FROM BOOT ORDER:
ATA HDD2
FYI, When windows goes into boot screen for win login. it does reconize the cd drive(i can see the lights and hear the disk turning)

[mfbernstein]

If you can't get the install to load from CD-ROM and you have a large USB stick (2GB or more), you can try copying over the contents of the Windows CD to the USB stick and installing that way (that's what I did with my new CD-less X61). It's a bit tricky, but it does work.

[joediamond]

Thanks for the link. it seems a little involved. i would prefer to try and setup notebook to boot from PCMCIA card first if possible. as a last result i may have to try and attempt via usb.(which i would have to purchase first, as mine is only 256mb). if anyone can help, much appreciated.

[timendres]

It seems to me that my PCMCIA-based Ultrabay 2000 device, which came with my X30, required a special boot floppy to get the machine to boot from the CD drive. Meanwhile, I have had absolutely no problems booting with USB-based CD drives on any of my machines. Personally, I think you will be much farther ahead to simply invest in a USB CD drive.