Thinkpads Forum

Hi all,

I'm torn with a decision - I need to create a set of system restore disks for my X61 and can't decide between a big, bulky and cheap external DVD drive for $50 or a slim external DVD burner from IBM or Sony ($130-$200) or the ultrabase and a DVD burner (the most expensive option probably around $300 or $350).

I don't plan on using this for much other than creating the restore disks and infrequent installs of separate OS's (if I can't get network based installs of linux to work) and every once and a blue moon software I can't download from the internet.

I can't believe I'm the first person in this spot - anyone have any advice on if it's worth it to just get the ultrabase with DVD drive, etc? Any pro's or con's (like booting from non-IBM usb DVD drives) I might want to consider? Thanks!

Steve

I just bought a x61t due in on Monday. I also need to consider what to do about a CD/DVD drive. I don't see myself needing an integrated docking solution that I need to carry around, but I do have a great 24" flat screen monitor that I'd like to take advantage of and wonder what the interface requirements are and if getting the IBM dock adds value.

One thing to be aware of is that you cannot upgrade the bios from the HD with Vista 64-bit, you must use the CD version. And the CD version will not work with a USB CD drive.... has to be in the ultrabase.

Ah - that's good to know - I was wondering if there would be issues like...So I guess that means I'll be looking for an x6 ultrabase for a reasonable price...

Do I need a DVD burner to create a set of system restore disks or can I get by (with more disks of course) with a dvd/cdrw drive as they are usually a good bit cheaper to acquire. Thanks!

However, that is a Vista x64 issue. If you boot into another OS from a USB drive, you should be able to update the BIOS.

My X61 is arriving soon, and I am planning to get a LG external drive.

Ah - OK. There is a pretty descent deal locally on a Sony slim external drive for around $100. I might pick that up and that way if I can't boot from it, etc I can walk it back in for a refund.

I have XP Pro on my x61 and will be installing kubuntu soon, so I hope to not have to worry about the vista implications. Thanks!

rhema83 wrote:However, that is a Vista x64 issue. If you boot into another OS from a USB drive, you should be able to update the BIOS........snip

Consider this: [for BIOS Update (Bootable CD)]

In order to enable the BIOS update by booting the computer from the CD-R/CD-RW disc, disregarding the operating system, this package is compiled into an ISO image file which is compatible with CD-R/CD-RW writing software. For that purpose, it is necessary to have the CD-R/CD-RW writing software (with CD-R/CD-RW creation function from the ISO image file) prepared separately. This program is language independent and can be used with any language system.

The CD-R/CD-RW disc for the BIOS update does not support any optical disc drives connected through USB devices, PC Cards, CardBus cards. It only supports CD-RW, CD-RW/DVD Combo and DVD Multi drives for the ThinkPad Ultrabay.

BIOS Update (Bootable CD) - ThinkPad X61, X61s, Reserve Edition.

One wouldn't be able to update the BIOS for linux using the above available method. There is a thread present on this issue too.

That's bizzare. The Lenovo instructions in the Link say that only a ultrabay in the thinkpad works, not in a dock - and yet the X61 is listed as an applicable model.

Anyone want to tell me how I get an Ultrabay into my X61s without a dock?

Note: The System Program Service Utility bootable CD supports only the ThinkPad Ultrabay Optical Disc Drive in the ThinkPad Ultrabay. (Not in the Docking Station Ultrabay).

That's wrong, I'll try to get it corrected. Apparently same information is given on T61/p page too, which will make sense.

Here is a thread of a person who successfully updated the BIOS via X6 Ultrabase.

I can also confirm that the CD bios update works from a CD in the X6 ultrabase (and not from a USB CD drive). I picked up the ultrabase for that reason even though I have a usb dvdrw drive.

If you have a dual boot system with 32 bit Vista or XP, then you could just boot into that for bios update. But I only have a 64-bit partition.

Lenovo has a bundle with burner, base and an extra charger for 250, i bought it a couple months ago, good having the second charger since I just leave it always hooked up the base

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... =soac00017&

Hey thanks, that's a sweet deal - having the extra ac adapter can come in real handy and this would eliminate all the issues with the external drive, separate power source, etc - for less money than I was expecting...

What I meant is, boot into another OS (e.g. Windows XP) from a USB drive. Then from within that OS, run the BIOS update program.

rhema83 wrote:What I meant is, boot into another OS (e.g. Windows XP) from a USB drive. Then from within that OS, run the BIOS update program.

Just by chance, I came across the following today.

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/BIOS_Upgrade

Well, I came across something interesting last night that will work as an option for me. LG has a 12.8 ounce external slim burner that powers off a USB port only (IBM has drives like this as well). I decided to give it a try and picked it up last night. Seems to work really well - burned the system restore DVD's this morning and will attempt to set up a dual boot configuration with it in a few minutes.

Best Buy has these in stock. I will probably keep the ultrabase and drive on my wish list, but this little external unit has some nice uses for backing up my wife's and brothers pc's, etc.

So whats the consensus? People actually have any updated thoughts after having seen both the sides of the story?

Well, I've got one of those thin USB powered dual-layer lightscribe DVDs. Reason is that I've now got 3 Thinkpads and can't be bothered with bulky bases since the reason I went from the Thinkpad is the size and weight !!! Plus, I can use the drive in any computer, you can't do that with an Ultrabase.
I am also going to upgrade it to Blu-Ray when the thin writable drives come down to a realistic price.
If I need to go somewhere where I'll need to access a DVD, the thin USB ones slip into a pocket (in your jacket or laptop case) easily.
Just my way of working, yours may vary.

I use a cheap slimline USB DVDRW drive I bought off eBay. Compared to the Ultrabase, it's more compact, more versatile (can be used on any machine, desktop or laptop, not just the X), and a LOT cheaper. The way I see it, if all you need is an occasional CD drive, why buy a dock and a CD drive? The Ultrabase is a very neat port replicator/docking solution, but I don't need one of those...

It's pretty much only used for a Windows software install, as everything else gets pulled off of a network connection. (Optical drives drive me nuts with their slowness to spin up, noise, propensity to freeze the machine for a few seconds, etc., and try to avoid them wherever possible.) Once in a blue moon it gets used to burn a disc, and does so fine without the need for an external AC adapter.

Which models are recommended at this point? From Performance (Quality / Reliability), Price & Portability standpoint.

crashnburn wrote:Which models are recommended at this point? From Performance (Quality / Reliability), Price & Portability standpoint.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... al+usb+dvd
Scanning through this old topic revealed lots of options people were discussing!

Trekk69 wrote:

crashnburn wrote:Which models are recommended at this point? From Performance (Quality / Reliability), Price & Portability standpoint.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... al+usb+dvd
Scanning through this old topic revealed lots of options people were discussing!

Still using the pioneer and it works great. Honestly though I have only used it once or twice to burn CD's and to make the origional backup CDs. Its easier to network the DVD drive in my PC wirelessly on the rare ocasion I need a CD Rom to install stuff, than it is to plug in a USB cable.