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Budget External Drive Solution
Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:50 pm
by billp117
Link
If you have an extra CD or DVD drive, you can put it to use for your X series laptop.
I just received this handy little adapter today and it works perfect. If all you need is load some software or play a movie...this will do the job.
For about $10 and your old drive you have a budget solution. It even comes with a USB cable.
Good luck...it worked fine on my X60s.
(You will need two small screws to hold the adapter on permanently...the screws on the old drive are not long enough)
MOD EDIT: Link shortened for better scrolling.
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:53 am
by ryengineer
I have one of these adapters but in a black enclosure, you get better protection that way I guess.
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:11 am
by Brad
Looks great Bill. Thanks for the tip.
RE: Where do you find the enclosure?
Brad
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:35 pm
by billp117
Brad: You can get the enclosure, the circuit, a DVD/CDRW drive and USB cable on eBay for $33 plus shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Slim-USB-External-C ... dZViewItem
I did not go with the enclosure because it does not match the IBM drive face plate. You can buy an enclosure on ebay for about $15 plus shipping. That is close enough to just go ahead and buy the drive as the face plate is the correct size and you get a new drive.
My goal was truly budget and it fit inside one of my old IBM drive nylon bags that came with a spare drive. Hope that helps.
Bill
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:52 pm
by iamdmc
Which drives will this work with?
Anyone have any ideas for a budget slim DVD burner?
You can buy one on eBay for $70 shipped, but I wouldn't mind not paying so much
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:03 pm
by billp117
A, T, X, R, - The Ultrabay 2000 series are compatible with the adapter.
If you don't have an extra drive laying around...click on the eBay link I posted above. Very cheap solution either way. I had a couple extra drives and this did the trick for me.
Bill
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:53 am
by patch
can you confirm for me whether or not I can boot a windows xp installation cd from one of these?
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 11:29 am
by billp117
Yes...it boots XP just fine.
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:04 am
by Brad
Thanks Bill.
I ordered an enclosure from Hong Kong that should arrive in about a week.
I hope my Ultra Bay slim fits nicely.
Brad
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:11 am
by billp117
I don't know if the "Slim" will fit correctly since that drive is smaller in height compared to the Ultrabay 2000...correct?
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:21 pm
by Brad
That's correct.
Maybe I should get the one you have too.
Wouldn't hurt to have another on hand.
Thanks
Brad
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:46 pm
by bill bolton
Brad wrote:I hope my Ultra Bay slim fits nicely.
Those enclosures are designed for 12mm drives, not 9.5mm drives, so you may be out of luck?!?
Cheers,
Bill B.
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:17 pm
by Brad
If the Ultra Bay Slim is a no go I think I have a Ultra Bay 2000 that may work.
Thanks
Brad
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:29 pm
by billp117
Hi Brad:
That is what I used and it worked perfect. The link (above) that I supplied is also a budget solution. That is a good price for a new DVD/CDRW drive with the case and cable.
Although I will not need mine very often...it is good to know that I have one and can use it on any ThinkPad with USB.
BTW...my daughter is really enjoying her T43. It is working perfect thanks to you.
Bill