Thinkpad 2nd HDD Adapter for Ultrabay Slim

[triumph]

I have recently updated from a Thinkpad T42p to a Thinkpad W500.

My T42p has a 2nd HDD adapter ultrabay slim with a 60Gb ATA/IDE drive.

Can I use this item with my W500?

[Wendy]

I have recently updated from a Thinkpad T42p to a Thinkpad W500.

My T42p has a 2nd HDD adapter ultrabay slim with a 60Gb ATA/IDE drive.

Can I use this item with my W500?

Doubt it. I had a CD drive from a T41 and it doesn't fit. Here is the one I bought at Lenovo...compare the part #s and you should have your answer:

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... 5867D31462

[comptiger5000]

No, you cannot. The T4x and T6x had slightly different ultrabay devices, which were incompatible AFAIK. The W500 and other new thinkpads have a SATA ultrabay, so any previous device (batteries excluded) will not work, even if it fits. The T6x and prior had PATA ultrabay connections.

[triumph]

I thought this might be the case.

Is it possible to take the HDD and mount it in an external box and access it via USB or via an ExpressCard connection?

[tinkererguy]

You can go external USB 2.0, but speed will be about 30-80% slower than the latest eSATA enclosures: depending on your planned usage, that may not matter to you.

Easiest is a ExpressCard that slides into the slot at the side of your W500, with an eSATA capable external hard drive enclosure. More challenging and expensive route is an Advanced Dock:
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkPad_Advanced_Dock
and a PCI-e eSATA adapter in the dock, but I've had issues with my T61p (which uses same dock) and getting it to boot and not hang at SATA scanning during POST: wound up turning off eSATA drive to get thru boot, then turning back on again. Depends on eSATA controller chipset you choose.

Hope this helps!

[triumph]

Many thanks for all your replies.