Thinkpads Forum

Ok, so I got my laptop!!

I also bought a SSD from Intel (thru Newegg) which I'd like to install. One problem. How do I get at the hard drives? Anyone have any instructions for removing the back paneling to get at the hard drives? I see where I can remove a cover to get to 2 open ram slots (I though it had 4 total..so where are the other two slots??). But I don't see where I go to install and remove hard drives.

Help and suggestions appreciated.

Please see reply #2 for additional issues.

arretium wrote:Ok, so I got my laptop!!
........ How do I get at the hard drives? ...... But I don't see where I go to install and remove hard drives.

Help and suggestions appreciated.

Congrats arretium on your new W701
Here is the information that you would need to read .....Hard Drives are very EASY to do in most thinkpads

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 70385.html

< ....Keep in mind "warranty terms & conditions ......'> but nothing major to worry about if you not going to places u shouldnt be....LOL

Enjoy your new found speed ,,, Cheers

ausmike wrote:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 70385.html

OK, thanks so much.

New problem.

I ordered an SSD drive for the laptop thru New Egg. I picked up the Intel 160 GB SSD drive. Paid a mint for it.

Anyway, I opened up the drive bay to do the install. I was going to swap the 500 GB 7200 rpm drive and move it to secondary bay which is right next to the first bay. Only there was no "caddy" for the second bay. Appears I have to purchase that separately? And I'm guessing that since the SSD is SOOOOOOO thin that I'm going to need a special caddy? Anyone have any suggestions??????


I'm thinking I'm might be SOL here, but I'm hoping, no praying that I'm not!

You need a caddy + the rubber rails that go with. They'll deal with thin drives just fine (assuming it's a 2.5" drive, not one of the really tiny 1.8" ones).

You'll note just above these messages that there's an ad for hard drive caddies They're charging quite alot for them though-- I got mine off ebay for $5 apeice, free shipping. OTOH, after plunking down $3k+, $25 for an 'expensive' caddy is just in the noise.

xiphmont wrote:You need a caddy + the rubber rails that go with. They'll deal with thin drives just fine (assuming it's a 2.5" drive, not one of the really tiny 1.8" ones).

You'll note just above these messages that there's an ad for hard drive caddies They're charging quite alot for them though-- I got mine off ebay for $5 apeice, free shipping. OTOH, after plunking down $3k+, $25 for an 'expensive' caddy is just in the noise.

Yea you gotta point, but at this point $ 25 here and $ 25 there starts to add up.


Here's the drive I got:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

The X25-M will fit the standard caddies just fine.

The caddy isn't much more than a thin metal shell open on the top and the two rubber rails. The metal adds practically nothing except for something for the pull-tab to mount to. The rubber rails are probably a tad loose without it too.

Hi arretium.....

Glad you found a source for those 'much necessary' caddy ,,, and those RUBBER BOOTS on sides of the 'Caddy' is very very important part, even if it looks cheap & nasty like > they insulate HD from those crazy HEAT TRANSFER; 'static & or electrical shorts' etc etc.... so dont throw those away!
Infact I would suggest to get a set for both caddy if you planning to ran RAID or even just the 2nd Drive bay for storage - I would still protect that drive!

well if you guys are complaining 'bout SSD prices for 160Gb ,,,, then just IMAGINE what the cost of 1TB SSD be ?? <I am currently testing these two NEW yet to be released to public of the Intel's Xxx-E Extreme Drives>
Good thing that price is not coming out off my pocket!!


Good luck !

Looks like Newegg is missing a small marketing/sales opportunity by not listing caddies & rubber rails in their 'related purchases' blurb on the SSD sales page.

I'm not familiar with the SSD you bought, but it appears from the description that it -might- be the same size as the drive you're replacing. If so, the rubber rails on the HD may fit and be usable with the SSD. What I've done in the past in similar situations is fit the rubber rails to the new SSD drive, then insert it into the W700/W701. You'll probably be able to fit the old HD into the other slot(or ultrabay), maybe using some paper/stuffing to 'situate' it so it'll work. Then, transfer the data, using your tool of choice and you'll be all set. Remove the old HD, order up some rubber rails to use with that old HD, and while waiting for the rubber to arrive, at least you'll be able to use your new SSD toy

Kinda handy having a few of those pesky rubber rails lying around, as when you need a couple, you just don't wanna have to wait on 'em to arrive in the mail.

AMATX wrote:Looks like Newegg is missing a small marketing/sales opportunity by not listing caddies & rubber rails in their 'related purchases' blurb on the SSD sales page.

I'm not familiar with the SSD you bought, but it appears from the description that it -might- be the same size as the drive you're replacing. If so, the rubber rails on the HD may fit and be usable with the SSD. What I've done in the past in similar situations is fit the rubber rails to the new SSD drive, then insert it into the W701. You'll probably be able to fit the old HD into the other slot(or ultrabay), maybe using some paper/stuffing to 'situate' it so it'll work. Then, transfer the data, using your tool of choice and you'll be all set. Remove the old HD, order up some rubber rails to use with that old HD, and while waiting for the rubber to arrive, at least you'll be able to use your new SSD toy

Kinda handy having a few of those pesky rubber rails lying around, as when you need a couple, you just don't wanna have to wait on 'em to arrive in the mail.

It does, and you're right about NewEgg. I kinda thought the same thing. But I took the suggestions here and found a caddy and rubber rails for $6.99 on ebay.

arretium wrote:Ok, so I got my laptop!!

I also bought a SSD from Intel (thru Newegg) which I'd like to install. One problem. How do I get at the hard drives? Anyone have any instructions for removing the back paneling to get at the hard drives? I see where I can remove a cover to get to 2 open ram slots (I though it had 4 total..so where are the other two slots??). But I don't see where I go to install and remove hard drives.

Help and suggestions appreciated.

Please see reply #2 for additional issues.

Based on my T60 hard drive setup, you simply unscrew the caddy from the old drive and attach it to the SSD. (that is what I did) Use a cardboard shim on the bottom of the SSD to elevate it to match the contacts, if need be. The rubber bumpers will hold the shim in place. Some Intel SSDs come with an adapter to mimic the height of a standard HDD, but your pictures do not show that, so the cardboard will work just dandy.