R51 and new hard drive

[wkw1]

I'd just like to get some clarification.. Reading around here, it seems like the older thinkpads require firmware flashing on hard drives, as they won't work with non-IBM formatted hard drives.

Is this true? Or can I throw in any old IDE drive and get it to work? A 40gb drive just isn't big enough for very much. Just want to make sure before I invest some money in it. Would try another, but I only have three 6gb, and one 40gb ide drives, all pulled from thinkpads.

Thanks!

[Thinkpad Lover]

Hi Don, fortunately, the "2010 Hard Drive incompatibility error" is limited to the T43 and R52 models. I think that's what you're referring to instead of "firmware flashing." In those 2 models any non-OEM IDE hard drive will work but an annoying, momentary beep is generated upon startup. With your R51 any 9.5mm/2.5" IDE hard drive will work without need of flashing BIOS. I believe the largest IDE laptop hard drive produced is 320GB.

P.S. I have a couple 80GB, 120GB IDE laptop hard drives available: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=97374 I think I also have a 160GB hard drive still available. Send me an email if interested (see signature below).

Have a great day,
Daniel.