Thinkpads Forum

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!

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.