Thinkpads Forum

I really love my thinkpad 600 as it runs windoze, linux and bsd like a champ. However, after upgrading to a new notebook, when i go back to using it, I miss the functionality of CD-RW and DVD playback. I've seen a few combo drives listed on ebay and have found a few on my own:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 003&depa=0

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 559&depa=0

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 053&depa=0

Does anyone know if these are compatible? Or, where I can find a list of optical drive specs to use when determining compatibility?

As well, I've read here that DVD software playback can be hardware limited. I'd be willing to do some minor HW upgrades as neccesary

thanks in advance!

You will probably need a Margi DVD to Go card for good DVD playback. I am unsure if linux or bsd can use it either, it's kind of a windows thing. Or you could upgrade the CPU to 366 or 400 and that would help too.
I have successfully used Matshita ujda-710, 720 and 730 drives in my 600.
The thing to be aware of is that the position on the IDE chain is set in the firmware (not jumpers) and if the drive does not have the right firmware in it you will have to flash it to get it recognized. This might be rather difficult depending on how brave you are.
The answers are buried in this forum somewhere:
http://forum.rpc1.org/
Good luck.

The Matshitas, what are the specs on them? Where can I find them online to purchase?

As well, you mention success but, how? Did you in fact have to use a "Margi card" (sounds weird to me)? Per the manufacture's site, this item has been discontinued.

Flashing firmware has never seemed dangerous to me (sans loss of power) as, it's a standard part of computer maintenance. Do you know something that I don't with respect to flashing these drives?

BTW, my model # is: 264585U with a 298 MHZ proc

I've not had good luck with either a DVD or CD-RW in a plain 600; in fact, using a DVD in a 600E is problematic. I've had some success with a 600E if I reduce the resolution and color levels to play DVDs. I've had no difficulty burning CDs with any 600 series. I've swapped the trim plastic from an A21p CD-RW with the plastic trimings from a 600 CD and it has worked OK.

RRHODY wrote:I've not had good luck with either a DVD or CD-RW in a plain 600; in fact, using a DVD in a 600E is problematic. I've had some success with a 600E if I reduce the resolution and color levels to play DVDs. I've had no difficulty burning CDs with any 600 series. I've swapped the trim plastic from an A21p CD-RW with the plastic trimings from a 600 CD and it has worked OK.

Interesting. I got one of the FASTMOTT (some seller on EBay)units, and I have no DVD issues with my 600.

Of course, I have a PII-300 (2645-45U), I'm using 98SE, and the ram is maxxed at 288MB. YRMV, I guess.

I'll try to look at my drive to see who the manufacturer is.

Rob

Quite aside from the fact that I consider FASTMOTT possibly the rudest person I have ever come across in my entire life, I use one of "his" DVD/CDRW drives in a 600e and it works just fine - ok, so it didn't come with a drive bezel, what the hell - I simply unscrewed the bezel from the old CD drive - works a treat.

As for playing DVDs, I've maxed the RAM out to the 544 Mo (32 inboard + 512) and WinDVD seems to work ok...

Burning CD's is as easy as every other machine I own, so can't really complain (even though I feel sure there MUST be a law somewhere against such incredible rudeness, or simply the fact that he can't speak English...)

lady3jane wrote:The Matshitas, what are the specs on them? Where can I find them online to purchase?

As well, you mention success but, how? Did you in fact have to use a "Margi card" (sounds weird to me)? Per the manufacture's site, this item has been discontinued.

Flashing firmware has never seemed dangerous to me (sans loss of power) as, it's a standard part of computer maintenance. Do you know something that I don't with respect to flashing these drives?

BTW, my model # is: 264585U with a 298 MHZ proc

Oops, looks like I mis-spelled it. It should be M a t s u s h i t a ujda710,720 or 730.
the numbers below are cdrw X cdr X dvd X read speeds
ujda710 is 8X8X4X24
ujda720 is 8X8X8X24
ujda730 is 8X10X16X24

I bought the Margi card on ebay because it does all the video decompression on the card instead of in the CPU, it makes for pretty good full screen, full motion video. Plus it has a dongle for video out S-video out and stereo audio out. But it only works in windows. AFAIK

If you are confident in flashing firmware you will be fine but many are very leery of it and will shy away at the mention of it. It has never bothered me.

I have a ujda710 I would sell you. PM me if you are interested.

carbon