Thinkpads Forum

I have a basic, low-tech question I'd sure like to have a little help with.

I have a ThinkPad 600e that is home to CAD and CAM software used to drive a couple of desktop CNC machines. The ThinkPad does a fine job of handling this task, no problem.

Just replaced my old component PC with a new desktop PC system. I use the larger machines to do all the drafting CAD work and also all the CAM setup work. With the old PC, I transferred CAM files to the ThinkPad via floppy disks.

I did not customize the new desktop system with a floppy drive. I have a Flash stick that would transfer files fine, but the ThinkPad has no USB ports (correct?) I had to get a transition plug in order to use a USB mouse with the ThinkPad.

I attempted to use the old PC's D-Link USB hub (1.0) with the ThinkPad, plugging it into the transition plug used for the mouse. It did not work, the cursor was frozen. (D-Link's Web site states all the software needed to use the hub is part of the Windows XP Home software that I use on all machines.)

Sorry it took so long to get to my questions:

1) Can the ThinkPad be set up to work with a 2.0 USB hub so that I can use both the USB mouse and the Flash stick with the ThinkPad? (Or make a direct USB connection between desktop and ThinkPad via a long USB wire?)

2) Is the easiest solution just to get and external USB floppy drive for the new desktop system?

Thank you much,

Brian Chapman
Evansdale, Iowa

---

The 600 ThinkPad's does have an usb port. It is located on the left side, just below the fan outlet.
The usb port is hiding behind a plastic flap that will have to be opened.

A usb2 pcmcia card will work.

The operating system will have to support usb.
Win98 and NT does not support usb. Win98SE and WinME does.

Your information did the trick. I plugged the hub into the left side USB port (why didn't I look for a USB port? The mind is a funny thing, or maybe my mind is a funny thing) and after what seemed five minutes had passed the ThinkPad reported that the new hardware was installed.

I opened the Lexar Flash stick and my software file was present.

Funny, though. It's a seven-port hub, and only one port lights up to signal readiness. The other six are dark. When the hub is plugged into the old PC, all seven lights signal readiness. A ThinkPad shortcoming of some sort?

Thank you again, SMA, I much appreciate the help.

Brian Chapman
Evansdale, Iowa


(Oops! Now all seven ports are lit. Nevermind. . . .)