Thinkpads Forum

Hello guys,

I just got my old 600E out of the closet and want to set up in a way, that my father can use it.

So I got 3 probably very newbieish questions, but I want to make sure I get the most uncomplicated workaround:

1. Can I multiply the current 1 USB slot? Maybe by connecting an USB hub to it? Does something like that work?

2. How can I connect a non-USB keyboard to the 600E? I got one with the typical green connector. I tried plugging it into the mouse port, but it wasnt recognized. Any way to enable this? Or do I have to get an USB keyboard?

3. What steps need to be taken to get an DSL connection to the TP? With my fathers desktop pc, it works through the network card (coming from the router). Can I just use the adapter RJ45-cable I have for the 56k modem / network card in the TP and just plug the cable coming from the router into it? I know how to set up IP, etc.

Thanks for your time guys. And have a nice sunday.

Martin

zodiac wrote:
1. Can I multiply the current 1 USB slot? Maybe by connecting an USB hub to it? Does something like that work?

Yes.

2. How can I connect a non-USB keyboard to the 600E? I got one with the typical green connector. I tried plugging it into the mouse port, but it wasnt recognized. Any way to enable this? Or do I have to get an USB keyboard?

If you use the usb hub you can connect it the it via usb or just buy a docking station and connect all you pheriferals to it.

3. What steps need to be taken to get an DSL connection to the TP? With my fathers desktop pc, it works through the network card (coming from the router). Can I just use the adapter RJ45-cable I have for the 56k modem / network card in the TP and just plug the cable coming from the router into it? I know how to set up IP, etc.

For that you need to buy a pcmcia ethernet card if you have xp it will have the drivers but if you have win 98 you will have to use the cd that comes with the card, and yes you connect the RJ45-cable to the pcmcia card to have internet. No ip's it will work just fine. Anther option would be buying a wifi pcmcia card and make the 600E wifi.

Hello,

thank you for your quick reply.

Just two more questions.

- I think, I have got the Ethernetcard already inside the 600E. Its where I would plug the cable with the one RJ45-connector to. Its on the right side, further to the back. Is that possible or is it just a 56k modem?

- Is there anyway, that I connect the keyboard to the mouse port as we havent got an usb keyboard around right now?

zodiac wrote:that possible or is it just a 56k modem?

Correct!

600E's or 600X's never came with with ethernet.

- Is there anyway, that I connect the keyboard to the mouse port as we havent got an usb keyboard around right now?

But you can use one of those usb to ps2 adapters

Which OS do you have?? Do you have a good battery?? The reason I ask is if you have an ok battery, I would go with wireless cardbus. If you have a dead battery and only runs on AC power, I would go with wired cardbus because of the limitations of cord length. All of mine run XPP with wireless. My dad only sits in the same spot of the sofa so he uses AC and wireless.

zodiac wrote:2. How can I connect a non-USB keyboard to the 600E? I got one with the typical green connector. I tried plugging it into the mouse port, but it wasnt recognized. Any way to enable this? Or do I have to get an USB keyboard?

You need to use a special Y-connector to plug a standard PS/2 keyboard into the mouse port. A mouse can be plugged in with no special connector, but the port is designed so you can plug a mouse and keyboard into a Y-connector and then plug the Y-connector into the port, thus giving you both a keyboard and mouse through a single port. But a keyboard alone still needs the Y-connector in order to work. I'm not sure if any old generic PS/2 splitter will work or if you have to use the special IBM one.

Phil.

zodiac wrote:I think, I have got the Ethernetcard already inside the 600E. Its where I would plug the cable with the one RJ45-connector to. Its on the right side, further to the back. Is that possible or is it just a 56k modem?

cmarti wrote:Correct!

cmarti is right that the 600/E/X didn't come with an ethernet port, but I noticed you said on the "right side". Your modem is not on the right side when you open up your Thinkpad. Your modem is on the left side, beside the power switch. Maybe you mixed it up, or maybe you are looking at a PCMCIA card (you can push the blue buttons beside the card in order to eject the card if you don't know what I'm talking about).

Phil.

pkiff wrote: I'm not sure if any old generic PS/2 splitter will work or if you have to use the special IBM one.

I have a handful of the generic ones, and they don't appear to work on the 600 series. Not on mine anyways...

Joe

On my 600's (2*600 & 1 e).
Also wireless cards do work with all of my 600's - I have a couple of Dlink 650's and a 650+ (with or without a battery present).

They work under both Windows XP and ..... Me.

1 small tip XP does not treat defaults like MS (and rest of the world) used to. In XP a lease time of 0 for your IP address does not mean that the lease Never expires - it means it has a lease life of 0 and will continually try and renew its lease - I discovered that one!!!!

Hello,

you guys where right. I already got a PCMCIA ethernet card. Didnt know it was PCMCIA, thought it came with the original laptop.

Thank you very much for all the answers too. The 600 is on its best way becoming very useful again.

You have been as helpful as always. Keep it up!

Martin

Hello,

got a few steps further in the meantime.

Got a y-connector for mouse and keyboard. But it doesnt work. Just the mouse on the port works totally fine. But with the y-connector, neither mouse nor keyboard work. Any idea?

Cheers,
Martin

No ideas?

zodiac wrote:No ideas?

joester wrote:

pkiff wrote: I'm not sure if any old generic PS/2 splitter will work or if you have to use the special IBM one.

I have a handful of the generic ones, and they don't appear to work on the 600 series. Not on mine anyways...

Zodiac, did you try a genuine IBM PS/2 splitter?

Phil.

No, its indeed a generic one. Are the genuine IBM ones hard to get/expensive?