Thinkpads Forum

Hi. I have a ThinkPad 600X with a DVD-ROM drive (Model # SR-8171-H). I am unable to install Windows XP on the machine when using the DVD drive. The problem is as follows:

The disk will not boot fully when I attempt a CD boot. It gets to the point where it says "Press any key to boot from CD...", but when I press a key you hear the DVD-ROM drive head laboring and eventually it just comes to a hault. I have to restart.

The Windows XP CD does auto-start when I put it in the drive and Windows 2000 is loaded. However, when I press INSTALL WINDOWS XP I hear the same DVD-ROM drive head laboring and never stops laboring till I eject the CD.

I have ruled out the DVD-ROM drive being defective because I am able to boot from my Windows 2000 CD and install it from the DVD-ROM drive. Also, the drive works fine in every other way. I am able to view DVD movies and install other applications with it.

I have ruled out the Windows XP CD being defective because (and here's the kicker), a friend of mine allowed me to borrow his CD-ROM drive in his 600X and when trying to install XP (with the same CD) with his CD-ROM drive in my computer, it works fine!!

I have searched unsuccessfully for drivers to update the DVD-ROM. It seems the driver I have in there is up to date. I updated the BIOS firmware of the 600X (now at ITET55WW). I searched the internet... nothing. I am now trying to hit the forums in hope that someone else may have a clue. PLEASE!!! Any help with be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I hate to tell you it's the drive, but it is. The 2X 05K8890 (05K9068) optical drive that shipped with early model 600Es was always problematic and prone to just this type of failure, working when it felt like it.

Try to find one of the later 6X 05K9169 that shipped in the 600Xs equipped with a DVD drive. It should clear up the problem.

They're widely available on eBay. Or, look upon this as an opportunity to upgrade to a CD or DVD burner.

Regards,

James

JHEM wrote:I hate to tell you it's the drive, but it is. The 2X 05K8890 (05K9068) optical drive that shipped with early model 600Es was always problematic and prone to just this type of failure, working when it felt like it.

Try to find one of the later 6X 05K9169 that shipped in the 600Xs equipped with a DVD drive. It should clear up the problem.

They're widely available on eBay. Or, look upon this as an opportunity to upgrade to a CD or DVD burner.

Regards,

James

Thanx JHEM. I was afraid if it being the drive. I did all kinds of research, however, and I didn't find any issues with the DVD ROM drive. Before I go out and get a new drive for it, can you refer me to any other documented sources that detail this issue with the DVD-ROM drive I have in my 600X?

Also, just for the record, I want to stress the fact that the drive does work perfectly with Wondows 2000. It boots Windows 2000 and I'm able to complete a full install of it consistently on the DVD.

Thanx again for your input. Please provide some refrences documenting the issue you spoke of with the drive. I will keep checking back here for your update. In the meantime, I wil begin looking for the DVD Burner upgrade!

Thanx!!

My hunch is that contrary to your guess the DVD-ROM drive is bad. Maybe.

Anyway, what drive is it and what is your firmware revision? I'll check mine...

I have the factory 6x DVD, FRU 27L3915, ASM 27L3914. The bottom says model SR-8174-H. Made by M a t s u s h i t a, December 1999. I couldn't find an easy way to get the firmware revision, so according to DVDDecrypter, it is CK20.

whizkid wrote:My hunch is that contrary to your guess the DVD-ROM drive is bad. Maybe.

Anyway, what drive is it and what is your firmware revision? I'll check mine...

I have the factory 6x DVD, FRU 27L3915, ASM 27L3914. The bottom says model SR-8174-H. Made by M a t s u s h i t a, December 1999. I couldn't find an easy way to get the firmware revision, so according to DVDDecrypter, it is CK20.

The model # of the DVD ROM drive is SR-8171-H, made by M a t s u s h i t a. My bios firmware is ITET55WW. Thanx.

I meant to ask the firmware revision of the drive. It's not easy to get at, though.

With somone with a 770-series machine having the same problem, I just ran a test to ensure I could boot my XP disc. I was pretty sure I had installed from it, but I put in my 8174 DVD-ROM drive and booted.

It got all the way to ask whether I wanted to install, repair or get the recovery console, so it works just fine... to that point.

Maybe a little interesting, but completely irrelevant is that my floppy drive doesn't work in the internal bay but works fine when external. I think that's mechanical in nature. I wonder if your DVD drive could have a similar issue.