Thinkpads Forum

I've just installed Windows 98SE on a 600E with a Compact Flash, IDE adapter (512mb CF Card) & it works great, but I have a couple of issues / conflicts with the IDE channels in Device Manager. If I uninstall the conflicting device & reboot, the problem just goes to another device, but everything seems to be working fine.

Have tried enabling Both & just one IDE channel to no avail.

Any advice would be welcome.

More info on this subject can be found in my answer to OldManClayton's SSD question.

I'm using the Laptop now to type this & can't see that it's causing any problem at all, I just don't like yellow exclamation marks next to my devices & I would like to fix it.

Tip : don't bother trying to install Windows 2000 on a 600E or X, it's painfully slower than a Hdd.

I Might try it on my 2.5ghz Toshiba A10 though!!!

I am going to try Windows ME either on the 600E or the 600X soon & see how that goes.

The CF Cards I have are 133x speed

I've just bought 2 more CF to IDE carriers & an 8gb + a 16gb CF Cards. Looks like I'm going to be busy this winter.

I've read that CF Cards can 'wear out' when used with an O.S. but I've also read that the CF Card should outlast the Laptop before it 'wears out'

I don't know the answer yet, but I do know that these old Ibm's last a very long time.

Any comments, solution, answers or information, please post a reply.

Cool that you've got things semi-working with an SSD.

beecee wrote:Have tried enabling Both & just one IDE channel to no avail.

I don't have any experience with SSDs, but I've played a bit with different IRQs and IDE channels before.

When you say you've got a conflict, are you sure that it is not just a Windows 98SE installation problem? A standard install of Win98 on the 600/770 series leaves a conflict in the Device Manager until you apply a patch. If you have a note under Hard Disk Controllers with an exclamation mark: "Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller", then you need to apply the APM2APM.reg patch located in the Windows 98 Supplement Files disk:
Windows 98 installation supplement files - ThinkPad 770, 600E/X

Something else to check is if you can disable the bayswap functions, or warm swap functions for the IDE device in the device bay. The IRQ for this is somehow tied in to the IRQs for the IDEs generally.

Also, you can try putting any PCMCIA cards you have into different slots, as that will sometimes change the IRQs they are using.

Phil.

Whoaaah thanks pkiff, the apm2apm .reg patch worked a treat. My problem was exactly as you predicted (exclamation mark against the IDE Bus Master). Applied the patch & it worked straight away.

If anyone wants to know where I got my SSD adapter from, (it's the longer version) do a search in My eBay > Community > regan_neville

Alternatively, do a search in eBay's search bar, Type in > CF to 44 Pins IDE adapter4 Laptop as 2.5'' Hdd bootable (or any part of that text should find it)

Postage was quick from Hong Kong to Uk (about a week).

You can buy a shorter, or even a dual CF board for use with laptops that the IDE pins are easier to get at. I chose the longer one to use with the 600 series. Dual boot Linux or 2 versions of Windows ?

I also bought 2 more, shop branded CF cards (8gb & 16gb) from www.mymemory.co.uk for around 20gbp each. Both are 133x speed but x150 are available, at a higher cost.

Why buy an Asus when you can have just as much fun with an Old Ibm!!? Just kidding really, I will probably buy An Asus myself if I see one cheap enough on eBay.

I've got lots of spares for the Ibm 600 series, if anyone needs a part, just ask. I'm willing to post abroad.

At the moment I have several Ibm's to play around with : 2 x 600E - 2 x 600X - 1 x T21

Thanks again pkiff for your help & such a speedy reply.