Thinkpads Forum

Hi all,

I'm new to laptops and this is my first post here. I've been around PC's since the '80's and build them up for myself, family, and friends (so I'm really a "generic" system fan)... not too good at proprietary stuff.

To make a long story short, I picked up a 600x (my first laptop) a few months ago so I could start gettin' a little education on them.

My first question is... can I replace the existing CDROM with a "generic" (or any other) CDRW in this little beauty?

600X / 2645-4EU / W98SE

I've searched around a little and see no support or comment from IBM...

Thanks!

Dan

Dan,

There are any number of generic burners that can be retro-fitted to the 600 series machines.

See: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 16595&rd=1 for one of my favorite sellers on eBay.

Regards,

James

PS: My son and future DIL have recently returned home from your area. She was the OPS MGR at the airport in Park City.

Sadly James I cannot share your enthousiasm for FASTMOTT

I bought a cd burner for my 600e and when it arrived (new unit) the drwaer would only pop out half way. I mailed FASTMOTT and explained my predicament and he/she/it replied with a stream of invective worthy of boot camp, accusing me of buying something that I shouldn't have etc. etc. and that it wasn't his fault.

To cut a long story (and fruitless exchange of mails) short, I unscrewed the backing plate and discovered the drawer runner had 'jumped' out of place - I put it back and the unit performs perfectly.

Perhaps people find my english hard to understand - FASTMOTT certainly did, and made NO attempt to help. Check my eBay feedback - his is the only negative for 20 positive...

I guess if you buy and don't ask questions he/she/it is fine.

James:

Thanks for the response! Ironically, I was just looking at one of his aucitons (not the same item #, but the same item)....

And how did your son and future DIL find the area? I've been in Park City for 20 years now... it was much nicer before the building (and population) boom of recent years...


ian:

Sorry to hear you had problems with FASTMOTT. Ironically, I was just looking into google to see if I could find any reference to his listed SKU # (gotta keep us ebayers honest you know) when I checked my email and found there had been replies here!

I reckon if I end up buying one from him, at least I know where to go to get help now LOL


Thank you both for your help, I'll post back after ending this hunt with one purchase or another. See you both on ebay, I use the same handle there...

danparkcityut

ps. It might be an hour or two, I'm about to post me second question at TP.com... as fast as you folks are, I might get distracted...

Ian,

I'm sorry for your less than excellent treatment by Fastmott. I've sent more than 100 folks there for drives and your's is the first complaint I've heard.

Regards,

James

A quick update:

I'm current high bidder on his auction closing in about 6 hours. His feedback looks pretty positive, especially considering the volume he is doing. I'm still surprised ian had a problem, the seller seems pretty responsive on his feedback.

Thanks again folks, I'll post more results as available.

Dan

danparkcityut wrote:And how did your son and future DIL find the area? I've been in Park City for 20 years now... it was much nicer before the building (and population) boom of recent years...

They were attending the Aviation University run by UVSC in Orem (they're both pilots). He worked at SLC International and she worked for Wasatch Aviation at Heber City.

BTW, they both loved the area and are hoping to find employment in the UT/CO area after the wedding next year.

Regards,

James

They were attending the Aviation University run by UVSC in Orem (they're both pilots). He worked at SLC International and she worked for Wasatch Aviation at Heber City.

BTW, they both loved the area and are hoping to find employment in the UT/CO area after the wedding next year.

James, if they end up in the Park City area, maybe I can help. If they end up working out of the SLC airport (or even Heber, which is closer and growing fast), they'd be in good company here. I have several neighbors who are Delta pilots, FAA employees, flight attendants, etc.

On the CD burner. Hmmmm. I lost the auction. Meanwhile, I was looking for a way to "ghost" this 600X before starting to make changes to it. I was finally able to put a small logical partition the HD and ghost to it. I should now be able to network (wlan) to one of the towers and save the ghost file that way.

As I'm just getting into laptops, I guess it might be better to keep that $100 or so to put toward a future upgrade. It's good to have learned one more thing about these creatures though, and thank you. I'm sure glad I found this board!

James & Dan

Please don't let my one bad experience sour things - I think perhaps we'd both had 'bad' days - anyway, the drive was shipped in time, well packed, and works (now!) I'm only writing what happened to me. The sheer number of positive responses obviously plays into his/her/its favour and frankly I'm not going to lose sleep over that.

This UNO owner has owned his VW three days and already I've lost the drivers window into the body of the car, and destroyed a brand new tyre - so what the f*** do I know about ANYTHING...

Wow ian, what a drag! If things happen in threes, the window and tire (I would hope) might end your unlucky streak!

Dan

Shows just how optimistic other people are on my behalf - I'd started counting from the window experience and was waiting for the third disaster...

Thanks guys ! The drive north to Calais is going to be perfect ! See y'all when I get back

Dan,

danparkcityut wrote:James, if they end up in the Park City area, maybe I can help. If they end up working out of the SLC airport (or even Heber, which is closer and growing fast), they'd be in good company here. I have several neighbors who are Delta pilots, FAA employees, flight attendants, etc.

Thanks, they loved the area and loved mountain flying. She worked at Sundance for a while as a charter flight coordinator which was a mixed blessing of low pay but excellent benefits such as free skiing and discounted dining. She was snatched away by Wasatch and they both have standing offers to return to Heber to work for them again.

But they also have an offer to take over an FBO in Montana that the Wasatch owners just bought, so they're on the horns of a dilemma and a lot can change in a year.

They're young and poor as church mice, but too much in love for it to matter right now.

Regards,

James

Hi gents,

Thought maybe I should post back. I ended up bidding on another auction with fastmott, and won. The drive is a CDRW / DVD and should be delivered on Monday. When we take the toybox camper out, we end up taking a 9" TV/VCR combo. It finally occured to me I could put any tape on a DVD and watch that on the 600x just as easy and not lug all that bulkier stuff around...

James, if they end up coming back to the Park City area, please let me know. It'll be a while, but I'd still be glad to help them if I'm still kicking!

Thanks again for your help,

Dan