Query by newbie on X20 and X31 media bases

[jkbrand]

As the new owner of a Thinkpad (and X20 in pristine shape), I have a couple questions whose answers I sought in FAQ and some keyword searches but with no luck.

I've learned the hard way that getting a system with only an OS installed is a setup for a lot of work. Little did I know how driver- and utility-dependent the features on a Thinkpad can be!!! I'd have been better off buying a full system, and only slightly more inconvenienced if I'd had to install my own W2K or XP.....Naively, I thought I could simply let the website determine (and download) the necessary files. Alas, I've got a lot of updates, but no base code to which they apply! Ugh!!

I digress.

I bought (separately) a media slice, and a search for HMM came up empty. This unit has a floppy and a DVD player. Is the DVD player modular? Does it actually come out of the base?? There's a lever to the side that appears to loosen something in the front, but fearful I'll do damage without first inquiring, I'd thought I'd post here.

I'm now sold on TPs! In fact, in my short time with this X20, I think I'll go buy the X31 quite soon! So, the next question: is the X3 base's battery the same model as the TP itself?

Jeff

[kevinc]

Remove the small screw in the bottom front of the base, just below the grey tab on the DVD. The slide the tab over and the drive will slide out.

[kevinc]

Thye batteries of the X20 and X31 are not interchangeable...

[jkbrand]

Kevin,

Thanks your info, I was able to pull out the drive.

As for the battery....I didn't make my question clear: are the batteries
for the X3 base and for the X31 Thinkpad the same model?? (i.e., interchangeable?)

Jeff

[kevinc]

You can use the same battery in the base of the X31 and also in the battery compartment of the X3 Media Slice. In addition, there is a battery available that can be placed in the slot of the X3 Media Slice. All in all, you can have 3 batteries with that configuration. (I suppose the next step would be a small Honda generator.)

I'm setting up an X31 and picked up an extended life battery that attaches to the base of the X31. I haven't pushed it yet, but it looks like that combination will give me at least 6 hours battery life.