IBM X21 - WinXP install & driver copying

[johniemi]

I've been reading this: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-40068

As I'm still waiting for my X21 to arrive, I'd like to know how to install the drivers on the hard drive. The above text says: " Since these machines (X21 included) did not ship with a SSCD (driver CD) special measures must be taken for these machines. These device drivers and applications are kept in the IBMTOOLS folder. This folder must be made available after the Windows XP install."

Ok, so I don't have the CD, but I should get the drivers somewhere (from the internet I presume)... But here's the catch: "The drivers and applications that are posted on the IBM public Web site are upgrade versions and as such need an installed version to upgrade."

So if I don't have a driver CD, and cannot download the drivers from IBM website as they are only updates (thus they are not fully functional driver installation programs)... what should I do?

I recon the X21 will arrive on friday so I'd really like to get this thing sorted out so I can start the XP installation on weekend. So in short, Where can I download all the drivers for my X21 + Media Slice for use with Windows XP? Thanks!

-John

[johniemi]

bump, I'm receiving my X21 w/ an empty hard drive today...

-John

[2cool4u]

you can download all the drivers you need here: http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.ws ... IGR-4LXTHS

You can't download the dvd-playback software, this is an update only, but X21 don't have DVD-Rom drives.

Or just download the Thinkpad Software Installer an let it choose the correct drivers. (It didn't find all the drivers for my x21)

[bhtooefr]

Most of the stuff there is actually full versions, not updates.

I used it to get this X21 up and running...

Edit: As for the DVD player software, I've got an UltraBase with the DVD-ROM drive - so I could actually use it. I've got VLC on here, but it gets dreadful framerates (and the CPU should be able to handle it - I've heard that VLC's codec is a very bad performer, though).

[johniemi]

I can't install any drivers... I have downloaded the Software Installer for Windows 2000/XP and I run it fine until I come to the window where I should tick the boxes to get the right files to install (see this link: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... ection.jpg ).

I get some programs to show up on the screen but no matter how I tick the boxes, the INSTALL button remains greyed thus I can't install anything.

To recap, I got this X21 used, the hd was wiped so I installed XP sp1 on it, updated the bios and now it works but I'd like to install the IBM drivers too. I don't have any driver cd's, I only got a blank x21, ac adapter and a media slice w/ floppy & cd/dvd drives.

-John

[bhtooefr]

If you've got another computer, or you can get online with the X21, then go on IBM's site, and start manually downloading drivers. Software Installer misses some, in my experience, anyway, so it doesn't hurt to do it manually.

[Pennstate]

I heard about people not being able to use the installer if they don't have the old drivers.

Try connecting via ethernet. Make both C:\IBMTOOLS and C:\DRIVERS folders and run the installer again.

[JHEM]

To recap, I got this X21 used, the hd was wiped so I installed XP sp1 on it, updated the bios and now it works but I'd like to install the IBM drivers too.

Run the software installer again, it will install any and all drivers you need, regardless of whether you have an old version or not.

If the "window" you see is truly like the one you reference on the IBM website, then the items that are unchecked are already installed on your system.

Regards,

James