Can't get USB to work on 760xd: BIOS problem?

[Nerdette]

I just purchased a PCMCIA USB adapter and a flash drive for my thinkpad 760XD, but no go. The thinkpad recognizes the adapter, and it tries (continually) to install new drivers for the flash drive, but it just won't recognize it. The flash drive appears to be working (lights up), but it doesn't show up in "My Computer."

While trying to get it installed through fiddling around in Device Manager, one of the messages said I had to enable automatic IRQ (?)...something (sorry, I should have written it down). So I did, but a restart is required, and I think what happens then is the TP Configuration Utility reloads on restart and resets the IRQs, so I'm right back where I started (at least, that's what appeared to be happening). The TP Configuration Utility has no place to enable USB, as far as I can see. Do I need to disable the Configuration Utility to get USB to work?

Also, another screen advised me to check in the system BIOS, and enable USB there, and although I have installed the latest BIOS for my model, which supposedly has USB, there's no USB shown in the enabled devices. However, down at the bottom it shows "USB3" and "USB4" as possible devices (nowhere does it show "USB1" or "USB2"), AND, amazingly, it lists "DVD2" (but no "DVD1"). This seems rather odd. Where are USB 1 and 2, and how do I enable them, and why does anything show up about DVD, which I had thought wasn't something possible on this machine? ':?'

At any rate, could the problem be with the BIOS? I downloaded the latest one off the IBM website, and I'm sure I've got the correct one, per IBM's instructions. The date is correct and the number too (HXET60WW).

As you can see, I'm no expert, so I will very much appreciate an answer from anyone who might have some clues about what's going on here. Thanks!

[pkiff]

....However, down at the bottom it shows "USB3" and "USB4" as possible devices (nowhere does it show "USB1" or "USB2"), AND, amazingly, it lists "DVD2" (but no "DVD1"). This seems rather odd. Where are USB 1 and 2, and how do I enable them, and why does anything show up about DVD, which I had thought wasn't something possible on this machine?

I don't know about the other issues you raise or how to fix them, but I'm pretty sure that these additional devices come from a SelectaDock docking station. If your 760XD is not installed in a docking station, then the devices will all be greyed out.

Phil.

[Nerdette]

The thought about the BIOS having options reserved for if one uses a dock partly makes sense, I suppose. But why would the USB options be numbered 3 and 4? Where are 1 and 2?

I'm pretty sure someone here once advised me that the 760s were definitely USB-capable, but I've been fooling around for hours and still no luck. I'm hoping whoever it was will show up!

[wpwood3]

Deleted - wrong info

[al7kz]

Edit: please delete

[wpwood3]

The 760XD as well as the 760E and 760ED do support cardbus in Windows 9X. Cardbus has to be enabled in the Configuration Utility > PC Card Slots > Cardbus: Enable. I've used 10/100 LAN and wireless cardbus cards in all three. Cheers
Edit: http://thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:760XD

You are correct! I must have too many Thinkpads and am getting them confused. Cardbus is supported on the 760.
I just verified it on my 760XD.
Sorry for the misinformation.

[gearguy]

Wow, I just purchased an old 760ED off of Ebay and was wondering whether it supported the "CardBus" PCMCIA standard. I'm quite suprised that it does actually, I never thought laptops with P1 MMX lower than 200Mhz CPUs tended to support it.

Very usefull thread this ;p

Kudos to the information providers

[Nerdette]

What I need to know about is usb, though. Any information would be appreciated. If it's possible with a dock, does that mean usb will work on the 760?

Where's alphakilo when you need him? Isn't he the resident 760 expert?

[wpwood3]

I don't have a dock so I can't help you with that but, I can tell you that I have a PCMCIA Cardbus USB 2.0 card working fine in my 760XD. After reading this thread I thought I would give it a try and I got it working.

- Install your USB card drivers
- Make sure you have Cardbus enabled in Thinkpad Configuration. As al7kz said, Configuration Utility > PC Card Slots > Cardbus: Enable. More than likely you will have to free up an IRQ to get Cardbus enabled. I did this by turning off the serial port.

The reason you are getting the error messages regarding IRQ steering is because you don't have cardbus enabled.