Upgrade T43 to bigger, faster HDD

[KWheelerAZ]

I have a T43p, 2687-D4U. The factory 40GB HDD is filling up quickly and I'd like something at 7200 RPM and 80GB or better, but without the annoying 2010 error (obviously).

Prior to reviewing this sticky (http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=11059) (Oops) I purchased a Seagate Momentus ST910021A from Newegg.com and tried the firmware update spoken of in the sticky (it does now say 3.07, it used to say 3.06). But I am still getting those annoying 2010 BIOS errors at bootup (although the drive seemd to boot and run just fine).

My questions are:

• - Can the ST910021A be made to work without the 2010 errors?
  - Would I be better off looking at a Hitachi 7K100 HDD (which was my 2nd choice)?
  - Is there another make/model I should look at for better results?

If needs be, I have no problem buying a USB 2.0 enclosure and using the ST910021A drive elsewhere (trust me it'll get used ).

Thanks in advance.

[Temetka]

You would be better off with the Hitachi drive. From what I understand, I do don't think there will be any issues with the 2010 error.

[gunston]

i didn't come across with 2010 errors yet,
it is because my 80GB Hitachi is a 5400rpm H.drive.

[KWheelerAZ]

I ordered the Hitachi 7K100 100GB ATA-6 drive yesterday from Newegg.com. I'll let you all know how I make out when it arrives in a few days. Thanks for the advice.

[KWheelerAZ]

It works! I got rid of the 2010 error! I installed my new Hitachi HTS721010G9AT00 100GB 7200rpm HDD (non-IBM) and it initially had the dreaded 2010 error. However, I was able to get rid of it by following the instructions I've detailed below:

1) Download the hard drive firmware CD from Lenovo
(http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-62282)
2) Burn the CD and boot from it
3) Exit to the DOS prompt then type in the following commands (Note: the first time I did it in all lower case & it didn't work)
4) Type this:

Code: Select all

COPY MCZIA51A.BDR MCZOA51A.BDR

5) Type this:

Code: Select all

COPY MC4IA51A.BDF MC4OA51A.BDF

6) Type this:

Code: Select all

HFUI15 OA51A MCZIA51A.BDR /F MPCA51AB.TBL

7) Hit "U" in the flash program to start the update
8.) After you get the FAIL message (don't panic, this is expected), hit a key to return to the DOS prompt
9) Now type this:

Code: Select all

HFUI15 IA51A MCZIA51A.BDR /F MPCA51AB.TBL 

10) Hit "U" in the flash program to start the update
11) You should get a PASS this time and be all set.

This is all I did and it worked like a charm. No more error - it now thinks it is a true IBM/Lenovo part. Violla!

[workproven]

Thanks for the detailed reply. This is exactly what I have been looking for.

[dkpw]

It works! I got rid of the 2010 error! I installed my new Hitachi HTS721010G9AT00 100GB 7200rpm HDD (non-IBM) and it initially had the dreaded 2010 error. However, I was able to get rid of it by following the instructions I've detailed below:

1) Download the hard drive firmware CD from Lenovo
(http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-62282)
2) Burn the CD and boot from it
3) Exit to the DOS prompt then type in the following commands (Note: the first time I did it in all lower case & it didn't work)
4) Type this:

Code: Select all

COPY MCZIA51A.BDR MCZOA51A.BDR

5) Type this:

Code: Select all

COPY MC4IA51A.BDF MC4OA51A.BDF

6) Type this:

Code: Select all

HFUI15 OA51A MCZIA51A.BDR /F MPCA51AB.TBL

7) Hit "U" in the flash program to start the update
8.) After you get the FAIL message (don't panic, this is expected), hit a key to return to the DOS prompt
9) Now type this:

Code: Select all

HFUI15 IA51A MCZIA51A.BDR /F MPCA51AB.TBL 

10) Hit "U" in the flash program to start the update
11) You should get a PASS this time and be all set.

This is all I did and it worked like a charm. No more error - it now thinks it is a true IBM/Lenovo part. Violla!

Thank you very much, that worked a treat on my T43p and new Hitachi HTS721010G9AT00 100GB 7200rpm HDD. No beeps and happily working with SLED 10.

[KWheelerAZ]

Sure! Happy to help. As a follow up on this thread . . . .

In addition to what I've detailed above, I also bought this Vantec case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817145136 for my old HDD and then used Acronis True Image to image the OS & data from the old drive in the Vantec enclosure to the new HDD in the T43p. About 30 minutes later the new drive booted to WinXP with all my programs & data and even the ThinkPad Recovery Partition intact.

Could not have been an easier process.

For your consideration.

[dkpw]

Thanks for the pointer, Acronis True Image looks interesting. I might download a copy for work purposes.

However, I'm using the new HD as an opportunity to dump Windows and use Linux exclusively.

Thanks once again for your firmware advice.

[sikpupy]

Wow, that looks awsome! Any idea what % of drives it will take care of? I know your not a fourtone teller, but I sure as heck have no idea, lol.

[chrismiii]

cannot get my 43p to boot from my bootable cd I made via the instructions - seems no matter what order I have in the boot odrer I always get the darn 2010 error message as it does not select the cd to boot from with the sys on it -any clues?
I have a new hitachi 100g 7200 hd I am trying to get the firm ware to use:)