X41 ultra base hard drive

[budugu]

I recently bought a thinkpad X41 from ebay with the X4 base. I wanted to expand the disk space using the ultra bay that the base has. But it does not seem to take the tray that i had for Z60t (sata). can any onepoint me in the right direction. As to what caddy/tray works + also if the disk has to be sata/pata?

thanks

[richk]

It normally uses a PATA 2nd hard disk adapter, p/n 62p4552, fru 62p4553. I have been told that the SATA adapter will work in a T43 if you break or grind a tab off the back. It may also work in your X4 base, but I don't think anyone has tested it. There are real IBM versions available and copies (pirated?), usually made in China. The IBM versions are better made, but cost more. I have one of each and they both work, but the cheap one needed some work done with a belt sander to get it to fit better.

[budugu]

I bought the IBM original versions too. In my short sightedness i sold the PATA one! Now i have the SATA one and ofcourse a SATA hard disk i am tempted to 'file' the darn thing off. But the HD itself in the X41 seems to be PATA but where as T43 has a SATA HD, do you think that is the difference? That said i have a usb case for the Sata drive. Just that the ultrabay is a little more convinient. So can any one confirm if sata drives work with X4?

[richk]

T43 uses PATA drives. It has a SATA controller, but uses a SATA->PATA bridge circuit.

[budugu]

Thanks for the quick clarification. Now i remember. May be i will go ahead and try and file the thing off and try.

[richk]

Please post back after you do.

[budugu]

Yes!!! It works fine. Just shave the plastic tab off and SATA drives work fine. Now i have a easy way to back up my files. If only i could use it to install a second OS! that would be awesome.

But yes SATA drives work in X41 ultrabase.


PS: Mods sorry i posted this in the T series forum could you please move it to X4x?