Thinkpad R40 2681 boots from CD but not from DVD

[eddief]

Hi, I have a Thinkpad R40, 2681 K3U, that boots from CD's but not from DVD's.
BIOS is 1.9, Embedded Controller is 1.9.

The optical drive is a MATSHITA UJDA740 DVD/CDRW - Firmware Version 1.24.

The DVD boots on another computer. I can see the contents of the DVD on the R40.
I have tried a different DVD, but that won't boot either. The machine displays a black screen with a cursor in top right corner, Hard Drive light on status strip is on solid. I have to power off to clear the hang.

Anyone have a solution so the R40 can boot from a DVD?

Thanks!

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

My guess would be that the laser that controls the DVD portion of the drive (there are separate ones for reading CDs and DVDs) has gone haywire. Try cleaning the lens with a q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol. If that doesn't fly, you most likely need a new media drive.

Good luck.

[eddief]

Thanks for your reply.

I will try to substitute a different DVD drive for the one in the carrier.

OTOH, could the problem not being able to boot from a DVD (but I can from a CD) be due to a BIOS problem?

Can the R40 boot from a DVD?

Thanks.

Welcome to the forum!

My guess would be that the laser that controls the DVD portion of the drive (there are separate ones for reading CDs and DVDs) has gone haywire. Try cleaning the lens with a q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol. If that doesn't fly, you most likely need a new media drive.

Good luck.

[ajkula66]

Yes, R40 will boot from any UltraBay 2000 drive, be it CD, DVD, combo...

[eddief]

I solved the problem of not being able to boot from a DVD.

I downloaded a firmware upgrade for the CD/DVD drive from IBM.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-62296

I followed the directions which upgraded the firmware from 1.24 to 1.27 and now my R40 can boot from a DVD drive.

The CD/DVD drive hardware was just fine. All it needed was updated firmware.

Hope this helps others

Eddie