[X41T] Unable to boot from USB external DVD *FIXED*

[frankiepankie]

I have a weird issue.

Today i got my X41 Tablet, but because it lacks the HDD (i am going to order an 1.8" Kingspec SSD) i wanted to try an Ubuntu liveCD so i have at least something running on it.

But the weird thing is, the X41T doesn't see my external DVD drive when i press F12.

And to make it even weirder, my T40 (okay R51 actually) DOES see it.

If i plug in my bootable 8GB USB stick (has some DOS tools like Memtest on it) it works fine.

The external DVD is an 5.25" PATA drive on a converter board to USB, and an external power supply

The X41 Tablet current bios is 2.02 (75ET56WW). I already thought about putting a newer version on it (2.06 is available) but i don't know how, my only option is an USB stick.

[mediasponge]

If checking the BIOS settings doesn't yield anything, it might be that USB converter board. Perhaps it's not fully bootable. I bought a slimline USB DVD/RW drive, and it works A-OK with an X41.

[ajkula66]

Try the other port. My understanding is that one is powered while the other one is not. Might be wrong on that issue...

I always use an external DVD multiburner which has its own power supply and have never had an issue with booting any newer ThinkPad - including the very same one you're playing with now - from it.

Good luck.

[billp117]

I had the same problem with a DVD drive and a converter card. It worked OK on most laptops but it would not run for *@#$ with my X41t. I bought a new USB muti-burner drive and it worked fine. I don't know why as my homemade USB drive seemed to run fine on other computers.

[Tasurinchi]

My understanding is that one is powered while the other one is not. Might be wrong on that issue...

No that's correct, the left one is powered.

[frankiepankie]

I fixed it. I think the 5.25" DVD-RW drive i was using was too much for the adapter that came with the converter board.

I used a normal DVD-ROM drive (no burning capabilities) and it worked fine