IBM 600x

[imported_Krypto]

I was wondering if there is someone out that that has a dvd/cd-rw combo drive for the 600x and if they want to get rid of it? Just asking, on to my questions:

I've heard of people mention that I could drop a certain 800mhz cpu into my 500mhz 600x laptop. Is this true and what cpu do I need exactly? Will I need to flash the BIOS or anything?

Right now there is just a single USB slot and it looks like there is room for 2, anyone know if there is an add-on usb card availible other than buying a pcmcia sub card?

Right now there is a 20gb hard drive in there, how big of a hard drive can the 600x handle? RPM wise also.

I can't figure out what version of USB I have, does anyone know how to tell? I'm figuring 1.0 but I would like to be sure. I was thinking about getting an external enclosure for a 250gb maxtor hard drive, and also an external enclosure for a dvd/cd-rw (if I can't find one for the 600x) and running both of these plus my USB mouse and keybaord through a usb hub if this will cause any problems with the single usb slot?

If you could answer these questions I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

EDIT: Has anyone tried the new creative audigy 2 on one of these things and does it make a difference?

 

[imported_Krypto]

Anyone?

 

[rmrf]

I would say that you shouldn't get the external hard drive unless it has an rj-45 jack on it, and it doesn't. As far as the version of USB that is on it - USB 1.1, the only "add-on" card that I know of is a PCMCIA card, then you could get a USB 2.0 card, and the external HD will work better. I don't think there is a dvd/cd-rw made for this, but I may be wrong.

For the money that you are going to spend on this machine, I would say that you should just put it into a PC, and use the laptop what it is meant for - word prcessing.

 

[RonS]

try http://forum.thinkpads.com

 

[imported_Krypto]

Ok, well, the external hard drive does work, it works with USB 1.1 but I picked up a pcmcia card anyways. It doesn't have any problems at all. As far as the dvd/cd-rw goes, panasonic makes on for about $72 and it's a slimetype which means it will work in the ibm, I think. All I want is just to have the laptop ready to go when I want it, but when i get back I can plug back into everything that I need. This laptop hasn't left my house sinec I got it. I just want something that if needed I can pull at anytime but also have the hd space and stuff that I want here at home.

Thanks for the link and thank you for your responces.

 

[rmrf]

The USB 1.1 external hard drive will "work" fine, but the transfer speeds will be awfully painful. Of course, the bus speed on a 600X isn't the greatest anyways, so I guess even with a PCMCIA addon card you won't get that much more out of it. Could you put a link to that dvd/cd-rw that you are looking at? My brother was looking at getting a dvd drive for his dell laptop, but those run about $130, if this would work that would be great. Thanks.

 

[imported_Krypto]

Well, after testing the HD out I have come to the conclusion that it is too slow to deal with. Transfer rates were awful, the pcmcia usb card wouldn't fit because I have a d-link wifi pcmcia card in my second slot and it's just barely to thick for the usb card to fit. But for testings sake I forced it in there (eek) and got everything running. Needless to say, it's not worth it to go that route for me, should've listened to some of you, but I was just tired of waiting for a responce. I returned everything and it feels nice to have the 400 bucks I spent on trying to set this up with what I wanted.

rmrf: Here's your link, now it's made by panasonic and it's the same type of bay that my IBM has, but if it will work I am not 100% sure. But here it is anyways:

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=27-133-003&depa=0

Slot loading also I'll be picking one up sometime soon if I can find anyone who has used it and can tell me if it will work. Judging from the pics and specs, I see no reason it shouldn't. Might be a buy and try type thing (I'm a pro at that now). Good luck though that thanks to the people who are smarter then me