Hi 1mrfixzit-ga!
I'm moving our conversation in the 'Answer' part of the system, but we
will see the task through all the way before you rate and accept the
Answer. It is just easier for use to correspond when working in the
Answer section as opposed to the Question Clarification section, once
we get into the details.
It sounds like you received a lot of useful parts with those
Thinkpads, that's good. For now, the best route to take is the one
that you've started on, which is to simply work with the basic laptops
themselves.
You can download a Windows 98 boot disk from the following site:
http://www.bootdisk.com
Depending on which version of Windows 98 installation CDs you have,
you should download either the Windows 98, or the Windows 98 Second
Edition (SE) boot disk image. When you run this image executable on
your desktop, it will ask for a floppy disk, then create a bootable
floppy for you.
Booting with this floppy in the laptops will allow you to start up the
laptops, and format the hard drives. I have neglected to ask you how
big the hard drives are, so please let me know (if you know).
To format the hard drives, boot using the floppy. After you have
finished booting, you will be at a DOS command prompt (the boot disk
creates a 'virtual disk' in RAM so that it can unpack the compressed
files stored on the floppy). From this DOS prompt, you will need to
use the FDISK utility to confirm that the hard drives are ready for
use. So, from the command prompt, type FDISK and hit Enter.
In the FDISK program, you will be able to navigate logically through
the menus... once you know certain terms. For this, please first read:
http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q255/8/67.asp
In particular, the section entitled "How to Partition and Format a
Master Hard Disk". If you go to step 3 of that section, you will see
the FDISK menu. You need to:
a. Display partition information for the current hard drive
b. Confirm that the partition uses up the whole capacity of the hard drive
If there is unused space on the hard drive(s), you will need to change
the partition definition to maximize the assigned space, or else there
will be wasted space. Before you do anything like that, though, please
let me know what you find first.
After using FDISK, and exiting the program, you will need to use the
FORMAT command to format the hard drive as a bootable disk. This
command is:
FORMAT C: /S
Naturally, the program will ask you if you are sure you want to do
this, but after you say Yes, it will proceed to format the hard drive
and copy the necessary system files over to make it bootable. When it
is done, you will want to switch to C: (by typing 'C:' at the command
prompt) to see that the drive is indeed accessible. If it is, create a
new directory called 'DOS' (the command is: 'md DOS' from the C:\>
prompt), and copy everything from the virtual disk into the new DOS
directory (so, if your virtual disk is letter X, for example, you
would issue this command from the C:\> prompt: 'copy X:\*.*
C:\DOS\*.*').
You will then need to test that the hard drives can boot, by shutting
down the laptop, ejecting the floppy, and powering them back up.
I will pause at this point to allow you to perform the above
formatting procedures, and get back to me with confirmation that
everything worked, before we proceed with the next step.
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher |
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
04 Apr 2004 16:42 PDT
Hi AHT - Hard Drives in the laptops vary, one is only an 800 +\- mb,
two I believe are 1.0 and 1.4 gig and the last I upgraded to a 2.1
gig.
I have the Boot disks as directed! Thanx.
I won't be able to get to the next step until tomorrow evening (after
work) and that, if you don't know is E.S.T. (I'm in NY).
Will I be usin my desktop and switching hard drives or using the
external PCMCIA CD-ROM drive that I have?
One of the laptops boots to DOS already. Relative to partitioning the
drives, does already booting to DOS have any impact on the
partitioning aspect or do I just type fdisk and go on from there?
Will get back w/ you tomorrow evening.
Thanx, Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
04 Apr 2004 18:55 PDT
We are going to go with the simpler route of using your desktop PC
(and the adapter that you have ordered), as getting the PCMCIA adapter
and the CD-ROM working in DOS is probably going to be a nightmare.
Even for the hard drive that already boots up in DOS, it is best to go
through the above procedure to FDISK and FORMAT it, so that you can be
sure that the hard drive is ready for Windows 98.
You can complete the above steps prior to having the hard drive
adapter, so take your time and let me know when you have prepared all
four hard drives.
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
05 Apr 2004 18:46 PDT
Hello AHT - That was soooo cooolll! I've run the boot disk for Win98SE
and formatted the drives as you instructed. All are using 100% of
their disk space and all boot to the "C" drive!
If this means anything, three are using FAT32 but one indicated
unknown in the file system column!? Also, One is a 2.1 Gig, one is a
1.4 gig, one is a 1.0 gig and the last one is a 814 Mb. All have 32 Mg
dimms and state that they are 40 Megabytes when I boot them!
I also ran the standard tests on the machines and all available "stuff" report O.K.
I'll get back w/ you when the adapter / connector arrives and I have
the first drive installed on my desktop!
The process that you described went so well and smoothly that I am
still grinning broadly! Thank you, thank you!
Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
05 Apr 2004 21:28 PDT
If it would not be too much trouble, can you please re-run FDISK on
the one that reported 'unknown' for the file system? It would be best
if you can change the file system to FAT32. To do this using FDISK and
FORMAT, you will need to:
a. using FDISK, 'delete' the partition
b. now, 'create' a new partition, using all of the space available
c. confirm that the file system used this time is FAT32
That way, all of the disks will be similar.
As well, at this point in time, please pop the Windows 98 installation
CD into your desktop's CD-ROM drive, and take a look at how much space
the files are taking (in case you are not already familiar with how to
do this in XP, the simplest way is to right-click on the CD-ROM's
drive letter in Windows Explorer, and select Properties...; you can
also do this by selecting everything (files and folders) in the root
directory of the CD, then right-click on the files and view the
Properties...). I would like to confirm how much space the
installation files will require for your version of the installation
CD.
Thanks,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
06 Apr 2004 13:01 PDT
Hi AHT - Total disk space on the Win98SE CD is 656 Mg but that
includes every thing on the disk! Win98 itself is 187 Mb - All drivers
are another 108 Mb - Tools are another 33 Mb - Add-ons are another 37
Mb and Cd sample (?) is another 291 Mb.
I'll re-format that drive tonight to FAT32.
Still awaiting the 2.5 connector!
Thanx, Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
06 Apr 2004 14:19 PDT
The only parts that you will need to copy to the hard drives, for now,
are the Win98 directory, the Drivers directory (you won't need all of
it, but I think you can spare the room for now), and the Tools
directory. This is very much a temporary copy; when you run the
installation program, it will copy the parts that it actually needs
into another directory, then use that for the actual install. These
original directories can then be deleted. Since not all of the drivers
will be applicable to the Thinkpad, if necessary on the smallest hard
drive we can go through and delete selectively to free up more hard
drive space for the install. We should be OK, though: 187 + 108 + 33 =
328 MB; add 40 MB for the virtual memory (based on the 40 MB of RAM),
plus perhaps another 180 MB for the 'temporary' install directory, and
we should still be fine for the 800 MB HD. Absolutely worst case, we
can start with the largest one first, clean up the hard drive, then
use the desktop PC to backup the installed version to an archive file
and then copy it all onto the smaller hard drive. A bit more work, but
doable.
May I inquire as to which of the vendor links found by Froogle you
used to purchase the adapter? Some ship by USPS (the most economical
approach for a part like this), so it may be a few days before the
parts arrive.
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
06 Apr 2004 18:57 PDT
Hello AHT! Froogle gave me about seven vendors and I used PC Loft.
They stated that I should have the adapter, according to the Fedex
site on Apr 8, 2004 by 4:30 pm!
The costs, for what appeared to be the same exact item ranged betweem
$8.95 and $25.00 with shipping at $8.50
I've been scanning e-bay for additional compatabile hard drives to
upgrade to something higher than 800 Mb. I do have two extra drives
but both are 814's so no help except in a crash scenario!
Back w/ you soonest. Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
06 Apr 2004 20:54 PDT
eBay is definitely the place to look for additional hard drives for
this vintage of computer.
In the meantime, here is the IBM website for the drivers that apply to the 365X:
http://www-306.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=DSHY-3PLLKA
Now would be a good time to confirm whether or not you need to
download the BIOS update listed in that matrix, version 1.10. You can
confirm this by turning on the Thinkpads, and hitting the appropriate
key to enter BIOS setup (F1, if I recall correctly).
Windows 98 should have native support for most of the devices. You
will want to download the Win98 version of the System Utilities.
It might also be handy to have an electronic copy of the hardware
maintenance manual from IBM. The closest one is this one, labeled for
the 360 Series:
http://www-306.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=GSMH-3AQCRG
I'll keep an eye out for your next post after April 8th and the
arrival of the adapter.
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
08 Apr 2004 21:55 PDT
Hi Mr Fixit:
I hope that Fed Ex delivered as promised? Take your time with the
process of preparing the drives for use with your desktop, and let me
know once you are ready to proceed.
Thanks,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
09 Apr 2004 13:33 PDT
G'day AHT !
Yes, they delivered it at almost exactly the time that they promised!
Actually they were three minutes early! It's amazing!
I'm woring on the prep that you sent me to do, Drivers, Bios, etc. and
I also got some larger hard drives from e-bay that aren't in yet but
I'm not going to wait for them. I'll program the ones that I have and
that'll teach me how to re-program the larger ones when they arrive. I
plan on hitting it either tonight or certainly tomorrow morning.
Thanx again and I'll be back w/ you soonest!
Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
09 Apr 2004 14:16 PDT
Good to hear, I'll be on the lookout for your update!
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
09 Apr 2004 16:14 PDT
Hi AHT - I've been putting together the C.O.A.'s for the Win98 Prgs
but can only locate 3! I do have C.O.A.'s for Win95 so I'll have to do
one in that O/S. That's okay though, it'll still meet the need.
In as much as I've already FDISK'd and Boot disk'd all four for Win98
already, what do I have to do to re-boot one to Win95?
I tried just running a Win95 bootdisk when booting-up but it won't
take a disk now! Says "non system disk, remove and hit any key"!!
Can I re-format the laptop HDD for Win95 when I connect it to my
laptop and start fresh from there?
I probably should also increase the money that I authorized PayPal for
this question 'cause I'm eating up lots more of your time than I
thought that I would and my questions seem to keep coming. I want to
be fair with you. How can I do that?
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
09 Apr 2004 22:15 PDT
Mr. Fixit:
You're on the right track; if it is necessary to use Windows 95 on one
of the laptops instead of Windows 98, then you will indeed need to
repeat the process of setting up the hard drive using a Windows 95
boot disk. It gets a little complicated here, though. The FAT32 file
system that we have used to format the hard drive is only supported by
Windows 95 Service Release 2. This SR2 version of Win95 was only
officially made available through OEMs; for retail versions, it is
necessary to start with the original version of Windows 95, and apply
patches to bring it up to the Service Release 2 capabilities. This
means that you will need to reformat the hard drive using the FAT16
file system, first.
Can you clarify whether your Windows 95 installation will be from a
CD, or from floppies? If I recall correctly, Windows 95 was
distributed on floppies, with perhaps the final OEM SR2 being
available on CD. If you have floppies, then you should be able to boot
using Disk 1 of the floppy set. If that is what you tried when you
received the "not a system disk" message, then you can download a
Windows 95 boot disk. Actually, since we will need to replace the
FAT32 file system with FAT16, you're going to need the boot disk image
anyway.
If there is any way at all for you to obtain an additional Certificate
of Authenticity for Windows 98, I highly recommend that you do so.
Between friends, local businesses, and maybe even computer shops, you
might be able to find a no-longer-used copy of Windows 98 (from a
defunct computer, for example) that will let you get back on track.
Failing this, please:
- download the Windows 95 (Version A) boot disk image from http://www.bootdisk.com
- install the smallest hard drive back into one of the laptops
- boot using the Windows 95 boot disk
- after the system has finished booting, run FDISK, and again
delete/create the partition, this time choosing FAT16 as the file
system
- FORMAT the drive as a system drive (FORMAT C: /S)
- Copy all of the files from the RAM disk to C:\DOS
- Eject the floppy and reboot from the hard drive
At this point, depending on whether your Windows 95 install will be
from floppies or a CD, you can either proceed with the floppies to
install, or remove the hard drive from the laptop again (you'll be
able to do this with blindfolded soon!), and use your desktop to copy
the CD contents over.
With regards to your concern over increasing your payment, first let
me assure you that as long you're having fun, I'm more than happy to
keep on helping you with this! When I chose to move this discussion
into the 'Answer' portion of the service, I did this knowing that it
meant that it was no longer possible for you to change the list price
for the Question. However, as long as you do not 'accept' the Answer
by rating it until we are done, then you will still have the
opportunity at the end of this process, using the tipping feature, to
increase the payment should you feel that it is appropriate.
Incidentally, for your future reference, Google Answers Researchers
such as myself receive only 75% of the initial list price for
answering a question; Google Answers (the service) retains 25% as its
share (Researchers are independent contractors engaged by Google
Answers, so the 25% is basically the commission that the service
charges Researchers in exchange for providing and maintaining this
system). So, for example, if the list price is US$10, the Researcher
receives $7.50. This helps explain why so many of the $2 questions are
never officially answered by a Researcher; sometimes, it just isn't
practical to answer a difficult question for only $1.50!
Tips, however, are 100% for the Researcher, so if you find that you
receive great service from a Researcher in your use of Google Answers,
please be sure to give a good 'star' rating, and use the tipping
feature if you are very pleased!
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
10 Apr 2004 06:10 PDT
Good Morning AHT!
Obviously you work into the wee hours! I logon looking for email from
you at about 10pm E.S.T. but actually find it bright and early in the
morning. That's good 'cause I get a fresh start then!
Thanx for the news about my PayPal question. I feel better now knowing
that I can "adjust" for all of your great help!
I'll check w/ my I.T. folks at work, they're usually helpful when not
swamped and perhaps they can steer me to other Win98 C.O.A.s! Thanx!
The Win95 version that I have is on a CD although it doesn't say
anything about a "final" or OEM SR2 Edition" on it anywhere! I put it
into my CD drive on my dersktop to see if I could read anything there
in the properties box but I guess because it's a i6 bit program, my
compouter doesn't recognize the CD???!!!??? IT keeps asking me to
place the CD in the drive when it's already there! When I put it into
the CD drive the Win95 Flash Screen appears but that's as far as I can
get! I do NOT have floppies for Win95.
Let's talk about the removal o the HDDs and using my desktop: I am a
pro now at switching out the 2.5s and probably could do it
blindfolded! I haven't yet tried to connect them to my desktop via the
adapter (no instructions on connecting) but was wondering if I need to
do something in my desktop boot sequences or install a "jumper" (that
I don't have) on the 2.5s? I remember having to do that when I
installed a slave drive on my old computer for my "elevator music
storage". Also, can I assume that when I plug the adapter into the
ribbon wire that I put the side with the power connection towards the
same side as the "red" wire in the ribbon wire(?) and what about the
orientation of the 2.5 itself? On the 2.5s there is normally (I
believe) one pin missing in one row and likewise one female slot
blanked out on the TP motherboard! No such configuration with this
adapter! Can it be installed backwards and if so, what can happen!
(You know about "Murphy's Law"! I'm good at that).
I have copied the following from the web site that you provided, one
set for Win95 and another for Win98. These include BIOS, Audio, CD
ROM, Infrared, PC Card/PCMCIA, System Utilities and Video. These are
all on USB Memory Stick and a CD. Can they be installed on the HDDs
when I connect them to my desktop or do I need to put them onto
floppies for install that way? (Lotsa floppies!)
I also obtained a CD ROM of the 365's Maintenance Manual and believe
it or not, I have a TP 365 Users Manual also (hard copy).
Going to try now to boot the smallest HDD to Win95 and await your
direction re: above.
Have a great day!
Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
10 Apr 2004 14:57 PDT
Hello again, my apologies for the delay in replying. I am in the
Pacific time zone, which introduces three-hour's worth of difference
between our 'online' times.
If the WIndows 95 version you have was distributed on a CD, then it
*may* be the Service Release 2 version. In either case, it is a good
idea to start with FAT16 first just in case you need it in order to
install Win95. However, if you are not able to view the CD contents or
properties using your desktop, then there may actually be a problem
with that CD. CD formats have not changed much since Windows 95, so
Windows XP should definitely be able to read the CD if the CD is still
usable.
The adapters vary slightly in design from manufacturer to
manufacturer, but generally the orientation of the 40-pin connector
side should be the same. Take a look at the pin-out diagram on the
following page (scroll down about a third of the way):
http://www.stud.uni-hannover.de/~przemy/pin_assigments.html
You are looking at the 2.5" ATA HD connector, with 44 pins for the
actual ATA interface, plus six additional for keying and jumpering.
Also, see if your particular adapter is anything like the one featured
in this little animation:
http://www.laptopsforless.com/flash/hddadaptermovie.html
You'll note that the power connection is on the opposite side from the
'red edge', because that's the side where the power pins in the 50-pin
connector for the 2.5" HD are located. Nobody ever said that computer
component designers were that logical. :)
If you do install it upside-down (and I'll admit that I did that the
first time), you will note from the pinout diagram that the "power"
connection ends up where the 'jumper' pins are; while not completely
harmless, it is essentially harmless.
This picture may also help you visualize the orientation relative to
the 'up' direction:
http://www.aquanuke.com/item-3471390773.asp
As for the drivers, please copy them over to the hard drives at the
same time that you copy the rest of the files. Windows 98 does not
natively support USB memory keys (you need additional drivers for
that... in fact, if you have the drivers already from the keys
themselves, copy those over too!).
You probably will not need to apply the BIOS updates at this time.
I will be online on and off throughout this long weekend, and will
respond ASAP once you have successfully mounted the hard drives (one
at a time, of course) in the desktop and copied the files over.
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
10 Apr 2004 16:34 PDT
Good day again!
No need to apologize, you're not "delaying" me at all! I'm doing this
as a volunteer and on the side of my "normal" job so actually, the
little respite between out time zones works out perfectly for me!
The links that you sent depict my exact adapter! That was a great help!
Well, I'm about to start the first one in a few minutes! Somewhat
anxious but here goes! I'll let you know as soon as I do about # 1 (a
Win98 install first!)
Bill
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
10 Apr 2004 17:12 PDT
AHT ! Arghhhh!
Remember when I referred (in my earlier e-mail) to "Murphy's Law"?
(Anything that could go wrong WILL go wrong!), well .......... my
desktop, although having a few "extras" on it is a basic Dell
Dimension and guess what! The System Board ribbon cable to the Main
HDD doesn't have a second available connector! The only other system
board full width ribbon wire is connected to my CD and CD-RW
drives!(Dell's way of saving $) and it's 8:00 pm Saturday night now so
no stores are open to get another cable. I'll have to postpone this
until Monday after work (and I have everything I need (except another
cable)laid out and ready too!). I never imagined that the secondary
connector wouldn't be there! Shame on me for not checking.
Anyway, while I have you.
1.Do I need to use a jumper (I can probably get one from my I.T. folks
at work) on the TP 2.5 or my own hard drive when I connect the two?
2. Will my desktop automatically recognize the 2.5 as another drive so
that I can copy to it and is that all I do, Copy files from the CD to
the 2.5 via the Copy function?
3. Do I copy ALL of the files from the Win98 CD or just certain ones
'cause there's some "goofy" extras on the CD that'll eat up disk space
and that I probably won't need?
Sorry for this delay! If it were a house that I was building IU'd have
known what all I'd have needed but this I.T. stuff!!! Whew!
Bestest to you.
Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
10 Apr 2004 19:36 PDT
Yes, I know Mr. Murphy all too well, so it's to be expected that he
would visit eventually.
For the purposes of this particular exercise, here is what I suggest
you do. First, assuming your main hard drive can spare the room,
create folders on it to hold the Win98 and driver files from the CD,
you do not need the extras/samples/bonuses. Same goes for the Win95
CD.
Now, when you shut down your desktop and open it up, unplug one or
both of the CD drives, and use the secondary IDE channel instead (the
hard drive remains on the primary IDE channel on its own). Now when
you power up, you will have your main hard drive on the primary
channel, and the notebook hard drive on the secondary channel... and
all of the files you want to copy are on the primary hard drive
already, waiting to be copied over to the secondary drive.
If the notebook hard drive is the only hard drive on the secondary
channel, you will not need to worry about jumpers at all, so this
approach is probably the best for you anyway.
The desktop PC *should* see the notebook hard drive as just another
hard drive; if it does not show up at all, then it is likely that you
will need to unplug both CD drives to dedicate the channel to it;
another good reason to copy the files over to your main hard drive
first.
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
11 Apr 2004 05:18 PDT
Good Morning AHT;
Well, if you celebrate it, Happy Easter! If not, Happy Sunday anyway!
Good idea! When I get home from church this morning I'll give that
method a shot, I've got multi gigs of free space to use!
While i'm at it, after loading the O/Ss should I also load the parts
of MS Office that I want to have (Word, Outlook)? What about a utility
from Time-Warner Road Runner so they can access the internet too?
Anti-virus?
I have ordered from e-bay a PCMCIA 2.0, two port USB CardBus too so I
can probably copy and load that way on everything except Win95,
maybe/right?
Here is the URL for what I bought. I don't know how to make it a link
so you'll have to copy and paste! Sorry.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3473703439&category=42323&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWN%3AIT&rd=1
I'll get w/ you as soon as I get the first one copied to the 2.5!
Thanx, Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
11 Apr 2004 08:58 PDT
Easter greetings to you, too! I am about to head out myself, with my
loved ones, to enjoy some of the excellent weather here on the west
coast of Canada.
How will these laptops be used in the future? If they are intended for
mobile, stand-alone use, then definitely on the larger hard drives,
where you can spare the room, you can copy over the Roadrunner
software if needed. If they will be used on a network, though, it
would be better not to load the Roadrunner software, as it can
interfere with your local networking needs.
Generally speaking, our goal here is to get the operating systems
installed onto the laptops so that you are able to add drivers for the
external CD-ROM drive; at that point, you will be able to install any
additional software without needing to occupy space on the limited
hard drives. So, I would hold off on copying over the MS Office
installation files for now, as they tend to be huge.
I have sad news for you with regards to the USB card you've purchased,
though. Thankfully it was a great price you got it for. You see, most
USB expansion cards that fit into the PCMCIA slot are actually what
are known as Cardbus adapters (you can tell the difference by the
gold-colored metal strip on the top of the connector end of the
card... Cardbus uses it, 'regular' PCMCIA cards don't). As you've
guessed from my tone here, the 365X does not have Cardbus support, as
indicated by this message I found here:
http://zurich.ai.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/2004-01/0564.html
This means that you will not be able to use the card with these laptops.
I'll be offline until the evening; with the three hour time difference
between our locations, this might mean that you will not see a
response from me to your next post until your morning, I hope that
this is not too much of an inconvenience!
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
11 Apr 2004 17:16 PDT
Thank You! Just got back from a little family get together myself
awhile ago but the weather here is a bit sullen. It's been a tough
winter!
Canada! I couldn't tell, you have no accent :-) :-) :-)
Too bad about the USB CardBus, thought that I scored a coup! Oh well,
I have friends with newer Dell laptops that probably could use it and
the price (except for the s&h was a real steal too)!
Been working on this transition a short while now and I'm winding down
on the install of the first one. I only loaded the parts that you told
me but
I can't figure out what to do with the drivers that you had me
download from IBM. Do I just "stick'em" (<-my accent :-)) anywhere on
the HD or are there certain places to copy them too?
Once I get one loaded you said something about deleting what I don't
need 'cause this O/S is taking up more than half of the little drive!
The laptops will be used by children ages 10 to 17 that are in Group
Care in our residential homes as stand-alones for homework and
computer educational purposes! No networking w/ these!
The one computer that I installed the O/S on has a built-in CD ROM
drive and when I downloaded the boot disk I used a disk that I
downloaded with a version that had CD ROM support. That CD ROM is
working now too! It's only a 4x but it beats the heck out of 25
floppies!!!
Where would I find the drivers for the external CD ROMs? I have a
PCMCIA Network adapter that has an RJ45 plug on it. I naturally
haven't been able to try it yet but I probably can connect that
through my little Linksys 4 port Router to access Road Runner if
that's the best method?
Don't worry about getting back to me in any hurry, I'm having a grand
old time "fiddli'" with this whole thing and diving into my desktoip!
I've goy my wife believing that I know what I'm doing and after 11
years, that's a good change!
Have a great day, Take care and I'll hear from you when you have the time.
The best, Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
11 Apr 2004 18:18 PDT
With temperatures in the mid-20's (Celsius... so that's in the 80's
Fahrenheit), it already feels like summer here!
This driver download should allow you to support the external CD-ROM:
http://members.driverguide.com/driver/detail.php?action=download&driverid=54874
(username: drivers , password: all)
Driverguide.com is an advertising supported online archive of
user-supplied drivers. It is a useful resource, so I encourage you to
check it out when you have time. Please note that everybody who signs
up using a valid e-mail address, is e-mailed the same username and
password. If you do choose to sign up, please be careful during the
sign-up process, or you will receive a lot of solicitations by e-mail.
As for where to put all these drivers; there is no special location
required, so just make a MY_DRIVERS folder to hold them all.
Note that once you have finished installing the basic operating system
using the installation files you have copied over the to hard drive,
you are free to delete the installation files. Ideally, you will want
to make sure that you have CD-ROM support installed before deleting
anything; once you have CD-ROM support installed, you can always move
files back over using a CD. For the unit with the built-in CD-ROM, you
should not have any problems; for the others, you will need to install
the above SCSI adapter driver first, and confirm that it works, before
deleting anything.
As for the PCMCIA card with the RJ45 connector, you should be able to
find the driver for it in the DriverGuide.com repository as well;
failing that, post the make and model number here and I'll see if I
can find it.
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
11 Apr 2004 19:25 PDT
Correction:
The username I provided above, should be 'driver', not 'drivers'.
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Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
14 Apr 2004 18:15 PDT
Hi AHT
Haven't forgotten you, just been out of town on a family emergency and
I only got back in tonight around 6:00 pm. Really beat!
I have two units done and two to go! One of them is realy giving me
headaches though. Everytime that I think I that I've gotten it done it
either won't boot up or won't shut down or worse, I get messages that
say some important files are either corrupted or missing so I start
over again!
I just got a 3.2 gig HDD and a 5 gig HDD in the mail so I'll try one
of those instead of the little 800 that I've been fighting with!
Perhaps it will be more cooperative with me!
I'm off to bed now to catch up on some ZZZZZZZZZZZ. It's been a rough
couple of days so if you don't mind I'll get back with you on say
Friday?
Until then, the best to you and yours.
Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
14 Apr 2004 18:44 PDT
Good to hear from you, I was beginning to worry!
My personal rule is family first, everything else second. So
definitely take your time; as well, I hope that the emergency was not
too serious, and that all is good again?
There is a high likelihood that the troublesome unit is actually
displaying the symptoms of a failing hard-drive. All of the behaviour
you've mentioned: refusing to boot, refusing to shut down, missing or
corrupt files, are typical symptoms of a hard drive on its last legs.
Definitely replace it before depending on it!
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
18 Apr 2004 06:54 PDT
Good morning AHT -
Sorry for not getting back w/you sooner but I've been working on
trying to install a used 3.2 gig HDD that I got from ebay into one of
the TPs and it's really frustrating me! Perhaps you can suggest
something to help.
When I install the HDD into the TP and before it boots or even before
it gets to the boot disk stage I receice a message requesting a
password! The icon shows a small HDD so I assume that it boots to the
power level but won't allow access to the hard drive w/out a password.
When I install a different hard drive(s) I don't get that password
request so it appears to me that the problem is with that particular
hard drive and not the system board or the BIOS.
I then thought that I could use that 2.5 to 3.5 adapter and connect it
to my desktop and format the drive but that too failed. My desktop
refuses to recognize the 2.5 hard drive at all!
I e-mailed the seller of the drive and she says that she doesn't know
the password but that I should "just fdisk the drive and my problems
will be resolved" (but you can't fdisk anything if you can't access
it! She also claims that the problem is NOT with the hard drive but
likely w/ the BIOS but, if that's true then I'd have the same problem
when I use another hard drive, right?
Suggestions?
P.S. - I have two TPs done, have deleted the unnecessary files and
folders from the install procedure (Win98 and DOS) and have used less
than 400 Mb of the drive space. I even connected one of the two to
Road Runner via the PCMCIA Internet card, updated windows and it works
wonderfully! Now if I can only get this last one to cooperate, I'll /
we'll be done (although I'll sincerely miss working w/ you.)!!!
Thanx, Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
18 Apr 2004 09:12 PDT
We're almost there! :)
This last hurdle, though, is a very tall one. Pretty much an
insurmountable one, in fact.
First, you are absolutely correct in thinking that the problem is with
the drive, and not the BIOS. IBM Thinkpads feature multi-level
security; the BIOS manages two levels of security (user-password,
admin-password for access to BIOS), and the hard drive manages a third
level. This way, if someone steals a laptop where password protection
is active, they cannot just remove the hard drive from the laptop,
install it into another computer, and steal the owner's secrets!
You're not the first to encounter this problem. Take a look at the
bottom paragraph in this webpage, for example:
http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/reference/biosp.htm
That teaser bit at the bottom about IBM Thinkpads, unfortunately, is
no help to you. You see, the hard-drive password is stored in both the
BIOS (if you set it on that laptop) and the hard-drive. In your
Thinkpad, the BIOS has no hard drive password, but the hard-drive
itself does. So, the hard-drive, using a feature that is standard to
the ATA specification, will continue to insist that the BIOS supply it
with the correct password (which is why the BIOS asks you to enter
it). If the hard-drive's controller doesn't receive the correct
password, it basically tells the BIOS to tell you (in kind, gentle,
computer methodology) to "go take a hike!" and leaves you locked out.
There is an extremely long, extremely painful-to-read thread on this
at the Experts Exchange:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Q_20423260.html
(I recommend not reading this... it's more confusing than helpful,
since after seven months of 'experts' trying, they found no solution)
There are some extremely expensive services available (referenced in
that thread) that will hack into a hard-drive using clean-room tactics
(think white bunny-suits, dust-free environment). These services cost
$100+, a price that will get you a box full of old hard drives on
eBay. My personal opinion is that the eBay seller was not dealing
straight in selling you a locked hard drive, but others would say that
this falls under the "buyer beware" clause.
Because the hard-drive password is stored on the hard-drive itself, no
current-generation BIOS will allow you to access the hard-drive
without that password. For the value of this used hard-drive, it is
not worth sending it to a service that can hack it. I suggest pursuing
this with the seller, requesting a refund or replacement, unless of
course the shipping and handling charges that you would incur end up
'killing the deal'. In any case, if you have not already provided a
rating on the Seller, you may want to warn other potential buyers
about the seller selling locked hard-drives.
Sorry about this bad news, but at least I hope it saves you any
further time spent trying to get this hard drive to work.
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
18 Apr 2004 09:16 PDT
Oh, by the way, in case you were interested in how lucrative this
hard-drive hacking business might be:
http://www.nortek.on.ca/hdd_pw.html#HDD
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
1mrfixzit-ga
on
18 Apr 2004 13:08 PDT
Hi AHT !
I pretty much discovered the same thing while surfing different sites.
Seems that IBM has one of, if not THE toughest password protection
setups of all of the bigger manufacturers.
I did contact the seller and explained the situation nicely but in
detail and she got a bit nasty about it anyway! She said to return the
drive and she'll refund my $51.00 (but of course I eat the shipping
costs both ways!) Caveat Emptor or so they say!
I have a 1.0 gig HD that I'll use instead! It's a bit better than the
814s and I have a couple of them.
Back w/ you soon as I do and perhaps we can "put this puppy to bed" at last!
Have a great day, Bill
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
18 Apr 2004 13:29 PDT
"Seems that IBM has one of, if not THE toughest password protection
setups of all of the bigger manufacturers."
That is one of the list of reasons why I personally swear by IBM
Thinkpads for business purposes... but stay away from recommending
them when anyone asks for a recommendation of what machine they should
buy for home use or for their kid who is about to head off to college.
All that quality and over-engineering pays dividends in the business
world, but is generally wasted in personal or academic use. Plus, it
seems the college kids these days all want those silver-coloured
laptops from Sony, Dell, etc. :)
While the refund offer from the seller will help recover some of the
costs of this lesson, the truly sad part of this whole transaction is
that you know she will simply turn around and sell the locked
hard-drive to the next unsuspecting victim on eBay. Truly buyer
beware!
Incidentally, you can note with pride that, after all of this, you
will have personally performed more laptop hard-drive recovery and
imaging than many computer service technicians working in small shops
and even large companies. For many large companies, it is standard
practice to send laptops in to a service depot for any major repairs,
and a hard drive replacement in a system with no other means of
accessing mass-storage media (like a CD-ROM) is definitely considered
major. Congratulations!
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
20 Apr 2004 13:28 PDT
Mr FixIt:
I thought I'd check in to see how your progress is. Is that last
laptop up and running now?
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
Clarification of Answer by
aht-ga
on
20 Apr 2004 18:30 PDT
MrFixIt:
First, to complete your sentence, it's "a heck of a guy"!
To accept the Answer, please use the "Rate Answer" button located
waaaaaaay back up there at the top of the "Answer" section. This will
allow you to rate the question as you see fit (from one-star, to
five-stars), and provides you with the opportunity to give a "tip" if
you wish. So, if you wish to increase the value of the question to
reflect its value to you, you can use this "tip" feature to do so.
It has been my pleasure to help you! Even after you rate the Answer,
you can still request a clarification to this Answer should a problem
arise related to the solution. Google Answers (the service to whom I
provide my services as an independent contractor) prefers that any net
new questions be posted as a new Question, of course.
Incidentally, I would recommend not posting your e-mail address in
Google Answers, for several reasons. First, the Terms of Service for
my contract with Google Answers requires that I not have any contact
with Google Answers clients outside of the Google Answers system.
Second, the contents of Google Answers are searchable in Google
itself, meaning that Google Answers information will appear in Google
searches. So, for your protection, best to not include your e-mail
address in any future Questions.
If, in the future, you have a question where you wish to request the
specific attention of a specific Researcher, feel free to include "for
<Researcher name>:" at the beginning of your question subject. For
example, if you had a question about widgets and you wanted me to look
at it first, you could use a subject line of "For aht-ga: widget
question". That way, I will notice it and give it my prompt attention;
if it turns out to be a question that I do not feel qualified to
answer, I can always state so in a clarification request so that my
fellow Researchers give it a try as well.
Again, I hope all goes well with the laptops!
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher
|
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