[Thinkpad] [TP 380ED, 560]

Hello all,

This is an impromptu report on a common query about
USB hardware, and this is for the list's common
benefit, based on my own non-technical testing. If
this has been answered in times past, then consider
this post as a refresher/reminder.

SITUATION/QUESTION:

Will a USB 2.0 CardBus adapter (to provide USB ports
on computer without same) work under the following
combinations of ThinkPad and operating systems?

* ThinkPad 560 (Type 2640)
* ThinkPad 380ED (Type 2635)

* Windows 95 OSR 2.0
* Windows 95 OSR 2.0 with USB Supplement Update
* Windows 95 OSR 2.1
* Windows 98 (i.e. first edition)
* Windows 98 with Second Edition Updates
* Windows 98 Second Edition (v.4.10.2222 A)

ANSWER:

No, a USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 CardBus adapter will not work
on either TP 560 or 380ED under any combinations of
Windows. I have tested the hardware and the answer is
a resounding "no". Therefore, don't bother spending
money to buy the adapter.

REASON:

Both TP 560 and 380ED are not CardBus-enabled because
there is no relevant 32-bit CardBus circuit board in
the system. The PCMCIA slot on both models is exactly
that - a 16-bit PCMCIA slot, not a 32-bit
PCMCIA/CardBus slot.

SUGGESTED (MODEL) SOLUTION:

Software or operating system upgrades will not do the
trick: hardware upgrading is the only answer. The
next-higher models (TP 560E and 380XD and higher) are
all CardBus-enabled - these have been tested 100%
working by me with a USB CardBus adapter.

USEFUL NOTES:

(1) The IBM Enhanced Port Replicator (FRU Part No.
11J9000) is compatible with TP 380 (all), 385 (all)
and only 560X (not compatible with 560, 560E or 560Z).
Only under Windows 98 Second Edition can [stable] USB
functionality be obtainable, but only on 560X, 560Z,
380XD and 380Z (no USB support on 560, 560E, 380,
380ED, 385 or 385ED).

(2) If you want to use USB functionality on an
external USB hard drive, I recommend using a generic
USB 1.1 case. The USB 2.0 external drive case can
cause problems, especially on non-English/Latin
systems (e.g. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, etc.).

(3) Still on USB external drive cases, my experience
tells me to avoid USB cases that uses the
Myson-Century chipsets (in particular, the CS8813X
chipset) on 560X and 380XD. There are problems even
under Windows 98SE and I cannot figure out the reasons
why. (The Myson-Century folks are upstanding people,
but their chipsets do give problems on older systems
... sorry, chaps.)

I would be interested to hear corrections from the
list. Apologies in advance for any errors and
omissions herein.

Kind regards,

Robert Lee

[END]

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Received on Sat May 1 03:49:56 2004