Hello everyone! I've recently installed Windows SP1 on my A30, but its seems that laptop is struggling with it. So I thought that I will Install Windows 2000 than, but suddenly DVD drive doesn't see any disks that I insert in it. It wasn't an issue until now, DVD worked perfectly before and after re-installing a new sistem (both XP). All manipulations I've made was- Installed a XP to have clean system (all drivers was installed right after that), then I've connected HDD to a modern system through IDE to USB dongle to quickly remove all viruses (they was make ThinkPad don't see a USB devices) and copy a bunch of retro software and games. After that, I suppose, it stopped seeing any disks I insert. But something to mention- DVD was working before installing driver, but after installing them I've not tried a DVD drive until yesterday.
I need an advice on how to diagnose and fix this issue. And also- if it will be not fixable, can I just connect ThinkPads HHD through dongle to my modern PC and just install a Windows 2000 like that and make it work on ThinkPad after that?
Thank You for attention.
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ThinkPad A30 DVD issue
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Cerber4444
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed May 19, 2021 12:21 pm
- Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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kfzhu1229
- Senior ThinkPadder

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Re: ThinkPad A30 DVD issue
I do believe you might have a botched chipset driver that's preventing the DVD drive from working properly within Windows, if the DVD drive boots installation media just fine with the F12 boot option.
This is a common issue under Win9x with the default drivers on Banias/Dothan machines like the T4x/R5x, which you have to change the IRQ settings to resolve a hidden resource conflict.
Moreover, check the BIOS settings for the DVD drive speed, set it to Normal option if it's in Silent mode just to exclude compatibility issues with the Silent mode operation.
Also try both Ultrabay slots.
This is a common issue under Win9x with the default drivers on Banias/Dothan machines like the T4x/R5x, which you have to change the IRQ settings to resolve a hidden resource conflict.
Moreover, check the BIOS settings for the DVD drive speed, set it to Normal option if it's in Silent mode just to exclude compatibility issues with the Silent mode operation.
Also try both Ultrabay slots.
Dell Lat CP MMX-233 64mb 40gb W2k
600 PII-266 416mb 40gb WXP
T23 PIII 1.13ghz 1gb W7
Precision M4300 X9000 8gb 160gb WUXGA Ultrasharp fp W10
T530i 15.6" i7 16gb fp W10
UXGA:
A30p PIII 1.2 1gb W7 (IDTech)
T43p 2.26 2gb fp W10 (Sharp)
Lat C840 P4-2.5 2gb 60gb W7 (Ultrasharp)
600 PII-266 416mb 40gb WXP
T23 PIII 1.13ghz 1gb W7
Precision M4300 X9000 8gb 160gb WUXGA Ultrasharp fp W10
T530i 15.6" i7 16gb fp W10
UXGA:
A30p PIII 1.2 1gb W7 (IDTech)
T43p 2.26 2gb fp W10 (Sharp)
Lat C840 P4-2.5 2gb 60gb W7 (Ultrasharp)
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Cerber4444
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed May 19, 2021 12:21 pm
- Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Re: ThinkPad A30 DVD issue
Can you describe it more specific? I don't know a lot about old systems.kfzhu1229 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 07, 2021 7:00 pmI do believe you might have a botched chipset driver that's preventing the DVD drive from working properly within Windows, if the DVD drive boots installation media just fine with the F12 boot option.
This is a common issue under Win9x with the default drivers on Banias/Dothan machines like the T4x/R5x, which you have to change the IRQ settings to resolve a hidden resource conflict.
Moreover, check the BIOS settings for the DVD drive speed, set it to Normal option if it's in Silent mode just to exclude compatibility issues with the Silent mode operation.
Also try both Ultrabay slots.
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