Boot from ExpressCard SSD - x200 Tablet

[jonlumpkin]

I am looking into getting an SSD for my x200 Tablet.  Ideally, I would like this to be in an ExpressCard format so that I can have the combination of a fast/small SSD for my OS and a large/cheap HDD for data files.

I have found an ExpressCard SSD that looks very promising.  This MTRON 16GB SLC SSD  is in an ExpressCard 34mm format, is relatively affordable, promises solid performance (100 MB/s symmetric), and most importantly connects via the PCI-Express as opposed to USB bus.  The drive also appears to be bootable (at least in theory) and I am curious as to whether this would work.  Verbatim also has a similar product that is supposed to be released by the end of February (announcement), but it's less desirable as it's MLC and has a comparitively slow write speed (30 MB/s).

Principle questions:

1. Does the ThinkPad x200 support the option of booting from the ExpressCard slot (I know HDD, USB, and SDHC are possible)?
2. Does anyone have any experience with these kind of SSDs (ideally PCI-Express attached ExpressCard drives)?
3. What tricks are required to get Windows (ideally Windows 7 x64) and your primary applications to fit in a 16GB package?
4. Does anyone have any alternate suggestions of how to accomplish the combo of a small/fast OS drive and a large/cheap data drive on the x200 Tablet?

[Mark_Lenovo Former Administrator]

Jonlumpkin,

I'm checking with our X series product engineer to research a more comprehensive answer to you...the initial answer doesn't look like the X200 Bios supports this. 

Hopefully, within the broader context of what you are trying to do, we may have some alternate recommendation...

Mark

[jonlumpkin]

Thanks for your assistance.

Jon

[Mark_Lenovo Former Administrator]

Jon,

Apparently bad news - the ThinkPad bios does not presently support a boot option from compact flash.   I think you were on to a really interesting idea there.   Obviously, we could suggest a round about way via a USB interface to CF, but I see your point on how that would compromise the performance and defeat the whole purpose.

It is an interesting concept and I'll share this appropriately to ensure we consider this for possible inclusion in a future product.

Best regards,

Mark

[jonlumpkin]

Thanks for the help, I just want to verify that we are clear on terminology.  The card I found is a 34mm ExpressCard with several SLC flash chips.  It is unique compared to other ExpressCard SSDs (e.g. the very slow Lexar SSD) because it attaches via the PCI-Express x1 lane rather than USB.  It is NOT a compact Flash reader.  I am not sure what (if any) difference this makes from a boot standpoint, as I would classify it more as a RamDisk or RAID than a media card.

Assuming this doesn't work, a secondary option (and also probably not supported) would be the use of a half-height Mini-PCI card in the WLAN slot.  Does the ThinkPad BIOS support booting from this type of interface?

Certainly I would wholeheartedly encourage the inclusion of this boot option either in a future BIOS relase or next generation of the ThinkPad line.

[VK]

jonlumpkin, 

I had exactly the same idea in mind for my X61s. But for the first, Lenovo cannot determine what they are selling - some X61s have Express34 slot, others - PC Card. But never mind that.

I've invested in this Addonics SATA CF adapter . As seen, it can be connected directly to the sata-port, swapping your hard drive with this cheaper version of SSD. Combined with Transcend 300x CF  card, it can kick some ass :-)

There are couple of things one thing one should be concerned about:

 - life span of such drive

 - ability to have the OS to recognize the CF-card as a "local disk" and NOT "removable drive". Running and installing Windows on a removable drive is pretty problematic.  (CF cards have a bit set, that tells the OS their type. On some cards, the bit can be set by using a oem utility - I believe Lexar is one of those manufacturers)

Check out this Thinkpad wiki  as well.

Our TP should in theory boot from a flash reader, even if it's a Express34 card reader. While Mitron is a good, but somewhat pricy choice, smth. similar can be accomplished with this DElkin 54mm CF adapter or this Express 34 mm seem to be the fastest on the market so far according to reviews and forum users.

Message Edited by VK on 03-05-2009 07:18 PM

Message Edited by VK on 03-05-2009 07:18 PM

[lakpapak]

Man this is a GREAT idea Jon.  Ideally I would love to swap out the stupid Turbo memory for a half-height Mini-PCI SSD card and have my regular X200 boot off of that.  Just a 32GB disk would be an ideal complement to my 500GB standard 2.5 disk ...

There are so many slots in the X200 (mine has, Ericsson 3G, WiFi, Turbo Mem), one of them should be able to work, that would be so cool ...

Please make it happen Lenovo!

PS

Here is an example recently introduced for Netbooks:

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/flash_drives/ocz_minipci_express_ssd-sata_

Message Edited by lakpapak on 04-24-2009 12:08 PM

[jasoncli]

I'm set to get my new X200t in the next week (I hope), and what you are discussing seem very intresting.  Please let the fourms know what solution would allow you to boot off a flash drive without using the HD slot.

[shogun]

1. I don't know where Mark got his info, but I am able to boot from the express card. I just select a temporary boot device and my 8GB Lexar SSD ExpressCard shows up.

3. The problem of installing windows on a SSD is that it must think it is a local disk. Read post above about this issue.

4. Maybe Linux?

[jonlumpkin]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that Lexar SSD a very slow USB ATTACHED device despite being in an ExpressCard form factor?  My original question applied to a device that used the PCI-Express X1 lane of the standard rather than the USB portion.

It is generally not possible to install a proper OS to a USB based device (like your Lexar SSD).  However, you can use either a Live Linux Distro or Windows PE on a USB just fine (Check this video for instructions).  I use a 2GB SD card for a Live Ubuntu distro on the rare occasions I require Linux.