Just bought a used Thinkpad and have a couple of questions

[Billmanweh]

I just picked up a year old Thinkpad T60 and the original owner restored it back to it's original settings. This is the first used computer I've bought and the first that didn't come with backup discs. Should I make some backup discs of just the OS (XP Pro)? Or wait until I do some updates, etc and *then* backup everything?

Also, it didn't come with any type of word processing or spreadsheet software. Where is the best (read: cheapest) place to get a copy of some type of Word to use?

[carbon_unit]

Make a set of recovery discs now. They will allow you to return to a factory state even if you have to replace the hard drive. They will also reinstall the onboard restore function. The recovery discs will not include any updates you have done so waiting will not provide any advantage.

[rkawakami]

Also, it didn't come with any type of word processing or spreadsheet software. Where is the best (read: cheapest) place to get a copy of some type of Word to use?

I would recommend OpenOffice. It's free .

[ryengineer]

Actually if you upgrade ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery to version 4.1, you would be prompted to make a new set of Product Recovery disks again.

[carbon_unit]

If he just restored it he should be able to make a set.

[ryengineer]

If he just restored it he should be able to make a set.

True, I totally agree with your prior "golden" suggestion as well, my point is the earlier set would be of little use for future usage as it would prompt one to update 450+ megabytes of Rescue and Recovery all over again.

[dsvochak]

Where is the best (read: cheapest) place to get a copy of some type of Word to use?

If you're willing to work with an older version, eBay.

[Billmanweh]

Make a set of recovery discs now. They will allow you to return to a factory state even if you have to replace the hard drive. They will also reinstall the onboard restore function. The recovery discs will not include any updates you have done so waiting will not provide any advantage.

So...

Start > All Programs > Thinkvantage > Create Recovery Media

Would give me a set of recovery CDs that would put me back to it's the original status?

And then once I get everything set up the way I want it I can back everything up again?

ETA: I went through the above process. Should my T60 be able to be backed up on *one* CD?

[ryengineer]

How to create recovery media using ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery.

FAQ "How to use Recovery CD Disc Set".

[carbon_unit]

Recovery media is only the boot cd. You need to make a recovery set. It will take either 7 cd's or 1 cd and 1 dvd.

The instructions ryengineer linked to were for making a recovery set in Vista. The OP is running XP so the procedure is slightly different.

[BruisedQuasar]

didn't come with any type of word processing or spreadsheet software. Where is the best (read: cheapest) place to get a copy of some type of Word to use?

OpenOffice is slow. I recommend a much better
suite that is a big alternative to MS Office,
the new German Software Project Group
SSuite. It opens and is ready to use much
faster than even MS Notepad. Flawless ability
to read and create MS Office doc & spreadsheet
format. ABIWord, another free word processor
is faster and better than the OpenOffice Word
Processor.

OpenOffice, in my opinion, was great before
it had competition in the free (opensource)
category.

--Bruised

Are You Part of the Problem or Victim of the
Government Solution?

[whizkid]

I find OpenOffice to not be very slow. A little slow, perhaps, and very slow to start, but then fine.

But, if you really want Microsoft Word, get an academic copy. Failing that, you can get Works Suite, which contains a real version of Word, for around $85 new, IIRC.

[RealBlackStuff]

Do NOT get the Works Suite.
Its (castrated) Word version saves files in a different proprietary format, rather than .doc. It causes all sorts of incompatibilities if you later want to switch over to the real Word (from the Office suite).

[Billmanweh]

wouldn't my T60 have come with some type of MS word processor originally?

[whizkid]

wouldn't my T60 have come with some type of MS word processor originally?

If you count WordPad as a word processor, then yes. For most uses - no.

[Billmanweh]

wow, I just assumed all new computers came with the full blown Word setup.

[mgo]

wouldn't my T60 have come with some type of MS word processor originally?

Yes, as others have already mentioned, Wordpad is already onboard the operating system. It uses RTF (rich text format) which is a pretty much universal format and can be read by most other programs. Wordpad is just adequate, but would be able to handle pictures within the files you create. It does not create tables of contents.

I also agree about Works. Near-crippleware and just not at all worth the money. Microsoft ought to pull this dog and offer refunds. That's how shamefully bad it is....

I have used "Atlantis Ocean Mind" as a word processor. It's fast, and full of good features. It is a RTF format program, but other programs can read its files. Last I heard they still have a freeware version which is quite good.

Honestly, if you want a really good program, Microsoft Office Student and Teacher edition is a good one. It does not have the clunky Outlook but it does contain Word, Excel and the other usual features. Also, you get OneNote which is terrific as a journaling and note taking program. The best of its kind. You can put Student and Teacher on up to three machines, too.
The XP version requires install of Windows Desktop Search which is hated by many because it thrashes the hard drive on each boot up. But even that program has been improved, and it's honestly pretty good for finding things quickly. You can also select out folders for the search, and that really cuts back on the needless hard drive thrashing.

Cost is around $165.00 as I remember. (no, I do not work for Microsoft, but this is one program of theirs that is quite good)