Rescue and Recovery confusion

[acz]

I am working on a T61 running Windows XP SP3.
Apparently, this system has R&R 4.00.0114.00 pre-installed.

I don't think any backups have yet been created using R&R on this system.

The System Update offers two separate updates:

One is called Thinkvantage R&R UPDATE version 4.10.0314
download size 66.1 MB, disk space needed 286.1 MB

while the other is called simply Thinkvantage R&R version 4.21.0016
(the word update does not appear)
download size 195.99 MB, disk space needed 281.1 MB

So, if the goal is to have the most up-to-date R&R, how should I proceed?
Normally, I back up my registry with ERUNT, allow System Update to install only one package at a time, and reboot after the installation.

Questions:
Should I first create a full backup using the R&R that is currently installed?

Should just install the 4.10.0314 UPDATE? And then follow with 4.21.0016 ??

Should I skip 4.10.0314 and directly install 4.21.0016?

Must I UNinstall the current version of R&R at any point before installing the newer program?

Many thanks for any guidance from those who have been down this path before.

[GomJabbar]

If I was you, I would leave R&R updates alone. Stick with what is pre-installed.

[ashleys]

The latest RnR is the 4.21 version, see here
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-70034

I'm running that version on a T30 without any problems encountered, so far.

The 4.10 update was a service pack type fix level that has been superseded by 4.21.

I never upgrade RnR using System Update. I always download it manually (from the link shown above), save it in my RnR downloads folder, uninstall the current RnR version and then install the new version cleanly. Using that method, I've never had a problem.

[GomJabbar]

Many people update R&R, but really I don't see the point. Upgrading this application can cause problems after you do a Factory Restore from the hard drive. Unless there is some "must have" feature in the new version - why upgrade?

Other updates and upgrades I do, but this one I leave alone.

[ashleys]

I don't plan to use Factory Restore and have deleted the hidden partition.

I keep RnR up-to-date as that's my software philosophy.
I only use it now for add-hoc (perhaps once a month) backups.

I would say that for most people, Acronis True Image is a much superior product and indeed, that's what I use for my weekly backups.

[GomJabbar]

Well for those people working as you do ashleys, an upgrade seems ok. But for those that have in mind using the hidden partition to do a Factory Restore at some point, I would advise against it.

[ashleys]

Sound advice.

My T30 is now only used as a backup/test machine. Should my desktop fail and I cannot recover it quickly, then I would switch to the ThinkPad. Furthermore, I regularly use it to try out changes to Windows etc, so I don't use Factory Restore but need my current system restored.