Duplicate and redundant software: IBM // Microsoft

[mytp]

The following is a (partial?) list of utilities from IBM (preloaded on the T42) and from Microsoft (Windows XP) that are seemingly for the same purposes:
(first is the IBM option, then the Microsoft option)

1. Access Connections
   Network Connections
2. System Migration Assistant
   Files & Settings Transfer Wizard
3. Rapid Restore Ultra or Rescue and Recovery
   System Restore or Backup
4. Client Security Software
   NTFS Encryption Security Policies
5. Integrated Bluetooth Software
   Standard Bluetooth Software
6. RecordNow! / InterVideo
   Windows Movie Maker / Media Player
7. Software Installer
   Add/Delete Programs

Specific cases have been addressed already in this forum, but after reading the other threads I'm still confused. In each case, which utility is best to use -- IBM's or Microsoft's? If using one, should the other be disabled?

[JohnDrake]

Not true

Access Connections offers much more functionality than Network Connections, and access to some higher end wireless encryption protocols, such as LEAP, and the capturing of login credentials if that is used for RADIUS authentication. It also allows controlled distribution of profiles, changes in proxy configurations by individual profiles, automatic recognition of wired networks by MAC address, changes in default printers by location, and the automatic switching between wired and wireless settings within a single profile. It does a lot of neat stuff, and is very worth having.

Systems Migration Assistant can migrate things that the Files and Settings Transfer wizard can't, for some non Microsoft applications. It also allows for the movement of files by association.

Rescue and Recovery BLOWS AWAY system restore, as it is taking the entire image, and locking it away in a protected folder on the drive. It then adds a backup OS to the system (Windows PE) in case your primary os is corrupted, and you can't even boot it. They are not even close in capability.

The Client Security Software offers heavier encryption than NTFS, can change the login GINA to a more secure one, and has links to some biometric authentication. Much superior to EFS.

Record Now is good, simple CD burning software. I do not beleive Media player will work as is, unless an MPEG codec is on the system...which Intervideo DVD provides...so you should use it to watch movies. Has a good interface too.

The Thinkpad Software Installer (TSI) does NOT EVEN COMPARE to add remove programs...the TSI can install drivers AND THEIR DEPENDENT PIECES in the proper, factory manner...example, Intel Wireless adapters require the Sebring API to be loaded as well, which is part of the driver package, but nobody does. It also compares versions of already downloaded drivers to what is installed, and can update the entire system in a single stroke. An absolutely invaluable tool that has fixed more screwed up Thinkpads than just about anything else.

In EVERY CASE the IBM utility is far better. Its just that nobody knows it.

Make sure you use the current version of each.

[mytp]

Thanks, JohnDrake. You made things much clearer. I'll definately go with the IBM utilities from now on. Should the Microsoft utilities be "turned off", and if so, how? Are there any other utilities like these that weren't included on the list?

(lfeagan, do you think this would be a good topic for your FAQ?)

Could you say more about MediaPlayer / InterVideo?

[Plinkerton]

I've been using Access Connections since I got my T42, and everything is updated and current. It works fine, but I notice it is more buggy than the standard XP Pro wifi connect.

The XP consistently connects faster, and sometimes, Access connections needs to be closed and re-opened before it can find my WAP, even though it's found it a thousand times before with no issues.

I've stopped using Access Connections, and everything is running better with the XP apps. Plus, I don't need to have as many programs running, though it doesn't make that much of a difference.

[lfeagan]

Hmm, likely is a good topic. The whole general ? of "What is this Access Connection...etc etc thing all about?"

[jdhurst]

Access Connections 3.53 works very well with my IBM 11 a/b/g wireless card. I find that it usually finds the correct network connection. I have 4 or 5 wired DHCP connections for home and multiple clients. Access Connections finds these without fail. I have home wireless and a couple of other wireless connections. Access Connections normally finds these without error. Every once in a while (once in twenty connects or less), I have to manually connect the wireless.

In another thread, we were talking about hibernating, and I have had issues with Access Connections recognizing a different (location) and different type (wired vs wireless) on waking up. I have a bit better success with suspend / resume, but in general, I now shut down, move the computer, and restart it in a new enviroment. Access Connections works very well used in this way.

Overall, I like Access Connections, see benefit for retaining it, and see no benefit in stopping it in favour of the Windows tools.

... JD Hurst

[jdhurst]

<snip>
The Thinkpad Software Installer (TSI) does NOT EVEN COMPARE to add remove programs...the TSI can install drivers AND THEIR DEPENDENT PIECES in the proper, factory manner...example, Intel Wireless adapters require the Sebring API to be loaded as well, which is part of the driver package, but nobody does. It also compares versions of already downloaded drivers to what is installed, and can update the entire system in a single stroke. An absolutely invaluable tool that has fixed more screwed up Thinkpads than just about anything else.

In EVERY CASE the IBM utility is far better. Its just that nobody knows it.

Make sure you use the current version of each.

The ThinkPad Sofware Installer has grown up, but it was not always thus. It was buggy for a long time, so I just download the driver and application upgrades and install them myself. There are a couple of applications (like Presentation Director) that have pre-requisite applications, but those are well documented. Mainly the drivers are self-contained and install well manually and on their own. I found, for example, that the IBM drivers supplied for the Intel 2100 and 2200 wireless NIC's did install the Sebring API as part of the driver installation. Maybe I need to give TSI another chance. ... JD Hurst

[Plinkerton]

So far, I've always used Access connections when moving to different WAPs. I haven't used the XP wifi app to connect to somewhere else, so I'm not sure if it's any better or worse.

Overall, I really like the Access Connections, but it had issues, like you mentioned, about connecting quickly when waking up from hibernation. When I moved to a different location, like at my school, and woke up from hibernation, there were never any problems connecting.

At home, I always keep my computer on standby, and sometimes when waking up from that, it would take a long time to connect, and sometimes I have to exit Access connections, and then restart it, and then everything would be fine.

So far with the XP stuff, everything has been great, and everything connects quicker on wakeup from standby.

Either way, they both work well, and I'd use either one.

[JohnDrake]

The big problem with Access Connections is that people don't install it correctly...

There is the stand-alone version of AC, which assumes the user has already updated every bit of code that AC talks to, including drivers, in exactly the right way. Normally, this has not happened.

Then there is a large (30MB+) package that will update everything FOR the user that needs to be done for AC to work correctly (with one exception...machines with the native Cisco Aironet MiniPCI adapter...that needs the driver installed, preferrably with the Thinkpad Software Installer, prior to AC)

You can download the latest version of Access Connections here (use the 30MB version...)
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4ZLNJB