new (used) T42 - software installed / other questions

[noznika01]

Hi to all.
this is my first post here and it's also the first regarding a laptop.
bought a T42 from ebay.uk and besides everything is working well for now I have some questions that need a answer from the experts here, hoping that this is not a repost (I've searched but found nothing specific).

1. I'm used to install a sliptreamed xp on desktops and don't like all the software that comes with the T42 but I don't know which is really necessary, so if someone kindly help me:

list of installed software (only the ones I can't figure out):

> what is it and really needed?;

- Access IBM Tools
- IBM Themes;
- IBM ThinkPad Ultranav Driver;
- IBM TrackPoint Accessibility Features;
- Intel Sebring API;
- InterVideo WinDVD - can I replace with another software?
- Scroll Lock Indicator utility;
- Software Installer;
- Support.com Software;
- System Migration Assistant (*);
- ThinkPad Configuration;
- ThinkPad EasyEject Utility;
- ThinkPad Integrated 56K Modem (this is the modem driver(?) and this is(?) > Agere Systems AC'97 Modem
- ThinkPad Power Management Driver;
- ThinkVantage Access Connections;
- ThinkVantage Active Protection System;

(*) answered here http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... sh+install

Note: Norton already uninstalled.

2. In the folder (C: ) IBMTOOLS -> APPS can I delete the 'Acrobat Folder' and the 'Nortonav'? The others I think are somehow associated with ThinkVantage or hardware related (Access, Accsupt, Ibmmsgctr; Dvdplay, Hvision, Pcdrwin, Rrpc, Rrpcapp and Updater);

3. In the folder (C: ) WINDOWS -> can I delete the 'Support' and 'ValueAdd' folders? Don't know if needed for a laptop.

4. In the 'Task Manager? I have a IBMmessenger.exe running, consuming 11.560K of memory. What is it and can I change the loading status?

5. Am I wrong or there was a topic on 'how to fresh install xp...'? I've searched by 'fresh install', going on page 10 and nothing like that appeared, just this one http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... sh+install but it's not it.
Find through google this link: http://www.slideshare.net/robert99/how- ... j-haislet/

Note 1: I dont have the HPA on the HDD but made a copy of the disk with acronis true image like recommended in some posts, and also don't have the Recovery Disks.

Sorry for the long topic and the bad english.

Thank you.

[SteveS]

Welcome to the forum!

What you decide to delete is somewhat a personal decision, as different users find utility in different features. I can give you my thoughts:

Some of the drivers, such as ultranav, trackpoint, scroll indicator, etc. take very little space, enable some useful hardware features, and tend to be bug free, judging from there low update version history.

The Power Manager is really necessary to take advantage of the power saving modes available under battery power.

Different users have different views on Access Connections. The Microsoft wireless network utilities seem to work pretty good, and I have seen many used machines where this is the only “bloatware” that was removed by the previous owner. I find the older version 3.82 very useful, as I travel and use my work T43 docked in the two offices I work in. The auto location selector automatically selects the default printer and other items for the location I am working at the time. Unfortunately this feature is broken in the newer versions of AC, which have better UI for setting up wireless security passwords.

Active Protection System provides increased protection for data transfers to yourhard drive data when the notebook is exposed to shock. You will not ruin a file that you are saving if the notebook slips off you lap during the hdd write with this utility. Some users find it too sensitive, slowing the machine down when used in a rough environment such as a passenger in a car driven on a rough road.

All of the folders in IBMTOOLS/APPS and IBMTOOLS /DRIVERS are the installers, not the operating program or driver. If you are trying to save space, you can delete these, although it might be wise to back them up in case you ever need to re-install them in the future.

On a related note, something that I think is really stupid is that when you update any of the drivers or utility software from the Lenovo web site, the downloaded app creates a NEW installer directory, usually located in C:/DRIVERS/<XP, WIN2K, WIN98,…>. (note this is not C:IBMTOOL/DRIVERS.) This is a real space hog. You can prevent this by first deleting the directory of the original version, then changing the default location the downloaded file will create the installer to IBMTOOLs/DRIVERS.
Note to my note! If you do stick with these 3 party applications: WinDVD, Sonic RECORD Now, and Sonic DLA, you should keep the original directories. These are the original version installers, and the update installers you can download from Lenovo only work if they detect the original version is already installed. This does not apply to PC Doctor.

I will defer questions 3 and 4 to members more knowledgeable on the topic than I.

For machines that use non standard Windows HALs, such as T43, installing from a stock (non-Lenovo) Windows XP disk is not recommended, as you won’t get the correct HAL. I understand it is possible to force the installer to use the correct one, but this requires halting the CD autoload,and running SETUP.EXE from a DOS command line with certain option switches set.

You can restore the hidden service partition by starting with a clean drive, then cloning a drive from a machine of the same model which does have the service partition. It is best to immediately run the factory restore install using rescue and restore from the hidden partition. The re-install will automatically “register” windows using the serial number stored in the BIOS. If you don’t do this step and continue to use the Windows that was cloned from the other machine, Windows Update or Microsoft Update will not run as the “Genuine Windows Validator” that is executed before the update download takes place will find a mismatch between the registered serial number and the actual machine one, flagging it as an illegal copy of Windows.

[Johan]

5. Am I wrong or there was a topic on 'how to fresh install xp...'? I've searched by 'fresh install', going on page 10 and nothing like that appeared, just this one but it's not it. Find through google this link.

Is the thread How to Fresh Install Win XP (Step-by-Step Guide) what you are/were thinking of?

As to what programs that can be removed, there are many threads discussing this (many users, many suggestions!), but one that comes to mind is Slow startup - Which of these programs can I remove? - maybe you'll find useful advice there?

- and of course: Welcome to the forum! Your English leaves nothing be be desired, in my opinion.

Johan

[noznika01]

@ SteveS

Thank you for your elucidative reply.

In the last 2 days I've been wondering that as this is my first laptop maybe it's better to understand how this really works and then if needed personalize it.

As said in the previous post Norton is gone replaced by Avira, strangely I can´t find Acrobat Reader in the Add/Remove list but it's in the Programs launch list. odd?!

Got to know the machine a little deeper.

Today (at lunch) is BIOS update day and if there's some time left drives/utilities.

can you please explain what is "HALs"?


@ Johan

Thank you for the links.
The "How to Fresh Install Win XP (Step-by-Step Guide)" is the same as the one I give above, because it goes to the same slideshare presentation. Someone try it? By the way, thank you robert99.

But I think the one I was looking for was from a user (can't remember the name) with a T43 that started saying it would apply to models X, Y, Z... maybe I'm messing things/forums/posts... been reading a lot in this 2 days

The second link it's very useful, it will be my next reading.

offtopic: [joking mode] I was wondering if there was something against Portuguese users. 2 days, 70 views and no replies. It's the english [/joking mode] (just in case)

[SteveS]

noznika01 wrote:

can you please explain what is "HALs"?

The HAL (the s was the plural) stands for Hardware Abstraction Layer. It is a layer of software that goes between the hardware and operating system. The purpose is to handle differences in the hardware implementation, so the same operating system code can operate on different hardware platforms. It is similar to a BIOS, but operates at a higher level, and is more generic (the same HAL will operate on several different system board designs, as long as they incorporate some of the targeted hardware, whereas the BIOS tends to be very specific to a unique system board design.)

Because IBM/Lenovo incorporate leading edge technology in ThinkPads which generally does not migrate into generic designs, A specific HAL is needed for a series of Type numbers. Key differentiators in the T4x series include the power management features and security chips. There are probably more that I am not aware of. Installing Windows with the incorrect HAL will, in the best case result in a machine that some of these features don’t work. In the worse case, it will blue screen (crash requiring power cycle), when a driver tries to interact with the missing code.

I am not sure how to identify the top level HAL that is installed in a machine. I know for the T4x series, you can see the driver installed for the ThinkPad PM device, by looking in My Computer/properties/Device Manager/System Devices/ThinkPad PM Device.