New T42, Clean Install of Windows a Good Idea?

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RogerPodacter · #1 Post by **RogerPodacter** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:15 pm

My 2378FVU is 2 weeks old. Should i save the IBM folders, I386 folder, make my restore CDs, wipe the HD completely and do a clean install of Windows? Is it a good idea in general to do this? With my desktop i do it all the time. But with the Thinkpad having the IBM drivers and software, i didnt know whether its better to leave it as is from the factory or re-install everything myself. I'm already having a few stupid little issues/annoyances (that can easily be fixed, i'm sure) with the laptop.

I'd like to bring the computer back to the way it was from the factory, then ghost the HD (would be my first time trying that). Is it possible to bring the laptop EXACTLY the way it was when it was new? Is it worth it to do? I searched and found the "step by step guide" thread. thanks.

RP

#2 Post by **jdhurst** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 8:31 pm

There is nothing wrong with the IBM install, and I am not a fan of the so-called "clean install" because I have never seen any issue solved by all the work. The IBM install works very well and offers good software.

If you want to revert to "out-of-the-box" condition, save any data you want somewhere else, shut down, start, Press F11 and recover. When you do this, you can, on a T42, make your own recovery CD's and you should do so. You can also purchase recovery CD's for a small sum if you don't want to make your own. In any event, you should have them in case of a hard drive failure later.

JD Hurst

Kenn · #3 Post by **Kenn** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:50 pm

I'm the flip side of the coin - I always clean-install whenever I get a new system.

When I got my T42, I decided not to clean-install, and instead uninstalled all the "useless" apps I wouldn't need. I ran with that for about six months, and it was fine for the most part, no big problems or surprises, very stable.

Over Christmas I did a reformat and clean install, and reinstalled the IBM apps I used (access connections, battery maximiser, active protection), and the machine is MUCH more responsive, especially on startup and shutdown, than when I first got it. I haven't even had to run bootvis yet, whereas on the IBM install it was one of the first things I did.

If you're comfortable doing a clean install and know which IBM apps to put back on, I highly recommend doing so.

rocketman · #4 Post by **rocketman** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:08 pm

Usually I would do a clean install of Windows XP but I find the preinstall on my T42 just fine. It's fast and some of the software just might be of some use.

RogerPodacter · #5 Post by **RogerPodacter** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 2:26 am

Kenn wrote:If you're comfortable doing a clean install and know which IBM apps to put back on, I highly recommend doing so.

rocketman wrote:Usually I would do a clean install of Windows XP but I find the preinstall on my T42 just fine. It's fast and some of the software just might be of some use.

If i do re-install, I was kinda thinking of re-installing all of the IBM preloaded software (i.e. everything from Access IBM, Inter video WinDVD, IBM Record, IBM Java), as well. Does that defeat the purpose?

Also, wher restoring the PC, do i have a choice as to what preloaded software to put back on? Or doesnt it just automatically put back everything?

What about SP2 and all the most recent IBM drivers? Will i have to download those again, or will they be copied in the I386 and IBMTOOLS folders?

EDIT: One more question. Should i ghost my hard drive now before formatting it? so i have access to all the folders the way it was just in case? i could store the image or whatever on my desktop pc over the network.

#6 Post by **aamsel** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 1:36 pm

What value does Access Connections really have?
Which of the supplied programs do you (or anyone) consider truly useful, and which should not be bothered with?

I have my own XP Pro CD/license/key and have a SP2 CD, so I don't really need the XP that comes with the pre-load. Also, I have Nero, WinDVD, etc. so I would just like to know a list of the useful apps other than the drivers themselves.

Thanks,
Andrew
Austin, TX

Kenn wrote:...I did a reformat and clean install, and reinstalled the IBM apps I used (access connections, battery maximiser, active protection), and the machine is MUCH more responsive, especially on startup and shutdown, than when I first got it. I haven't even had to run bootvis yet, whereas on the IBM install it was one of the first things I did...If you're comfortable doing a clean install and know which IBM apps to put back on, I highly recommend doing so.

Torque · #7 Post by **Torque** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 1:51 pm

Access connections is great.

I use specifik WLAN setups at home, work and school. Dynamic IP's, DNS and DHCP settings arent the same for all three setups. What access connections does, is that it allows you to create a profile for every single network you log on. So when I boot up my T41p at work, it changes to my 'Danfoss WORK' profile, and sets the right settings for that specific network.

Kenn · #8 Post by **Kenn** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 2:34 pm

Torque wrote:Access connections is great.

I use specifik WLAN setups at home, work and school. Dynamic IP's, DNS and DHCP settings arent the same for all three setups. What access connections does, is that it allows you to create a profile for every single network you log on. So when I boot up my T41p at work, it changes to my 'Danfoss WORK' profile, and sets the right settings for that specific network.

Exactly. Access Connections is great for setting up specific profiles with different TCPIP settings. If you're always DHCP and only have to worry about WEP/WPA keys, you can live without it though.

The short list of programs you should have:

-Thinkpad audio support Features VI
-Battery Maximiser
-Thinkpad Power Manamgenet Driver
-Access Connections
-On Screen Display
-Active Protection

Some others might be nice-to-haves and depend on if you use certain features (web nav keys, etc.)

#9 Post by **aamsel** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 2:49 pm

Thanks.
Any others?

Andrew
Austin, TX

New T42, Clean Install of Windows a Good Idea?

New T42, Clean Install of Windows a Good Idea?

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