Regarding T43 Updates and backup

[LewB]

I have one of the first T43 units, 2687 , D8U, running Windows XP, SP3, 32 bit. I have done essentially no updates until yesterday when my video card seemed to failing as the monitor would show an orange discoloration on boot up and sometimes go black and require reboot or closing the top. So I went to Lenovo web site and found a patch for the ATI Radion X300 adapter and spent a number of hours installing it and the required .Net Firmware update to use it. I am still having a orange hue on occasions in the left lower corner that will clear after several minutes but the display generally seems much more stable for the moment.
So I am questioning the need for other updates especially the recovery and restore folder. It is only recently that I realized this computer comes with a backup program that seems to be an image backup (like Acronis??). I simply had never picked up on this in the Access IBM folder.....my mistake. So several days ago therefore I backed up my entire computer to an external HD (took many hours). Then after exploring all the other updates available I came across one for the R&R program that addresses a patch for XP SP3 that I did not have on this computer when I did the aforementioned full backup a few days ago. I had installed SP3 a few months ago because support for SP2 is, or will be, discontinued momentarily. Reading through the details of what this update resolves is confusing and there are several earlier updates addressing the same problem but not specifically mentioning SP3. This newest update refers to resolving issues with split WIM, etc and I am not certain this is something I need to have or concern myself with. On the other hand if there is a computer disaster and I need to use this backup to restore the computer (made with the present R&R version 2.0) will I be successful?
And the same questions apply to considering updating power management. So thanks for helping me resolve this issues.

LJB

[tim S]

If your question based on the display going pink then black, it sounds like the backlight is on the way out.
It's a difficult item to replace so it might be time for a new (used) screen or even easier, a complete
replacement lid. Unfortunately no amount of updating will fix it.

Tim S

[LewB]

Tim,
Thanks for your input. I am hoping this is not a backlight problem. Since the ATI update the computer is behaving itself. I have set the power management to have the monitor go after the computer is idle for 10 minutes. Then moving the mouse the screen comes back up promptly with a slight discoloration but becomes normal within 10 seconds. The problem with the screen going completely black has, thus far, not returned.
So I am presently more concerned about the other issue I raised regarding the rescue and recovery updates and the backup I have already made without these updates on the machine. The newest R&R updates address the SP3 on Windows that I had installed a few months ago. Perhaps others reading this thread can shed some further light. Anyway have a happy 4th.
LJB

[USSS]

I have a T43 that is almost identical to yours (2687-D3U) and is running Windows XP SP3. I would recommend upgrading to the latest version of R&R (currently 4.21.0016.00) to avert future issues with SP3. While you're at it, review the other available updates (particularly Client Security Solution) for your model at: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 58597.html

FWIW, I recently went through a great deal of trouble re-installing and configuring ThinkVantage System Update 3 (v3.14.0024). Part of the problem was a broken/corrupt WMI installation and, as I discovered later, issues with my .NET Framework installations (v1.1 through v4 Full & Client). Be doubly-sure those two products are installed and functioning properly before making numerous updates to your system.

There are several invaluable diagnostic tools available for troubleshooting and repairing WMI and .NET Framework. I also just installed Notebook Hardware Control (NHC) to help extend the life of my T43, which was purchased in 2005. I heartily recommend it.

[rkawakami]

I am hoping this is not a backlight problem. Since the ATI update the computer is behaving itself. I have set the power management to have the monitor go after the computer is idle for 10 minutes. Then moving the mouse the screen comes back up promptly with a slight discoloration but becomes normal within 10 seconds.

This is a classic description for a backlight that has seen better days. The tint is usually a pink or reddish hue but I guess could also be seen as sort of an orange shade. If you reduce the brightness of the screen to the lowest setting by using the Fn+End key combination, the tint should also appear.

[LewB]

I think you are probably correct. According to Tim I may need a new lid but I suspect that is hard to come by and the installation must be done by a qualified technician? I'm hoping this computer, which is my wife's, and has some of her business data on it will hold out for a little longer. She has been considering another machine, perhaps a Mac with the windows capability since her business programs are not supported by Apple.

[ajkula66]

Using the HMM and a single screwdriver, you can likely swap the LCD assembly yourself in less than two hours even if you've never done it before. It's really not that difficult.

[LewB]

Thanks USSS for your help. I did go ahead with a full thinkvantage system update to ver 3.14.0024 that was easily done because I already had installed .Net Framework 2.0 as a requirement to adequately run the updated video adapter that was updated yesterday.
I think I am in a bind however regarding updating the R&R to match the XP SP3 that is on this machine. The IBM R&R we have is version 2.02.0178 that came with the unit. After extensive review of the Lenovo website the next level above this apparently is 3.01.0042 and there is no mention at all about upgrading to this from the 2.02 version. Without mentioning 2.02 there are several requirements one must have to install 3.01 including Client Security Solution, Fingerprint Software and Norton Antivirus 2004. (There is neither CSS or Fingerprint Software or Norton on this machine and I don't need them). Further there are 18 considerations listed regarding what this update will do with the R&R updated program. See this link
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 42us00.txt

So I am unclear where to go from here to bring the R&R up to where it will be "compatible" with the XP SP3 that was installed a few months ago. As mentioned in a previous post I have made a backup with the present system (R&R 2.02) but how valid that is or whether it would function in case of a computer disaster is what concerns me. Hopefully you or others reading this thread can guide me further. Thanks.
LJB

[USSS]

Yeah, I was going to hold off on the "bad news" pertaining to the interdependencies that exist between later versions of Rescue & Recovery and Client Security Solution. I didn't mention that initially because I didn't know if you used CSS and Fingerprint Software. I posted extensively on this topic in this forum a few years ago.

Anyway, at this point, I would consider deploying a different backup solution since it makes little sense to upgrade and reconcile R&R and CSS simply for the sake of compatibility with SP3. Take a look at Roxio Retrospect ( http://www.retrospect.com/), which offers tremendous flexibility. There are plenty of other backup solutions out there, of course. But I would certainly not rely on your current R&R backup set to bail you out of a jam.

[LewB]

USSS
OK that puts everything in proper perspective. I have used Retrospect Express that came with an external HD I purchased from Iomega. It's a bit daunting but manageable. My main desire was to have a image type of backup which the Retrospect I have does not.....So I had been looking at Acronis, etc only to stumble across the R&R offered on the thinkpad that I completely overlooked until recently. Thanks for your help.

[LewB]

Akjula66
What is the "HMM" ??

LJB

[ajkula66]

Hardware Maintenance Manual:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-58791

[LewB]

One more question for either/anyone of you. I have a series of CD's that I received from IBM in April 2005 shortly after I purchased the computer. That was about the time IBM sold their computer branches to Lenovo. They did not want to sent me the discs but others on this web site argued for obtaining them. Anyway there are six R&R discs and one boot CD. The are all have XP-P SP2 written on the face. I believe these are used to restore the original factory settings?? Now that I have SP3 on the computer are these discs now valid?? And would the backup I made with the present software (SP3) restore the entire computer in case of a computer disaster which was my original question anyway??
LJB

[rkawakami]

Yes, what you appear to have is the restore disk set with Windows XP Pro w/SP2. They are still "valid", but of course if you use them, they will revert your system back to Service Pack 2 and you'll lose all of your personal files. The backup you have just made with Retrospect Express should restore your entire system to the point in time when it was created, but I would strongly recommend that you test it out to make sure that it does work (before you really need it ). The best way to do this would be to get a second laptop hard drive and then perform the restore operation onto that drive; I'm assuming that your external Iomega drive is either not a laptop drive or is bootable with the type of image/backup you took. Assuming that a "computer disaster" takes out your existing hard drive, you're going to need another hard drive anyway. Things are somewhat more complicated since your T43 requires a Thinkpad "approved" drive in order to avoid the "Error 2010" boot warning message.

ref: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11059
ref: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_w ... hard_disks

[LewB]

Well I did have a backup on Retrospect. That however is a data backup and does not restore the applications, registry settings (as I understand it), etc. It would be no different, I believe, than using the backup program that comes with XP?? That is why I deleted it from the Iomega external HD and did a new backup with the IBM backup that I "discovered" on the Access IBM page having overlooked it completely until then. It is my understanding that the IBM backup is an image backup and all the settings will be replaced, the entire computer would be restored. I would not need to try to find old installation discs, etc. So I did a backup with that program,,,it took hours to complete but finally did finish. There must be a lot of compression because the size on the Iomega is about half of the size that was on the HD after the Retrospect backup. So that is where I am concerned....that this IBM backup because of everything I have mentioned (especially SP3) will fail if I ever need to use it for a computer disaster.

LJB

[rkawakami]

Okay, now I understand what's happened. My previous suggestion still stands: get a second laptop hard drive, erase it and attempt a restore from your backup. That will answer your question about being able to recover from a hardware failure. I'm not familiar with any of the IBM backup utilities since I've never used them. My own backup procedure is to use a separate program (Ghost 2003) and copy the entire hard drive onto a spare drive, generally called a clone operation. Or onto re-writable DVDs - an image operation. The main difference is that a cloned hard drive is immediately bootable while an image has to be restored (written) onto a hard drive to become bootable.

[LewB]

Hi ajkula66,

Well the T43 monitor is out now. Went black and does not restore even with closing the lid, etc. (or only briefly before going black again) So you folks were "right on" regarding the diagnosis before the final event. Fortunately I have an older CRT monitor that I am able to use as an external monitor so the computer is still functional but it would be nice to replace the LCD. You responded to a similar concern with "salad" last year (see link) who apparently repaired his by himself after obtaining the LCD assembly and following the HMM instructions. I downloaded the HMM and there is a stepwise menu to do the repair....but the recommendation is to use new nylon screws. Is that critical? LCD assemblies are available on several internet sites, including ebay. Can you get by with reusing the screws that are on the computer and came from the factory?? I don't know if there is a chance the threads could become damaged during the removal and repair? I wanted to ask "salad" if he used the old screws but I doubt if he is reachable through this forum now? But you remain very active solving problems on this forum and I am hoping you have some further suggestions for me. Thanks.



http://forum.thinkpads.com/posting.php? ... =2&t=88687

[tim S]

Having done many a 'lid and screen' replacement, the old screws hold up fine even after repeated unscrewing etc.
The lid replacement on the T series is especially easy by the way.
First take out the main battery.
Then remove the keyboard, the complete palmrest (sides and back if it's two pieces) and metal plate inside along the left. Unhook the wires from the wireless card and bluetooth (if you have it). Remove the LCD ribbon cable hold down screws and pull the cable off the board. From the back remove the 4 screws that hold the lid onto the laptop and you're done. Installation is the reverse.
Keep track of the locations of all the screws as many are size specific, as well as the routing of the wireless wires.

Good luck

Tim S