Difference betwee 'Software Installer' and 'System Update'

[Vimal]

I just got my new 2007-82U. I must say, I am impressed.

I see the two software packages installed, 'Software Installer' and 'System Update'. Is there a difference between the two? I believe they are doing the same thing....any ideas welcome.

On the whole a good machine. Good keyboard, same IBM quality, Good Screen, fast, easy install, .......I could go on.

On the negative; I must confess the audio buttons seem a bit flimsy, and the battery rattles....

[kskim91]

Not sure what the accurate answer is, but having just freshly installed winxp, I started off by using system update which did not install all the drivers. Used system install to get the latest drivers.

[Scratch]

Per my experiences outlined in the Suspend/Hibernate thread I'd stick with Software Installer. You can change the setting on System Updater to advise you of the availablility of updates only and then use Software Installer to do the d'loads & installs. It seems to have corrected my recent system problems, so I'd recommend this path to anyone who asks.

They supposedly perform the same task with System Updater being the more automated approach. I've had issues with it being able to connect to its servers and its inability to complete the installs that it initiates.

[stephenaron]

I called IBM and asked this very question. The tech told me to use SYSTEM UPDATER, as they are phasing out Software Installer. I personally like software installer, though only SYSTEM UPDATER offered a different version of Video Drivers for my T60p.

[Vimal]

I am also disappointed. I also liked the Software installer. I liked the info available through Software installer and the ease of use.

Hmmmmm! I wonder why IBM/Lenovo would do that.....Kill a super app!

[donking!]

It's a little bit curious someone claimed Software Installer is being phased out. I just ran Software Installer and the first thing it did was update itself to version 3.51.0605, which it said was released April 8, 2006. Something updated so recently doesn't exactly sound like something that's being phased out.

It's also odd that IBM/Lenovo can't just make up their mind which installer they want to use. It's strange to ship a machine with two apps that do the same thing and it certainly makes sense that people are confused by this.

[Vimal]

I also just noticed another odd thing; Using System Update, I get an older version of the ATI Video driver and the system asks me to install it. When I do the same thing with Software Installer, it shows that the latest version is already installled and I need not do anything.

In other words, System Update is not acknowledging the presence of the latest version of ATI video driver, and is suggesting downloading and installing an older version.

I wonder what is going on....

[donking!]

I wonder if that's what happened with stephenaron? Perhaps he accidentally let System Update replace the new ATI drivers with the older one? Stephenaron?

It does sound like Software Installer works better.

[stephenaron]

I agree that Software Installer works better. I also noted the Video driver scenario. I DID NOT "update" those drivers, b/c i noticed that they were older ones.

[Scratch]

Whenever I attempt to use System Updater it only gets through to the second step to 20% and then errors out with an "unable to connect to package server" error. Perhaps it needs to be reinstalled, but even when it was working I had problems with it completing installations so I reverted to Software Installer which has never failed me yet. Strange that they'd eliminate the more robust of the 2 apps.

[stephenaron]

Only passing on what the tech told me. Hope he wasnt right about discontinuing software installer.

[Nick Y]

I have found that the two, installer and updater, seem to recognise and install different things. Hence I tend to run both, but not necessarily installing all that either suggest.