Formatting/Fresh Install Questions

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blackwood · #1 Post by **blackwood** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:27 pm

Newbie here. Got my T60 on Monday.

I've been perusing the board, but now I have more questions than I started with!

(1) What are the downsides of removing the IBM partition? I read in one post that it will prevent the use of the ThinkVantage button on boot. How would I get into the BIOS?

(2) Say I format the drive and kill all the partitions. If I restore using the CDs/DVDs burnt using the backup utility, will it re-create the IBM partition?

I guess what I'm getting at is this:

I've never owned a pre-built computer, so all the software on there is a bit daunting. I'd like to set up the partitions differently. If I manage to screw something up royally, will I be able to get back to factory settings using the Backup CDs/DVDs even if I remove the hidden partition?

Thanks a lot.

-Marc B.

#2 Post by **Kyocera** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:35 pm

You get into the bios by pressing F1 at startup, and yes the recovery CD's will recreate the partition also.

blackwood · #3 Post by **blackwood** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:36 pm

Kyocera wrote:You get into the bios by pressing F1 at startup, and yes the recovery CD's will recreate the partition also.

Ah. I was hitting delete, F2 and F7.

Awesome.

Thanks!

One more: I can install some-or-all of the ThinkVantage software after a fresh OS install, right? Or does it need to access that partition?

#4 Post by **Kyocera** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:46 pm

After you install windows go to the lenovo web site and download the system updater (not sure if the software installer is still up and running) and download what software you want to run.

Before you do this be sure to read back through this forum for post's on reformatting with the SATA drive. When I did it I just changed the bios to "compatibility mode". If you just want to reclaim the space on the drive there are other altenatives.

blackwood · #5 Post by **blackwood** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:50 pm

Kyocera wrote:After you install windows go to the lenovo web site and download the system updater (not sure if the software installer is still up and running) and download what software you want to run.

Great.

Is that here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... VSU-UPDATE

Will that pull from the directories I backed up or from the burnt DVDs? Or will it download everything?

Kyocera wrote: Before you do this be sure to read back through this forum for post's on reformatting with the SATA drive. When I did it I just changed the bios to "compatibility mode". If you just want to reclaim the space on the drive there are other altenatives.

Yah, I've read it and I have the matrix drivers on hand already.

rnsolo · #6 Post by **rnsolo** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:23 am

blackwood wrote: (2) Say I format the drive and kill all the partitions. If I restore using the CDs/DVDs burnt using the backup utility, will it re-create the IBM partition?

yes, you can recreate the IBM partition (factory state) after doing a full format of the hardisk (including deletion of all partitions) using the R&R discs you have created.

UberSteve · #7 Post by **UberSteve** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:51 am

Kyocera wrote:After you install windows go to the lenovo web site and download the system updater (not sure if the software installer is still up and running) and download what software you want to run.

I have just finished going through the whole process of completely wiping my drive, partitioning for Gentoo Linux, and re-installing a fresh copy of XP (XP MCE actually). Unfortunately, System Update nor Software Installer doesn't give you the option of installing everything that is necessary. (ie, UAA Update, most drivers, and some apps)

Therefore, you still need to sort through the "software matrix" (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-62928) and install all the necessary drivers/apps, which is not a fun task

On the up side, the end result is a nice clean fast machine that you know exactly what is installed.

On a side note, what's everyones opinion when it comes to installing customised Lenovo drivers vs. later drivers from the manufacturer? For example, the Intel Chipset drivers, or ATI drivers, etc

Cheers,
Steve

christopher_wolf · #8 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:19 am

UberSteve wrote: On a side note, what's everyones opinion when it comes to installing customised Lenovo drivers vs. later drivers from the manufacturer? For example, the Intel Chipset drivers, or ATI drivers, etc

Cheers,
Steve

Use the IBM/Lenovo drivers unless you are having a performance or a specialized app compat issue. In 99.5% of cases, they get the job done quickly without any problems.

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