Could I have some advice on installing a clean XP?

[phil81uk]

Hello,

I'm really thrown off by all the software and applications on my new T60. I would like to install a fresh XP without all the add-ons.

My worry is the security finger print scanner. I dont want to install the Security software with the new install. At present it requests a finger print when I power on. But when I have the fresh install then how do I manage this feature without installing the security software? For example, how would I change the print it uses to let me in?

Basically I dont understand how this security stuff works. Is it installed as part of the bios, or part of the OS? It seems to require both, so how will it perform after the install?

And also the security device on the hard drive (the one which stops it going into other computers, to prevent data being stolen). Is this going to function after my clean install?

After the clean install I only plan to install the necessary drivers, anti-virus, and Office.

And finally, IBM say that they will only supply a recovery CD which would reinstall all the software. They wont supply a clean XP CD. Therefore will the serial number work if I use the XP CD from my old laptop? Or, alternatively, is there a way of installing a clean XP from the recovery CD?

And is it ok to remove the recovery partition when I reinstall?

Thank you.

[DAH]

Perhaps you would find it useful to read this thread? http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... om+install Or to use the search feature at the top of the page? This question is asked often, most if not all answers are on the board, all you really need to do is search.

[phil81uk]

That's a good thread.

It still doesn't answer some of the specific questions, such as how the finger-print scan will work if the OS was installed without the security software.

Also, I have created a second partition on my hard drive for storiung documents. Will that get destroyed if I carry out the recovery?

[fred10]

Also, I have created a second partition on my hard drive for storiung documents. Will that get destroyed if I carry out the recovery?

If you do a recovery using the CD/DVD recovery set, the machine will be restored to its factory original state, i.e. one main partition, one hidden recovery partition, all factory installed software etc. Of course it doesn't reverse any BIOS upgrades you may have done.

I did a clean install of XP on my T60p when I got it a few months back. I installed all of the IBM/Lenovo software but not any of the junk that came with the machine, so can't advise on what you can leave out.

It's my understanding that some of the security features on the laptop - as you mention in your post - are driven by hardware and software that relies on both BIOS and installed drivers / windows apps. Is there any reason why you don't want to install the security software?

You could of course try it out and see whether your intended setup works. If it doesn't, you can use the product recovery CD to wipe it all and start again.

I run 3 partitions on my disk (2 for data). I used Ghost to backup the C: drive once I'd completed my basic Windows installation, and at various points thereafter. The image files are stored on one of the data partitions. This way I can trial software and mess about with settings knowing that I can restore the C: partition quickly if anything goes wrong.

[kimx]

You can esaly install the fingerprint software after a reinstall, without installing the secrurity software.

[Kyocera]

Like mentioned above you can "choose" what software you want to install after a clean XP install, done it many times. But it has been mentioned that the t60 runs best with the factory image, but it is entirely your machine to run however you want.

[phil81uk]

One of the other posts says that when doing a factory reset you can specify that it omitts unnecessary software. I think that is the route I will take.

[Kyocera]

Which post says that? If you do a factory install it is just that, like it came from the *factory*, you can however, uninstall anything you want to after that.

[phil81uk]

This is the post:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... om+install

[Kyocera]

Wow, awesome. I have only recovered my T60 using the CD's and I have not seen that option there. I totally stand corrected.

That is a great option though.

[redking]

But it has been mentioned that the t60 runs best with the factory image, but it is entirely your machine to run however you want.

Any reason why a T60 runs best with the factory image? Does IBM/Lenovo customize or do anything extra to Windows besides the standard install + ThinkVantage software? Just wondering...this is my first Thinkpad.

[leo2002]

I would use virtualization software(vmware, virtual pc) to try software.

........
I run 3 partitions on my disk (2 for data). I used Ghost to backup the C: drive once I'd completed my basic Windows installation, and at various points thereafter. The image files are stored on one of the data partitions. This way I can trial software and mess about with settings knowing that I can restore the C: partition quickly if anything goes wrong.

[Scratch]

Is there something wrong with the current factory install other than application bloat?

Uninstall the options that you don't want, defragment and go. What is there to gain other than disk space once you've removed the offending software?

[redking]

Is there something wrong with the current factory install other than application bloat?

Uninstall the options that you don't want, defragment and go. What is there to gain other than disk space once you've removed the offending software?

Personally, I feel that uninstalling doesn't full remove ALL of a program's files including anything in the Windows system(s) folders and registry. This probably doesn't make a difference to the average user, but to computer geeks like myself, I want my system pristine until I add programs myself... It's kind of hard to explain.

[tomh009]

Personally, I feel that uninstalling doesn't full remove ALL of a program's files including anything in the Windows system(s) folders and registry. This probably doesn't make a difference to the average user, but to computer geeks like myself, I want my system pristine until I add programs myself... It's kind of hard to explain.

A properly done uninstall will, in fact, remove everything (our app didn't pass Windows certification until it did so) but unfortunately there are a lot of sloppily done installers out there ...