T60p finally arrived, some observations

[iatacs19]

Finally received mine.

Thinkpad T60p

T7400 Core 2 Duo
1.5GB RAM (no info from SPD)
120GB HDD (Fujitsu)
14.1in LCD (How do I check screen mfr?)
FireGL V5250
DVD+RW (LG)
a/b/g wireless (Atheros)
Fingerprint reader
Bluetooth
XP Pro Upgrade
6 cell

Ok, so I think CPU is overkill T5600 is a better choice, fingerprint reader is useless the Thinkvantage software used to control it is bloated and slow. It also takes over the whole windows login process. LCD is good enough. XP Pro upgrade was a waste, I only got it because I wanted to be able to restore from the hidden partition, but I decided to wipe it instead because the factory image has too much bloatware even after unchecking all the options in the custom restore section. I basically hate all the thinkvantage bloatware except for the HDD protection and the HotKeys.

Those are my little rants, but overall it is excellent. Feels solid as a rock, fit and finish is precise like my old T40p. Runs reasonably cool for a dual core @ such high speeds. HDD is very quiet after I ran the Hitachi tool and set it to the fastest position under quiet (192). Weight is very decent for size and balanced not heavy on one side more than other. Oh, no dead pixels that I can see so far. I do have so rippling when I open close lid with one hand, not a big deal, always use both hands.

I wiped it clean and reinstalled XP Pro SP2. I got it down from 65 running processes to a mere 33 processes. I found all the drivers from the IBM support site, I didn't install any Lenovo applications except for the HDD protection and HotKeys. It starts up much faster and also feels a lot more responsive and Windows looks like Windows not like Lenovo Thinkvantage takeover city. I use Windows wireless management as it's simple and good enough, I don't need all those connection profiles.

Ok, so hardware-wise it's a 9/10, no real faults. It can stay 9/10 if you wipe it and customize the OS and installed applications. As is from factory I would say 7/10, the bloatware just makes this excellent laptop so slow and adds so many unnecessary processes that eat up RAM and cpu cycles.

[kf_man]

Did you use your own personal copy of Windows XP Pro? There is a thread on this forum that tells you how to convert the preinstalled version into a regular bootable Windows CD that uses the IBM key so it doesn't even need to be activated. I haven't gotten mine yet, but I will certainly go this route if I decide to completely customize my Windows installation.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=3827

[ronan_zj]

One thing I really hate is Lenovo put some stupid Verizon sign up and AOL stuff inside. Shame on Lenovo!!!!!!!!

[iatacs19]

I had my own Dell XP CD from when I bought my Precision workstation so I used that, then I activated my copy over the internet. Is that a dangerous thing?

[kf_man]

I find it a little odd that that actually worked for you, usually they are machine specific installs that check the BIOS before they will boot. If it worked for you, then I wouldn't worry about it, but that's a rare find with all the new activation crap that's required.

EDIT: You can't delete your own posts once someone replies.

[iatacs19]

Can you delete your post? and just PM Ronan?

thanks.

[pianowizard]

I had my own Dell XP CD from when I bought my Precision workstation so I used that, then I activated my copy over the internet. Is that a dangerous thing?

It's not dangerous, but make sure you didn't use the product key for the Dell machine on your Thinkpad, because that's illegal. Use the product key on the bottom of your Thinkpad instead. I too replaced my X60s's factory-installed WinXP with an OEM version, using the COA key that came with the X60s. Of course, I had to call Microsoft to activate it but that took only 5 min 21 sec. I was not going to go this route, but the Rescue and Recovery discs that I burned from the hidden partition somehow didn't work, so I was forced to do it with an OEM disc. It's a good thing to do anyway, because it got rid of the 5GB hidden partition, and without most of the junk software that came with the machine, WinXP runs faster.

[ronan_zj]

I had my own Dell XP CD from when I bought my Precision workstation so I used that, then I activated my copy over the internet. Is that a dangerous thing?

It's not dangerous, but make sure you didn't use the product key for the Dell machine on your Thinkpad, because that's illegal. Use the product key on the bottom of your Thinkpad instead. I too replaced my X60s's factory-installed WinXP with an OEM version, using the COA key that came with the X60s. Of course, I had to call Microsoft to activate it but that took only 5 min 21 sec. I was not going to go this route, but the Rescue and Recovery discs that I burned from the hidden partition somehow didn't work, so I was forced to do it with an OEM disc. It's a good thing to do anyway, because it got rid of the 5GB hidden partition, and without most of the junk software that came with the machine, WinXP runs faster.

Maybe I did illegal way before?
I download IBM OEM XP from my friends website coz he is IBM/Lenovo dealer in china, and I am suprised that CD does not require any product KEY to activate it. or maybe its not illegal, for I am using on my IBM thinkpads

[ronan_zj]

I find it a little odd that that actually worked for you, usually they are machine specific installs that check the BIOS before they will boot. If it worked for you, then I wouldn't worry about it, but that's a rare find with all the new activation crap that's required.

EDIT: You can't delete your own posts once someone replies.

not all OEM xp disc will check the BIOS. HP oem wont check BIOS as well. Lenovo OEM disc will check the BIOS before actual setting up but you can still crack it.

[kf_man]

Ronan, I believe that if you actually get a true Lenovo/IBM OEM Windows disc then the key is just embedded in the disc. The BIOS check on that version causes Windows to validate itself with the standard key.

As far as the Dell OEM CD, I guess I was surprised that any company even gives out OEM CDs anymore and further that the CD did not include a BIOS check. I know my HP OEM Home Edition CD works with other keys (I used it to reinstall and eMachine), but that computer is almost three years old now.

[pianowizard]

Maybe I did illegal way before?
I download IBM OEM XP from my friends website coz he is IBM/Lenovo dealer in china, and I am suprised that CD does not require any product KEY to activate it.

If what you downloaded was for the exact same Thinkpad model that you installed it on, then it's fine. Otherwise, it's illegal.

As far as the Dell OEM CD, I guess I was surprised that any company even gives out OEM CDs anymore and further that the CD did not include a BIOS check.

I think OEM WinXP CDs can be purchased from Dell for $10. Unlike Thinkpads, the hidden partition factory-installed on Dell computers don't allow you to burn recovery discs, which is probably why they sell these discs for much cheaper than Lenovo does ($45). But I too am surprised that the OP's Dell CD didn't do a BIOS check.

[gator]

One thing I really hate is Lenovo put some stupid Verizon sign up and AOL stuff inside. Shame on Lenovo!!!!!!!!

That is the first time I am hearing that complaint. Verizon I can understand (for the WWAN) but AOL on a T60/

[ronan_zj]

One thing I really hate is Lenovo put some stupid Verizon sign up and AOL stuff inside. Shame on Lenovo!!!!!!!!

That is the first time I am hearing that complaint. Verizon I can understand (for the WWAN) but AOL on a T60/

hmm, thank you for figuring out Verizon for WWAN. what about cingular?

[corymcnutt]

One thing I really hate is Lenovo put some stupid Verizon sign up and AOL stuff inside. Shame on Lenovo!!!!!!!!

That must be something new...I just got my T60 11/5/06 and it didn't have any of those types of programs for internet service.

[snessiram]

I got it down from 65 running processes to a mere 33 processes.

Could you go to services.msc and do a "action/export list"? I'd love to see which processes you still run.

(To nicely view the exported file one can copy the content in excel and do "data/text to columns" and split the data on tabs.)

[iatacs19]

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1050 ... sesqc6.jpg

http://www.zshare.net/download/services-txt.html

[Kel Ghu]

Whats the the V5250 clockspeed? You can see it with ATitool, ATi Tray tool and such... Thank you!