Thinkpads Forum

Reading internet forums has now given me a sense of paranoia about the nightmares and hours of work dealing with hassles.

So...

I have a T61 arriving tomorrow. It has the T9300, integrated video, 2gig RAM, XP pro, the "better" wireless card, 160 gig HD, 14" widescreen. I did *not* get the DVD burner. Hopefully that was not a mistake.

I am aware that the screen gets complaints, but I can not tolerate the glossy screens at all.

1. There are conflicting reports about crapware. Some say it has a lot... and some say Lenovo is great about not loading it up with crap. Is there a lot?... and what is the safest way to remove it?

2. Like my old computers, I have an ancient LynkSys 802.11b wireless router. Will the t61 find it, or is the router to old? (new one's aren't terribly expensive... do you recommend I get a new one?)

3. Can anyone agree on the anti-virus freeware? Is AVG still highly recommended?

4. Any other tips on what I should do first thing when getting this computer?

Thanks,
Kelton

P.S. I was all set to get a Mac but tethering it to my blackberry was going to be a hassle and the latest Office is buggy. *and* I purchased this T61 with the same processor found in the MacBook Pro for $1000 with tax!!! (to me, a great deal) I know the MacBookPro has other features absent on this computer, but not bad for half the price...and I have full compatibility with the rest of the world.

1. I don't think there is a lot of crap, but that's a subjective topic. Some people will use the utilities Lenovo provides, some won't. But I don't think it's bloated to the point it gets in your face like the annoying software on some HP and Dell laptops.

2. As long as you have b support on your wireless card, yes it will find that router. The better wireless card? I wouldn't go that far.. Each of them are best at one thing or another. Either it has bleeding edge tech in it or it's more Linux friendly.

3. I doubt *anyone* can agree on one greatest anti-virus scanner. Just try a few and use what you are comfortable with that meets your basic needs. AVG and Avast are both good. I personally use Avast. It's doing pretty good in the rankings that I've seen and as long as you're vigilant and not involved in extraordinarily risky business, it should cover you well. So I ask, are you going to be doing some computer security work? If so maybe you should be investing in something more than... free.. like Kaspersky or NOD32.

4. Show it some love!

P.S. Hey, hey now, features absent on this computer compared to the MacBook Pro? I wouldn't go that far. If anything since you have full computability to the rest of the world, it's the other way around and the MacBook has features absent to this computer. ;P

I'm just teasing though. Kinda. heheheh.

Thanks. Well, I got the card that supports "N"... I think it was the only one.

I'll look into Avast.
I know that I get McAffee for free, but on my current (old) computers, it totally bogs my system down when it does it's endless scans. Do faster computers "scan" faster?...if so, maybe McAfee will work.

Kelton
P.S. I'm about to start another thread. I think I would have ordered Vista Business because it automatically comes with XP downgrade! Two operating systems for the price of one sounds good. I want to know if I can call Lenovo and tell them that I changed my mind and want Vista Business or Ultimate... if they would just send me the disks.

You have a very similar thinkpad to the one my wife is now using. Hers came with Vista business installed and a set of disks to roll back to Win xp pro. Our initial experience with Vista wasn't especially good, and we got a lot of BSOD's from some sort of incompatibility between her embroidery software and Vista. Ended up rolling back to XP pro.

Crapware? Well, we tried and discarded the Diskeeper lite software and didn't even try the Norton 90 day trial. We're using AVG, same as on our other two machines. Thinkpads come with a LOT of security-oriented software, aimed at travelling businessmen and VIPS. I took quite a bit of that off or disabled it. Her thinkpad never leaves home, and is pretty much just used for Email and the embroidery software.

Make sure you create your set of recovery disks and put them away, there's lots of info here on how to do that properly.

The *very* first thing I would do (and I do do) is phone IBM / Lenovo and order (and pay for) real recovery CD's. Then image the new computer directly with the new CD's (when they come) to ensure they work. Complain if they don't, get new ones and repeat until you can successfully image. Then carry on. ... JDH

Thanks... so, what does "image" a CD mean?

Darn, you folks have a novice on your hands!

I'll look for the links on making a recovery/backup CD.. hopefully, it's pretty user friendly.

The recovery CD's are a set of 7 or 8 CD's that contain all the data you need to return your computer to the same configuration as when you pull it from the box and turn it no for the first time.

I'm guessing JD is telling you this because the CD's often contain the most updated drivers and software configurations.

You can create the CD's with your machine also, which is good practice. But since it is still under warranty they might send you the full set for free.

Kyocera wrote:The recovery CD's are a set of 7 or 8 CD's that contain all the data you need to return your computer to the same configuration as when you pull it from the box and turn it no for the first time.

I'm guessing JD is telling you this because the CD's often contain the most updated drivers and software configurations.

You can create the CD's with your machine also, which is good practice. But since it is still under warranty they might send you the full set for free.

My new T61 just arrived and it came with 8 CDs: 6 CDs were labeled "Product Recovery CD for Thinkpad T61...", 1 CD was labeled "Rescue and Recovery CD", and the last one was labeled "Supplemental Product REcovery CD Type...(various computer models, 7662, etc.).

Are these not the Recovery CD set you are talking about?
Thank you.

I think JD is also stressing to try the recovery discs to make sure they work properly while you are in a good position to complain if they do not work. Having recovery discs that are defective is like not having any at all....or worse, false sense of security.
If you are unable to create a set or the created set does not work you will have a much easier time getting a set for free from Lenovo.

Are these not the Recovery CD set you are talking about?

That's them.

Guys, I have these disks right in my hand - assuming he has the same set as I do, they are what is required to downgrade to Win XP, service pack 2. They come with a set of generic instructions on paper for "using the Recovery CD set". You need to closely examine disk 1 of 6. on the left side of the label, mine says "July 2007 P/N 43T8187 XP-P SP2 EN FRU P/N 43T8160"

These are for downgrading to XP Pro, not re-installing Vista. If Bfskinnerpunk wants to make recovery CD's for his version of Vista, he needs to go into repair & recovery and create a set of recovery disks. Lenovo sure doesn't make it clear in their printed instruction sheet what you'll end up with if you just shovel the disks in and follow their setup procedure. YMMV if you special ordered, but our T61 came with
Vista Business and they plainly stated that they were including a set of disks to downgrade to XP Pro if the customer desired.

fredstev wrote:Guys, I have these disks right in my hand - assuming he has the same set as I do, they are what is required to downgrade to Win XP, service pack 2. They come with a set of generic instructions on paper for "using the Recovery CD set". You need to closely examine disk 1 of 6. on the left side of the label, mine says "July 2007 P/N 43T8187 XP-P SP2 EN FRU P/N 43T8160"

These are for downgrading to XP Pro, not re-installing Vista.

Thank you for the heads up!!

As I mentioned, I just received the computer and have not had a chance to go through everything in detail yet. I had not opened the CDs and so did not see the details written on the side mentioning that it was XP (it is outside of the package window). Thank you very much for mentioning this (I knew it was too easy...having the recovery disks without having to ask for them...although it IS nice that Lenovo included the XP "step-down" disks without having to ask for them (as I know others have had to do)).

You are right, Lenovo does NOT make it clear in their printed recovery sheet at all that these were XP disks...in fact, I don't see it mentioned anywhere.

Thank you also for pointing us in the right direction as to how to create our own recovery disks! This Vista enviroment is a little disorientating for those of accustomed to the pre-Vista world.

Well, since I ordered it with XP pro and not Vista, I am wondering if I can call Lenovo and get them to send me Vista Business for a minor fee.

If I would have known about the included XP, I would have ordered Vista in the first place!

Why would anyone order XP pro if they could get both Vista and XP?

I think I prefer XP for now, but it would be nice to have Vista on the sidelines. If Vista ever gets undeniably "better" than XP, it is probably going to be cheaper to upgrade to the better version of Vista from a former version of Vista rather than from an old XP.

Bfskinnerpunk wrote: Why would anyone order XP pro if they could get both Vista and XP?....

Not by much, but its cheaper to just get XP.

RE: your dvd burner, I didnt order one either, the only time I missed it was for burning those recovery CDs. Otherwise, external/NA storage seems sufficient for me.

for AV the strongly suggests ESET NOD32..

Bfskinnerpunk wrote:Well, since I ordered it with XP pro and not Vista, I am wondering if I can call Lenovo and get them to send me Vista Business for a minor fee.

You'd probably have a pretty good chance. I was lucky, the supplier I bought our T61 from made a big issue out of the fact that it came with Vista business installed AND a set of XP pro disks for "compatibility" purposes. That sold me, because I've had some jaw-clenching experiences setting up Vista for friends/customers.

The embroidery software that my wife is using (Bernina, by the way) claims it'll work with Vista, then proceeds to list about 4 patches to their software to eliminate problems. Also, the software uses a security dongle (Aladdin Hasp) and that should cause a nervous twitch for a few of you. It did for me.

I'm wondering if the disks that your repair and recovery partition generate would create XP pro or Vista Business? You should also know that you only have ONE license for the operating system. In otherwords, you can't give away the version you're not using to Uncle Charlie. Both versions are tied to your T61 (I believe).

Bfskinnerpunk wrote:Snipped by Moderator

throw a party

BillMorrow wrote:for AV the strongly suggests ESET NOD32..

I always used norton2003.. it was lite and worked well although the computer was like dead when scanning.. but i always liked it compared to others.. I am thinking of trying nod32 now though. Had my eye on it but wasn't sure if to make the plunge..



I just got my T61 yesterday and I ordered my recover CDs because the image they use was ancient =/ ... I started a factory restore from the hidden partition, and I love how you can now select components NOT to install (Still on T41, installed it all =( ) .. Mine came with 2gb ram free upgrade.. I ordered 4gb Crucial Ram today to replace the 2gb. I was going to stick with 2gb.. but I don't know it feels sluggish to me..

Is notebook hardware control still good to put on for my new t61?

BillMorrow wrote:for AV the strongly suggests ESET NOD32..

Best AV software out there




Another, albeit not as strong, recommendation for NOD32 here.

tylerwylie wrote:

BillMorrow wrote:for AV the strongly suggests ESET NOD32..

Best AV software out there




Another, albeit not as strong, recommendation for NOD32 here.

Lol fedora =)

to add , got nod32.. LOVE IT!

NOD32... OK... I look further into it.

I saw something that read "Not as user friendly as the others" regarding NOD32.

I'm not sure what that means. Does it mean that you must understand code?... or just that it doesn't have dancing clowns and huge buttons?

The T61 arrives today. Here's hoping that the darn thing "Just works"!

So right off the bat, I suppose I am going to create some backup disks if the computer doesn't come with 'em.

Kelton

Bfskinnerpunk wrote:snip....I saw something that read "Not as user friendly as the others" regarding....snip

The review you read was probably about version 2.7 which had kind of solemn look, the latest version 3.x is quite user friendly.

Bfskinnerpunk wrote:
The T61 arrives today. Here's hoping that the darn thing "Just works"!

So right off the bat, I suppose I am going to create some backup disks if the computer doesn't come with 'em.

Kelton

No, it does not seem to come with back-up disks for Vista...as fredstev noted above, it only comes with XP "Recovery" CDs instead.

I called service to see about getting Vista Ultimate recovery CDs sent to me... the service guy's words were: "you'd have to be crazy to have the disks sent...I'd have to charge you more than $50 and you can make them yourself...but only one time so don't mess it up...then put them in your safe."

I kind of laughed bkz the guy seemed a little extreme in his demeaner. Regardless, I knew I could make them myself, but just thought it would be nice to have a set directly from Lenovo as a back-up...just in case mine (or theirs) did not work. I was surprised they would cost that much... (and he also said they would NOT include 64 bit versions...the only way to get these would be to buy the whole 64 bit OS...this seems to be contrary to what I have heard from other's experiences (I have Vista Ultimate 32 bit).

That is why you should make a set of recovery discs and try them out. If they do not work then Lenovo will send you a set for free as long as you are in warranty (and the policy doesn't change). You might as well know now instead of in the middle of a disaster.

Suggest you search the forum for more information because you can definitely get a free set if you go about it the right way.

I think you are right.

I actually called the IBM (not Lenovo) number in Atlanta.

I was passed around a bit, but each time, the person on the phone would say, "oh sure... I'm sure we do that, but you need to go to software updates."

Then they'd pass me to a person that had no connection to software and then that person sent me to one of those dudes in India who seems to be reading a script.

But based on the rather confident assurances from the Atlanta folks, it sure seems possible. I'll have to go through those calls again, but I wish i just had the right number and extension!

I would like to have those Vista Business discs "just in case", but XP pro is good stuff, too.

I'll report back if I have any success. In the mean time, if anyone has the "in" on who I should call, I'd be happy to know!

Umm... wasn't the OP looking for freeware anti-virus? NOD32 definitely isn't freeware.

Unless it's explicitly laid out, NOD32 is okay when it comes to user-friendliness. I would say its user-friendliness is on par with most of the other anti-virus programs--just a slight learning curve with how it lays out its controls.

Yes, my anti-virus question had to do with free anti-virus options. I do like knowing about other options, though.

Kaberski (sp?) and NOD32 look pretty good... the cost money, but reviews indicate that it would be uncommon to get a virus with these running.

My T61 won't be here 'till Monday (24th)... two day shipping FROM CHINA! wasn't a part of my calculation.

Great, I had Friday off so I could be at the door to accept the thing.. now, back at work, I will likely miss it.

i prefer AVG. outstanding product.

I do understand there are some other very good free or low cost products. but I must have AVG installed 40-50 client computers which are subject to the worst terror known to PC's...kids, and all run without issue and handle 'user installed' malware others quite well. Never had to reinstall an OS in years on any of these pc's.

Uninstall, delete, discard and never install Norton products IMO