Thinkpads Forum

Hello,

my T61 comes with Windows XP SP2 Pro, I would like to test/evaluate Windows Vista (got License at work). I won't install it on the primary harddrive at the T61 - I might get an SelectBay Harddrive Case with an 2,5" SATA HD. But can I install Vista (with external DVD drive) on that Harddisc or would It cause any trouble? (Drive Letters etc pp... old Windows crap!).

Or is their any other option to test a second operating system (I will NOT!!! use any partitions on the primary harddisc or bootmanager) with a second hd?

cheers

Chris

You can always install a dual-boot configuration with XP/ Vista. But even when you install Vista on a 2nd drive the new Vista Bootmanager will get installed on the primary partition on the Bootdisc.

But you can restore your original Bootsector with:
1. A Windows XP CD and running Recovery Console using fixmbr
2. A Lenovo Bootsector Repair Disc to restore the original Lenovo Boot Sector http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-54483

and if I unplug the original Harddrive and replace it with an other one their is no chance to screw up my system.

any one knows the spare part numbers of the frame?



MOD EDIT: Picture warning added.

derchris wrote:snipped

Check the ad in the banner, "Hard Drive Caddys"


I just bought a 2nd caddy from them, and the hitachi 200gb 7200rpm hard drive.

derchris wrote:and if I unplug the original Harddrive and replace it with an other one their is no chance to screw up my system.

any one knows the spare part numbers of the frame?

[]

That's my method. I just use a completely separate hard drive plugged into the main drive slot and install the new operating system. Since I also have a 2nd hard non-bootable drive that I can plug into my Ultra Bay slot I can copy over my backed up document files to the new drive very easily.

Vista contains RoboCopy (for the first time ever! no longer hoarded by elitist IT techies!) so the copy job over to your Documents folder in Vista will be a snap. Also IE Favorites can easily be copied or imported into IE on Vista.

Not sure what you mean by the "frame". Are you talking about the caddy with the tape thing shown in your picture? You can just remove the screws from that one and use it on the new drive. Make sure you insert it gently and not force the rubber bumpers in. The whole thing will go in fine if you are gentle and wriggle it just a little as it goes in.

mgo wrote: Not sure what you mean by the "frame". Are you talking about the caddy with the tape thing shown in your picture? You can just remove the screws from that one and use it on the new drive. Make sure you insert it gently and not force the rubber bumpers in. The whole thing will go in fine if you are gentle and wriggle it just a little as it goes in.

Sure ... but If I swap once or twice a day it is a lot of extra work to switch that caddy from drive1 to drive2 and backwards again ...

derchris wrote:

mgo wrote: Not sure what you mean by the "frame". Are you talking about the caddy with the tape thing shown in your picture? You can just remove the screws from that one and use it on the new drive. Make sure you insert it gently and not force the rubber bumpers in. The whole thing will go in fine if you are gentle and wriggle it just a little as it goes in.

Sure ... but If I swap once or twice a day it is a lot of extra work to switch that caddy from drive1 to drive2 and backwards again ...

Check my post above.

Sorry, I missed that post.

shipping to germany would take some time ...

Lenovo Part No. is 41V9756 for the Rubbertrails? But I didn't find the original Part No for the Caddy?

derchris wrote:Sorry, I missed that post.

shipping to germany would take some time ...

Lenovo Part No. is 41V9756 for the Rubbertrails? But I didn't find the original Part No for the Caddy?

I might also add, and this is from my own personal experience...Vista is very friendly and easy to install in dual boot configuration and plays well with XP. You could also set up a 3rd partition for your documents and both operating systems would then have ready access to them.

Of course, it's very helpful to have some sort of imaging program so you could then revert to the original configurations if you decide you dislike Vista. Then, there's the Rescue & Recovery CD set which would take you back to factory original if everything just "blows up" on you. (highly unlikely)

With a little tuning, and with service pack1, Vista really is OK as an operating system. Just run it in "Classic" mode to get rid of the resource eating "visual enhancements".

I have spent two years comparing Vista vs. XP on identical machines and I'm beginning to prefer Vista now, and XP may be retired soon except for a couple of very old ThinkPads, circa 2002.

I don't think that ati x1100 is up to vista's visual stuff.

But I do the same thing - I have 3 laptop hard drives for 2 laptops. One is my Vista hard drive and I have vista for both my Dell and IBM. I use that as a sandbox of sorts for vista.

You could also use Microsoft's Virtual PC, which is now free.