Windows XP Pro SP2 media from IBM?

[taob]

Is IBM shipping XP SP2 install media for the X40 yet? I'm thinking it is time for a fresh reinstall of everything on mine, given the terrible state the registry is in after much manual editing trying to remove NAV, etc.

[jdhurst]

I just did a fresh install for my T41 on a different hard drive. The primary purpose was to install and test Office 2003 before making a committment to it. The fresh install (from CD's on a new, unformatted drive) takes me to SP1. I had already downloaded and retained SP2, so I just applied it.

The big issue (in my opinion) is that IBM has revised most all of their drivers to be SP2 compliant. This means, without the media you are asking for, that you need to download and apply all new IBM applications and drivers as part of your freshening project.

I have also found (on my T41 and another machine) that it is best to image, update drivers, install Office, install Anti-Virus and 3rd Party Firewall, and *then* install SP2. Why? Because I like to get basic apps running before the firewall and intrusion detection systems start hassling me, and also because SP2 wants third party Anti-Virus and Firewall apps installed or else *it* will start hassling you.

I don't think IBM will go back and create new media for existing machines. They might, if your machine is still very current. Mine is not, and I do not hold out any hope. I just manage it myself. Cheers.

... JDHurst

[DavidNZ]

So, JD: what did you think of Office 11? I couldn't live without outlook personally, and have been using OneNote for a few months now and loving it.

D

[jdhurst]

David, Generally I am OK with Office 2003. Microsoft continues to use up application space on the screen for other features, so it took me a while in Outlook 2003 to reduce the screen overhead and adjust its look to my working style. But now that I have tweaked Outlook and Office, I like it and have converted both my Laptop and my Desktop to the new Office. I don't have an Exchange Server so I don't use OneNote. But I just received a document from a friend and it opened in Word in Reading Style. That was very nice indeed. So on balance, the conversion was worth the effort (considerable) and the cost. ... JDHurst

[DavidNZ]

Cool. I, too, found myself tweaking Outlook to no end, but primarily, as you say, working space, etc. The three pane layout was lost on me, so I abandoned that entirely (it lasted all of 5 minutes for me!).

I use OneNote on my X40, which isn't attached to an Exchange Server either. I use it primarily to sort out notes and such. For ex, writing a book at the moment, so have arranged a series of folders/tabs with notes, references, website, and assorted crap that I've accumulated. It's also good for recording meetings, and I'll be using it to record lectures. Nice piece of software for my tastes.

Good site for Office-related stuff/blogs: www.officezealot.com.

D

[taob]

I have also found (on my T41 and another machine) that it is best to image, update drivers, install Office, install Anti-Virus and 3rd Party Firewall, and *then* install SP2.

Yes, same here. Okay, I'll schedule one weekend when I know I won't need my laptop, and reinstall everything from scratch. Fortunately, I only have a handful of major applications that I need on the laptop, and this'll be a good chance to fix the mistakes I made the first time around.

[selvan777]

My only Office 2003 dislikes is the loss of Microsoft Photo Editor (which can be installed over Office 2003 from a previous version of Office) and much resident clipart.

[mattfromomaha]

Cool. I, too, found myself tweaking Outlook to no end, but primarily, as you say, working space, etc. The three pane layout was lost on me, so I abandoned that entirely (it lasted all of 5 minutes for me!).

D

I like the three-pane layout! If it's a long e-mail I open a new window, but for the short inter-office correspondence it's handy!