I wish to buy a thinkpad, but doubts

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lovetocommunicate · #1 Post by **lovetocommunicate** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:46 pm

Model : R61 8932A25

Specs link: R61 8932A25 Specifications

Quote
Operating System Free-DOS
Ram:512 MB
Processor
Type Intel Celeron Processor 530
Processor internal clock speed[1] 1.73 GHz
Front side bus 533 MHz

I initially wish to use Linux.

Later on, I plan to buy Windows XP seperately and install. ( I guess formatting, changind CD Drive to bootable in bios, all those steps)

One of my friends told me, it is not possible. But I am not convinced.

I have other brands at same rate, but I know Thinkpad is more reliable (sturdy!!!).

I have never bought a laptop before, kindly advice me.

Are there any other issues I may face if i buy R61 8932A25 ?

I dont think I will need Vista. I know a faster computer will be much better, but I am very tight on budget.

Kindly help

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:17 pm

This article may be of interest to you. Lenovo is supposed to be releasing an R61 with SLED installed.

http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS3449833487.html

I don't think you'd be disappointed with an R61 running Linux and XP. It is generally desirable to install XP first and then Linux though.

Linux Preload models at Lenovo.com

"Small business and consumer customers should call 1-866-96-THINK to place their order with a Lenovo telesales representative. ThinkPad T61 and R61 models with preloaded SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop will be available for purchase on the Web on February 19."

lovetocommunicate · #3 Post by **lovetocommunicate** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:48 pm

So, you mean

we really do have the freedom to format the entire hard disk in case of a problem, use the new windows xp cd bought seperately from the local store... and install. (Freedom to Experiment with whatever we want)

Hoo... I am relieved. My friend was under the impression that the Thinkpad requires its own recovery CDs to reinstall or modify the system.

Do correct me if i am wrong, thanks for the wonderful response

#4 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:44 pm

It's your machine, feel free to run whatever software you want to. Lenovo would not care unless you call then with a non-hardware problem, in which case they 'may' ask about what you are running and how it got there. In fact it is recommended that before you ship your machine to Lenovo for service that you remove the hard drive and other CRU's. So have fun, buy the best laptop you can, and install what you want to.

lovetocommunicate · #5 Post by **lovetocommunicate** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:54 pm

The drivers required for the various devices are shipped with the laptop? I know its too lame, still, just verifying!

#6 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:00 pm

You can download any required windows drivers directly from lenovo.com support. For Linux support you need to go to the Distro's servers or elsewhere to get drivers. If you run the preload, then yes all drivers are included.

lovetocommunicate · #7 Post by **lovetocommunicate** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:08 pm

Thanks.. Really appreciate

Is it okay, if I manually replace the existing 512 MB ram with a 2gb.

I dont use heavy apps like photoshop, etc... (but nero, yes)

But I usually tend to run 4-5 lighht apps simultaneously a time.
Like a combinations of (excel,word,media player,one note, ie7 - 8 tabs)

And bacground processes are avast free edition, free download manager

Do you think the procesor speed will be a huge bottle-neck? I assume the ram wont be enough, so plan to upgrade it to 2gb with transcend bought locally.

Do you think my assumptions are fine... any modification suggestions?

Looking forward to hear from all of you.

mgo · #8 Post by **mgo** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:16 pm

lovetocommunicate wrote:So, you mean

we really do have the freedom to format the entire hard disk in case of a problem, use the new windows xp cd bought seperately from the local store... and install. (Freedom to Experiment with whatever we want)

Hoo... I am relieved. My friend was under the impression that the Thinkpad requires its own recovery CDs to reinstall or modify the system.

Do correct me if i am wrong, thanks for the wonderful response

Welcome!

Yes, you can install any operating system you wish (Linux or Windows XP or Vista) but make sure you have the drivers available for that model machine (downloaded from the Lenovo site) or the computer might not be able to access the internet or run other features until the various special Lenovo applications are installed.

You friend is probably referring to the Recovery partition that comes on most ThinkPads. This is used along with recovery CDs to restore the computer to original factory specs. I am not sure if that partition will be found on the machine you are looking at with only the Free-DOS operating system on board.

It looks like the machine you are looking at has just enough operating system to boot and investigate what is on the drive, but not much else. This is what I had on a "bare bones" ThinkPad I bought a couple years ago. Lenovo sold machines this way to corporations that would then image the units with their own setups.

It was necessary for me to install XP, and then get the Lenovo drivers so I could get internet and audio, etc. I had to use another machine to get those drivers from the Lenovo site.

There's a very good chance that a Linux distro will work right out of the gate....especially Ubuntu, which works well on ThinkPads, even when put down on a newly formatted drive.

If you plan on experimenting, as you stated, I urge you to spend a few dollars for an imaging program like Ghost or Acronis (and I think there is a freeware one, too). Imaging is very speedy and will save you hours and hours of work and stress when things do not go right.

Acronis will also image a Linux partition if you use the separate Acronis bootable CD that you create in the program.

lovetocommunicate · #9 Post by **lovetocommunicate** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:21 pm

I am loving it here..

I never thought abt the possible issue of not being able to download drivers before hand.. Thanks, will take care

Heard of Ghost images, now know it better. Thanks again. I guess I can install a fresh xp on to the system. Then using the ghosting softwares save this fresh set of files on my hard-disk

I guess I can also save the ghost image into a cd/dvd/flash disk as well.

In case some virus attacks and i have to re-format. (if avast gets lazy, which it wont, silll!!! sorry avast,

)

I format and I can simply copy the entire file back to internal hard disk. No tedious settings like name, features etc

Thanks for the new insights as well

#10 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:21 pm

A 1.7 Celeron might be fine for what you do. Some folks use them and like them for every day computing. There is absolutely no problem upgrading the RAM if you want to.

lovetocommunicate · #11 Post by **lovetocommunicate** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:26 pm

I know I dont have to thank again, but thanks a lot. It makes me happy coz my assumptions were right. I can argue well with my friend now, lol...

Do add more views when ever you feel like

lovetocommunicate · #12 Post by **lovetocommunicate** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:28 pm

This is what I had on a "bare bones" ThinkPad I bought a couple years ago. Lenovo sold machines this way to corporations that would then image the units with their own setups.

lovetocommunicate · #13 Post by **lovetocommunicate** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:04 pm

Thanks a lot.

I am glad I asked this question here.

I really appreciate all your wise suggestions and support.

See you.

I wish to buy a thinkpad, but doubts

I wish to buy a thinkpad, but doubts

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