Basic question on installer files

[JoolsM]

If I have a driver update installer called something like 1xdfrgwt.exe (I made that up) that happens to be - for eg - a video driver update from IBM released in May 05 for my Thinkpad R40 is there any reason why I can't just rename the thing something like videodr_505_IBMR40.exe ?

I'm just looking for ways to keep track of what drivers I have and this seems obvious - though not as obvious as wondering why the hell they don't call the file something descriptive in the first place!

cheers
J

[jdhurst]

At this point, I continue to rename new drivers by prepending the old, more descriptive name. For example:
77pm27wwx.exe has become swinstall(3.11.0505)77pm27wwx.exe

I don't know how long I can keep that going, and it is truly a pain in the butt. At least I can look at any IBM driver on my system and say what it is just by looking at the file name. ... JD Hurst

[JoolsM]

Thanks JD ... is it important to add to the file name as with your prepend or can I just replace the whole name? i.e. does something within the installer need to reference the original name to work properly?

cheers

J

[jdhurst]

You can rename the whole file. I add my bit and keep their bit so I can identify the file and cross reference back to the MIGR document which I print out, make notes on and then scan into a file that I keep on the ThinkPad. ... JD Hurst

[selvan777]

Instead of renaming the file, I create folders named accordingly like below. The numbering IBM 01, 02, 03, etc, is the order in which they should be installed if starting from scratch.


IBM 01 - BIOS Embedded Controller Program v1.36 102502
IBM 02 - BIOS Level IZET9DWW v2.25 052903
IBM 03 - Video driver ATI Mobility- M6.12.1-030827a-012784C-I 012004
IBM 04 - Supplement Files v1.20 101801
IBM 05 - Monitor File v3 102504.
IBM 06 - Power Management Driver 1.30 021105
IBM 07 - Configuration Utility 1.40b 030405
IBM 08 - Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features A-1.38 042205
IBM 09 - Presentation Director 1.32 052404
IBM 10 - EasyEject Utility v2.10 020905
IBM 11 - DisplayHot key Utility, On Screen Display Utility 2.30i 101901
IBM 12 - Access ThinkPad 2.00 051601
IBM 13 - Access ThinkPad Customization Tool 2.0.1.6 050300
IBM 99 - Access Connections v3.71 033005
IBM 99 - Drive Fitness Test v3.77 b29 093004
IBM 99 - Keyboard Customizer Utility 1.2.92.0 040704
IBM 99 - Modem driver (Xircom Mini PCI combo card) v2.00.3 120101
IBM 99 - Software Installer v3.10.0504
IBM 99 - TrackPoint accessibility features 1.07 021105
IBM 99 - TrackPoint Driver 3.50 021105
IBM 99 - Update Connector v6.10 080304
IBM ThinkPad Recovery CD-ROM Boot Diskette from W98SE.
IBMTOOLS.

[DavidNZ]

Darn - those are some good tips. I wish I had thought of that from the beginning. My IBMTOOLS and DRIVERS folders are litered with stuff - stuff that I'm not 100% of its function!