Windows and ThinkPad Setup

[jdhurst]

There have been lots of posts in here about what works and what doesn't. I always encourage people to use what fits them. Here is my experience with a client T42 today for use in University.

1. I installed the additional 512 Mb of ram and turned on the ThinkPad for the first time. The very first thing it did was convert to NTFS. If you are running a modern ThinkPad on FAT, you did that yourself or something screwed up.
2. It did not need activation. I did not have enter the key on the COA. It does need Validation later in the update cycle, but that is normal, and it worked.
3. Once started, named and registered, I uninstalled:
(a) Norton AntiVirus 2004 (all) in order to later install NIS 2005.
(b) Update Connector because I use Software Installer.
(c) IBM Java because I use SUN Java.
(d) I deleted the icon to install Acrobat 6 to install Acrobat 7

4. I ran Software Installer and checked off every driver (and BIOS) except for Wireless and ran it. Everything installed properly and the BIOS updated successfully. Then I ran Software Installer again to update the IBM 11 a/b/g wireless. That installed successfully. I always do wireless separately given my past experience.
5. I ran Windows update and did all the Windows updates (several times)
6. I installed Office 2003 Student Edition, installed Office SP1 and patched it completely.
7. I installed Norton Internet Security 2005 and updated that completely. I configured NIS for normal use.
8. I installed SUN Java and Acrobat 7.03.

This new machine runs just about perfectly, it runs (idles) at zero CPU and is idling away right now at 37 degrees at 600Mhz. My own T41 is running at 42 degrees at 600 MHz). There are no dead or stuck pixels such that I can see and that is fortunate. Despite all the comments to the contrary and also the fact that I myself use Symantec Client Security Corporate, I see nothing wrong with NIS 2005. It is running very smoothly.

Very nice machine .... JD Hurst

[DavidNZ]

Nicely done, JD. I'm actually going to save your post in my 'master setup' file as a concise way to get up an running. About the only thing I wouldn't do is install NIS. I'm a Trend Micro fan, myself. What did you use to install Software Installer (assuming you had the .exe from the IBM/Lenovo site?)

David

[jdhurst]

I have the Software Installer file from my own machine. I just copied it over, ran it, and it installed in the ThinkPad folder. ... JD Hurst