Contents of C:\IBMTOOLS ?

[taob]

Is there a detailed description of what all the files and subdirectories are in the C:\IBMTOOLS directory? I recently did a "restore to factory configuration" on my X40, and after the dust settled, I noticed that directory. It takes up 1.2 GB of disk space that I would rather get back.

The only running process on my system that lives in there is ibmprc.exe, which is the thing that sets your R&R password and syncs it up when it notices you changing your Windows password. I killed that off.

There is also an ISO image of the R&R CD in there, plus what appears to be installation packages of bundled software (all the Access IBM stuff, Norton AV, PC Doctor etc.) None of those apps seem to depend on the files in IBMTOOLS. I searched IBM's site, and the only references to that directory seem to be about where to copy your downloaded installation images.

Does anyone know if it is safe to remove that directory, or at least copy it somewhere else for safekeeping? Seems like it contains all the good stuff needed to rebuild your Thinkpad from scratch, if you don't still have the recovery partition.

[jdhurst]

On my T41, that folder is 800Mb. On my NetVista A30, it's about 500Mb, so there are probably some special X40 tools making up the difference.

Generally, the applications in IBMTOOLS are source for the DRIVERS folder. That is, if you run the setup tool in IBMTOOLS, it will generally explode into a comparable folder in DRIVERS. It is the setup in the DRIVERS folder that you would run to install the application. Remember I said generally. I think the IBM Updater is an exception to this rule.

So in daily operation, so far as I now, IBMTOOLS in not needed.

The issue is that some tools (like the licensed DVD tools) must be installed to be upgraded and these tools live in IBMTOOLS and on the recovery CD (as you noted in a different thread). The source for Norton Antivirus, Acrobat, PC Doctor and other things live in IBMTOOLS. Again, once installed or otherwise not needed, you don't need IBMTOOLS in daily operation.

You could back IBMTOOLS off onto a different hard drive with no ill effect in daily operation. You can't delete IBMTOOLS, your recovery partition and have no recovery CD all at the same time and rebuild your computer. So I would at least be able to restore the IBMTOOLS folder if you needed if for some upgrade or install.

The other folder you can back off to a different hard drive is DRIVERS. Same issue, you need to be able to restore it if you have an upgrade to do or a problem.

Hope that helps. I keep all this on my hard drive because I do have the space, so if you have questions post or contact me.
... jdhurst

[taob]

Yeah, I came to the same conclusion for the IBMTOOLS and DRIVERS directories, and also for I386 (not likely going to install more Windows components now). Saved about 1.8 GB in all, and have it all burned to a DVD in case I need them again.

So as it stands, I'm down to 2.25 GB between the Windows and Program Files directories (Firefox, C1 Pro, NeatImage, Photoshop CS, cygwin, Acrobat, NetStumbler, IBM bundle, plus a bunch of others), plus a 1.5 GB pagefile, a 1 GB hibernation file, and about 1.2 GB set aside for system restore points. 7 GB for C: should be plenty now (I'm not planning on installing any more applications), and if I get rid of the recovery partition, that should leave me with a decent 30 GB for image files. That should hold me for maybe a 3-week vacation.