Setting the Record Straight: IBM's preload, R&R, etc.

[SLICER]

Hey I'm brand new to this forum and I've been searching around for answers about a clean install of windows, necessity of IBM software, and the hidden partition. Lots of great info but it takes a while to navigate through it all! Maybe we can sort this stuff out on this thread. Bring your suggestions, links, tutorials, etc. -- anything regarding what is needed & what is not and how do deal with these issues.

So let's start with this question: what, if any, IBM preloaded software is necessary for the thinkpad to function correctly? I know you'll need drivers and software for thinkpad-specific features (e.g. Fn keys, fingerprint reader), but can someone give me the "straight dope"?

I hope this will be helpful & I'll try to contribute as best I can!

[SLICER]

This is a great thread about what apps users consider valuable: Best IBM Apps

I disagree that the wireless utility is a keeper since Windows can do this without problems, and Network Stumbler is a great supplemental scanner.

Ground Loop makes a good point about burning the bundleware apps from C:\IBMTOOLS\apps to a CD so you can experiment with removing some of this stuff without worrying about losing it forever. And mgenin is on the money about true uninstallations if you want to really wipe the thing clean.


(This stuff is important to me cause I want to have plenty of HD space for games, music, and other media!)

[SLICER]

Here's a list of all the proprietary IBM stuff that shows up in the Add/Remove Programs Window.


Access IBM
Access IBM Message Center
IBM 32-bit Runtime Environment for Java 2, v1.4.1
IBM Access Connections
IBM Active Protection System
IBM DLA
IBM Integrated 56k Modem
IBM Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore
IBM ThinkPad Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features
IBM ThinkPad Configuration
IBM ThinkPad EasyEject Utility
IBM ThinkPad Keyboard Customizer Utility
IBM ThinkPad Power Management Driver
IBM ThinkPad Presentation Director
IBM ThinkPad UltraNav Driver
IBM ThinkPad UltraNav Wizard
IBM TrackPoint Accessibility Features
IBM Update Connector
ThinkPad FullScreen Magnifier
ThinkPad Software Installer

I've never needed any IBM stuff for Java to run on my other systems. Is this Runtime Environment necessary? What the hell is the IBM Message Center?

Your opinions on these programs are very welcome!

[egibbs]

My opinions - YMMV

Access IBM - Useful
Access IBM Message Center - Worthless
IBM 32-bit Runtime Environment for Java 2, v1.4.1 - Ok, or get the Sun Java.
IBM Access Connections - Useful
IBM Active Protection System - Needed
IBM DLA - Useful for burning CDs
IBM Integrated 56k Modem - Needed if you use it
IBM Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore - Ok, or get another backup program
IBM ThinkPad Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features - Useful
IBM ThinkPad Configuration - Useful
IBM ThinkPad EasyEject Utility - Needed if you hotswap ultrabay devices
IBM ThinkPad Keyboard Customizer Utility - Worthless unless you customize the keybioard
IBM ThinkPad Power Management Driver - Needed
IBM ThinkPad Presentation Director - Useful if you do presentations
IBM ThinkPad UltraNav Driver - Needed
IBM ThinkPad UltraNav Wizard - Needed
IBM TrackPoint Accessibility Features - Useful
IBM Update Connector - Worthless
ThinkPad FullScreen Magnifier - Cool
ThinkPad Software Installer - Useful

Ed Gibbs

[SLICER]

Thanks for your input egibbs.

I found this list of preloaded software on IBM's site. This is for the thinkpad I have, a T42, but I think you can find the info for any model.

Probably the most relevant:
United States, Latin America, and Canada English machines software #1 (Microsoft Windows XP Professional)

* Microsoft Windows XP Professional
* InterVideo WinDVD - only for systems with DVD or DVD/CD-RW drive
* IBM Record Now - only for system with DVD/CD-RW drive
* IBM Drive Letter Access - only for system with DVD/CD-RW drive
* Access IBM
* IBM Access Connections
* PC-Doctor Diagnostics
* Adobe Acrobat Reader
* Norton AntiVirus 2004 (OEM version)
* IBM Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore

WinXP Pro - Pretty useful!
InterVideo WinDVD - OK, but I prefer integrating my media playback all into two or three apps. You don't need this to play DVDs -- even if you want a standalone DVD player, I've heard there are much better ones out there.
IBM Record Now - Seems like unnecessary, mediocre burning software to me.
IBM Drive Letter Access - This, too, seems superfluous if you have nice burning software. Correct me if either of these are somehow useful.
Access IBM - Handy unless you really want to strip the system down. Seems like you would lose some functionality if you remove it. (I also have a thing about buttons on the keyboard that don't do anything.)
IBM Access Connections - This app doesn't work for me anyway. It worked for a few days but I guess something else I did interfered with it and now it does not seem to have any access to the wireless radio. I recommend Windows' wireless access utility. Anybody found this particularly helpful?
PC Doctor Diagnostics - Not necessary, but might come in handy. It's only 1.38 MB according to the "Add/Remove Programs" dialog.
Adobe Acrobat Reader - I detest this app. My main qualm is that it takes forever to load, no matter how great your PC is. I've heard a lot of people suggesting this alternative: FoxIt PDF Reader
Norton AntiVirus 2004 - Keep it!
IBM Rescue & Recovery and Rapid Restore - I have no experience with this; I've only used the Windows Restore util. Anyone have an opinion?

Hope this helps!

[egibbs]

Norton AV = Garbage. Slow, buggy, resource hog, and expires after 30 days.

I use McAfee corporate, just becuz my company give it to me free. It's nice and light and works well, but I've heard the consumer version is not as good.

Ed Gibbs

[jdhurst]

<snip>

WinXP Pro - Pretty useful! <--- Excellent OS
<snip>
IBM Access Connections - <snip> Anybody found this particularly helpful? <--- Very helpful. Access Connections is at its best with multiple secured wireless profiles. If it is not working, try uninstalling and reinstalling. It works best with the IBM 11a/b/g card in my experience (having worked with the others).
<snip>
Adobe Acrobat Reader - I detest this app. <--- Get V7 and patch it. It solves the loading problem very nicely. I have both Reader and Writer and both are vastly faster than V6.
Norton AntiVirus 2004 - Keep it! <--- I suggest 2005. But the consumer stuff is nowhere near as good as the corporate stuff. Myself, I use Client Security 3 and it is excellent. Most people can't get it, however. I install 2005 for clients and dump the antispam system to get it all to work better.
<snip>

Thanks for your input. ... JD Hurst

[GomJabbar]

<snip>

WinXP Pro - Pretty useful! <--- Excellent OS
<snip>
IBM Access Connections - <snip> Anybody found this particularly helpful? <--- Very helpful. Access Connections is at its best with multiple secured wireless profiles. If it is not working, try uninstalling and reinstalling. It works best with the IBM 11a/b/g card in my experience (having worked with the others).
<snip>
Adobe Acrobat Reader - I detest this app. <--- Get V7 and patch it. It solves the loading problem very nicely. I have both Reader and Writer and both are vastly faster than V6.
Norton AntiVirus 2004 - Keep it! <--- I suggest 2005. But the consumer stuff is nowhere near as good as the corporate stuff. Myself, I use Client Security 3 and it is excellent. Most people can't get it, however. I install 2005 for clients and dump the antispam system to get it all to work better.
<snip>

Thanks for your input. ... JD Hurst

Ditto JD Hurst.