Thinkpad prepping

[sdadlani]

I recently took delivery of a new T43 (2668-75U) Thinkpad. It is above and far beyond any laptop I've worked with before. Needless to say, I am an extremely satisfied customer.

Usually, I like to keep an image of a clean install/fresh format of any machine I work on....you just never know what might happen. Anyway, I'm finding this thinkpad structure a bit tricky. Between the hidden partition and all the preloaded software, much of which is unnecessary to me, I just don't know how to proceed as far as creating a backup image.

I've read of my options.... create a recovery disk or purchase a set from Lenovo. However, I'm curious if I can achieve a factory image by simply reinstalling Winxp, as provided to me by Lenovo and then proceed to install IBM's software via their software installer package. Will this give me the "out of the box" image I'm looking for?

Also, if there are any techniques or preferences tinkpad users have gone through upon receiving their laptops, I'd like to hear about them.

Cheers!
Shaan

[carbon_unit]

If you create the restore cd set (Highly recommended) they will restore your Thinkpad to the condition it was when you took it out of the box anfd fired it up for the first time.
The cd's you make will be very similar to the ones you would purchase from Lenovo only a lot cheaper!
You can install plain XP and use Software installer if you want to.

[GomJabbar]

I recently took delivery of a new T43 (2668-75U) Thinkpad.

I've read of my options.... create a recovery disk or purchase a set from Lenovo. However, I'm curious if I can achieve a factory image by simply reinstalling Winxp, as provided to me by Lenovo and then proceed to install IBM's software via their software installer package. Will this give me the "out of the box" image I'm looking for?

No. Normally you will have to use the Recovery Disks (6 or 7 total). I believe some have accomplished this with a disk imaging program, but I have not tried that. The hidden Predesktop Area for system recovery can only be installed with the Recovery Disks or possibly with a disk image. Also some software like WinDVD is not available for download, although it comes preinstalled.

[sdadlani]

If you create the restore cd set (Highly recommended) they will restore your Thinkpad to the condition it was when you took it out of the box anfd fired it up for the first time.
The cd's you make will be very similar to the ones you would purchase from Lenovo only a lot cheaper!
You can install plain XP and use Software installer if you want to.

Say I've installed a few essentials (acrobat reader, updates, etc) before I go ahead with the restore option. Will the restore program make an image including these additions or not? I would prefer the latter.

[GomJabbar]

The Recovery Disk Set does not save anything you have added to your laptop. It restores the ThinkPad to the 'Original Factory State' - software wise. Rescue and Recovery (not the Recovery Disk set) can be used to make a backup set, for restoring to a later configuration.

EDIT: Be forewarned. The Recovery Disk Set erases all existing data on your hard drive.

[madmax]

There are several options for backups:

1) Stock out of the box restore with HPA using either
Restore CD's made from your HPA partition or
bought from IBM ($45 ?)

Restoring the HPA partition has some pluses and
cons. A bootable system with restore and troubleshooting
capabilities a plus.

5-7 GIG of hard drive space unavailable to anything else
minus.

It is recomended that you restore to a hard disk
without any partitions or at least a non written MBR
to get the HPA to install correctly.

If you load lots of programs and custom settings
restoring to stock puts you back to square one.


2) Using a commercial clone program such as Ghost or Acronis
True Image. ( Linux has some kind of disk duplicating
command line parameter from a bootable
CD that makes a bit per copy dd? SLOW but
accurate )

This method can get you to the point you made image with
all settings and installed programs with minimum of fuss.

Ghost and True Image don't as far as I know restore
the HPA partition even if it is unhid but will get you
to a new faster hard drive quick.

You can make an image of the HPA using special programs
FWBACKUP.exe and FWRESTOR.exe the process is a little
involved but doable.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=13814

3) Combination of Restore of HPA and Ghost Or True Image.
Make HPA from restore CD's or saves image files from fwbackup
on new hard drive, Ghost or True image old hard drive to new
with all your installed settings and programs.

a little long winded... I hope it helps.

Max