Lenovo Software Updates

[rebop]

Just got a T-43 last week and finally have it all setup. I checked to see what updates (not Windows updates) were available for the drivers, utilities, etc and was amazed to find there are dozens my machine would like to have.

It seems there is a utlity to keep these things current automatically that even updates the BIOS. This is a big surprise and leads me to ask if this utility is proven and safe. And does it let you pick and choose or once activated does it do the choosing about what to download and install?

In other words, can I trust it to install what is needed even if it thinks it needs a BIOS update? Will it install things like the updated Access Connections without losing the settings I have created? Or will I have to go through all IBM, Lenovo and hardware utility settings yet once again?

Just thought it worth checking before I jump in. What has your experience been with these patches, updates and the update utility?

Thanks.

[christopher_wolf]

Depends on which utility you are talking about. I assume this is System Update? I haven't tried it much, but it has worked as well as the Software Installer for me; others, however, have not had a great time of it and generally prefer the older Software Installer.

As in Software Installer, you are able to select which updates you would like to have installed and which you would like to hold off on. Any BIOS update would, and this can't be changed, let you know that you are updating the BIOS; it isn't really possible, unless it was some form of a bizzare and extremely dangerous hack, to change and update the BIOS, sliently and in the background as a process, whilst the computer is running in Windows XP Pro or any other OS. There is a specific procedure that it has to go through, that involves setting update flags and writing to a special portion of the HDD, that require a reboot and subsequent launch of the update utility before the OS has even loaded.

If you are to worry at all about it, I would worry more about it installing stuff like CSS7 without your permission, but even that is large enough to have its install process picked up by the user. Other than that, I can't really think of a problem besides the occasional server delays and "not found" instances.

[rebop]

Thanks for the reply.

I used the Software Installer today and it downloaded 2.2 GB of files. It then expanded thse into 22 folders and deleted the original files.

When I install them, it does not delete the created folder from above. So it seems like when I am done, this will consume another 3-5 gigs of disk space.

Is this normal? Should I delete the 22 folders?

I am getting concerned as this is a new machine with an 80GB hard drive. I now have less than 37GB free.

I have a 9.9 GB BASE backup, maybe 10 GB of files and software I installed, a 1.5 pagefilesys, a 1.9 Hibernate file, a 6.9GB Norton Recycle bin. Add them all up and where is the remaing? Drive reports as 75GB which is likely right for NTFS. Anything I can do to reclaim space? Like deleting the folders mentioned above (if its ok to) or deleting the original hidden R&R since I have a new one and how if so.

Bob

[christopher_wolf]

You can delete all the downloaded *.exes and the expanded folders. Just leave the two text files in the DRIVERS directory alone as they are what Software Installer reference when it checks for updates. You can get rid of Norton Recycle Bin and all the files in it (I never used it much). If you want, you can also get rid of the base backup, but that is only if you feel safe doing so.

[rebop]

Thanks for that.

But please clarify:

Is the BASE restore both the original from the factory restore PLUS what I have added to it or just my restore? If mine only, where does one remove the original?

I think what I will do is backup the R&R to the network and free 10GB on the machine. If there is still an original all the better to be able to delete that one as well.

Bob

[GomJabbar]

But please clarify:

Is the BASE restore both the original from the factory restore PLUS what I have added to it or just my restore? If mine only, where does one remove the original?

A base backup is the first backup you make with Rescue and Recovery, regardless of when you make it. The base backup has the configuration of the computer at the time you make it. Unless you make it as soon as you get it from the factory, or after a restore to Factory Contents, the base backup will contain any updates and programs you have added. Really, generally speaking, only a restore to Factory Contents either with the Product Recovery Discs or from the Service Partition will restore you to the original state as it came from the factory.

A question arises. If you never made a Rescue and Recovery Backup, then how do you have a base backup on your system?

[rebop]

Still confused, sorry.

Yes, I did make a backup and used the defaulted name base. But, as I understand, there is a hidden Restore from the factory. So the question is did my Base add to the factory restore or is it in addition to?

And on the subject of software updates, I now have both Software Installer (which I prefer) and System Update. Question is, where is System Update storing the downloaded files? Does not seem to be in Drivers or IBMTOOLS.

Bob

[christopher_wolf]

It is a standalone backup image that happens to have references to the R&R hidden partition. It works on its own and will restore your Thinkpad to the state it was when you made the base backup.

[unitedunited]

here's a question...

I no longer have the hidden IBM recovery partition (or actually, as I've recently found out, the hidden protected area, which I think is not a ture partition?) because I *think* acronis wiped it on a restore.

Could I install IBM R&R (which I never did before because it was too big and I had the HPA anyway) WITHOUT the HPA? Will those "references" get in the way? Will R+R reinstall, or ask me to reinstall, the HPA as part of the process?

I'm just thinking of using R+R as an alternative to Acronis, but not sure if it can put an image on DVD like Acronis...

thanks,
uu

[rebop]

OK, I've got Backups and Resotres down now with the help here and reading past topics.

Do need to say that System Update fails in manay ways. I have gone back to Software Installer. I like it much better, though it can't be scheduled. SU crashes, tries to download the same thing over and over and fails to install some things.

Is there a way to email Lenovo with feedback on things like this or the bug in the ATI driver with Adobe Gamma Loader I have found?

Bob