New T42, what next?

[nsuperman86]

I just got my new T42 today, and I really want to take care of this machine and keep it running smooth.

Now before I start all those Windows Updates, is it even recommended, becuase I keep hearing SP2 can cause more problems. I am going to get a firewall and increased virus protection. Also how can I order a recovery CD from IBM from my Thinkpad incase of emergency?

Thanks for any input anyone has.

[jdhurst]

If you truly just got it (i.e., no software yet, no spyware and so on), implement SP2 right away, get a strong Anti Virus, Firewall and Intrusion Detection system. Download and install Ad Aware.

SP2 is predominantly OK, and works with the vast majority of software. I have it on two machines with some tricky software installed and it works great.

Symantec Client Security 2.0 is the best integrated product I have seen. Zero resources in use (a bit slow to start) with completely automatic and silent updates. It really doesn't get much better. Very difficult to purchase however. Read the forum here for other products.
... JDHurst

[nsuperman86]

ive actually decided to hold off on SP2 becuase i have been hearing about a lot of bugs from it.

how ever i have decided to use Symantec Antivirus and Norton Personal Firewall for now.

i have also loaded Mozilla as my defualt browser.

[jdhurst]

If you are holding off SP2, make sure your patches are up-to-date. Honestly though, the "bugs" in SP2 are much overdone. Given that I use dozens upon dozens of applications including VPN, specialized cards, VMware, QuickBooks, sniffers, cache managers and so on, I have found no bugs that have stopped me. I have one security application that has one section that breaks over lsass.exe, but I can live with that. One bug in one section in one part of one program out of a hundred multi-part programs is pretty small. On the other side of the ledger, peer-to-peer folder mapping with XP base, and XP SP1 is quite slow (compared, say, to Windows 2000). With SP2, it is much faster and that is a welcome relief.
... JDHurst.

[hmphargh]

for the safety of the '42, i'd suggest wearing a hazmat uniform.

[bootleg2go]

I held off on upgrading to SP2 for a week or so after it was released to see if there were any big problems, I had read of a few. I decided to take the jump last week figuring I have a pre-SP2 backup plus you can easily uninstall SP2, It has worked flawlessly on my T42 (2378DXU) and I'm very happy with it. I did have to get an updated version for Nero though, it worked fine but complained so I did the Nero update and now no complaints. The popup blocker works very well

Jack

[nsuperman86]

hmm yeah i guess i might as well just go with it then. lucky i trust your guys' opinions on this forum

.......

i actually noticed one irritating thing on my new t42, for some reason when it is booting up "IBM Access Applications" comes up with errors and has to shut some random file down, and this usually closes my Wireless signal strength thing (dunno what its called )

also, is adaware recommended, or are there better spyware removal programs? reviews for the new SE Personal version recommend sticking to adaware 6.

[ZPrime]

adaware isn't as good as spybot S&D.

SP2 is awesome, and the only things it has broken for me are a keygen for stylexp (hehe) and Microsoft CRM (known bug and it's not a problem for me).

I have the firewall off, but that's because the only networks I use are firewalled on the outside; I *run* them so I know they're safe inside.

SP2's wireless is much better than SP1 - I haven't even installed access connections or any other utils, it all "just works". SP2 also has built-in drivers for the IBM bluetooth.

I did a fresh install of XP with SP2 slipstreamed in, because my 2379EZU came with no software. I don't know about upgrading from the stock IBM distribution of XP - not sure what all is installed by default.