ThinkPad Utilities and HD Reformatting

[Nigellus]

My google fu has failed me again, and I must ask another question that might seem obvious to many (actually, I hope it does, because then someone can tell me )

Win98 came pre-installed on my 600E. I recently acquired a Win98 CD and would like to reinstall it to correct several problems that have arisen over the past five years. What will this do to the ThinkPad specific stuff (like the diagnostics utilities, etc.)? And if it does do anything to them, is there a straightforward way to restore them to my machine?

Thanks

[rkawakami]

I'm not sure if the Windows 98 CD will allow you to do a "repair install", which would replace only the Windows installation files and not touch your other installed programs. If it does offer that feature, and if some or all of your Thinkpad programs/utilities are removed, then a quick trip to IBM's software download site should correct that. You can find software/drivers for your system from:

IBM 600, 600E, 600X S/W & drivers

Also, be prepared to re-install ALL of your programs in case something does go wrong during the repair. If you can backup or clone your drive before attempting the repair, then you should be safe.

[pkiff]

I would recommend copying your personal files/data over to another drive or removable media, wiping your old drive entirely, and then reinstalling from scratch on the bare drive. Many people who still run Windows 98SE (including me) make it a habit to reinstall from scratch every 6 months to two years or so.

Does your current install include a DVD player? If yes, and if it is DVDExpress, then it probably came with your pre-install. This is the only piece of software pre-installed by IBM that is not available from IBM/Lenovo through the link rkawakami gave above.

Is your new CD a Windows 98 or Windows 98SE? If you have only a plain vanilla Windows 98 CD, then I would not recommend re-installing/repairing with that CD. Windows 98SE (Second Edition) included a number of major improvements over the original Windows 98 and you will find a number of functions easier to use/install under Windows 98SE.

Phil.

[Nigellus]

Thanks, guys. That tells me exactly what I needed to know (which is what I suspected was the case).

There does not appear to be a "repair install" option on the CD. Thanks for the link, Ray.

Fortunately, now having my same basic file setup on three computers, two operating systems, and at least one CD, I am always prepared to recreate my computer (although, I have discovered that there are one or two things hiding on my 600E that I had forgotten about; steps are being taken to see that these conform to my present organizational system).

Many people who still run Windows 98SE (including me) make it a habit to reinstall from scratch every 6 months to two years or so.

So you’d say that 5 years of almost daily use (at least 6 hours/day on average) is a little extreme?

Oddly, while there is a reference to a DVD player in my help index, I have not been able to locate any such program; so I’ll assume that I don’t have to worry about it.

I am running Win98SE and the cd, happily, is for Win98SE. Thanks for the tips, Phil.

[pkiff]

Many people who still run Windows 98SE (including me) make it a habit to reinstall from scratch every 6 months to two years or so.

So you’d say that 5 years of almost daily use (at least 6 hours/day on average) is a little extreme?

Ha Ha! Well, as long as it's working, then sometimes it's best just to leave the darn thing alone!

If you do decide to perform a complete reinstall of Windows 98SE, English version, then I would also recommend the use of the UNOFFICIAL Windows98 Second Edition Service Pack 2.1a from Exuberant. Windows 98/98SE is no longer supported by Microsoft, but the Service Pack is a fast way to get your system almost back up to date after a clean install. It also includes a couple optional goodies that many people find improve 98SE.

Phil.

[Nigellus]

Ha Ha! Well, as long as it's working, then sometimes it's best just to leave the darn thing alone!

Well, it works only because I've taken steps to make sure the corrupted .dll files don't cause much trouble; but I'd really like it to work like it did prior to 2003 when some malware corrupted some of system files.

Thanks for the link; I'll keep you posted. Right now I'm working on repainting my palm rest (peeling paint syndrome), and I think I'll wait for my new CMOS battery to do the reinstall.

[Nigellus]

Okay. I have installed Windows 98 on my new hard drive. I tried to install XP, but there is either a problem with my HD or with the XP CD (if anyone has tips on that, I'd appreciate it. I also need to know how to partition my HD; when/if I finally am able to install XP, I want to keep Win98 and DOS on their own 5GB partition).

There is (at least) one problem with my installation of Win98. My resolution is stuck on 640 by 480 pixels and I have a choice between 2 or 16 colors. Under display, it says "Default Monitor on Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA)"

When I put my old HD back in and look at the display settings, I have a selection. I keep my resolution on 1024 by 768, but I can go higher or lower. For colors, I can choose between High Color (16 bit), 256 colors and True Color (24 bit). Under display, it says "Default Monitor on Neomagic MagicMedia256AV.

So I know the hardware is there. My question is how do I make my new win98 installation recognize it?

[Nigellus]

Okay, I tried reinstalling Win98 and nothing changed.

[Nigellus]

Alright, I managed to download the appropriate drivers. My desktop looks pretty again.

I am still curious is anyone has a procedure for partitioning the HD without touching my current Win98 installation so I can get XP up on this computer.

[Nigellus]

After managing to downlload/install the drivers, I noticed that the ThinkPad utilities haven't reappeared as I thought they would. Any tips?

Here are some screencaptures so you'll know exactly what I'm talking about:

tp utilities in the start menu.
tp utilities folder.
tp configuration.

[Thane_Bitter]

Nigellus,
Do you have the installation package named "uttpfw98.exe"? This contains (and I quote from the install TXT):

"What This Package Does
This package provides the following utility programs for
Windows 95/98/Me/2000 users:
- ThinkPad Configuration program
- Fuel-Gauge program"

I used this package on my 365XD after I installed Windows 98SE, it seemed to do the job. I don't know the exact version of the programs that are installed, the over all package is dated July 25, 2001, version 1.19d. You should be able to locate it via Google, if that fails PM your address and I will kindly email you the files.
Thane

[RealBlackStuff]

For free partitioning stuff, see http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=42886

[Rolloclan]

I too have a 600 E and I enjoy it a great deal. I also tried to install Windows XP but the error I found were due to insufficient memory. I then opted to go to windows ME which installed wonderfully. However like it has been said before windows 98 and Me are both no longer supported by Windows. When you do a windows update you will get about 40 downloads but that is all you will get.

Perhaps your system has more memory than mine but you might find it best not to load XP unless you have upgraded you memory a bit.

As for partitioning your drive I use Partition magic. It seems to work well. I use a dual boot for windows ME and Linux.

You can get partition magic at:

Norton PartitionMagic 8.0

I started using it before the company was sold to Symantec but it is still a great program.

Moderator edit: Shortened URL to link to prevent horizontal scrolling

[WarMachine]

Hello,

Your TP must have, at least, 64 MB of RAM to launch XP installation routine.

If you can install XP with 64 MB, you won't be able to use it comfortably. The more RAM you have, the more you can use XP comfortably.

Your laptop will accept 288 MB of RAM (128 + 128 + 32 onboard).

Most of the 600E can accept 544 MB (256 + 256 + 32 onboard).

If you give us the P/N of your machine, we'll be able to tell you how much memory you can stick in there.

FYI, my 600E runs XP like a charm with 288 MB RAM (note I made a lot of optimizations though). If optimizations are not your cup of tea, then prefer Windows 2000, which is a lighter OS (it'll need 32 MB for its installation, and you'll be able to use it very well with "only" 128 or 256 MB.



W.

[Nigellus]

Do you have the installation package named "uttpfw98.exe"? This contains (and I quote from the install TXT):

"What This Package Does
This package provides the following utility programs for
Windows 95/98/Me/2000 users:
- ThinkPad Configuration program
- Fuel-Gauge program"

That particular package is not meant for the 600E and I can't identify its sister package in the 600E downloads. I was going to guess 7ju501aw.exe was it, but the .txt file isn't quite the same. Also, I've installed it already and I don't have my configuration program.

[Nigellus]

If you give us the P/N of your machine, we'll be able to tell you how much memory you can stick in there.

I wasn't aware that the computer itself had a P/N I had planned to upgrade eventually; but RAM's expensive. I currently have 160MB. My brother also has a 600E and his is at 288. I would ideally like to have more than that, though.

I'm not sure why XP didn't install, but I suspect that the disk became damaged somehow -- which actually annoys me, because I paid a little extra to get that disk instead of just the restore disk.

* * *

New problem. In DOS, the sound for my games doesn't sound right. It sounds okay with my old installation, though. Any suggestions?

[GomJabbar]

That particular package is not meant for the 600E and I can't identify its sister package in the 600E downloads. I was going to guess 7ju501aw.exe was it, but the .txt file isn't quite the same. Also, I've installed it already and I don't have my configuration program.

7ju501aw.exe is the correct file. You also need to install the following as per the .txt file above.

*2 From Version A-1.31, default installation folder name and modules to be
completely uninstalled were changed.
If you already installed previous version,you need to update all
the following packages too.

<snip>

ThinkPad 6xx/7xx :
- ThinkPad Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features package
- ThinkPad Personalization Editor

You should also install the Windows install supplements for Windows 98.

Note that generally speaking (there are a few exceptions), you download each package from Lenovo's site, execute the file to extract it's contents to your hard drive, then you go to the directory the files were extracted to and run Setup.exe. It is always a good idea to check the installation instructions in the .txt file for each package you plan to install.

Version 2.60 of the modem driver has sound features included: "NOTE: Installing modem version 2.60 (V.90 code version 2.516) of this code eliminates the ThinkPad Advanced Communications Processor (ACP) MIDI support for Windows 95/98 and instead uses Crystal Audio to provide MIDI support for 770/770ED/600. If you wish to use the ACP for MIDI support for these systems, then you should not click here to obtain the modem V.90 code version 2.516."

[Nigellus]

Thanks... the problem with that is that I don't remember actually installing the modem drivers. In fact, I remember looking at them and thinking "Hmm.... I connect to the internet via LAN; I guess I don't need the modem." I reinstalled the sound drivers and the sound is still messed up in DOS. Any further suggestions? Like how to get my computer to use ACP instead of Crystal?

I have also noticed another problem that may or may not be a huge problem; I just don't remember it from my other HD setup. Under the performance display in System Properties, I get this message: Drive A is using MS-DOS compatibility mode file system. Any clues as to why I am getting this and what can be done about it. Is it possible that I forgot to install a driver? If so, which driver would it be?

[Nigellus]

bump

[RealBlackStuff]

You bumped a post from almost a year ago.
What's the problem this time?

[Nigellus]

Same problem. If you'll notice, no one responded to my last substantive post. I've just had an extremely busy eight months... so I've just had to do without proper sound. Now that I have time to tinker again, I'm hoping a fresh set of eyes will help.