New X60 arrived - advice needed.

[sagara]

I've just bought a X60 (1.83GHz, 2GB RAM, 60GB HD, etc.), but this is the first new thinkpad I've owned (600E, 600X, T32, T41), and it has arrived with all this IBM stuff installed. My 60GB drive is reduced to only 41GB (after removing Norton, etc), and I haven't installed any of my own software like Office 2003, etc. This is rather disappointing. I'm considering getting rid of the IBM partition and doing a clean install with my own XP CD. The question my previous experience with TPs can't tell me is 'what will I miss if I do a clean install?' I'm a single user, many using only Word and Photoshop CS2, with a bit of internet stuff, and not involved in any business stuff or networking.

Thanks.

[smvp6459]

Create an R&R backup before you trash the original installation.

You might also want to download all the drivers/software you want for the machine from lenovo.com before you reinstall. (if you don't have another machine with access)

Of the Thinkpad's original programs, I like:
-Access Connections (great if you go to different WiFi locations with very different securiy settings)
-Power Manager (does some good things for power management and battery management)
-Client Security Solutions + Fingerprint software (for the fingerprint reader)
-Thinkvantage Configuration (has access to a few BIOS items that Window's Device manager can't change)
-Active Protection System (stops the harddrive on drops)
-Presentation Director (can manage various internal and external monitor schemes very well)

[sagara]

I've managed to claw back some more space - now have 44GB (reduced the PageFile - I have 2GB RAM), so I'm going to go along with the machine as it is for a while. But how does one do an R&R back up to create the disks?

So far Im very pleased with the X60 - quite fast compared to my T41 (but will I experience the inevitable slow down in time with XP?

Thanks

[smvp6459]

I think you run the Rescue and Recovery program and there's an option to backup the system to media (as opposed to the hidden partition).

[sagara]

Is this R&R program installed? Is Or do I have to download it? I couldn't see anything about making backup copies when pressing the ThinkVatage button on bootup.

After using my T41, which had a clean install, everything on this X60 has suddenly become very complex. I now have two wireless connections - it was 1 and 2 - then I did some software downloads (so many things!) using Software Installer. When they were installed, I lost my working Wireless connection (#1). Somehow I managed to set it up again, and now I have Wireless connections #1 and #3! What is this Vodafone thing, which seems to be Wireless connection #3 (and has somehow replaced #2, which was Bluetooth). I'm never going to use it! I only want one wireless connection (I'm a simple chap, really).

Very confused!!!

[dfumento]

60 GB is too small. I had that on my previous system and now have 100 GB which is far better.

If you just purchased the unit, consider returning it for one with a bigger disk. No point in putting up with disk space problems already with a new machine.

[andrzej]

totaly agree with dfumento ...60 GB is too small...
my quite new X60s I has hdd 80GB
four partitions (PartitionMagic 8'0)
c: XP, Off2003, ect (e.g. upd, PF)
d: source NG images (OS & service partitions)
e: doc., txt, pdf
f: 2* diferent NG images of first partition, 1xCD
(r: securedrive)

details below from System Information in ThPCfg:
> Logical drive: C:\
> Drive type: Fixed drive
> Drive size: 21 062 128 kb
> Drive free space: 10 235 548 kb
>
> Logical drive: D:\
> Drive type: Fixed drive
> Drive size: 18 431 248 kb
> Drive free space: 10 963 172 kb
>
> Logical drive: E:\
> Drive type: Fixed drive
> Drive size: 10 236 208 kb
> Drive free space: 7 022 392 kb
>
> Logical drive: F:\
> Drive type: Fixed drive
> Drive size: 23 556 928 kb
> Drive free space: 2 607 804 kb
>
> Logical drive: R:\
> Drive type: Removable drive
> Drive size: 102 112 kb
> Drive free space: 81 438 kb

[sagara]

Thanks for that, but just looking at my old my T41 with a meager 40GB HDD, I'm only using about 24GB, so with 51GB spare on this X60 with XP installed I think I've got plenty of room! I just hate having things that might be totally unnecessary for me on my TP. I also use Partition Magic 8, and have my drive divided into C: OS and Progs; D: files; E: photos. I've just partitioned my X60 the same.

What's bugging me is the wireless - it seems so complex compared to having a PCMCIA card that worked simply and wonderfully in my T41. Now, when I suspend or hibernate the X60, when it comes out I have no wireless connection, nor can any be detected (but looking across to my T41, it is fine). I have to reboot to get it back. And what's this Vodafone stuff? I can do without that!

Oh, well. New machine, more learning!

[dfumento]

Occassionally I have trouble with getting EVDO access after sleep Fn-F4. I can usually reset by using the hardware switch in the front of the laptop. Turn it off and then turn it on again.

[sagara]

I've just tried putting the X60 to sleep using Fn-F4 a few times, and each time it manages to re-connect on. But the signal strength is only 55% - much lower than with a PCMCIA card on my T41 (although with the T41 I get no pretty picture!). The main problem is coming out of hibernation - it can't even find any WLAN connection anywhere. But next time I'll try switching on and off. At the moment I've just disabled hibernation.

Thanks

[tilneford]

Once upon a time Sagara asked:

And what's this Vodafone stuff? I can do without that!

If you google vodafone, you will learn that it is a Voice over IP telephone company. I believe they have created software to use with computers at WiFi hotspots to, ostensibly, make it easy to make phone calls. This may be what you have. When I received my new x60s two months ago, there was no Vodafone software on it. You may have installed it from a site other than Lenovo. It may also be causing some of your Wifi connection issues. Just a guess.

As for the HD size, depends on what you want to do and how you do it. My old laptop had a 40 gig HD with a 3 OS triple boot system. I never ran out of space. But, if you want to migrate to new software, which is usually bloated, or if you want to turn the laptop into a portable, overly large, MP3 player carrying your entire digital music and video collection, then 60 gig may be too small.

Rather than using Grub to dual boot, I am playing around with VMWare's Player and using it to run other OSs. I currently have installed Debian, Ubuntu, OpenBSD and a secure browser appliance. They consume about 10 megs. I just checked and I have 27 Gig free. I have not changed the factory install partitions. I don't feel cramped for storage space with a 60gig HD; however, I do see the benefit of adding more memory.

[SkiBunny]

My X60 wifi does not misbehave like that. Do you have the intel card? A lot of troubles have been reported with the intel.

I also have a T41 and the wifi performance of the X60 with atheros far outperforms the T41 in all aspects.

[sagara]

This X60 has a Vodafone SIM card which slots in next to the RAM modules. I believe it is for the high-poiwer business type so that they can use their TPs to make calls when their wireless can't pick up anything. I've taken out the SIM card and deleted the Vodafone software. No use to me.

Yes, I have an Intel Pro/Wireless 3945 abg. Is this card problematic? At the moment it is fine as long as I do not hibernate (although, at this time of year in the UK I feel like it).

Thanks

[SkiBunny]

Yes, I have an Intel Pro/Wireless 3945 abg. Is this card problematic?

Not if you're not having any problems, lol
Some ppl on this forum have reported significant difficulties with it in the past, to the point where they considered their X60 worthless. Perhaps the problem has since been resolved, or maybe yours is somehow different, yours being a Euro model instead of an Americas model, i dunno.

[Ken Fox]

(1) Uninstall any of the Lenovo/IBM/Thinkvantage software you don't really need. Prime candidates would include Client Security and Access Connections. There will be others too.

(2) Go to C:\Drivers

This is where all the downloaded installation packages are located. If you want the software, you should install it, and if you don't want it, you don't need the installation packages. Delete the directories with hybrid numeric/alphabet soup names. Don't delete the two small text files in this directory.

Doing these things will clear up several gigabytes of space and you will lose nothing.

[andrzej]

Ken Fox ...'Doing these things will clear up several gigabytes of space'...
FYI with latest upd X60s dir C:\DRIVERS = 680.0 MB
IMVHO no way to find any GB in such way

[bral]

Ken Fox ...'Doing these things will clear up several gigabytes of space'...
FYI with latest upd X60s dir C:\DRIVERS = 680.0 MB
IMVHO no way to find any GB in such way

I think the idea is that most of the reclaimed space comes from the software you'll be uninstalling in #1 rather than #2.

[andrzej]

Merry Christmas & Best wishes

BTW #1 hehehehehe OK
FYI
¦ C:\IBMTOOLS 1'130.0 MB
¦ C:\SWTOOLS 0.264 MB
¦
¦ C:\IBMSHARE =1.99 MB
¦ C:\VALUEADD =11.2 MB
¦ C:\Program Files\IBM ThinkVantage =168.0 MB
¦ C:\Program Files\ThinkPad =65.1 MB
¦ C:\Program Files\ThinkVantage =64.4 MB
¦ C:\Program Files\ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software =18.3 MB
¦ C:\Program Files\Analog Devices =2.7 MB
¦ also in C:\Program Files\Common Files

IMVHO but still the best way to have a clean HDD...
... do not swich on your laptop

[sagara]

On my 60X:

C:\DRIVERs = 18.3Mb
C:\IBMTOOLS = 1.84GB

I could get rid of quite a few Mbs from the IBMTOOLS, but if I really wanted much more space, I would delete the IBM patition and the i386 file, saving the two IBM folders above onto a DVD for an easier re-install, and use my own XP CD. I've owned a 600E, 600X, T23, and still have a T41, but this is the first time I've kept the IBM partition.

[andrzej]

despide a few bugs
ThinkPad firmware: prgs & drvs are too atractive for me
e.g. service partition but also upd sfw
Software Installer
ThinkVantage System Update

BTW firmware is still not perfect - see below
two different lists
explained by the same Software Installer
biger> View driver and application version information
>> Package name | Version
smaller> Find Updated Packages > Install Package
>> Package name | Importance | Available Versions | Installed Version

Software Installer (Version: 4.01.0615)
> View driver and application version information
Package name Version
The same software but much more drivers are noted
¦ Access Help 1.10
¦ Atmel TPM Driver 3.0.0.15
¦ Away Manager 2.0.8.0
¦ Help Center 1.04b
¦ Intel Chipset Support 5 for Windows 2000/XP 7.2.2.1007
¦ Intel Matrix Storage Manager driver 5.5.0.1035
first¦ Intel(R) PRO/1000 PL Network Connection 9.2.50.10 Version: Build 132701
second>¦ Intel(R)PRO/1000 PL Network Connection 9.2.50.10
¦ Intel(R) PRO/Wireless Driver (11a/b/g, 11a,g) 10.1.0.3 API
¦ Message Center 1.05
¦ On Screen Display 3.40.01
¦ PC-Doctor for Windows Diagnostics 5.00.4240.03
¦ PCMCIA PowerPolicy Registry Patch 1.02
¦ Productivity Center Supplement for ThinkPad 1.02b
¦ Scroll Lock Indicator Utility 1.07
¦ SDA Standard Compliant SD Host Controller 6.0.4069.1
¦ <> Software Installer 4.01.0615
¦ ThinkPad Audio Features XI for Windows 2000 / XP 5.10.1.4310
¦ <> ThinkPad BIOS Update 7BETCAWW(2.05-1.10)
second>¦ ThinkPad Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software 5.1.0.2100
third>¦ ThinkPad Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software 5.1.0.2100
first¦ ThinkPad Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software 5.1.0.2100
¦ ThinkPad Configuration 1.55
¦ ThinkPad EasyEject Utility 2.23
¦ ThinkPad FullScreen Magnifier 1.17
¦ ThinkPad Keyboard Customizer Utility 1.3.420
¦ ThinkPad Modem Software for Windows XP 7.39.00.50
¦ ThinkPad Power Management Driver 1.40
¦ ThinkPad Power Manager 1.13c
¦ ThinkPad Presentation Director 2.55
¦ ThinkPad TrackPoint Driver 3.55.0.0
¦ ThinkPad Video Features(Intel 945GM)for Windows 2000/XP 6.14.10.4693
¦ ThinkVantage Access Connections 4.21
¦ ThinkVantage Active Protection System 1.41
¦ ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software 5.5.0.2918
¦ ThinkVantage Productivity Center 1.11
¦ ThinkVantage System Update 2.00.0084
¦ ThinkVantage Technology - System Migration Assistant 5.10.0043
¦ TrackPoint Accessibility Features 1.11.00
lack¦ {ThinkPad Hotkey Features Setup} {1.31.0610}

Software Installer (Version: 4.01.0615)
> Find Updated Packages
¦ Search the following localizations:
¦ C:\DRIVERS 680.0 MB
¦ C:\IBMTOOLS 1'130.0 MB
¦ C:\SWTOOLS 0.264 MB
¦ Retrieve latest information on the internet
¦ update packages are saved in the location C:\DRIVERS
> Install Package
Package name Importance Available Versions Installed Version
lack of few drivers <>

ThinkVantage System Update (Version: 2.00.0084a)
View installation history
Name Version Date Status
¦ Away Manager 2.0.8.0
¦ ThinkPad Presentation Director 2.55
¦ ThinkPad Configuration 1.55
¦ ThinkPad Power Management Driver 1.40
¦ ThinkPad Hotkey Features Setup 1.31.0610
¦ PC-Doctor for Windows Diagnostics 5.00.4240.03
¦ ThinkPad BIOS Update 2.05-1.10
¦ Access Help for ThinkPad X60 1.10
¦ Intel(R)PRO/1000 PL Network Connection 9.2.50.10
¦ ThinkPad Configuration 1.54
¦ ThinkPad Hotkey Features Setup 1.30.0609