Some Questions About the IBM Preload Programs

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Plinkerton · #1 Post by **Plinkerton** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 6:58 pm

Hi, I just got a T42, and it's a great machine. I was curious about some of the programs that come installed on it. They appear in my start menu, and there are somethings that appear in my main drive, that aren't on the start menu. None of these were added by me, and I was just curious about what they are, if I can uninstall them, and HOW I uninstall them when they don't appear in the "add/remove" programs sections. Here they are:

The first one is Microsoft Frontpage. I was under the impression that frontpage was a webpage building application. For some reason, it's in my program files. When I open the folder, the folder in that one is "Version 3.0". There aren't any hidden files or anything. In that folder is another folder called "bin" and in that folder there is nothing. What's up with this? Can I just delete it? I don't understand why it's there.

Next, the IBM DLA file on the start menu doesn't seem to have any actual program in it. It has DLA Help, and a readme file. It says that it's so the optical drive can work. Do I need to keep this menu on the start file?

Next, is the IBM registration. I've already done this. Can I just delete it off the start menu, or do I need to find out how to uninstall it somehow?

Next, IBM Record now. I don't really think I need this, unless you can convince me otherwise. I don't have a DVD burner, and I just use iTunes to burn and import all my stuff.

I REALLY don't need Sonic Express Labler. I wouldn't use it even if I did burn alot of CDs. Those paper labels are ugly. I don't see it in the "add/remove" programs though, and I can't find an uninstall button. How do I get this useless crap off of here? Can I just delete the file in the program files, and then delete it off the start menu?

There is also a file in my program files, called "xerox". It has a couple folders inside, but they don't seem to hold anything, even with "show system files" etc. on. What is this?

Overall, i'm just trying to figure out what are the useless programs that they include, and trying to slim down my start menu, by deleting all the crap off of it.

Normally, with these issues, I would check for it in the "add/remove" and if I couln't find it, I would probably just delete it. In this case however, I really want to keep the OS operating as smoothly as possible.

Thanks a lot for any information you have to offer. Sorry for the long winded questions.

Thanks,
Plink

Plinkerton · #2 Post by **Plinkerton** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 7:41 pm

I still have some questions about this... Anyone? I just want to know how to go about deleting some of the useless programs without screwing anything up.

THanks!

DavidNZ · #3 Post by **DavidNZ** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 7:58 pm

Hi Plink

Unless you're really starved for HD space, I wouldn't necessarily uninstall things. If they are cluttering up your Start menu, consider re-arranging it by grouping things. I put a quite a bit of stuff in the accessories/systems tools folder (like Adaware, Spybot, etc.). Keeps the 'Programs' list small and, thus, quicker when opening.

As for what running programs you can delete, use 'msconfig.sys' (Start->Run, then type that in) to have a look at what processes get called up at boot time (check the 'startup' tab - leave everything else alone). Have google open at the same time to do a search on what some things are just in case the paths for the executable don't tell you much.

For various 'services', run 'services.msc' from Start->Run. Use a site such as www.blackviper.com to help decide what services can be safely disabled and which ones should absolutely remain.

Before you do any of the above, create a system restore point.

Hope those pixels have calmed down!

David

rocketman · #4 Post by **rocketman** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:01 pm

Whenever I get a new PC I always scrap the Windows install that comes on it and do a clean install myself. I'm not sure if this can even be done with the Thinkpads as from what I've read IBM ships a recovery disk with everything built in where Windows is not seperate. This is surprising as even Sony does this, their recovery disk comes with Windows on one disk and the extra software on another disk, at least it's that way with my Sony desktop.
Every PC manufacturer adds software to Windows which just adds gunk and slows the system down. Dell is really bad when it comes to this, IBM probably one of the better ones.

waterside · #5 Post by **waterside** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:29 pm

rocketman wrote:Whenever I get a new PC I always scrap the Windows install that comes on it and do a clean install myself. I'm not sure if this can even be done with the Thinkpads as from what I've read IBM ships a recovery disk with everything built in where Windows is not seperate.

Yes, others have rebuilt using generic Windows CDs.

I've done a comparison (windiff) between the i386 directory on my T41 and a standard Micro$loth-supplied WinXP SP1A CD. The two are nearly identical, with less than a half-dozen differences, none of which is significant other than unattend.txt. There are probably another half-dozen or so files that are compressed on the WinXP CD but uncompressed on the IBM version - not significant either. unattend.txt is only important for the Product Key - it is indeed different than that found on the bottom of your ThinkPad. If you have an OEM cd the key on the bottom of the thinkpad will work.

You can find all the drivers you need at http://www.tpdrivers.com/ (from the FAQ in this forum). You can also check http://www.ibm.com/support/us (for the US) and find drivers/software from there.

Recommendations commonly (daily?) found in this forum suggest saving C:\IBMTOOLS, C:\DRIVERS, and C:\I386 to a bootable CD and you're good to go.

Some software (Such as WinDVD) may only be found in C:\IBMTOOLS and can not be downloaded so you'll absolutely want to save that, even if you have no plans to use these ustilities now.

You can create a set of recovery CDs from the HPA (PreDesktop Area) or you can request a set from IBM (within 30 days of purchase for no extra charge).

Plinkerton · #6 Post by **Plinkerton** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:05 pm

I'm not starved for space yet, but I'm sure I will be. I have a 40 gig drive, with about 9 or so left over. The biggest files on there are about 12 gigs of music. About 900 megs for a program, and then about 700 megs misc files. I haven't really installed a lot either. A few hundred megs here and there.

This is taken from my HD properties:
Capacity is 32.9
Used is 24
Free space is 8.88.

It just seems like I don't have a lot of space left, even though there isn't a ridiculous amount of stuff on here.

When I hit start and go to run, and enter in "msconfig.sys" is says:

"Windows cannot find msconfig.sys. Make sure you typed the name correctly and try again."

The services.msc gives me some crazy list I don't understand.

I'm not too good at this stuff.

I was just interested in taking off the stuff I would never use. At this point, I figure when I do start to run out of room, I'll just have to get an external HD to keep all the music on, as 12 gigs is definitely a chunk of space to keep something I don't need immediate access too. It's just at this point this ThinkPad HD is the biggest one I have.

A couple other questions relating to space. If I did a system backup, am I supposed to do it to another HD, or to separate disks? Or can I create it on the HD? How much space does it take up? I'm a little confused with all this, as I've never used anything like that before.

If I really shouldn't delete anything that I know I will never use, I'll listen to you guys. I will never use a CD labler, and probably never use the CD burning program that's installed. I've always used my own, and much prefer them.

I just thought it was strange to have a file called xerox, and another one called "frontpage".

I'll try to wade my way through Black Vipers page.

The pixels have calmed down. They seem to be fine. They don't appear to want to come back. The tech support guy said they will probably stay gone, save for that one, but it doesn't really bother me.

Thanks everyone.

DavidNZ · #7 Post by **DavidNZ** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 12:19 am

whups - just do msconfig, NOT msconfig.sys. Sorry about that, mate.

12gb of music? Sheesh. I would definitely invest in a portable USB 2.0 hard drive setup (you can even get a non-portable one that takes the 3.5" drives, and as you know they can go up to 200GB these days, if not more). They can be quite cheap and you can use it to store your music (and system backups - system backups are generally best if they are stored away from the primary hard drive - a backup on your existing hard drive won't do much good if your hard drive kicks it). If you can, try and keep at least half of your hard drive free. They say it improves on space.

My setup includes a 20GB portable drive (USB 2.0) that I use to keep a huge amount of data on (I'm a prof, and there's heaps of research stuff on it). I mirror some of it to the Thinkpad using standard Microsoft Briefcases, and this works extremely well. I use archived .pst files from Outlook 2003, so I have virtually every email sent and received since 2002 (has been quite useful in some situations).

I also use a 512MB pen drive that I use to mirror some stuff from the Thinkpad (my active 'Main' folder that contains all my teaching, admin and some research stuff). I generally don't do a full system backup because if, heaven forbid, my Thinkpad hard drive fails, all i would lose it the time it takes to re-install everything. In other words, I tend to backup data only, not programs. (My University supplies me with the programs I need, which is great). However, that being said, I am thinking of doing a separate 3.5" enclosure with a 160GB drive (as I mention above) for general storage and achiving.

I don't have any music actually (i gave up on P2P after Napster was shut down), and I generally use my minidisc recorder to optically record music from my bookshelft stereo in my home office. Optical recording beats mp3s in terms of sound quality (in my opinion anyway)...

Plinkerton · #8 Post by **Plinkerton** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 11:50 am

I have a 20 gig iPod, which is why I have so much music. It's all ripped in 192 AAC, so it sounds a bit better than MP3's. All the music is taken off of CD's I have. I definitely need to get an external HD, but can't afford it now, after buying a 2000+ computer... I will be getting one ASAP though. Even a separate 20-40 gig HD would be great. I'll check into those, as the external bigger ones are just to expensive at the moment.

I guess after I move all the music off, I'll have plenty of space for a while. It

EDIT: Man, those little 20Gb ones are almost as much as the bigger ones...

A non portable one would be fine, except I don't really have a tower computer that I could install it in, as this is pretty much my only computer. They are cheaper, and I wish I could use one.

Am I understanding you right in thinking that you are using a standard internal HD for a regular desktop computer, and putting it in an enclosure? Does that work? Would I be able to just plug the drive in, and transfer by USB? That would definitely be a possibility, as the internal drives seem to be much cheaper.

If this is possible, what's the difference between a true external HD, and doing it this way? Is this one more fragile? Not built for portability?

Thanks again.

sktn77a · #9 Post by **sktn77a** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 12:33 pm

Yes, a desktop drive in an external USB 2.0 enclosure will work. Some drives have slightly different head protection mechanisms - an external 3.5" enclosure should cost you $10-$20 on pricewatch and a 120Gb drive for about $70. A 2.5 inch drive and enclosure would offer better portability and bump resistance but they run about $200 for an 80Gb drive and enclosure.

Raindrop · #10 Post by **Raindrop** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 1:47 pm

sktn77a wrote:Yes, a desktop drive in an external USB 2.0 enclosure will work. Some drives have slightly different head protection mechanisms - an external 3.5" enclosure should cost you $10-$20 on pricewatch and a 120Gb drive for about $70. A 2.5 inch drive and enclosure would offer better portability and bump resistance but they run about $200 for an 80Gb drive and enclosure.

In transitioning from an older Thinkpad to a newer unit, one of the things I have been looking at is a secondary 80 gig drive running Norton Ghost or something similar to create a mirror image drive in case the one in my machine goes down. I just went through a bunch of problems with my previous machine and it's hard drive and it would be nice to simply have IBM do the service work and even if they have to reformat the drive I could have everything revert from the "ghost" drive.

Your recommendations on a particular brand or source for the 80gig with enclosure would be appreciated??

~Greg

Plinkerton · #11 Post by **Plinkerton** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 2:44 pm

Yup. I agree. It would be appreciated.

jaymz · #12 Post by **jaymz** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 11:09 pm

I've found an excellent way to backup by making a complete mirror image of my hard drive by using the EZ-GIG II hard drive upgrade kit from Apricorn....

My biggest fear is having my laptop stolen, and then having to spend a week to reconfigure and install all the software and reconfigure things again. Now,with a mirror of my hard drive, all I would need to do is order another T23 off ebay, and I'm off and running again instantly.

http://www.apricorn.com/product_details.php?ID=226 .. it's about $70.

This also works as a standard second hard drive adapter.... so it would be equally good for connecting to your 30GB music collection.

Some Questions About the IBM Preload Programs

Some Questions About the IBM Preload Programs

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