New T60 Set-up

[bigswede]

I just received my new T60 (14.1 SXGA+, 2.0GHz Core2Duo T7200, 100Gb 7200rpm HDD, 1GB RAM, Windows XP Pro) model 2613CTO.

I am trying to optimize my machine before putting it into use in my home office and have some questions:

1. Disk space - Preload C: is showing used space of 8.82GB and free space of 79.7GB, disk capacity is shown as 88.5GB. Is there anyway to increase my disk space? Is there a simple way to remove the hidden partition/system restore and have a full system restore on back-up (see my 3rd question)? How much of my 100GB drive should be available (assuming no productivity applications like Office are installed except the essentials like anti-virus, firewall, etc)?

2. Current Applications Installed (came preloaded with T60) - Of these applications, which should be deleted or replaced? These came stock on my T60:
- ATI HYDRAVISION
- Catalyst Control Center
- Diskeeper Lite (delete?)
- Games (delete)
- Multimedia Center for Think Offerings (RecordNow Audio, Copy, Data, Intervideo WinDVD, WinDVD Creator)
- NetWaiting
- PC-Doctor 5 (delete?)
- Picasa 2 (keep)
- SoundMAX (keep)
- Symantec Anti-Virus (delete & switch to Kaspersky V6?)
- ThinkVantage (keep)
- AdobeReader 7
- Internet Explorer 7 (download Firefox instead)
- MSN (delete)
- Outlook Express (delete)
- Remote Express
- Windows Media Connect (delete?)
- Windows Media Player
- Windows Messenger
- WIndows Movie Maker (delete)

3. Recovery & Rescue Media - I followed the ThinkVantage instructions for creating Product Recovery Discs and it created two DVD's - "Rescue & Recovery Start-up Disc 1" and a "Product Recovery Disc 1". Does this seem correct? From other posters I have read it takes up to 4 DVD's. What am I missing? Also, I noted that in the Help it says that if you are replacing your hard drive you can order 'Recovery CD" from Customer Support. Are these discs different that those created from the process above?

4. How much disk space would be freed up by eliminating the System Restore hidden partition? It seems really odd that 20% of my 100GB drive is already eaten up and I haven't even loaded any software or data. I like the "idea" of the system restore option, but I'd rather have the disk space!

5. My back-up plan is to run Acronis True Image 10 and have two NDAS drives (Ximeta 160GB) mirroring the T60 HDD attached over the nework. Does this alter any of the above?

6. External monitors - I am using the Advanced Mini-Dock so I can have 2 external monitors attached to the T60, but I want to add a 3rd external monitor, what is the best way to accomplish this? Some of the options I have found include VTBook and Matrox DualHead/TripleHead 2Go products. Any recommendations?

[ducky2802]

In regards to your recovery stuff. I would leave an image on the HDD as well as make the backup DVD's. (2) DVD's are all that is required, or (1) cd and (1) DVD to make the recovery software.

The reason why I suggest to keep the computer one is simply because I found the reliability of the recovery program questionable. Several backups exist on my hdd, and and external USB hdd, but only half of them actually work. Since HDD's are relatively cheap, it seemed easier to keep a full backup across several hdds to minimize the impact in the event of system failure.

As far as available space, my 100gb only has 88.7gb free. This is due to the definition of Gb/Mb from the computer industry.

[bigswede]

Thanks!

Does anyone know the difference between the Recovery discs that you get directly from Lenovo vs. the ones you create from the T60?

Also, do these discs allow you to install XP without installing the hidden partition for System Restore?