First Things First

[k3vb0t]

Received my 2378-FVU today. Unfortunately, 2 stuck pixels, red, on the right side at the top and bottom. Not majorly noticable, so I'll live with them most likely.

I've done this so far:
installed Firefox 1.0PR + my bookmarks
installed Thunderbird
installed Gaim
installed StartupCPL to cut down on what is part of my startup
registered the products
windows updates
norton updates
switched XP to classic view
installed ZoneAlarm (free)

I'm currently planning on leaving the recovery partition on the laptop, but I may remove it if I decide I need more room.

What else should I be doing? Creating a recovery CD? (How?)

Thanks.. I look forward to participating on the board

[pat]

Well if the 2 stuck pixels get to you, you can return your Thinkpad with no questions asked for 30 days....

[k3vb0t]

Well if the 2 stuck pixels get to you, you can return your Thinkpad with no questions asked for 30 days....

Yea, I know. I've read several of the threads here. There is no guarantee I would get a better LCD though. Next time I could have 2 stuck pixels in the middle of the screen. They really aren't noticable, except on black. I can live with that I guess.

Just ordered my Radtech Screensavrz (http://www.radtech.us/Products/Notebook ... vrzPC.aspx). Hope it gets here soon. My Booq Powersleeve 14 should arrive on Wednesday so I can actually start taking this to class!

[darrenf]

I just looked up that ScreensavRz product. I could have really used that with my last two laptops!

It got me thinking, though. I use my T42 (and T41 before that) in dirty dusty environments and carry it with me all day so it experiences more abuse than most laptops. With all that, though, I haven't seen a single mark on my screen that I could attribute to keycaps. I do get a small mark from my trackpoint (which I've never once noticed until just now when I looked over every inch of the screen for a mark of some sort).

I have the 14" screen, BTW.

Has anyone seen a need for a product like this on a ThinkPad?

-darren

[Plinkerton]

I haven't seen a need yet, but I still bought one. I noticed the little rubber dots from the trackpoint. I figured that eventually, if some grit got on top of the trackpoint, it could rub a scratch in the screen. Better safe then sorry for me I guess...

[gcchatel]

i see no need for the screensaverz, the spot from the trackpoint annoyed me so i just remove the trackpoint cap when i close the thinkpad and put it in my bag pocket, when i take it out, i just replace the cap (it takes 2 seconds) and my screen stays perfect

Gael

[k3vb0t]

I'm getting the Screensavrz both for the protection on the trackpoint, and to also clean the screen. Any recommended cleaning solutions? Office Depot has two bottles of screen cleaner for ~$5, but wasn't sure if I needed to get something specifically aimed at laptop LCDs.

Also looking for recommendations for USB or wireless mice. I can't decide if I should get a small, aimed at laptop mouse (Targus, etc.), or stick with a larger one (like the Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 5 button). I really like the 5 button mice out there, but all the laptop ones (except for maybe one, and I wasn't sure on that one) are 3 button.

Worries with a USB mouse would be crimping the wire and eventually having to replace it (as I have had to replace my current Intellimouse Optical). Wireless problem would be if my hand is on the keyboard I might lose connectivity (heard about this) since the USB port is on the left side of the T42, and I am right handed. And having to replace a AAA battery every couple of months.

Thanks for all the thoughts!

[Elhabash]

With wireless mouses you just need to have some spare batteries along with the rechargeables in the mouse...

As for the protection of the display, I always have a microfiber cloth between the display and the keyboard, which I also use to clean the screen.
If it's really dirty, then take a lint-free cloth (NO paper towels!) and some distilled water. Son't put the water on the display, put it on the cloth. And if things get really tough, I believe some 10% Ethanol (the alcohol good for drinking) should do the job.

[darrenf]

I clean the display about once a week with soap and water (on paper towels) and it looks fantastic. Just wring out the water enough so that it doesn't creep under the bezel around the screen. I rub the soapy paper towel on the screen in a circular motion, then wipe it clean with a damp paper towel and finally a dry one.

The same sequence works well for the outside of the lid.

-darren

[k3vb0t]

I clean the display about once a week with soap and water (on paper towels) and it looks fantastic. Just wring out the water enough so that it doesn't creep under the bezel around the screen. I rub the soapy paper towel on the screen in a circular motion, then wipe it clean with a damp paper towel and finally a dry one.

The same sequence works well for the outside of the lid.

-darren

Please say you are kidding. General consensus is soap is bad, water is bad, and paper towels are bad...

[darrenf]

Then perhaps I'll pay a long term price, but my display looks great!

-darren0

[AtmosMan]

Well, according to Access IBM:

...moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with water or a 50-50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water that does not contain impurities.

Wring out as much of the liquid as you can.

Wipe the display again; do not let any liquid drip into the computer.

Be sure to dry the display before closing it.


Personally, I use special alcohol free wipes and a microfiber cloth. I don't want to bother making distilled water, so I just buy something safe for laptop displays.

[JaneL]

The short version of all that is #18 at http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=1689