Mini review X40

[kalo93406]

I just got my X40 about a week ago. I have to say I was slightly worried after I ordered it and even for the first few days, but this thing really does seem to fit the bill. It is soooooo small and light even with the extended 8 cell battery. My only complaint at this point really is a slight ticking noise from the hard drive when it is working. It might be slightly slower than some other computers with faster hard drives and speedier processors, but that isn’t what we were buying with the X40.. we were buying a lightweight machine.

The coolest thing for me is getting my bluetooth headset working with the integrated bluetooth. ( See ”considering purchasing x40 but have a few questions” thread.) this was an option I really was striving for and it all worked out well…

One option I thought I would miss was the touchpad on my T42 (stolen I’m almost already used to the track point device and can left and right click with my right hand thumb while using the trackpoint.

One small problem may be some pointer drift after I release the track point… will see what’s up with this over the next few days.

They don’t send reinstall disks any more.. there is an option to “create recovery disks” in the “access IBM” software portion.

Anyway.. I’m pretty happy with this thing… I’m planning on buying a small shoulder bag just big enough for it to fit in so I can carry it easily if out and about for a few hours and want it with me..

Also got a small Sandisk Mobilemate device for Memorystick. Reads MS Duo directly with no adapter via USB 2.0 very cool IMO for $19.99

Now to just get a Canon Powershot SD300 with a 1 gig SD card for digital pics and movies.. I’ll be set..

That’s all.. cheers.. Roger

[ldbobby]

The pointer drift, it's a bug in the design I'd say. If you search on IBM's website, they say it's normal. Basically, it just happens every now and then, you'll learn to live with it. Kinda forces you to rest your little index finger too .

As for the re-install CD's, you can request to have a set sent to you by snail-mail. Not sure if it's within the first 30 days, or during your warranty period. But you'll be able to get it. I'm not sure what the number was, it's on the forums somewhere.

[ThinkPadX40]

[quote="kalo93406"] My only complaint at this point really is a slight ticking noise from the hard drive when it is working. It might be slightly slower than some other computers with faster hard drives and speedier processors, but that isn’t what we were buying with the X40.. we were buying a lightweight machine.

The coolest thing for me is getting my bluetooth headset working with the integrated bluetooth.


kalo I seen the same thing but I like it

you use bluetooth device like mouse with your machine ?

[kalo93406]

I answered your question in your mouse thread... I hope my thoughts help you out... Cheers... Roger

[JaneL]

>One small problem may be some pointer drift after I release the track point… will see what’s up with this over the next few days.
>

That's normal. You're probably resting your finger on the TrackPoint without realizing it, and it's confusing the automatic recalibration. Just don't rest your finger there, and things will be fine.

Now, if every time you let go of it, the pointer zooms to the edge of the screen, get the keyboard replaced.

[kalo93406]

The pointer drift, it's a bug in the design I'd say. If you search on IBM's website, they say it's normal. Basically, it just happens every now and then, you'll learn to live with it. Kinda forces you to rest your little index finger too .

As for the re-install CD's, you can request to have a set sent to you by snail-mail. Not sure if it's within the first 30 days, or during your warranty period. But you'll be able to get it. I'm not sure what the number was, it's on the forums somewhere.

I called and asked for the CDs they said they will not send them anylonger since the "create recovery disks" option is now included.

That's normal. You're probably resting your finger on the TrackPoint without realizing it, and it's confusing the automatic recalibration. Just don't rest your finger there, and things will be fine.

I don't think i'm resting my finger on it as it happens after I remove my finger.

Maybe I'm not removing my finger fast enough or something like that.. will watch for it more..

Thanks.... Roger

[JohnDrake]

When it moves without you touching it, don't try to correct it...its re-zero'ing itself. Normal. It should move maybe about an inch, and stop. If you let it do its thing, everything will work fine.

[eriqesque]

That's normal. You're probably resting your finger on the TrackPoint without realizing it, and it's confusing the automatic recalibration. Just don't rest your finger there, and things will be fine.

I don't think i'm resting my finger on it as it happens after I remove my finger.

Maybe I'm not removing my finger fast enough or something like that.. will watch for it more..

Thanks.... Roger

Well it happens when you remove your finger. If you rest it on the pointer and then remove it, the trackpoint needs to recalibrate.

[KenFodder]

Is this utility of creating the recovery CDs in windows or in the PDA?

Does it burn the CDs for you directly or create image files to burn with another app?

Basically I'm planning on buying an X40 without any external drive, as I have a basic USB Cd-rom and USB hdd if I need to recover to a new HDD.

Also I was hoping to just image the drive onto a USB hdd, but there seems to be tons on teething problems with cloning the HPA+partitions, making it unbootable into windows.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[skanky]

you have to download the latest IBM rescue and recovery program and it will create the cds for you, or if you have a multiburner, dvd recovery media.

[kalo93406]

If you have a newer x40 (or other thinkpads i suppose) the utility to make the recovery CDs is in the IBM apps preinstalled. When I called to get recovery CD sent out.. they told me since the option to make the recovery cds is on my computer they will not send them out.

The program makes the Cds (6 total) directly to your cd.

Personally I wish I had never made the CDs at all.. I'm sure now I will never use them. I did a clean reinstall of Win XP pro. any it worked realy well. Takes up so much less room on the hard drive that all of the IBM pre install stuff with the hidden recovery partition.

[KenFodder]

By doing a clean install of XP Pro, did you remove the HPA?

Also could you be more clear on the IBM apps that create the CDs! Is it a windows app? (ie not created from within the PDA).

If so could I copy that utility to another machine that has a CD writer as I am not planning on buying the X40 with any extra drives!

Thanks

[kalo93406]

By doing a clean install of XP Pro, did you remove the HPA?

What is an HPA?

Also could you be more clear on the IBM apps that create the CDs! Is it a windows app? (ie not created from within the PDA).

its some sort of program.. what else could it be??? I just clicked on "start", "programs", "access IBM" and there was an option to create recovery cds... thats it.. i stepped through the process to make the six disks.. but like I said I will never use them as I've done a clean WIN XPP install and won't ever go back to the IBM install...

If so could I copy that utility to another machine that has a CD writer as I am not planning on buying the X40 with any extra drives!

I have no idea... Seems not likely though. I would think you would need some sort of CD drive to write too connected to the thinkpad.

Do you even have this computer yet?? why not just worry about it when you get the computer then decide what you want/need to do??

[KenFodder]

HPA = Hidden Partition Area (which is where IBM stores the recovery data to restore to factory settings) so your hard drive will be a couple of gigs less than 20 or 40GB.

Now I understand the utility is simply in windows. Sometimes to do these things manufacturers make these utilities in a DOS environment, ie before you boot windows, it has happened in the past with other brands of notebooks.

I've just realised you can't do it on another machine because of that HPA (Hidden Partition) which stores the recovery CD data from which the utility uses.

No I don't have this computer yet!! I'm waiting for my next paycheck to cover the cost so while I'm waiting why not research it little further. Also in the past years these little things sometimes, changes my mind on the purchase. Once I've purchased it I'm stuck with it. So nothing to lose.

Thanks for your help though.

[yoesh]

quote:

I called and asked for the CDs they said they will not send them anylonger since the "create recovery disks" option is now included.


True. But try feigning some problem (ie, "I tried burning the discs and got errors") that isn't hardware based (they'll ask you to troubleshoot) .

That will usually work and get you the disks.

[fergusd]

I called and asked for the CDs they said they will not send them anylonger since the "create recovery disks" option is now included.

Word to the wise . . .

I created the rescue disks (it's actually done using the rescue partition - which as it happens is a wee linux install) using an external usb cd burner.

I then messed about with linux installs and eventually blew my partition table while experimenting . . . such is life . . .

anyway . . . the recovery disks I ceared didn't work and I called IBM, who without any hassle sent me a set of install disks the next day . . . (in the UK) . . .

So . . . don't rely on the recovery partition, but top marks to IBM customer support .

Fd

[alcuin]

I find the ticking noise UNBELIEVABLY annoying; I did some testing, the best I can figure its mostly the anti-virus. Simply disabling it didn't seem to help, I had to completely uninstall it. It still ticks, but not like a clock every second.

Regards,
-e

[Zeitgeist]

By doing a clean install of XP Pro, did you remove the HPA?

The x40 and t42 models don´t have anymore the HPA!