IBM support (?) for software problems

[mytp]

I've needed to call IBM support a number of times since getting my T42p about 2 weeks ago. One time I called to ask why, when I booted the system the first time, the HD was automatically formatted to NTFS and there was no option for FAT32. I was told to restore the original factory image using recovery and restore -- even though I told the support person that I was sure a new install wouldn't change the fact that FAT32 wasn't an option. I wasted almost 2 hours and after I was done and called back the support person, he asked me to hold on a minute -- after less than a minute he was back on the line and told me that the IBM configured version of Win XP does not have a FAT32 option. Why couldn't he have checked that BEFORE he wasted my time??? In general, I noticed that whenever the problem I raise could be software related their standard response is for me to do a total system restore. Now I have more software related problems, one related to a sudden inability to automatically "detect my system" at the IBM downloads and drivers site, the other related to problems installing an update to Access IBM software. Is there any special phone number or email address at IBM for software issues? If not, anyone know of any other venues to try and get solutions to these problems?

[ian]

I see by the date you joined that you're fairly new here - might I suggest using the search option at the top of the page, as all of the items you mentioned in your post have had several comments, to my knowledge, and you may find what you're looking for.

I fully realise searching forums can be boring, but it's also amazing what can be found...good luck

[mytp]

Ian, thank you for your input. Although I am a relative "newbie" here, I have already used the search option to look for other threads relating to my questions, and I have not found answers. There are three threads dealing with these specific issues, two of which I myself began:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=6248
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=6249 and
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=6131.
So far, none of these threads has lead to a solution. Should I repost to the ThinkPad T Series forum -- there is much more "action" in that forum, and maybe more chance of getting a response?

[jdhurst]

One suggestion might be to get your ThinkPad going in a traditional way first, and then deal with the automation later.

First, on imaging the system for the first time, you might consider accepting NTFS. It is designed for NT-based systems and works just fine. I don't see any advantage to FAT32 in an NT-based system, and NTFS is inherently more robust.

Second, you can go to:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... country=us
and enter your model and type and go to the page that has all the files you need to update your IBM drivers and applications. That includes the Access IBM software.

I tend to do things manually, but there have been a couple of threads here that have strongly supported the use of ThinkPad Software Installer. You might try downloading and installing the newest version of that product and using it to do your updates.

... JD Hurst

[mytp]

One suggestion might be to get your ThinkPad going in a traditional way first, and then deal with the automation later.

Thanks, JD. I did download the IBM updates manually. What concerns me is that all of a sudden my computer is not identified anymore on the IBM site when I click "automatically detect my system", whereas up until a certain point this procedure had worked. That is a sign that something has changed within my computer's configuration -- and I'd like to know what it is and how I can change it back. In addition, I tried to update the Access IBM software in the way you suggest -- I downloaded it okay, but when I tried to install it I got the error message.