New T42 - What's in the Box?

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treker · #1 Post by **treker** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 4:49 pm

I just ordered a new T42 for $1199 yesterday when I saw the post about the $300 discount. I am excited.
1. What exactly comes in the box?

I have read the faqs about clean XP install. It sounds convoluted. Also read the general T42 faq.
2. What are recovery disks and how come you only can make ONE copy?

3. Doesn't an XP CD for re-install come in the box? And isn't your XP activation code on a sticker attached to the T42? All my Dell computers come with CD with their utilities and an original Windows XP CD, with activation code. I have always done a complete clean install of XP after thoroughly checking the Dell computer out. I plan to do the same with the T42.

#2 Post by **jdhurst** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:02 pm

You do not get an XP CD with the machine. You can (and should) order recovery CD's for the eventuality you don't yet know about. If you wish to do a "clean" install, go ahead. No one in here has ever provided a cogently clear explanation of why to do so. The IBM install, fully updated works very well. Done right, the IBM apps use no resources except some RAM and I have gobs of that.

You do not ever have to activate an IBM install. If you do, the install is certifiably corrupted.

IBM utilities are useful (very especially Access Connections if you do both wired and wireless). I have worked on Dell machines and their utilities are crap. The comparison is not useful.

If you want to do something useful to that T42, get the recovery CD's and put a 60Gb 7200 rpm drive in it. That will genuinely speed it up.

My opinion only (but my machines work a treat), and your mileage may vary. ... JD Hurst

fbrdphreak · #3 Post by **fbrdphreak** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:14 pm

I will second pretty much everything jdhurst said. There are a few apps that IBM preloads that I don't find much use for, like the Messenger prog. People definitely claim that with a fresh install, Windows loads a good bit quicker. I would say the advantage to doing a fresh install is that the registry & startup items aren't as cluttered from the get-go. IBM definitely has a lot of items that load under msconfig, so with a fresh install you get to control exactly loads up.
I am confused as to why you guys are talking about "getting" the recovery CDs. IIRC, you can just burn a copy and save yourself the $30 or $40 or whatever IBM wants for 'em these days.
I'm going to do a fresh install soon myself as my Windows install is doing some weird stuff. I'll report back on Sunday or Monday with my results

ehd · #4 Post by **ehd** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 1:00 am

they dont include a recovery cd?... where do u get one? so im assuming theres no 'windows update' program in the ibm version? sp2 corrupts it right?

#5 Post by **jdhurst** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 8:15 am

ehd wrote:they dont include a recovery cd?... where do u get one? so im assuming theres no 'windows update' program in the ibm version? sp2 corrupts it right?

You get the recovery CD's by calling IBM. With some newer T models you can make them yourself.

I'm not sure why you think there is no Windows Update program in IBM machines. Windows Update is a Windows function and is available on any PC. SP2 does not corrupt it at all.
... JD Hurst

ehd · #6 Post by **ehd** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:10 pm

oh i thought people were having problems cause something about the thinkpads were made so taht u should only install the ibm drivers and never window drivers and theres some sticky about clean installing so people can get sp2? so the first thing to do when i get my thinkpad is to run win update and get sp2 installed?..

eriqesque · #7 Post by **eriqesque** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:25 pm

Well the updating drivers from Windows Update applies to all PC's.
Generally it's a bad idea to download drivers from WU.

#8 Post by **jdhurst** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:31 pm

In addition to what eriqesque said, all IBM ThinkPads should be checked for all driver and application updates when installing SP2. There is no need at all to do a clean install of the OS in order to install SP2. What I have found (with some small exceptions) is that every piece of software I own has issued its own updates to be fully compliant with SP2. Check your machine and leave nothing behind. ... JD Hurst

ThinkPad · #9 Post by **ThinkPad** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:40 pm

That is quite a deal for the T-42, where did you get it from?

treker · #10 Post by **treker** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:36 pm

See my other post about Did anyone get their $1199 T42. Seems it was a "typo". Customer Service cancelled my order. I am going to try and get it reinstated tomorrow. We'll see how honorable IBM is.

#11 Post by **aamsel** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 1:34 am

That is precisely what I intend to do, but...
will the recovery CD's create the hidden partition on the new blank 7200 rpm drive????

Andrew
Austin, TX

jdhurst wrote:...If you want to do something useful to that T42, get the recovery CD's and put a 60Gb 7200 rpm drive in it. That will genuinely speed it up....

#12 Post by **aamsel** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 1:39 am

treker · #13 Post by **treker** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 8:52 am

To Andrew....OKAY. This is really a good forum to get ideas and discusssions about great Thinkpads.

#14 Post by **aamsel** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:23 am

You are probably right.

I deleleted my comment, above.
That's what happens when I post in the middle of the night after a crappy day.

Sorry.

Andrew
Austin, TX

#15 Post by **aamsel** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:27 am

re-asked....

Will recovery CD's create the hidden partition on the new blank 7200 rpm drive????

Andrew
Austin, TX

z2000 · #16 Post by **z2000** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:01 pm

yes. if you brun your recovery CD ( 7 CDs for t42) then you can put a new 7K60 in your t42. using recovery CD to setup "HPA" there ( if you intend to)

That, you will have all perload software on your brand new 7200prm HDD.

#17 Post by **aamsel** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:11 pm

I hit the blue Access IBM button and looked at the menu choices, but I don't see one for creating the recovery CD's.
Which choice is it supposed to be ???

Thanks!
Andrew
Austin, TX

#18 Post by **aamsel** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 10:42 pm

Can anyone tell me how to make these CD's ???
Is it only on certain models??
I have a 23795VU, have booted into the recovery partition, but don't see that option on the menu. What should the option be ????

Thanks!!

Andrew
Austin, TX

New T42 - What's in the Box?

New T42 - What's in the Box?

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