IBM ThinkPads - love the build, the look...hate the concepts

[epp_b]

First of all, I'd like to thank the genius who wrote this up:
http://www.4saad.com/WhatsNew/Fresh_XP_ ... /index.htm

Anyway, I'm thinking of getting a ThinkPad. I used to own one, and it was an awesome computer. I really like the design of ThinkPads, and their build quality (my ThinkPad was a 600X - similar to the now T series, am I right?). What I *despise* is IBM's "one-size-fits-all" paradigm, and the way they implement it with restore partitions, proprietary software, etc...BLECH!

However, let me see if I've got things straight here...

According the article [link] mentioned above, I can obliterate the service partition (which, BTW, I would find completely useless because I already have my OWN tried-and-true backup methods) and also, in essense, "salvage" a clean, untainted, unscathed, untouched (you get the idea) Windows XP [Pro] installation?

If not, is there any hard-coded link in ThinkPads for the OS installation that would disallow me from installing any other (OEM/retail) OS that I buy separately?

Lastly (and somewhat unrelated), do other proprietary features [such as Active Protection System, Embeded Security Subsystem, Hard Drive Password, etc.] cause any problems with swapping hard drives (something I need to do frequently) or is it all in software and the HDD controller?

[epp_b]

I appologize as this thread is probably in the wrong forum (albeit, I am considering a T series...but this is more generalized question).

Mods, please move this to hardware, general, or wherever you think it is most applicable.

[lvlolvlo]

epp as to your first question you can use your UXP cd as keep in mind IBM is used by many corporations which do exactly what you're doing purchase the units and load it up with their own u xp cd which has xp customize to the way they need it for mass deployment.

as to your second question...i don't swap out hd's i use external 2.5" hd enclosure so i can't answer that but i would imagine it would be ok. b/c the hd pswd would be locked in bios and is basically a pswd that allows you to access/read/open the hd

as to the embedded security subsystem i don't know.

[MadeInJapan]

I have heard of people using password protection for their HDD's and then taken them out to use in other Thinkpads and it wouldn't boot up. Best thing is delete all of the passwords before doing this for good measure. Yes, sure you can format the HDD and load up Windows XP as you like. Look here...there's a thread on exactly how to do this with SP2, slipstreamed into the installation, boot CD if you want, which you can make from the I386 folder that comes on your computer. I"ve done that with my computer and have gotten rid of any service partition. Don't need it...have my own backup methods too. Anyway, the T-series is a lot more versatile than how they come to you from IBM. Have fun and good luck!

[cognacc]

If i understand you correctly you saying that you substitute your internal HDD

When Changing to a new harddisk in my good ole' T20, instructions stated that changing the internal HDD removing the bay part is _not_ intended for regular assembling and disassembling.

I guess its the same for newer models

let me see if i can find a link:
Well pressing the thinkpad button (thinkpad access)
I choose "About your Thinkpad"->Drives
A menu appears, choosing: upgrade the harddisk drive
There is anote in big green letters saying:
*note Replace the harddisk only if you upgrade it or have it repaired, the connectors and bay were not designed for frequent changes or drive swapping.

this is for my TP 20


Isn't there a better way than substituting HDD's (alot as you say)
- Using network cables between laptops
- Using an internal harddisk for backup.
- Setting up a server for filetransfer

etc.

I'm guessing here course i can't really know your needs.

[epp_b]

No, I do my backups a certain way, which works very well -- and I don't intend to change it.

What I [would] do is this:

• Attach a 2.5" HDD in an external USB enclosure or in the ultra-bay
• Mirror the drive running in the computer to the external/2nd drive structurally - not just copying files, but partitions.
• Take the 1st drive out the computer, put it on the shelf
• Take the external/2nd drive and insert it into the computer to use for another month or so when I repeat the process.

This guarrantees me that my backup worked.

[ian]

I understand why, but I think (and this is entirely personal and subjective) that I'd not be too happy about physically changing the primary drive on a regular basis.

I think I'd be more tempted to do as you say but replace a drive in the Ultrabay - this is, after all, desgined to be "swapped" - however this would also limit my use of an internal CD drive - vital for me.

If you have a tried and tested solution, stick with it.

[epp_b]

I understand why, but I think (and this is entirely personal and subjective) that I'd not be too happy about physically changing the primary drive on a regular basis.

I've been doing it for years using the same drives - no problems. Of course, this is with a desktop that contains removable drive pullout bays.

I think I'd be more tempted to do as you say but replace a drive in the Ultrabay - this is, after all, desgined to be "swapped" - however this would also limit my use of an internal CD drive - vital for me.

I would consider using the ultrabay as the secondary drive during backups (as opposed to external USB) in interest of possibly speeding up the backup process, but I would still remove it and then use it as the primary drive and put the former primary drive on the shelf.

If you have a tried and tested solution, stick with it.

Right

So...is a ThinkPad not the notebook for me then if this is my tried-and-true backup method?

[ian]

I think anyone advocating only Thinkpads as a choice in laptops would be more than foolish...subjectively, my T42 is more than sufficient for all my needs - and to this end I no longer have a desktop either at home or work. In terms of backing up data, I'm connected (well, actually, my laptop...) to a server both at work and at home, and it's a fairly simple task to setup a batch job to copy off what I feel as 'important' to the server as and when I need to - usually between 12:00 and 14:00.

I realise that this is not a 'Ghost' or clone of the entire disk, but quite frankly for my purposes it's more than adequate. I tend to connect to the data on the servers, and work with it, writing back to the server so any backups are done internally (and I've setup a system of RAID to protect the server data).

Having drifted away from your question somewhat, I think the answer to whether or not a TP is for you, is probably 'maybe' - if you want to take the risk of changing the system disk on a regular basis, why not.

[epp_b]

Well, I really like the way this backup works - it's simple and it validates the process.

I will chew on this and see what I come up with.