The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    I expected PC-DOS. Yet all I found was an empty hard drive.

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by XX55XX, Aug 1, 2011.

  1. XX55XX

    XX55XX Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    38
    Messages:
    499
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Today, my T420 without Windows arrived. I expected it to load up PC-DOS, since I ordered it without Windows. However, to my surprise, there was no OS installed whatsoever. The hard drive was bare.

    I am not terribly upset, since I was planning on installing my own OS anyways, but it's somewhat unusual for Lenovo to lie about it.

    Have you guys experienced the same thing?
     
    XX55XX, Aug 1, 2011
    #1
  2. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    4,694
    Messages:
    5,343
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Who cares? The PC-DOS version is much cheaper than one with a windows license, $130 cheaper to be exact.
    Besides it says you get a PC-DOS license, was there anything to indicate otherwise? I think it's pretty clear that the PC-DOS versions are meant to have an OS installed by the end-user, hence the discount. ;) I just can't see why you're complaining because it didn't come with DOS, you saved a bunch of money. :rolleyes:
     
    talin, Aug 1, 2011
    #2
  3. XX55XX

    XX55XX Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    38
    Messages:
    499
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Oh. I thought it would come pre-loaded with it.

    And plus, isn't PC-DOS a free download anyways?
     
    XX55XX, Aug 1, 2011
    #3
  4. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

    Reputations:
    1,571
    Messages:
    8,107
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    why are you upset over such a trivial matter? since you are going to your OS on it, does it really matter whether DOS is on it or not?
     
    lead_org, Aug 1, 2011
    #4
  5. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    4,694
    Messages:
    5,343
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    205
    If it is, then download it. ;)
     
    talin, Aug 1, 2011
    #5
  6. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

    Reputations:
    1,805
    Messages:
    5,043
    Likes Received:
    396
    Trophy Points:
    251
    Did you take advantage of the $496 deal? I missed out on that although the machine is still $620. Hows the build quality? I was thinking of getting just the basic model. :)
     
    Rodster, Aug 1, 2011
    #6
  7. XX55XX

    XX55XX Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    38
    Messages:
    499
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You mean the Mastercard deal? Yes. I got this machine for $750. Modified three parts:

    1. Graphics: Got the NVS 4200M.
    2. WiFi: Opted for the Centrino Wireless-N 1000 over the generic RealTek card.
    3. Display: Got the 1600x900 display.

    I think it expired, but Lenovo does these deals all the time.
     
    XX55XX, Aug 1, 2011
    #7
  8. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

    Reputations:
    1,805
    Messages:
    5,043
    Likes Received:
    396
    Trophy Points:
    251
    No the deal i'm referring to was getting a T420 for $496 :)

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/not...ead-new-t520-dos-520-t420-496-lenovo-com.html
     
    Rodster, Aug 1, 2011
    #8
  9. jcm3

    jcm3 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    31
    Messages:
    104
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Sounds like more than just a license... from the Lenovo DOS ThinkPad ordering page:



    First and foremost, DOS is an Operating System. But unlike Microsoft Windows, it does not allow the user to interact with the computer via a Graphical User Interface. There is no desktop or program icons common to operating systems such as Microsoft Windows. DOS systems utilize a command line interface. Programs are started by entering filenames at the command prompt.

    ThinkPad laptops with a DOS preload are perfectly suited for users who wish to install their preferred Open Source Operating System (e.g. Linux, FreeBSD, OpenSolaris, etc.).

    Lenovo systems with a DOS preload do not include a Microsoft Windows license nor the standard Lenovo software application preloads. These systems are not recommended for the average PC user. Above average technical experience with PCs and software are typically required to install the software and drivers needed to make these systems fully functional.


    but then on the configuration page...


    ThinkPad PC DOS License
    This PC does not ship with a operating system preloaded.



    Of course one learns to expect these things when dealing with Lenovo. ;)
     
    jcm3, Aug 2, 2011
    #9
  10. GomJabbar

    GomJabbar Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    208
    Messages:
    290
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    31
    That pretty much says it. Gotta read the fine print. :eek:
     
    GomJabbar, Aug 2, 2011
    #10
  11. edit1754

    edit1754 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,475
    Messages:
    5,145
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Upgrade to the 1600x900 screen. That upgrade is important because:
    - it makes a really big difference for the usability of your computer
    - it's difficult to upgrade later.
     
    edit1754, Aug 2, 2011
    #11
  12. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216
    That's weird. The machine should at least have DOS loaded. Then Lenovo could advertise a 3 second " Super Duper RapidBoot Extreme"

    :D
     
    Thors.Hammer, Aug 2, 2011
    #12
  13. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

    Reputations:
    1,581
    Messages:
    5,346
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    The dos version is really only a non windows machine and doesnt mean you get dos. DOS hasnt been its own OS since the 90's and has been built into windows ever since.

    Glad to see there are thinkpads without windows still.
     
    Thaenatos, Aug 2, 2011
    #13
  14. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Glad to see there are thinkpads without linux still.
     
    Thors.Hammer, Aug 2, 2011
    #14
  15. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

    Reputations:
    1,581
    Messages:
    5,346
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Well as long as there are people like me there will be thinkpads with linux. I have 2 currently and Im sure there will be quite a bit more in my future.
     
    Thaenatos, Aug 2, 2011
    #15
  16. XX55XX

    XX55XX Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    38
    Messages:
    499
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Well, once I get my mSATA SSD, I might install Ubuntu on it so that I can run certain Linux programs not available in Windows. The mechanical hard drive will house my Windows install.
     
    XX55XX, Aug 2, 2011
    #16
  17. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

    Reputations:
    1,581
    Messages:
    5,346
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Thats cool. I just like the option to not have to buy an OS you either a) dont use or b) already have a copy of. Either way very happy for your purchase!
     
    Thaenatos, Aug 2, 2011
    #17
  18. khtse

    khtse Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    133
    Messages:
    203
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I expect MS-DOS 6.22, but it comes with MS-DOS 5.0 :(
     
    khtse, Aug 2, 2011
    #18
  19. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

    Reputations:
    1,805
    Messages:
    5,043
    Likes Received:
    396
    Trophy Points:
    251
    Rodster, Aug 2, 2011
    #19
  20. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    4,694
    Messages:
    5,343
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Count me in. I run ubuntu on mine.
     
    talin, Aug 2, 2011
    #20
  21. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Dreams are free. :D
     
    Thors.Hammer, Aug 3, 2011
    #21