Odds & Ends

I recently bought a T400 on eBay for $399 including shipping. It's a 6474-FP9 and seems to be like new. I'm still very much learning how it works since this my first notebook since my ZEOS 386 - a pretty hot item 20 years ago.

This T400 still has a warranty that doesn't expire until 2013 and I can't find anything wrong with it so it looks like I did good. It came with a clean disk (WD1600) except for a DELL (?) edition of Vista Business (32 bit). I was concerned (and still am to some extent) about using an OS that didn't some originally with the computer but I've done all the updates and also done the SP2 update and all seems to be well. Can anyone think of any reason to not keep this OS? Since the computer has 4GB of memory, this version of Vista can't take advantage of more than 3, so would I gain anything by going to a 64 bit system? I think that's what it came with originally, otherwise it wouldn't have 4 GB (I'm thinking). It seems like systems with 32 bit OS came with 3 GB memory.

Also here's a question that can only come from someone new to trackpads, but here's what's puzzling me. If I leave the pointer on something it will automatically activate whatever it's left on. Such as with this website, leaving the pointer on the HP ad at the top of screen while I go scrolling . . . after a few moments it will open a new browser with the HP website loaded. The computer is always doing something unexpected thanks to this pointer behavior. I tried turning UltraNav off (if that's what this is) but the pointer slowed down to the point of being unusable. Is this just a matter of getting used to this behavior and making sure I always leave the pointer in some neutral area of the screen?

So these two questions I guess . . . pointer behavior and recommendations please on whether to keep the current Dell Vista or order the original OS for this machine. As I configure and load the notebook up this OS question is important just now as if I choose to go back to the original OS I'm going to have to reload and re-configure everything. I haven't found any quirks or problems with the currently installed version of Vista, so I'm inclined to just go with what I've got.

Thanks,

Mike

 

Did you activate your OS? I'd be surprised if it lets you use a key from an apparently different system. 64 bit is recommended if you need the RAM.
Maybe when you're scrolling you tap on the trackpad (which it interprets as a click)?

 

Yes, it's activated. There is also a code for upgrading. It's registered to "Thinkpad". Is this going to cause some problem down the road?

I was planning on buying a new operating system anyway once I got my used notebook. I figured I'd need to completely clean the disk and do a fresh install and the only way to do that without OS disks are by buying a new OS or getting a duplicate, in this case, from Lenovo.

So far neither the computer nor Microsoft nor any programs have complained about the currently installed OS. I've been surprised by this - was expecting some kind of weirdness - but it's been all fine and normal. My thought is no sense fixing something that isn't broken, but am wondering about down the road possible problems that I'm not seeing but which may lie in wait. I thought it prudent to ask those who have been there.

*********

This pointer behavior is erratic. It has its own procedures and is following them. I just don't know what they are and haven't figured them out yet. It may be that sometimes I touch the pad so lightly I don't realize I've done it, but this is only occasionally. I'm not used to having to be so careful with where I leave the pointer. There is some kind of software intervention going on - probably related to UltraNav. Still guessing.

Thanks for the reply.

 

Might want to check your mouse settings. It might be set to auto click if the curser is left sitting on an icon. Other than that you could try reinstalling the ultranav driver.
Change mouse settings

Have you confirmed that your thinkpad is under warranty? You can call Lenovo or do it on there website somewhere. They'll ask you for the serial number on the bottom.

As for updating the OS, I just installed Windows7 HomePremium 32bit on a Thinkpad x61s that had Vista Business 32bit, and I like it very much. It's great doing a clean install and not having a bunch of programs and processes you never use.

I also installed an intel x25-m SSD. If you have the budget for a good SSD it makes a huge difference in the speed and enjoyment of the system. Intel seems to rank highest for reliability but I was also considering OCZ Vertex2.

Newegg.com - intel ssd

If an SSD isn't in your budget, just havine a clean install of Windows7 might be very nice for you. There are 3 different versions of Windows7 HomePremium install disks though, Full Retail Version, Upgrade, OEM. I've never tried installing OEM windows on a laptop, not sure if you can do it. I went with an Upgrade disk of Win7 HOmePremium to do a clean install on a new diskdrive, the ssd. Here's a great guide by Paul Thurrott, author of several windows book on how to do it.

Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media

After installing Win7, I ran windows update, that installed 90% of my drivers.
The only things I installed after that are:
- not even really sure if these are really necessary
- Power Manager Driver
- Hotkeys Driver
- Power Manger
- Trackpoint driver (Ultranav for systems with trackpad)
- Access Connections (I like some of its features but it's not necessary)

As for 32bit or 64bit, I stuck with 32, but I often wonder if 64bit would make any noticable difference. Probably not for the simple office tasks and web browsing I use it for.

 

" It might be set to auto click if the curser is left sitting on an icon."

I've been through the mouse pointer settings and done so yet again just now using the link you provided, and do not see an option anywhere for turning off the behavior you mention above. That's exactly what it's doing, at least most of the time. Icon, ad, back button, you name it. Leave the pointer on it and it will automatically act as if I'd clicked the button - at least most of the time. Sometimes, deliberately leaving the pointer on something just to see what it does, it doesn't do it! A tricky gremlin lives within the machine that uses the camera to watch what I'm doing. As soon as I'm not paying attention to the pointer, it clicks on the thing under the pointer.

The only way I can keep this from happening is to make sure I've left the pointer out in space where it can't do any harm.

If you could be precise about just how to turn off the "auto click" feature you describe I think that would cure the problem. But where is the switch??

 

If you have the budget for a good SSD it makes a huge difference in the speed and enjoyment of the system.

Battery life too. They make perfect sense but I'll make do with my current HD until the prices drop some more.

I ordered a HD caddy for the UltraBay and have got my eye on a used WD HD like I've got in the machine. I'll use Casper to dupe the disk and thus protect myself from HD failure.

SSD is sure on my list if I decide to get crazy with some money.

 

Oops, i didn't bother reading that link I posted. I just assumed the answer would be there, LOL, sorry. Here's something I found on a random forum. Sorry I don't have a Vista machine in front of me to try it.

How to disable automatic ('pre-emptive'?) mouse clicking? - Page 2 - Vista Forums

Control Panel > Ease of access center > change how your mouse works > uncheck the box that says "activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse"

 

Reading that Vista forum I see the original poster is describing exactly the behavior I've been complaining about.

Going to the Ease of Use aplet in Control Panel, the option I was hoping would fix the problem wasn't selected

So no fix there . . . however I haven't played with touchpad sensitivity so maybe fooling around with that will cure the problem. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

why bother with windows?
get Linux on that laptop and all your problems would be cured.

I never have had original Windows installation on my Thinkpad longer than 2 minutes