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    T420s Tomorrow!

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by cliff1127, May 3, 2011.

  1. cliff1127

    cliff1127 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys,

    I'll be a proud owner of a brand new T420s tomorrow. When I open this new machine, what would you recommend for me to do? I know in the past, I've done a clean install of Windows, but in this case, I don't have the Windows 7 DVDs.

    Would you recommend for me to purchase the Recovery CDs from Lenovo? If not, is there any way to "clean up" Windows?

    Thanks in advance, and please let me know if there is anything I should do immediately.
     
    cliff1127, May 3, 2011
    #1
  2. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    1. Ignore the Norton Anti virus Offer on the 1st boot options.
    2. Ignore the Microsoft Office offer on the 1st boot options.
    3. Go to Control Panel and use the Rescue and Recovery app to create the factory disk set. No, you don't need to buy a disk set.
    4. Download and install http://microsoft.com/security_essentials
    5. Go to Control Panel | Windows Update and check for updates. Install all the security patches and fixes including SP1.
    6. Use the machine for a day or so and get used to the applications that came with it.
    7. Copy/Burn C:\SWTOOLS to a DVD and store it with the factory disk set you made in step one.
    8. Remove apps you don't like via Control Panel | Programs and features
    9. Decide if you want to clean install or not. Give it a couple of days to learn the apps that are there first.
     
    Thors.Hammer, May 3, 2011
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  3. lenardg

    lenardg Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    The Recovery DVDs would contain the same recovery media that you can burn yourself on your notebook. And they would also restore the system to the state you will receive it. The recovery media does not make it possible to perform a clean install of Windows.

    You can remove some applications installed if you don't want them, but generally Lenovo computers come quite clean compared to what I have seen with other manufacturers.

    I think I read in another thread that it will probably come with Norton Antivirus / Security software? You can replace that with free and less bloaty versions, like Microsoft Security Essentials. That should speed things up a little bit at least.

    You will probably also get a Microsoft Office preinstall, you can decide remove that too if you do not want to use it.

    If you go into removing Lenovo utilities (ThinkVantage tools) I would recommend you keep Power Manager at least, because that will help you get better power management results from your new computer.
     
    lenardg, May 3, 2011
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  4. cliff1127

    cliff1127 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the helpful tips. So if I decide to do a clean install of Windows, what do I need to do? Do I need to buy a copy of Windows? Any discounts currently if I'm a student or should I just buy it off Amazon?


     
    cliff1127, May 3, 2011
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  5. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Nope. You already have a key on the cert under the battery (in the battery compartment).

    You just need the media. Easily borrowed from a friend.
     
    Thors.Hammer, May 3, 2011
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  6. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Yes. You can use any W7 disk (just make sure you install the version that your laptop came with), 32-bit or 64-bit doesn't matter, although I'd highly recommend the latter. The OEM key that came with your laptop will work.

    Alternatively (this is what I did) you can download a W7 installation disk legally and use ABR to preserve your activation information and restore it after a clean install (which can be done through USB, actually). This could be a faster and more hassle-free method. See this thread for details.
     
    MidnightSun, May 3, 2011
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  7. lenardg

    lenardg Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    If you do a clean install, the easiest way to install all required drivers and possibly software (Power Manager and others) is to use the ThinkVantage System Update.
     
    lenardg, May 3, 2011
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  8. cliff1127

    cliff1127 Notebook Enthusiast

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    THANK YOU all for the helpful posts!

    One question that has been driving me absolutely nuts that I can't find the answer to is this: when I install my new 80gb mSATA Intel 310 SSD, what is the process for me to get the new OS installed on there? The problem I'm having is what to do with the stock 250gb HD I'm planning on keeping in the computer to store things.

    I'm assuming the steps would be as follows:
    1. Change boot options for the T420s so it boots from the mSATA
    2. Install a clean version of Windows 7 on there w/ drivers, etc.
    3. Wipe the stock hard drive (still not sure the best method to do this)

    Foreseeable problems:
    1. Will there be an issue since both HDs will have Windows on it temporarily?
    2. Is changing the boot option to mSATA even a possibility?
     
    cliff1127, May 3, 2011
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  9. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thors.Hammer, May 3, 2011
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  10. Volker

    Volker Notebook Consultant

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    1. Remove the shipped HDD
    2. Install the SSD
    3. Install Linux

    Easy :)
     
    Volker, May 3, 2011
    #10