T60 on the way, what to do right out of the box.

Just rec'd confirm that my T60 is being shipped!

T5600CPU, 15"IPS, 100 GB 7200rpm HD, 1GB RAM, Win XP Home...

thanks for your suggestions, it really helped me make my decision.

My question(s) for you regards what to do right out of the box.
I have done multiple searches and think that this is the process I should take.

I only buy a new computer once in a blue moon, so do appreciate any education you can provide me. Thanks in advance!!!

Steps to take; is this the right order?

1. Make backup disk?
2. Remove bloatware? I did find a thread, hope its current.
3. Partition drive. looking to create 3 partitions, 1=programs, 2=data, 3=media
4. add security software... avg, ad-aware, spybot, winpatro, zonealarm
5. configure fingerprint reader.
6. add my work software... firefox, word, excel, calculator simulator etc.
7. add fun software... xmplayer, eac, etc.
8. update all drivers
9. create another backup after everything is running fine.

Thanks again for your help, would like to get this setup right the first time so I can get on to USING my T60!!!

 

Other than steps one and nine I don't think it matters much. Congrats on the machine. My T42 had the FlexView. It is the best notebook screen I have seen, but I wanted something smaller.

 

I personally would update the drivers and such 2nd. At least that's what I'd plan to do, but knowing me, I'll likely end up installing some of my apps first..

 

alohakalani,
I placed an order this morning and awaiting for their respond. This is what I am planning to do before anything else.
1. Use Norton Ghost and boot from CD ROM and create an image of your hard disk to an external drive. This way if you dont like your set up, you can always go back to "OUT OF THE BOX CONDITION" by dumping the image back.
2. Create Recovery CD (no 1 should take care of this)
3. Format the entire hard disk and do a fresh install of Xp/Xp Pro, drivers etc.

This is going to be my first time playing with Lenovo, I am moreof a Dell person and just finished creating original "out of the box" and dumping "installed" configuration to 8 Dell D620, 4 D520 and 44 Optiplex 745.
This is my 2 cents.

 

I also ordered a T60 15" Flexview and would like to know a little more about removing the bloatware. I was wondering if there was a list of reccomended programs to uninstall. I already have virus protection and spyware protection ready to install so I don't need any of these types of programs. I ordered a T60 WS awhile ago that I had to return and didn't know which pre-installed programs were useless and which ones I should keep. I obviously don't want to remove any important or useful programs just because I don't recognize them or don't know what they do. But I also don't want alot of useless software bogging my system down.

 

The best thing you can do is backup your hard drive, in this case you can mass it up and do not worry about recovery. That is what I would do.

Norton Ghost is best software to do that.

 

One thing I would recommend would be to update your System Update. A lot of the ThinkVantage software that comes on your laptop is already very much outdated. Downloading System Update 3.0 (download link below) definately is the easy way to update everything. Then remove whatever that you want.

You also should download the latest graphic drivers...

 

acaurora, where would I go to download the latest drivers, my system will have the X1400, supposed to be delivered tomorrow, I hope it makes it before the weekend!

 

http://ati.amd.com/online/mobilecatalyst/

It will always download the latest version of mobile catalyst. I found this out after trying to download the newest Catalyst and ATi's web page utility said that I should look for the OEM drivers-_-;; I believe Lenovo is still running on 7.1 while 7.4 is already out.

Tip: Be sure to disable the 3D Refresh Override in the Catalyst Control Center. That prevents your screen from "blinking" when you first turn it on.

 

So are you saying that the 7.4 drivers won't work/are buggy on the T60?

 

No, that happens for any version. The 7.1 that came with my T60 also did that.

 

I mean, were you saying to use the 7.1 drivers as per ATi's recommendation, or use the 7.4's anyway?

 

Well its up to you. With 7.1 I never had any problems. I am sure that iwth each new version new features/improvements/enhancements are added, so I stay up to date with 7.4 regardless of what IBM says.

 

Ok, in that case, I'll go with 7.4.

 

Well, I tried installing 7.4, but since I'm running Vista, it won't let me. I get an error saying the driver was only meant for 2000/XP... What's the newest Vista-compatible driver I can use?

 

Where can I find the model with IPS screen? Thanks!

 

woody,

ordered thru Igor at lenovo canada. April 20th, received May 2nd after being held up in California for customs.

his email [email protected]

Absolutely love the screen!!!

I can't stress enough how happy I am to have picked the IPS over any other screen option.

Good Luck!!

 

2. Remove bloatware? I did find a thread, hope its current.

Where is that thread?

 

How do I remove the bloatware? I am getting a T60 with Vista.