hope me set up a thinkpad X220!
June 4, 2015 9:33 AM Subscribe
Techies of mefi: how do I set up my new (used) ThinkPad X220? (please be gentle. last time I set up a computer, it was an XP desktop. yeah, it was that long ago)
I could use help with these -
1. How to wipe the hard disc clean? (seems wise since it came preinstalled by a stranger on ebay)
2. How do I divide my hard disc? or do people not divide them any more? (in days of yore, we did this to give our separated data better chances of survival) BTW the hard disc is 160G SSD.
3. Which OS do I want? Windows 7 or 8.1? (was thinking Windows 7 since don't have a touch screen) 32 bit or 64 bit? (worried that programs won't be compliable with 64 bit. or is that a thing of the past?) Where do I get the OS files? am I supposed to download them? how am I supposed to transfer the OS files to the computer? (back in the day we used CDs. the laptop doesn't have a CD reader)
4. Do I want ANY of Lenovo's software? (heard it accelerates windows. have ALSO heard of spywear and targeted advertising) which stuff do I want? and where to get?
5. How best to transfer my files from old desktop to new laptop?
6. What is a good replacement for Outlook Express (which BTW is not the same as Office Outlook)? I need a program that lets me organize YEARS of mail in nested folders (folders inside folders). Since Microsoft killed Outlook Express, I prefer a non-Microsoft program that looks like it will be around for a long long time.
7. Which antivirus do I want (used to have AVG)? Which firewall do I want (used to use Comodo Firewall)?
Feel free to answer just one or two questions (I realize I'm asking a lot)! Thank you!!!
I could use help with these -
1. How to wipe the hard disc clean? (seems wise since it came preinstalled by a stranger on ebay)
2. How do I divide my hard disc? or do people not divide them any more? (in days of yore, we did this to give our separated data better chances of survival) BTW the hard disc is 160G SSD.
3. Which OS do I want? Windows 7 or 8.1? (was thinking Windows 7 since don't have a touch screen) 32 bit or 64 bit? (worried that programs won't be compliable with 64 bit. or is that a thing of the past?) Where do I get the OS files? am I supposed to download them? how am I supposed to transfer the OS files to the computer? (back in the day we used CDs. the laptop doesn't have a CD reader)
4. Do I want ANY of Lenovo's software? (heard it accelerates windows. have ALSO heard of spywear and targeted advertising) which stuff do I want? and where to get?
5. How best to transfer my files from old desktop to new laptop?
6. What is a good replacement for Outlook Express (which BTW is not the same as Office Outlook)? I need a program that lets me organize YEARS of mail in nested folders (folders inside folders). Since Microsoft killed Outlook Express, I prefer a non-Microsoft program that looks like it will be around for a long long time.
7. Which antivirus do I want (used to have AVG)? Which firewall do I want (used to use Comodo Firewall)?
Feel free to answer just one or two questions (I realize I'm asking a lot)! Thank you!!!
1) Just reinstall the OS and when it starts up, choose the format option. You also will have the option of partitioning at that point, to answer 2). But you probably shouldn't do it unless you really have a compelling reason. Your given reason, better survival rate, is not very compelling.
3) It doesn't really matter. Are you planning on upgrading to Windows 10 at any point? If so, maybe 8.1 would be a little less of a jump in UI.You should be able to get an .ISO file directly from microsoft and "burn" it to a flash drive to install Windows.
4&5) as koolkat said.
6) Last I used, Thunderbird is probably the most like outlook express and is still supported.
7) Use the built-in virus and firewall with windows. "Viruses" are really not a problem in the computing world today. Malware is the bigger problem and not one easily caught by antiviral software.
posted by thewumpusisdead at 9:56 AM on June 4, 2015
3) It doesn't really matter. Are you planning on upgrading to Windows 10 at any point? If so, maybe 8.1 would be a little less of a jump in UI.You should be able to get an .ISO file directly from microsoft and "burn" it to a flash drive to install Windows.
4&5) as koolkat said.
6) Last I used, Thunderbird is probably the most like outlook express and is still supported.
7) Use the built-in virus and firewall with windows. "Viruses" are really not a problem in the computing world today. Malware is the bigger problem and not one easily caught by antiviral software.
posted by thewumpusisdead at 9:56 AM on June 4, 2015
I am a technical person. These suggestions might be too technical, but here's what I'd do with a new (used X220).
p.s. I have an x220t (t for tablet!) that has a screen that flips around. This thing is built like a rock, that is to say, underground, and likely by skilled molemen.
1. If you have a way to install windows, I believe there should be a way to just overwrite the whole disk when you're installing. If you don't have a way to install windows, you'll probably need to find a way, because you want to reinstall windows, right?
2. Don't bother dividing (partitioning) your hard drive. In your case, leaving it alone will work fine.
3. I like Windows 7. Do you like Windows 7? If yes, go with Windows 7. Otherwise, 8!
4. I would suggest no, you do not want lenovo's software. 90% is bad, and 10% is bad an only possibly useful.
5. External hard drive or USB stick.
6-7. Not sure :/
posted by lalunamel at 10:04 AM on June 4, 2015
p.s. I have an x220t (t for tablet!) that has a screen that flips around. This thing is built like a rock, that is to say, underground, and likely by skilled molemen.
1. If you have a way to install windows, I believe there should be a way to just overwrite the whole disk when you're installing. If you don't have a way to install windows, you'll probably need to find a way, because you want to reinstall windows, right?
2. Don't bother dividing (partitioning) your hard drive. In your case, leaving it alone will work fine.
3. I like Windows 7. Do you like Windows 7? If yes, go with Windows 7. Otherwise, 8!
4. I would suggest no, you do not want lenovo's software. 90% is bad, and 10% is bad an only possibly useful.
5. External hard drive or USB stick.
6-7. Not sure :/
posted by lalunamel at 10:04 AM on June 4, 2015
I think you are in good hands here with the other responses, but I should mention at least one of the X220 WiFi options does not work out of the box with Windows 7. If this applies to you, you will need to install the driver separately from Lenovo's X220 driver page. Get it by hooking up to a wired Ethernet connection, or downloading on another computer.
I just had to do this again last week because Windows Update helpfully blew away my special WiFi driver.
posted by grouse at 10:10 AM on June 4, 2015
I just had to do this again last week because Windows Update helpfully blew away my special WiFi driver.
posted by grouse at 10:10 AM on June 4, 2015
I'd make a point of going through the Lenovo Driver Download page and dumping all of them onto a USB key as my first step.
My second todo would be to order an SSD from Amazon - the Samsung 850 EVO 250gb is $107 on Amazon, and the 120gb is $68. This will revolutionize the performance of the laptop, and (at least with most ThinkPads, including the x200) the swap is a matter of pulling two screws to free the hard drive tray on the side, pull the hard drive tray, four screws out of the hard drive tray, dump the SSD in, and reverse the process.
From there, my preference would be Windows 8.1 - it's not well loved by the commentariat, but it's a bit lighter weight. Just let the Windows installer handle all the partitioning. If the laptop already has a license key attached, I'd go with that version. If you don't have the media, you'd have to download it from somewhere - For windows 7 the easiest thing is probably to get checksums for the version that you want, then torrent the iso. Microsoft provides a download option for the Windows 8 ISO. Once you have the ISO, you'll need a tool to burn the ISO to a separate USB key.
You will finally need to install drivers from the USB key that you've prepared. I suggest only installing the the drivers for the things that aren't working after the install - you WILL have some of those.
I did all of this (and a memory upgrade as I recall) with an x200 a few months ago. Very worthwhile IMHO.
posted by wotsac at 11:01 AM on June 4, 2015
My second todo would be to order an SSD from Amazon - the Samsung 850 EVO 250gb is $107 on Amazon, and the 120gb is $68. This will revolutionize the performance of the laptop, and (at least with most ThinkPads, including the x200) the swap is a matter of pulling two screws to free the hard drive tray on the side, pull the hard drive tray, four screws out of the hard drive tray, dump the SSD in, and reverse the process.
From there, my preference would be Windows 8.1 - it's not well loved by the commentariat, but it's a bit lighter weight. Just let the Windows installer handle all the partitioning. If the laptop already has a license key attached, I'd go with that version. If you don't have the media, you'd have to download it from somewhere - For windows 7 the easiest thing is probably to get checksums for the version that you want, then torrent the iso. Microsoft provides a download option for the Windows 8 ISO. Once you have the ISO, you'll need a tool to burn the ISO to a separate USB key.
You will finally need to install drivers from the USB key that you've prepared. I suggest only installing the the drivers for the things that aren't working after the install - you WILL have some of those.
I did all of this (and a memory upgrade as I recall) with an x200 a few months ago. Very worthwhile IMHO.
posted by wotsac at 11:01 AM on June 4, 2015
Download all the drivers from the Lenovo site ahead of time, and get them on a USB drive. Why not download it later? Because sometimes the driver you're missing is the LAN driver. I learned that one the hard way. If the machine only has USB 3.0, you'll need drivers for that too, so get those on a CD/DVD if that drive type is available too.
1. koolkat has this one.
2. Seconding lalunamel, don't bother.
3. Whether you choose Windows 7 or 8, you'll probably be running Windows 10 in just a few months (free upgrade at least for the next year if your copy of 7 or 8.x is legit)-- looks like July 29 is the release date, so get what you can.
4. Windows will actually remove the spyware for you, so reported a friend of mine. You don't need any of their crap.
5. Seconding the above suggestion to use it as an external drive. Note that external storage and external backup shouldn't be the same drive, neither logical nor physical.
6. Seconding Thunderbird.
7. I usually look to Lifehacker for this kind of thing: here's their top 5 from a year ago.
posted by Sunburnt at 11:50 AM on June 4, 2015
1. koolkat has this one.
2. Seconding lalunamel, don't bother.
3. Whether you choose Windows 7 or 8, you'll probably be running Windows 10 in just a few months (free upgrade at least for the next year if your copy of 7 or 8.x is legit)-- looks like July 29 is the release date, so get what you can.
4. Windows will actually remove the spyware for you, so reported a friend of mine. You don't need any of their crap.
5. Seconding the above suggestion to use it as an external drive. Note that external storage and external backup shouldn't be the same drive, neither logical nor physical.
6. Seconding Thunderbird.
7. I usually look to Lifehacker for this kind of thing: here's their top 5 from a year ago.
posted by Sunburnt at 11:50 AM on June 4, 2015
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You divide the harddisk via making a partition. I wouldn't bother unless you know what you are doing.
As far as lenovo's software there might be useful things that allow you to do neat things with the laptop (fingerprint recognition and other things like that) If you want them you need their software, if not then I wouldn't bother, but be sure to get all of the specific drivers for things.
5 - External harddrive where you copy all of your important files and as a bonus you also use that as a backup (You do use a backup right)
posted by koolkat at 9:39 AM on June 4, 2015