[Offtopic] (no subject)

[victor rajewski]

Having recently acquired an IBM r52 notebook, I had some similar
(perhaps not quite as demoralising) experiences trying to re-format
and re-install XP on it. The 'blue IBM button' restore process failed,
then mysteriously stopped appearing as an option. Trying to install XP
from scratch worked, but then there were no drivers with which to
access either the usb port or network. not having any blank cds
around, this presented a unique challenge to having a working system.

My solution was to insert an Ubuntu Linux CD, and about half an hour
later (with no input expect a few questions at the very start), I had
a perfectly working laptop - all drivers working, basic applications
pre-installed. For the odd occasion I need windows apps, I either use
WINE, or if that don't work (only two rarely used apps) I run windows
inside VMware.

cheers

vik

On 4/21/07, stephen at melbpc.org.au <stephen at melbpc.org.au> wrote:
> Gentle Reader,
>
> Here are my experiences with a brand new IBM Lenovo Notebook
> Computer, purchased two days ago (and it left the factory exactly
> one month ago) factory loaded with Windows Vista Home Premium.
>
> 1. The automatic Register Your New IBM Computer start-up program
> window, which pops-up every time one powers-up, FAILS *every* time.
>
> 2. The pre-loaded Microsoft Office software (for a 60 day Outlook, IE etc
> trial) will NOT accept the Microsoft Serial Number Sticker number, which
> is stuck to the bottom of the machine, and will NOT run.
>
> 3. The sixty day pre-loaded version of Norton anti-virus, anti-spyware etc
> tries to up-date itself with 24 Mb of updates. It gets around two thirds
> through downloading recent up-dates, then stops, and takes turns asserting
> either my new 80 Gig Drive is full, or that I need to re-install Nortons?
>
> 4. The Microsoft Vista auto-update downloads/installs 27Mb of MS security
> etc updates, and says it has registered my pre-installed copy of Vista.
> But, there is now a permanent water mark message on the desktop asserting
> that my factory IBM Lenovo copy of Windows Vista is *NOT* a genuine copy.
> Presumably this means that Vista won't automatically update anymore, thus
> fixing this problem, and also inevitable future Vista O/S security issues.
>
> 5. The MSVista Control Panel window opens with NO visible icons available.
>
> 6. I have not installed any software of my own what-so-ever but every time
> I turn it on, it takes 5 minutes before I can use it, the hard drive light
> stays on with the drive clicking for ten minutes, and then claims that I
> have only 61% of Eighty Gig drive-space available. I've NOT installed ANY
> of our software.
>
> For comparison, though I've bought and own many computers, this notebook
> is to replace a 4-year-old Compaq notebook, with a 4 Gig drive, which was
> never more than half full, and which performed faultlessly till it died.
>
> 7. Though the computer comes with NO software disks of any kind, of zero
> surprise, it has a program called 'PC-Doctor' pre-loaded. This notebook
> passes all the dozen or so hardware tests available with this program.
>
> However, it also has a screen that goes blank for 2-3 seconds at random
> intervals, very often and with no discernable pattern. Also, frequently
> during web browsing, one will be presented with a window inviting one
> to 'go online' but closing the window and carrying on browsing as before
> seems to work.
>
> I may be wrong but I think most of the problems are Vista software issues.
>
> So gentle reader, judging from this farce, do avoid the once all-powerful
> IBM and Microsoft combination for a notebook and operating system if you
> are seeking a stress-free, trustworthy computing experience with your
> next notebook purchase.
>
> For what it is worth, as well as the many hundreds of very computer savvy
> people on these mailing lists, I am CCing this email to IBM/Lenovo and
> Microsoft as well.
>
> Although I don't expect any email etc responses at all, from either of
> them. If any response is received, I will email their responses along to
> everyone on these lists and so possibly assist you when deciding
> computer / OS  purchases next time.
>
> Right now, I think that after returning this notebook for a refund, I'll
> buy a new Mac.
>
> CC: Glen Boreham, IBM Managing Director and CEO
> CC  Nick White, Vista Product Manager, Microsoft
>
> Best wishes all,
> Stephen Loosley.
> (A High School IT Teacher for 10 years,
> with a Masters Degree (IT) etc .. sigh!)
> --
>
>
> Message sent using MelbPC WebMail Server
>
>
>
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