Do I need the IBM recovery CDs?

[Roonis]

My IBM t41 hard drive is fried and I have to replace it with a new one. Unfortunately, IBM wants to charge me 40 bucks for the recovery cds. Does anyone know if I "need" to get their recovery cd or can I just install my regular home Windows XP on the new HD?

thanks

[toujours]

The same flavour of regular Windows should work. Only thing is you'll be missing out on the recovery partition and suchlike I suppose...

[Cafe_333]

I've also got a T41 and have never once used them.
I just stick my own copy of xp pro and you can get all the latest drivers for everything here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si...IGR-46258.html

[Roonis]

Hey Cafe 333, thanks for the input, do you know if the hard drive protection is a software thing or is it build in the hard drive. If it is built in, then I guess I will not have it since I just bought a generic HD to replace my laptop. I love Thinkpads but I think it's unfair they are charging 40 bucks for a disc that every other manufactor includes for free.

[Diamondog]

Hey Cafe 333, thanks for the input, do you know if the hard drive protection is a software thing or is it build in the hard drive. If it is built in, then I guess I will not have it since I just bought a generic HD to replace my laptop. I love Thinkpads but I think it's unfair they are charging 40 bucks for a disc that every other manufactor includes for free.

Most other manufacturers give you the disks free but overcharge for shipping.....$40 is quite excessive...any amount really is excessive if you have a copy of windows, their copy is just bloatware!

[Cafe_333]

Hey Cafe 333, thanks for the input, do you know if the hard drive protection is a software thing or is it build in the hard drive. If it is built in, then I guess I will not have it since I just bought a generic HD to replace my laptop. I love Thinkpads but I think it's unfair they are charging 40 bucks for a disc that every other manufactor includes for free.

It's just software. You can find it under the Harddrive section or by clicking here. It's called "ThinkVantage Active Protection System: Airbag-like protection for your hard drive". I don't really know what it does or if it's even all that effective - but I'm kind of skeptical with the mindset that if I don't need it, I won't install it. So I personally never bothered and have never had any problems with my harddrive. I could maybe just be lucky.