Linux for Thinkpad.

BoomAM

BoomAM

BoomAM

Soldato
Joined
5 Jul 2003
Posts
16,206
Location
Atlanta, USA
Hi.
Ive been considering giving Linux a whirl on my lappy, but im not too keen on losing my data thats already on it.
Is there a Linux varient that will re-size/partition the HDD without losing my data?

Also, what potential problems would i have with it on a Thinkpad?
As by default, pressing the shortcut key on boot on a thinkpad takes you two a secondary partition, about 5Gb in size, that holds restore data, and a cut down version of windows for diagnostics & BIOS access. Would installing Linux 'break' this functionality?

Thanks in advance all.
:)
 
So installing most up-to-date varients of Linux will not 'break' the recovery partition?
At the moment that partition isnt actually 'viewable' in My Computer, but it does show up in Disk Management as 'IBM_Service'.

##EDIT##
Ive just been reading around ThinkWiki, and after some searching around my HDD, ive found that theres a program that'll create some recovery disks.
Do you know if these disks will 're-enable' the recovery partition & the windows one if i was to completely wipe the HDD on the computer for whatever reason?

Ive been considering re-installing windows on this Thinkpad for sometime now, to strip out all of the IBM stuff thats on it, which will also allow me to re-partition the drive as i see fit. If these recovery CDs can 'revert' me back to the factory state, then i see no problem im doing whatever i want to the system anymore. :p
 
Last edited:
AJUK said:
I am not sure about your partition safety, but if you set up another partition and use that for Linux, not only will it leavethe Windows partitions alone but will allow you to read them as well.

I have a little Thinkpad R50e that runs Ubuntu perfetctly, all hardware found and configured straight off and it flies. Highly recommended.
Click to expand...
Linux affecting the Windows partitions isnt a problem. Its if it affects the service partition.
 
Im not sure that Linux supports everything on my lappy at the moment anyway.
Ubuntu 'Horay Hedgehog' doesnt even support the sound or BT on it.

Regardless. Im thinking of just leaving it how it is for now.
There doesnt seem to be any sort of guarantee that any version of Linux will leave the RR Partition alone, and because the lappy didnt come with any disks either for recovery, i dont think im gonna risk it tbh.
 
BUSH said:
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkWiki

that seemed a good website when I was toying with the idea of running linux on my thinkpad. Might have a go at it in the summer.

also i think http://forum.thinkpads.com has a linux forum that might be useful.

also regarding the rescue and recover partition, you can burn a set of the recovery discs. Only once though, so make sure you use a decent dvd or set of cds. Should be in:

start -> all programs -> thinkvantage -> create recovery media
Click to expand...
ThinkWiki & TPForums are both good websites. But Wiki is a little sparce regarding specific details and TPF's members just need a slap. The most unhelpful bunch you can ever come across. Almost as bad as MisticRiver.

I burned some R&R DVDs last night. Then as you pointed out and i confirmed, that they can only be burned once, i imaged the disks to my main PCs HDD. :p.
So i think i might give it a bash over the summer.

Are there any specific versions of Linux that'll re-size the partitions for me without losing my data?
 
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