Installing XP on X200

[mulambo187]

Greetings, just made the jump from an R32 to X200, have not received it yet, the wait is killing me.

I ordered it with Vista Business installed and it comes with an XP Pro recovery CD, also there is word that 7 will be available for $30 when it is released. Not sure if I will make the plunge on that or not.

Anyhow, with no optical drive, how to I go about installing XP, backing up my vista install? I have an old external dvd drive, is that enough? Or am I going to need to hack together some USB key with the XP install files on it? Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks for reading.

[Harryc]

If the old external DVD drive is USB, that should work.

[mulambo187]

thanks, can you advise if the intel wireless is easily user upgradable? I am worried because i ordered the 5100 with mine, which i have heard is drastically inferior wireless device.

[mulambo187]

heh googling and searching here reveals the 5300 is [censored] too.

did i make a mistake picking up the x200? its in the mail as i type (over the pacific according to UPS).

im seriously concerned that i paid way too much for it (~1300 cdn) considering dell is offering a comparable spec/size laptop in the 1220 for around $800. im hoping for high quality build, and i heard the screen is poop, but i am hoping that is just nitpickers and will look just fine in a classroom or lab.

[archer6]

heh googling and searching here reveals the 5300 is *****Expletives removed by Moderator***** too.

did i make a mistake picking up the x200? its in the mail as i type (over the pacific according to UPS).

im seriously concerned that i paid way too much for it (~1300 cdn) considering dell is offering a comparable spec/size laptop in the 1220 for around $800. im hoping for high quality build, and i heard the screen is poop, but i am hoping that is just nitpickers and will look just fine in a classroom or lab.

I would step back and look at the big picture. It's very easy to get drawn into all the negatives that tend to be posted on forums. All the good ones are out there with happy owners using them. I've owned my share of Dells and seriously they are not in the same league. On paper they look great but in hand they are a different story.

I have an x200 and it's filled all my expectations. And I will be the first to admit that I am very picky and have been drawn in (in the past) by the same concerns you have. Mine has the 5300 with not a hint of problems and overall, I can easily endorse this model.

Give it a chance, use it and enjoy it. You may very well find there are no issues at all.

Cheers...

[visionviper]

I ordered it with Vista Business installed and it comes with an XP Pro recovery CD, also there is word that 7 will be available for $30 when it is released. Not sure if I will make the plunge on that or not.

And please, for the love of all that is holy, if you downgrade to XP for now install Windows 7 when it comes out. Or stick with Vista (it really isn't the devil, I promise And they really are better).

Sidenote -- I have been using Windows 7 on my desktop and Vista on my laptop. While I do very much prefer 7 I am not about to jump ship and put XP on my laptop.

[mulambo187]

heh i just cancelled and re-ordered, lenovo was nice enough to waive cancellation fee (you'll hear it here first if they dont!) got vista basic edition for now, i think i will be able to get windows 7 64bit for dirty cheap through my school when it comes out, i think support for 64bit on 7 will be good. i ended up adding an ultrabase, which i think is actually a kicka$$ upgrade for the x200 too.