New Laptop, first time setting up win 10

[rickNS]

OK, it's used, and 7 years old, but is my newest by two years.
A Thinkpad x240 in excellent condition with a 4-5+ hour battery , 8GB, and 128 SSD. All for $200 CAN delivered. I couldn't resist adding to the collection.

Anyway it arrived "reset to factory" so I had to set it up. The first time I set up "new" windows in 15 years (since vista in 2007).
Jeepers, MS wanted an email address, and a DOB! So I gave them a throwaway email, and a fake DOB. I figured I had to set it up in order to disable fast boot etc. It took about an hour even skipping as much as I could.

I originally though I might keep the win 10 for just in case (re-sale, or BIOS update), but the process, the pop-ups, and MS wanting my DOB (confused) left a bad taste, I couldn't wait to wipe the drive. First, disable updates before that kicked in, and waste more time. Second, disable fast start up, then into BIOS to disable secure boot, and adjust boot order. Then I plugged in my custom ISO installer, went to make a coffee, came back a few minutes later to a complete working Mint 19 MATE. YEAH!

I didn't like the new to me type touchpad, didn't know how it worked, so looked it up...
Bottom right corner = right click
Anywhere else = left click
2 fingers = scroll
1 finger = point (of course)
After a very short time I quite like it.

[SMG]

Jeepers, MS wanted an email address, and a DOB!

I looked that up and found How to change a birth date on a Microsoft account so maybe it has to do with laws about statutory age.

You'll have to update your signature now there's another member to the "family".

[kelevra]

When I first picked up my HP 6305, I thought I would keep the Windows 10 install to keep my baby toe in the pool. After finishing the setup I noticed that the network light on my USB wifi stick was constantly flashing. I monitored the network status and it was continuously uploading/downloading small amounts of data. This went on for a full day. I can see maybe a little time spent getting to know the hardware and updates (this was after a full update splurge) but come on, a full day. I finally grabbed an ISO and nuked the install. I should have known better.

[motoryzen]

When I first picked up my HP 6305, I thought I would keep the Windows 10 install to keep my baby toe in the pool. After finishing the setup I noticed that the network light on my USB wifi stick was constantly flashing. I monitored the network status and it was continuously uploading/downloading small amounts of data. This went on for a full day. I can see maybe a little time spent getting to know the hardware and updates (this was after a full update splurge) but come on, a full day. I finally grabbed an ISO and nuked the install. I should have known better.

*nods slowly*

Well look at it this way. At least you grew the sense enough to realize " Ok..this is some deep 4th amendment rights disrespecting B S going on. There is absolutely no benefit to me for this happening. It's not like Microsoft is paying me for the data they are selling that they get from me". And thus yet another reason July 28 2020 was one of the happiest days of my life as it was the day I left windows 100%

[rickNS]

You'll have to update your signature now there's another member to the "family".

Yes "family" ha, I was actually thinking the same thing (same word).
I actually have 3 of T420, 1 X200 tablet, and this X240.
Would not have found this deal had I not been "shopping" from time to time.
I'll be gifting one to shortly to my mom who's using an aging 32 bit machine.

[AndyMH]

I actually have 3 of T420, 1 X200 tablet, and this X240.

You're as bad as me, 3 x T430 and I've just bought another one, shortly to arrive It will come with win10 pro. I'll image it and then delete and clone mint from one of my other T430's. Have also had the same experience installing win10 with MS demanding information, then once installed having to turn off auto update and fast boot.

[rickNS]

You're as bad as me, 3 x T430 and I've just bought another one, shortly to arrive

Yes, guilty.
But hey, I can stop any time I want to, I just don't want to.
Was "shopping" today, and bought another dock.

[AndyMH]

Was "shopping" today, and bought another dock.

I've got two but only really need one

[Portreve]

In April of 2020, I bought a Lenovo IdeaCentre 510A Desktop, which I had to return the next day because something on it fried itself within 6 hours of ownership.

I wound up swapping it for an 8th gen i5-based HP Envy TE01-0014, which has been rock solid stable. Anyhow, it shipped with Windows 10, and I have kept that installation because part of why I bought the computer was I needed to have a proper Windows environment for further education and certification (which my laggard ass is still trying to get around to finishing) and also it never hurts to be able to see what's going on out there in the world.

Anyhow, 90% of the time I run LinuxMint on it. I bought a separate M.2 drive and swap them. I'm not exactly thrilled about what that's probably doing to the longevity of the M.2 socket on the motherboard, but at least Windows has no opportunity to mess around with my LM installation.

[Bolle1961]

MS wanted an email address, and a DOB! So I gave them a throwaway email, and a fake DOB. I figured I had to set it up in order to disable fast boot etc. It took about an hour even skipping as much as I could.

You don't need to give your email and dob. It's possible to create a local account instead of a MS account, but it's a kind of hidden.

[rickNS]

Anyhow, it shipped with Windows 10, and I have kept that installation because part of why I bought the computer was I needed to have a proper Windows environment for further education and certification (which my laggard ass is still trying to get around to finishing) and also it never hurts to be able to see what's going on out there in the world.

I do have a win10 disk that came with one of my other laptops. I played with it a few minutes, that's how I knew how to disable...stuff.

I wouldn't say I "need" it, but I agree it "never hurts". Plus the fact that I have quite a few spare drives. What I've done in the past with these used laptops was clone the original drive, then put in the new clone (usually SSD), and keep the original safe.

As I mentioned above, for just in case I ever was to sell one they would no doubt have more value as a windows pc.

[rickNS]

You don't need to give your email and dob. It's possible to create a local account instead of a MS account, but it's a kind of hidden.

Did not know (or notice) that, but if ever there is a next time...
Thanks.

In any case no harm done, the drive has been "reclaimed".

[Portreve]

Anyhow, it shipped with Windows 10, and I have kept that installation because part of why I bought the computer was I needed to have a proper Windows environment for further education and certification (which my laggard ass is still trying to get around to finishing) and also it never hurts to be able to see what's going on out there in the world.

I do have a win10 disk that came with one of my other laptops. I played with it a few minutes, that's how I knew how to disable...stuff.

I wouldn't say I "need" it, but I agree it "never hurts". Plus the fact that I have quite a few spare drives. What I've done in the past with these used laptops was clone the original drive, then put in the new clone (usually SSD), and keep the original safe.

As I mentioned above, for just in case I ever was to sell one they would no doubt have more value as a windows pc.

Well, very few systems hold any sort of value for any length of time. In fact, outside of Macs, I'm not sure I'm aware of any other brand of computer which holds value. Generally, the drop like a stone.

[rickNS]

Well, very few systems hold any sort of value for any length of time. In fact, outside of Macs, I'm not sure I'm aware of any other brand of computer which holds value. Generally, the drop like a stone.

Well, I have watched these thinkpads for at least 5 years now I have not seen ANY price drop yet. Albeit they are getting to an age now where they're about to drop off a cliff at some point, but since they run mint 20 well they are good for at least 5 more years.

Yes, of course, your apples.

[AndyMH]

Well, I have watched these thinkpads for at least 5 years now I have not seen ANY price drop yet. Albeit they are getting to an age now where they're about to drop off a cliff at some point, but since they run mint 20 well they are good for at least 5 more years.

I was about to offer similar comment, based on my recent purchase, I'd say that the cost of a T430 has increased in recent times.