T21 - new HDD - XP - do I need to install IBM drivers

[g8tzl]

I have installed XP on a replacement "new" old hard disk drive.

Obviously there are now no "IBM" utilities/drivers installed.

Do I need to actually installing anything from the IBM site or does XP (Pro version SP0) already contain all the required drivers?

I guess I might install the IBM config utility as this is perhaps useful.

Will the IBM "automatic" update feature work with a T21? I checked out the IBM site and the T21 is not mentioned although I think it previously did work with the T21. Do I need to install an old version or does the new version still work with a T21 but its just not mentioned as the T21 is too old.

Thanks

[Harryc]

On the T21 I have here I installed the following IBM programs/drivers;

IBM Thinkpad Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features

Everything else is MS. Thinkvantage System Update 3 does not support T21's.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... PDATE.html

[nikki605]

Guess I'm confused. After upgrading my Win 98SE T21 several years ago to WinXP Pro SP2, I installed the Update Connector, Battery MaxiMiser and the other WinXP utilities. I used it for many months and then, during one update session, it replaced itself with Thinkvantage System Update 3, which has been running fine.

Under Thinkvantage, it also installed Access Connections, EasyEject Utility, ThinkPad Configuration and other IBM/Lenovo programs.

I didn't install it on my own, the old Update Connector did and its worked fine. I know the IBM link you provided does not list the T21... but it works on my T21?!?

[Harryc]

Didn't say it wouldn't work. It's not supported. Therefore, the results are unpredictable.

[nikki605]

Yeah, its strange. I just checked again and went to the Lenovo Support & Download page for the T21 (2647-47U). It lists the Software Installer program as available for the T21. When I selected to install it, I got a message that it is no longer supported and it redirects me to the ThinkVantage System Update 3 download page.

All I can say is that I've had it installed since 2006, and its always worked.

[g8tzl]

Thanks for the feedback.

I noticed that IBM/Lenovo also state that ThinkVantage is only "supported" with XP SP2.

As I am only on dial-up, I don't really want to bother with SP2!! (I think its something like 200MB - so it will take all day!!)

As the original version of Update Connector supported the T21, is it possible to download a version which work with T21's and XP SP0/SP1?

Thanks

[RealBlackStuff]

Go to the MS website and order a CD with XP SP2.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/down ... fault.mspx

Or find someone that has the CD and will lend it to you/make a copy of it (that's legal, it's not protected software).
MS even advises people to pass the CD around.

Once you have it, slipstream it in your existing XP-CD for future ease-of-use
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm