My observations on installing Windows 7 on T61...

[robert213]

What is the best approach to install Windows 7 on T61?

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/lenovo- ... fault.page
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/default.page?
-- Edit --
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/researc ... MIGR-67853
---------
ThinkPad T61 (8895-W14)
Based on 8895-CTO: T7300(2GHz), 2GB RAM, 100GB 7200rpm HD, 14.1in 1024x768 LCD, Intel X3100, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn(n-disabled), Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, 6c Li-Ion, WinXP Pro

Approach #1 - (Install Windows 7 over a fresh Windows Vista install)
A. Run Rescue and Recovery Disc followed by Product Recovery CD for T61, R61 Type 6480, 7659, 7658, 7660, 7661, 6378, 6379, 6481, 7663, 7662, 7664, 7665, 6337, 1959 (8 disc set).

B. Run Windows 7 Install

Approach #2 - (Install fresh Retail Windows 7 on brand-new HD)
A. Run Windows 7 Install

B. Add Windows 7 Hardware device drivers

In the download drivers and software section of Lenovo's support page
-- a. Audio only shows drivers for XP and Visa.
-- b. Bios. Will I need to install a new version of my T61's BIOS?
-- c. Modem only shows drivers for XP and Vista.
-- d. Bluetooth has Windows 7 drivers
-- e. Smart Card Reader has Windows 7 drivers
-- f. Chipset has Windows 7 drivers
-- g. Display has Windows 7 drivers for Intel GL960/GM965
-- h. Fingerprint reader has Windows 7 drivers
-- i. Mouse/UltraNav has Windows 7 drivers
-- j. Keyboard only shows drivers for XP and Vista.
-- k. LAN only shows drivers for DOS, XP and Vista.
-- l. WAN shows Vodaphone, Cingular, and Verizon. I guess that I don't need this.
-- m. Wireless shows Windows 7 drivers for two different Intel Wireless LAN.
-- n. Optical drive only shows drivers fir XP and Vista.
-- o. Power Management has Windows 7 drivers and patch.
-- p. Security ???
-- q. Utility Software
------1. Hotkey has Windows 7 drivers and patch.
------2. InterVideo WinDVD, use VLC instead
------3. Asset ID, ignore
-- r. Storage
------1. HD detection Windows 7 patch
------2. Arrange Icons Windows 7 patch
------3. Ignore the rest
-- s. Thinkvantage has Windows 7 drivers
-- t. USB N/A
-- u. Intel GL960/GM965 has Windows 7 driver
-- v. Windows Update has several updates for Windows 7

Questions...
#1 The type of my T61 is "8895". The Product Recovery CD set that I purchased from Lenovo does not have "8895" in its list. Do I have the correct set of recovery discs?

#2 When installing Windows 7 drivers, where do I begin? I guess that Chipset, Display, and Video are the first Windows 7 drivers that need to be installed.

#3 Will I need to install a new version of BIOS to run Windows 7?

#4 Audio, Keyboard, LAN, others only have XP and Vista drivers. Do I use Vista drivers?

#5 I have Intel 802.11agn(n-disabled). Lenovo's support page shows several Intel drivers. Which one do I use? How do I enable .11n?

--Edit--
Now browsing Windows 7 sub-forum...
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewforum.php?f=57

Still, what are common pitfalls when installing Windows 7 on T61?

[ac12]

I did a clean install of Win7 followed by the Lenovo packaged update which installed all the drivers I needed w/o me having to figure it out.

[robert213]

the Lenovo packaged update

Did you use Retail box of Windows 7 or use IBM OEM Windows 7 Product Recovery discs?

Where do I download Lenovo update program?

[Raceboy]

On W7 install the only drivers that are missing are Power Management driver, fingerprint reader and WWAN, camera and Smart card reader if you have those. Windows update has all of the necessary drivers, including integrated fingerprint reader support so that you don't need ANY of the Lenovo drivers. Most of the Lenovo software takes unnecessarily large amount of memory and makes laptop seem slower than it really is. With W7 there is basically no need for Access Connections, only Lenovo utility that I use is Hotkey Utility to turn on and off the wireless and Bluetooth radios.

[ac12]

I installed MS Win7 Pro straight off a DVD.

Here is the link to the clean install instructions that I used.
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-74108

[Neil]

Where do I download Lenovo update program?

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... VSU-UPDATE

[robert213]

I purchased Retail Windows 7 Ultimate without SP1. Unlike Windows 7 Professional, I was not able to find Windows 7 Ultimate with SP1.

I found a used Hitachi Travelstar 7K100 from another machine.
I deleted its primary partition using Control Panel/Admin Tools/Disk Management using my T30 and USB SATA HD adapter (e.g. Apricorn's DriveWire)

I powered up my T61 running Windows Vista and made a list of Device Manager's current device drivers.

I placed HD with deleted partition into T61.

I powered up my T61, quickly pressing [F12] to see boot order list.
I inserted Windows 7 Install DVD disc.

Installation process was much faster than Windows XP Pro.

My NAV track pad did not work at first. I connected a USB mouse. My NAV track pad has worked ever since. My [Fn] keys don't work.
Device Manager shows that all device drivers are Microsoft. For Intel related hardware, the drivers match the name of their Intel counterparts.

I downloaded Windows 7 Service Pack 1 *.iso file, using another machine with DVD burner.
I burnt the *.iso image file, using Roxio Creater Basic (use "image" option, not "data" option)

During most of this process, I have my ISP cable modem powered off with wireless router powered on. This prevents T61 from accidentally starting Windows Updates or picking up a virus from the internet.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2505743
says to have Windows Update check for KB2454826, KB2534366, KB2533552

KB2454826 - improved graphics, enhanced printing XPS to GDI, and improved Media foundation
Note - this update may cause D2D related programs (e.g. Windows Live Mail) on machines using Intel integrated graphics with device driver igdkmd32.sys or igdkmd64.sys versions between 8.15.10.2100 ?? and 8.15.10.2141. See KB2505524 for specific details.

KB2505524 - corrects "0xC000009A" error during SP1 install when more than 10 Windows 7 language packs are installed.

KB2533552 - corrects "0xC0000034" error during SP1 install when other Windows Updates have occurred before computer has restarted.

I ran Windows Update ("Check for updates but le me choose whether to download and install them") It installed KB2454826 and KB2533552.

I ran Windows 7 Service Pack Install using burnt DVD containing downloaded *.iso file.
It was much faster than Windows XP Service Pack installs -- requiring less than 30 minutes.

To be done tomorrow...
--Activate Windows 7
--Image copy to another HD, using Acronis True Image
--Place original HD in safe keeping
--Install Microsoft .NET v2.0 or higher
--Download Lenovo ThinkVantage System Update
--Install Lenovo ThinkVantage System Update

Hopefully ThinkVantage System Update will install proper device drivers for Biometric TouchChip Fingerprint (UPEK), UltraNav touch pad (Synaptics), Modem (Conexant), Monitor (Lenovo), SM Driver - Bios (Lenovo), Smart Card Reader (Lenovo), Sound Card (Analog Devices SoundMAX), and miscellaneous System devices (Intel).

[Raceboy]

Why do you need .net update 2.0? It is included already in Win7.

Also I do not recommend downloading everything that System Update offers you. Use only Hotkey Utility (available from Lenovo website specifically for W7).
There is nothing that you really need more (wireless connections, BT, even WWAN connections are integrated into W7 very nicely). As for power management, use NHC 2.4.3 instead. It allows you to control both performance, fans and also undervolt the CPU.

[robert213]

Why do you need .net update 2.0? It is included already in Win7.

Also I do not recommend downloading everything that System Update offers you. Use only Hotkey Utility (available from Lenovo website specifically for W7).
There is nothing that you really need more (wireless connections, BT, even WWAN connections are integrated into W7 very nicely). As for power management, use NHC 2.4.3 instead. It allows you to control both performance, fans and also undervolt the CPU.

Thanks for replying to my lengthy post. I was about to install Microsoft .NET, until I read your post. I don't want to ruin my clean Windows install, due to my unfamiliarity with Windows 7.

Perhaps, I mis-read this statement...
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... VSU-UPDATE

Note: Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1 SP1 or Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 is required for ThinkVantage System Update to work properly.

Should I install Lenovo's System Update or just pick-n-choose which drivers I wish to install manually?

[Neil]

System Update will just find all the available drivers and system tools, then you can choose which ones you want to download and install. I just find the process a whole lot easier with System Update.

[robert213]

Acronis True Image Home works pefectly. I connected two USB HD adapters (one containing HD from fresh Windows 7 install and another containing HD to become the clone). I connected each USB HD adapter to each of my T30's USB 1.1 ports for adequate 5V power. I used seperate USB to mini-USB cords to connect to my T30's AKE USB 2.0 PC Card. The whole process took less than 25 minutes. Kudo's to the Guinness Dark man for introducing me to Acronis True Image and Apricorn's DriveWire USB HD adapter many years ago.

Next up, which Lenovo drivers should I install?

a) Biometric TouchChip Fingerprint (UPEK)
-- I don't use Fingerprint, so I could skip this.

b) UltraNav touch pad (Synaptics)
-- download and install from Levono's website

c) Monitor (Lenovo)
-- Wouldn't it be better to have Lenovo's driver over MS Windows 7's?

d) SM Driver - Bios (Lenovo),
-- I have no idea what this does.

e) Smart Card Reader (Lenovo),
-- Wouldn't it be better to have Lenovo's driver over MS Windows 7's?

f) Sound Card (Analog Devices SoundMAX
-- Wouldn't it be better to have Lenovo's driver over MS Windows 7's?

Obviously, I need the Hotkey Utility to make blue [Fn] keys work, once again.

Where can I download Lenovo's Battery Maximiser?

System Update will just find all the available drivers and system tools, then you can choose which ones you want to download and install. I just find the process a whole lot easier with System Update.

OK, Now I am about to install Lenovo's System Update. I am beginning to understand that Lenovo's System Update gives me the ability to pick-n-choose which drivers and software that I wish to use.

-- Edit --
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... PAD-MATRIX
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/researc ... MIGR-67853

SoundMax Audio Software
7ka403ww.exe
4.5 MB 6.10.1.7255/6.10.2.7255 05 Oct 2009
README for SoundMax Audio Software
7ka403ww.txt
6.6 KB 6.10.1.7255/6.10.2.7255 05 Oct 2009

[robert213]

I have downloaded my Lenovo / Windows 7 device drivers and utilities at...
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/default.page?

After installing them, I am about to verify them at [Control Panel][System & Security][Device Manager]

a) Biometric TouchChip Fingerprint (UPEK)
-- Since I don't use Fingerprint, I have skipped this.
-- It appears under "Other devices" / "Biometric Coprocessor" with a yellow !

b) UltraNav touch pad driver (Synaptics)
-- ThinkPad UltraNav Pointing Device
-- instead of PS/2 Compatible Mouse

c) Smart Card Reader (Lenovo),
-- I may install this later, after I purchase an adapter for Smart Card device.

d) Sound Card (Analog Devices SoundMAX)
-- I may install this later, after I connect my T61 to my home stereo system.
[edit]
At later point, I discovered that my headphone and microphone jacks
were NOT working. After attempting to download and install Analog Devices
SoundMAX Windows 7 device drivers (none worked), I ended up installing Analog Devices
SoundMAX Windows Vista device drivers from Lenovo support site).
[/edit]

Questions:

Q1: I installed the Lenovo UltraNav Utility (ver 2.13). I don't see it in my "Start Menu". It appears in Control Panel / Programs. It appears in C:\Program Files. What does it do?

Q2: I installed the HotKey Features Integration Utility (ver 3.70.0003). I don't see it in my "Start Menu". I see "Auto Scroll Utility", "Patch Utility", "System Interface Driver", "On Screen Display", and "Full Screen Magnifier" in Control Panel / Programs.

I press [Fn] [F3] - nothing happens.
I press [Fn] [F4] - my machine falls asleep.
I press [Fn] [F5] - nothing happens.

I thought that a Dialogue Box would appear, asking me to enable or disable my wireless network card. At least, I thought that the green light wireless indicator would turn off.

Why aren't my [Fn][F5] disabling my wireless connection?

Side note - my internal wireless network card is Intel 11.agn(with n disabled). My wireless router is 11.b. So, it appears that I will be shopping for an Intel 11.bgn or better wireless network card.

-- edit --
Well somehow, the machine with Intel 11.agn(with n disabled) card has connected with my 11.b router. The wireless icon system tray shows that I am connected with my router and not the neighbor's.
-- edit--

Q3: I miss the Lenovo's Battery Maximiser from my T30. If I borrow the install program from my T30, will it run under Windows 7?

[Radioguy]

In case you didn't see it already:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 84#p662184

Again, I suggest you pin this down in case you need to deal with the seller. Hopefully some others here can help.

[ac12]

I turn the wireless on/off on my T61 with a slide switch on the left front edge of the machine.

[crashnburn]

I am wondering what drivers would make sense now on a Win 7 SP1 install on T61?

[ajkula66]

I am wondering what drivers would make sense now on a Win 7 SP1 install on T61?

In which respect?

[Cigarguy]

I am wondering what drivers would make sense now on a Win 7 SP1 install on T61?

All the drivers that will make everything in my machine works and no more....not that you can install anymore. I've always liked the latest and greatest when it come to drivers. Others will stick to what works for them and seldom upgrade. Only you will know where you are at.

[crashnburn]

I am wondering what drivers would make sense now on a Win 7 SP1 install on T61?

In which respect?

Thinkpad drivers v/s what Win 7 SP1 has in built.

[ajkula66]

I always go with ThinkPad drivers, apart from the graphic card which I get directly from nVidia.