Thinkvantage Access Connections Not Working

[Kaisersosa]

Before I throw this T61 out the window, let me ask if there are any experts here:

Recently purchased this unit and have had nothing but problems mounting to factory reinstalls several times. The last was last eve in which I installed all of the latest M$ and Lenovo updates both critical and non. After updates took place, I now find that a window appears (small) indicating that the service cannot be started. I have gone into services.msc and attempted to start it myself with a similar msg.

I also now notice that the Fn+F5 does not work. A quick icon/window appears on the task bar and just as quickly disappears.

I also now notice that, while booted up, the ThinkVantage button does not do anything anymore. I also noted that the icon in the system tray appears to not have any function (read: left-click).

Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated. Do I really need ThankVantage if it is going to be a pain whenever updates roll out?

Thanks in advance,

-Kaisersosa

[paOol]

i think you are missing some drivers. i think its hotkey that allows u to fn+f5.

also, maybe re-install wifi drivers?
and the thinkvantage button doesnt work unless you install, productivity suite or one of the thinkvantage programs.

[Kaisersosa]

Thanks for the response. I called Lenovo/IBM and spoke with one of their senior tech advisors and was told that there are known issues between Vista Ultimate *and* "Access Connections". I was advised (an interesting and telling solution) to uninstall the Access Connections Manager as it was only a shell to what Windows already supplied. Interestingly enough, I have (as a result of uninstalling the connections manager) had no conflicts between different software apps on if the wireless was on or off.

Also, and I have heard this time and again: A quote from IBM, "If you system works fine leave it alone" Or, "If it isn't broke then don't fix it". IBM recommends for this machine/OS (most likely in general also) to only download critical updates and of those being frugal about what may or may not apply to my use of the machine.

It has been my interest, since the system is new, to load most everything. I think I was wrong. From this point forward I am going lean.

Cheers,

-KaiserSosa
If you are not big enough to lose, you are not big enough to win.
-Walter Reuther

[barrywohl]

It has been my interest, since the system is new, to load most everything. I think I was wrong. From this point forward I am going lean.

I think you've learned a valuable lession. Here's just one big reason not to automatically download critical updates and recommended updates.

Sooner or later it is likely something will stop working and puzzle you. By carefully selecting what you do install, you will make the trouble shooting process much easier. You won't wonder if one of the last hundred critical Microsoft updates was the culprit.

I loaded my current T61 from recovery disks onto a blank 200gb hard drive (before Lenovo sold the 200 gb 7200rpm drives) and then used System Update 3 to to most of the work choosing drivers. This still left my UWB not recognized, and a quick search on this site led me to solving that issue. Now I am careful what I add, and I keep a "systemhx.txt" file to track what I do.

I would also recommend you keep your System Restore on until you have a really stable system well backed up.