Just received new T61

[buzzlight]

Hi folks,

I've been lurking here for awhile, trying to decide when to take the plunge and get a new Thinkpad. I finally decided to go for the T61 14.1 WS+ (model 7662CTO) with 3 GB ram, 160 GB 7200 RPM HD, turbo card, Vista Ultimate. Promised delivery date was 10 days ARO, and they pretty much stuck to that - about 2 weeks (i.e., 10 business days).

So far so good - I migrated from my trusty old T42 much quicker than expected (about a day). No BSOD yet. At first the system seemed fast, but it didn't take long for startup and shutdowns to drag a little.

I have one issue, Thinkvantage update keeps telling me I need a nw USB driver and BIOS, but when I run it neither will successfully install. Running update again gives me the same message. Other than that, fairly satisfied with the performance and build-quality.

[Ideasmiths]

snipped

Well, manually install the two missing one, or if you can find software installer v3, you can download the two items and install it from there.

[Brad]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new T61. A very nice configuration at that.

Brad

[rxblitzrx]

Very nice setup indeed. How do you like the screen? Does it appear a little too blue?

[eyecon82]

Hi folks,

I've been lurking here for awhile, trying to decide when to take the plunge and get a new Thinkpad. I finally decided to go for the T61 14.1 WS+ (model 7662CTO) with 3 GB ram, 160 GB 7200 RPM HD, turbo card, Vista Ultimate. Promised delivery date was 10 days ARO, and they pretty much stuck to that - about 2 weeks (i.e., 10 business days).

So far so good - I migrated from my trusty old T42 much quicker than expected (about a day). No BSOD yet. At first the system seemed fast, but it didn't take long for startup and shutdowns to drag a little.

I have one issue, Thinkvantage update keeps telling me I need a nw USB driver and BIOS, but when I run it neither will successfully install. Running update again gives me the same message. Other than that, fairly satisfied with the performance and build-quality.

what kind of processor?

i would suggest downloading the bios and installing seperately...i have never trusted the thinkvantage update

[buzzlight]

Thanks for the welcome and information, folks.

Ooops! I quoted everything but the processor: Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.20GHz, 2201 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)

The 2.2 GHz upgrade hit the sweet spot for me in terms of price/performance.

I also opted for the full 3-year protection plan after reading about some of the structural issues (around the screen edges for example - and who knows what else)

I'll try manual installs of the updates. I agree ThinkVantage update has always been a little wanky.

[turnerpr]

Just updated last night the BIOS for my T60p. I did go through ThinkVantage but I found that I had to update the BIOS as a single item. Also, on my system a dialog box pops up halfway through the installation process asking you if you want to upgrade your BIOS or change your model number. If I select the former and press OK before the download/installation is complete, I get an error message.

One other thing -- be sure to use system update to check for other software updates you might want. When I bought my T60p several months ago nearly ALL the pre-installed software was outdated.

[eyecon82]

just as a general rule of thumb...when it comes to bios upgrades...BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL!

do this usually through a bootable cd or a seperate stand alone .exe file

[buzzlight]

Hi folks,

Turns out ThinkVantage was able to install the latest BIOS update. About being careful: no kidding. Nothing like being warned to remove the computer from the docking station, make sure the battery is installed, and have the AC adaptor plugged in (and then don't touch anything) to scare the bejeezus out of you. I did see the dialog box regarding install bios/change model number, and picked the right one.

The remaining packages that won't install include a USB driver ("better recovery from sleep mode") and a misc Vista-related "package" No big deal.

[eyecon82]

Hi folks,

Turns out ThinkVantage was able to install the latest BIOS update. About being careful: no kidding. Nothing like being warned to remove the computer from the docking station, make sure the battery is installed, and have the AC adaptor plugged in (and then don't touch anything) to scare the bejeezus out of you. I did see the dialog box regarding install bios/change model number, and picked the right one.

The remaining packages that won't install include a USB driver ("better recovery from sleep mode") and a misc Vista-related "package" No big deal.

that usb update for better recovery after sleep mode is primarily for the fingerprint sensor to be sensed more quickly after resuming from sleep...it has brought peoples wait time from 15-30s to under 5s

[buzzlight]

Also forgot to respond to someone's question about the screen looking a lttile on the blue side. Hope, haven't noticed, but then again I spend most of my time docked and staring at a larger flatscreen via DVI.

[rxblitzrx]

Also forgot to respond to someone's question about the screen looking a lttile on the blue side. Hope, haven't noticed, but then again I spend most of my time docked and staring at a larger flatscreen via DVI.

DVI? Wow, nice. I guess mine doesn't have DVI since I got the integrated graphics.

[badblood]

DVI? Wow, nice. I guess mine doesn't have DVI since I got the integrated graphics.

hmm doesnt dvi support only come in the docking port? So even if its an X3100 card , the dvi connector on the docking port should work with it. I think anyway unless someone can correct me.

[buzzlight]

Oops again,

Yeah, I use the advanced mini-dock to get the DVI interface to an external monitor.

One week in, still freeze- and BSOD-free. I've had a few times when it wouldn't go into or come out of sleep mode.

[lesmoss]

Buzzlight,

What is the resolution of your external monitor? Can you confirm you are using Integrated graphics (not a video card)?

[buzzlight]

About the external monitors: I alternate between several different work environments, each with an advanced mini-dock. Screens are by different manufacturers but each is 1280 x 1024, highest color res (32 bit). I use VGA on one (at home) and the digital I/F on the other (work).

My T61 has the NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (so, discrete, not integrated).

[buzzlight]

rxblitzrx asked about the screen on my T61 being "too blue." Actually, I have just started to notice that blues near the top of the screen look deeper (darker or richer) than the same blues near the bottom. The effect appears to be a result of viewing angle. I can watch this reverse if I move the screen/lid back, then blues near the bottom get richer while those nearer the top get washed out.

[Xcalamento]

Yeah that's a nice setup; almost identical to mine(in my sig) . Did you get the onboard graphics or the NVS 140? I got the NVS 140 and have been playing DOOM 3 in ultra mode with no problems; pretty great!

How much did you pay for yours? Just wondering since your expecs are similar to mine; I even got the 3 year thinkpad protection as well.

I did get a lot of freezes during the first week though, mostly because of the HDD Hybrid Energy Mode on battery. Disabled that, did some twicks, updates, and so far so great!

Enjoy.

[eyecon82]

disabling hybrid disc also solved my issues as well in regards to freezing