Thinkpads Forum

Hello everyone! I have a Thinkpad T61p and I have to say that this is one of the most awesome laptops I have ever used. However, I would like to install Windows XP Pro x64 Edition. Will the ThinkVantage program download drivers for xp64? Also, I did try installing xp64 but whenever I installed the driver for the Atheros WLAN, the driver would install but in device manager it would show a yellow exclamation point and say "the device could not start." I did NOT try to install the ThinkVantage software, it was 3 in the morning and I was tired so I just put XP Pro back on it... I refuse to use Vista yet... Also does anyone know if there is a 64 bit driver for the Sierra Wireless MC5725?

I just bought a T61P and am trying to run XP x64 as well. So far I got it installed but can't find soundmax drivers.

I can tell you that the thinkvantage program won't work in 64-bit XP. That was the first thing I tried. However, I can't tell you where to find wireless drivers as I have the intel 3945ABG wireless adapter and Intel provides drivers for it on their website.

If anyone else has got a T61 functioning fully in XP x64, I'd be interested to hear how you did it as well.

I have a T61p with Vista Business 64-bit. I can tell you that 98 percent of the software installed is still 32-bit software. There are some Microsoft programs in the 64-bit Program Files, but most stuff (and most Lenovo stuff) is in x86 Program Files.

I suppose 64-bit will come in due course, but if you are going to run XP (much, much better than Vista at this early point), then the 32-bit version should do just fine. I ordered XP recovery CD's for my T61 in case I make the decision to upgrade from where I am at this point. ... JDH

I don't know about the OP, but I'm using the 64-bit OS because I have 4 GB of RAM.

tristan wrote:I just bought a T61P and am trying to run XP x64 as well. So far I got it installed but can't find soundmax drivers.

I can tell you that the thinkvantage program won't work in 64-bit XP. That was the first thing I tried. However, I can't tell you where to find wireless drivers as I have the intel 3945ABG wireless adapter and Intel provides drivers for it on their website.

If anyone else has got a T61 functioning fully in XP x64, I'd be interested to hear how you did it as well.

I was able to get the SoundMax drivers for 64 bit Vista to work in XP 64 however every time it loaded windows, I would get an error about something not working for this OS however the sound would still work perfectly. I just disabled that program from opening in MSCONFIG. However, I still have no luck getting the Atheros WLAN card to work... I may purchase the Intel one as I heard that one works fine as well as the MC5725 WWAN card.

i never got the atheros a/b/g card in my T61p working under server 2003.   the intel ABG and AGN cards have both been confirmed to work under 2003 and would probably work under XP x64.

i got the atheros abg working in my T61 with WINXP X64.

http://www.atheros.cz/download.php?athe ... G&system=2

I extracted the drivers into c:\drivers and then went into device manager and updated the drivers

Cool. I will download those and try them tonight. If you open device manager, does it show a yellow exclamation point over it and say "the device cannot start?"

I think that was what it showed..."Ethernet Controller" w/yellow symbol question mark


Did you have any luck with audio on T61? I think it is the AD 1984 82801H driver that I need for X64.

Not sure where to find it. Do you know?

You can download the audio drivers for 64-bit vista off lenovo's site and install them manually via device manager. When you restart, windows will complain that a program won't run. You can just disable the program via msconfig.

got that...worked on both my T61 and X61...will go to msconfig to disable that warning box

Thanks very much!

Is there one place where all the XP Pro 64 drivers for T61p are collected? Links to websites for WLAN, LAN, BlueTooth, Trackpad, Trackpoint, Video, Audio, Fingerprint sensor, SATA would really be appreciated...

I'm picking up my 14.1" with 4GB tomorrow & am excited but scared.

Thanks!

Choosing 64bit Windows because you have 4gb RAM is not a valid reason.

Quite presumptive Greg.

If I didn't have a need then I'd use XP Pro 32 or even W2K.

Greg Gebhardt wrote:Choosing 64bit Windows because you have 4gb RAM is not a valid reason.

OK! I got Windows XP x64 Edition up and running on my T61p! However, there are a few issues. I was able to find all x64 drivers, took some searching. The first issue is power management. In xp64 the "Fn+Home" and "Fn+End" does not work so I am unable to adjust brightness of the display. Also, on-screen display does not work. So, when adjust volume, the OSD does not come on. Also, when using the volume buttons, if you press "MUTE" you have to either press Volume + or Volume - to get it to un-mute. Just pressing Mute again will not un-mute the volume. Other than those issues, x64 runs AMAZING on the T61p. It is truly a shame that Lenovo does not release xp64 drivers but has Vista x64 drivers. Personally I don't like Vista. I'm not going to bash it, I just prefer XP. All my drivers work. I don't have to deal with a bloated UI. One thing that I like about Vista is Aero. I know it uses resources but it's pretty neat. So anyways, about the brightness issue, I suggest installing xp64 with the laptop plugged in otherwise the laptop will constantly display at a lower brightness. I was able to get all devices to work, even the Sierra Wireless MC5725 VZW WWAN card. When installing the sound drivers, use Vista x64 drivers and when you boot it you will have to go into msconfig and disable "smax4pnp" from startup. Reboot and no more errors! If anyone needs help with getting xp64 to work on T61p please let me know. I've spent countless hours gathering drivers and finding ways to make it work! I don't mind sharing the knowledge!

What's the reason for not wanting to run Vista x64? It works great, and yes, you could get all the appropriate drivers by way of System Update. I've heard and read mostly negative things about XP x64. They wanted to make 64-bit mainstream back in 2005, but XP x64 just never took off.

I agree that XP 64 bit is x2 faster than Vista 64 bit, but if I cant get all the Thinkpad software working I think its useless