Thinkpads Forum

I have just installed Windows 7 64 bit Ultimate on my refurb T61 received last week. About to run Lenovo System Update version 4 for the first time and there's a bunch of stuff I don't understand. I'd appreciate any help you can provide.

A post said I should check and make sure that Wireless and Bluetooth are enabled first. Wireless obviously is, but Fn+F5 doesn't provide the confirming screen that I get on my T60 running XP and that I was getting in Vista Business before I swapped it out for a new HD in the T61. Well, I have no bluetooth devices as of yet, so it may not be much of a concern. I've gotten a few recommendations already, noted below, the rest I'm in the dark about. Here's what System Update wants to know, get or don't get (I have endeavored to type these exactly as they appear in the ThinkVantage System Update screen, so apparent typos or inconsistencies are largely if not totally Lenovos!):

There are currently for me no "Critical Updates" and no "Extras"

These are "Recommended updates (16)"

[ ] Windows 7 Update Module KB979155 64bit
[ ] Windows 7 Update Module KB958685 64bit
[ ] ThinkPad UltraNav Utility
[ ] ThinkPad Hotkey Features Integration Package Setup
[ ] ThinkPad Power Manager
[ ] ThinkPad UltraNav Driver for Windows 64-bit
[ ] Lenovo ThinkVantage Toolbox for Windows 7
[ ] Intel(R) Turbo Memory Driver
[ ] SoundMax Audio Software for Windows 7 64bit
[ ] ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software 5.9.3 for Windows 7 64bit [was recommended, IIRC]
[ ] Windows 7 Update Module KB981351 64bit
[ ] ThinkVantage Active Protection System (64bit)
[ ] Intel Matrix Storage Manager driver for Windows 64bit
[ ] Windows 7 Update Module KB981112 64bit
[ ] Intel Wireless WiFi for Windows 7 64-bit
[ ] Lenovo ThinkVantage Tool box (64-bit)

These are "Optional updates (2):

[ ] ThinkVantage Access Connections for windows 7 [I was advised to not do this if I don't need it, and I think I don't]
[ ] ThinkPad Power Management Driver

Which of the above should I install, which should I not install and which should I consider and why?

Is there something that Lenovo can provide that will support writing to the DVDRW/CDRW drive, such as RecordNow?

Thanks for the suggestions, information, recommendations, comments, etc.!

OK, nobody's answering. Poking around and Googling I'm getting the impression most of these are a good idea. I'm not downloading and installing the following right now because ausmike said (if I'm interpreting what he said correctly, which may well not be the case), that Windows' version is faster:

[ ] Intel Wireless WiFi for Windows 7 64-bit

Is that right? Should I not install the above? My T61 has the Intel 4965 AGN (Wireless N is actually enabled).

*gives a gentle BUMP*
I have similar questions as OP
Furthermore, Has anyone generated (or should we perhaps start a new thread for this) a provisional list of which drivers should be installed from Lenovo and which ones should be obtained from the maker of a particular device in the T6x in order to ensure more recent drivers?
Personally, the only thing I didn't let the updatemanager install was the acces-connections and the 2 options related to the synaptics touchpad as I use a Synapticsdriver from HP (don't get mad:) in order to activate the dormant multitouch-features of my T61.

While System Update suggests to install the Power Management Driver, T61 models don't seem to meet system requirements for that driver under Windows 7.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4GXPEG
This could be a problem if one wants to use Access Connections, as the Power Management Driver is a prerequisite for Access Connections.

I have never had any issues installing the powermanager under any version of win7, tried pro, ultimate 32/64, home and starter, they all seemed to work

The Power Manager and the Power Management driver are two different things. T61 ThinkPads with Windows 7 meet system requirements for the Power Manager, but - according to Lenovo - don't meet system requirements for the Power Management driver.

This could be a problem if one wants to use Access Connections, as the Power Management Driver is a prerequisite for Access Connections.

Never had any issues with installing and using access Connections either, not that I use it these days

Just checked, I DO have both the driver and the manager installed on t61 win7Ux64 according to "programs and features"