Just did a clean format on my x40 - good things to reinstall

[Pinny]

So my X40 was having issues (or really I was having issues - Netflix movies wouldn't stream) and since I'm pretty handy at these things I figured it was time to reformat.

Unfortunately (or truthfully, fortunately) I didn't have IBM restore discs and so I had to do a clean format.

The process was straightforward and simple. Upon installing Windows with SP2, no, and I mean NO hardware drivers were supported out of the box. For network support I had to use my own external card that I had drivers for. But from there everything was a breeze.

First I ran the critical windows updates. Simple enough.

Then I downloaded Thinkvantage System Update. This is where I want people's input. I like to only install stuff that will speed up my computer of that will enhance useability tremendously (I know - Lenovo feels all their software does this).

So far, the only stuff I installed were drivers for power management (to enable suspend/hibernate), audio (to enable audio), network devices (to enable usage of the network), and video (speeds up all on screen movement, and also the laptop won't undock unless you update the video drivers).

But what about some of the other things they have available for install? Are any of them worth it? I'll list them briefly and if anyone can describe in *BRIEF, PRACTICAL* terms what they do and if they are worth installing that would be great.

The items are:
*Thinkpad Embedded Controller Program Update
*Maintanance Manager
*ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery
*Intel Chipset Support III
*TrackPoint Accessibility Features
*ThinkPad TrackPoint Driver
*ThinkPad Configuration
*Windows Update Module Q910728
*Windows Update Q889816
*Windows Hotfix KB896613
*ThinkVantage Productivity Center
*Third-Party plug-in for ThinkVantage Productivity Center
*PC-Doctor 5

Chipset Support sounds like an obvious one to install - I know with desktops you used to need to install chipset drivers when you built a system. But is this still necessary?

Why bother installing the trackpoint driver? It seems to work fine without it.

Does anyone know how to install that app that used to come up when you hit Fn-F5 that would let you toggle on the and off the Wi-fi? Right now when I press it, it toggles on/off the bluetooth.

Finally, does anyone have any programs they like to run on their X40's? This could turn into a great thread.

Be well,
Pinny

[ryengineer]

Alright, since the space on the HDD of your X40 is limited so I am going to suggest you to install the following applications only:

1. Thinkpad Embedded Controller Program Update.
2. Trackpoint drivers. (will make your trackpoint to scroll better in office applications)
3. PC-Doctor.
4. Thinkpad Configuration.
5. If you want to make your blue Access IBM button to work under Windows then install ThinkVantage Productivity Center with third party plug-in, if in case it doesn't work then install Hotkey utility drivers and Access Help online User's Guide from lenovo website manually.

6. For Fn combinations to work, you need hotkey drivers, ACPI Power Management drivers and display drivers from lenovo. Also, make sure you've the wireless drivers installed from lenovo too.

Lenovo - Downloads and drivers for Thinkpad X40.

[j-dawg]

My attitude towards this sort of thing usually runs along the lines of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." This includes drivers and software--if Windows can do it, why replicate the function? And if you're not using the feature...why bother? Add software and drivers as they're needed and you'll keep down the system bloat.

[SteveS]

Well, debatably it is broke.

I just bought a nice X41 for a good price. To remove “personal data”, the previous owner took it to a PC shop to have a clean install. I don’t know if the service partition was already removed or the shop removed it, but the machine no longer has one, and now has a MS version of Windows XP Pro installation, with minimal Lenovo drivers.

While the machine does work, without the added “ThinkVantage” SW, it is just a generic laptop. I have used many T4x series and a couple of X4x models, and I can say that there are some things in the stock Lenovo configuration that I consider crucial and plan to install:

Access Connections. I am going with downgraded version 3.8, rather than the current 4.42, to avoid the “not remembering saved ports” for auto location switching bug reported elsewhere in the forum.

Power Manager: support of auto switching AC versus Battery power profiles saves you battery life.

Presentation Manager – I give a lot of PowerPoint seminars using projectors

Hot Key driver – Support of Fn+F3 screen off and other features are handy

Easy Eject – especially for a X4x series, where a dock is practical, and external monitor supports higher resolution.

From the above list, I would recommend NOT installing PC-Doctor if you are really trying to skimp on disk space to the max. If you ever experience HW problems and need it, you can install it then.

[ZAGNUT]

Then I downloaded Thinkvantage System Update. This is where I want people's input. I like to only install stuff that will speed up my computer of that will enhance useability tremendously (I know - Lenovo feels all their software does this).

if you want to keep your machine lean and productive then why bother with system update? since you can get through a format by yourself then you're obviously not in need of extra bloat that was designed to hold your hand and install what it thinks you should have on your machine. simply download the drivers you want and install them yourself. having an app constantly linked to lenovo is also not going to help speed things up.



dave