Thinkpads Forum

I just got a new X61, P/N: 7675-CTO, it came with Vista Home.

Now, I need to install Windows XP Pro. However, there are too many different drivers (for wireless, ethernet, sound) on Lenovo website for the same 7675-CTO and I dont know which one is the one. Is there anyway to check which component detail installed? (ie: using serial# or any tracking number)?????

Also, to install XP, I had to go to BIOS, set the SATA to Compatibility mode instead of AHCI. Is it OK?

Go to Parts Lookup (also explained the FAQs of this forum) page and do a search on the Service part numbers afterwards.

Another good practice is to note down the "make" of the all components installed on your machine beforehand prior to installing a new OS. You can access that information through Control Panel > Device Manager in Windows or via any third party utility that can perform an audit on a system.

To install a new OS, Compatibility mode is the right choice for your thinkpad. Please do make a set of Product Recovery Disks in advance, that will save you time and money in the future.

The only parts that vary in the X61 are the ethernet, wifi and Turbomemory. Otherwise, you'll need all the drivers on the X61 driver site.

mfbernstein wrote:The only parts that vary in the X61 are the ethernet, wifi and Turbomemory. Otherwise, you'll need all the drivers on the X61 driver site.

Fingerprint reader, Bluetooth, and WWAN vary also on X61.

phongdt wrote:I just got a new X61, P/N: 7675-CTO, it came with Vista Home.

Now, I need to install Windows XP Pro. However, there are too many different drivers (for wireless, ethernet, sound) on Lenovo website for the same 7675-CTO and I dont know which one is the one. Is there anyway to check which component detail installed? (ie: using serial# or any tracking number)?????

Also, to install XP, I had to go to BIOS, set the SATA to Compatibility mode instead of AHCI. Is it OK?

Don't bother looking for all the drivers. Simply call Lenovo and ask them to send you the'downgrade' installation CD's. Lenovo will send you a full set of installation CD's that will wipe your machine and install XP Pro on it.

The advice to create your Vista rescue CD's is an excellent suggestion though as you will need those if you ever decide to 'upgrade' back to Vista again.

Thanks for all the replies. The issue is I'm in Vietnam, where Lenovo does not have a support office like in states. So, asking for a "downgrade XP CD" from them is an mission impossible.

I have managed to get all of the necessary drivers installed. If I get all of the drivers from the site, there are a lot a lot alot. Many drivers/software dont have a detail explaination so it took me quite sometime to figure out. Even after I installed the System Update, it could not get all necessary drivers for me so I had to do it manually.