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my new X61s with Vista 64 review

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:34 am
by red bioroid
I got my laptop after about 1 week after ordering.
Its current spec is Core 2 Duo 1.8, Ultralight LCD, 4GB Ram, WD Scorpio 320GB, Windows Vista Ultimate 64. , Intel 4965AGN , & Turbo memory (currently disabled).

The positives:
1) The laptop seems twice faster than my X40. No more lags from multiple apps.
2) All my major day to day softwares, like MS Office and Adobe installed and they seemed faster more due to the Core 2 Duo processor and extra Ram than the 64bit.
3) No more annoyances from a noisy hard drive and capacity limitation of a 1.8inch form factor.
4) Old 32bit games runs much faster for the ones that worked, owning more to the updated Intel graphics card. It's doesn't run the fastest but great enough for old games.
5) External DVDrom\cdrom wasn't being detected but a short regitry fix from MS website solved it.
6) CPU fan is always on quietly, but never screaming.


The bad:
1) As mentioned on a separate thread, the Intel 4965AGN card doesn't work physically or with Vista 64. Lenovo is going to have to do some work here. Most annoyed here.
2) My Fujistu Snapscan 510 and Canon LIDE30 scanner will not install. Both manufactrurer hasn't release any Vista 64 drivers.
3) My Blackberry Desktop Manager 4.2\4.3 software installed but won't detect the phone.
4) Most of my old 32bit games can't be installed.
5) Some of old shareware utilities don't work but it's probably due to the developer making them for Vista
6) The X61s design on the inside doesn't look as asthetic as the x40. It seems to not have the trims around the inside perimeter edges and the red trims on the mouse buttons. It looks cloudy..

I think in time # 1, 2, &3 will get fixed. If any one has suggestions for fixes, I would appreciate them. But overall, I'm pleased with my new laptop despite the negatives caused by the OS and I just got to make it work.

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:02 am
by pdudas
I have a Vaio Sz680 with 4965 AGN.
It works well on Vista X64. Maybe you should try the driver of that machine...

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:16 am
by dfumento
The Lenovo 64-bit drivers do work for the 4965AGN since I'm using them. Try downloading the most recent drivers (go to the drivers page, type in your model number, change the OS to Vista, then find the latest 4965 64-bit drivers). Uninstall the old drivers and install the new drivers.

Driver Provider Intel
Driver Date 11/27/2007
Driver Version 11.5.0.36

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:52 pm
by Flashman
Just run a virtual machine and install on it XP to install/run older items. Even older USB items will work that way. Go google "tinyxp", can't advocate its legality, but runs wonderful in 256MB of ram.

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:00 pm
by blackomegax
OP: does the UL screen seem way too flexy vs the x40's to you?

As to intel wifi, use intel.com drivers with proset, it's a little more reliable than OEM drivers for my x61s

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:01 pm
by j-dawg
Out of curiosity, why have you chosen Vista 64? I don't see much benefit over 32-bit Windows, especially considering the problems you're having.

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:01 pm
by immaculate
blackomegax wrote:OP: does the UL screen seem way too flexy vs the x40's to you?
the UL screen DOES seem very flexy when compared to my x40. i'm very careful with it as a result. feels flimsy.

aaron

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:48 am
by iamdmc
Mine doesn't feel flimsy. I'm glad there's some give - less damage if it's accidently bent

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:55 pm
by potatobean
yeah, you're right, i have a X61s and compared to my friends X61, my screen flexs a lot more than his. I always have to close the lid from the top-middle fearing if i didn't i would ruin the screen or the hinges.

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:08 pm
by red bioroid
Finally , I got my 4965AGN card to work. I'm done with fixing my laptop and I'm practically fully operational. At this point, only my Blackberry software and scanners are not working. I hope SP1 fixes it and other issues.

Windows Vista 64 tend to, stall or lock more often than Win XP Pro. It is not specific to using any software and it has nothing to do with the sleep option as Sleep is already off. I did have to push the power buttin twice to shut the laptop off.

Yes, the screen tend to flex a little more than my X40 which has a solid screen.

Re: my new X61s with Vista 64 review

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:06 pm
by erik
red bioroid wrote: 3) My Blackberry Desktop Manager 4.2\4.3 software installed but won't detect the phone.
what model is your blackberry?   my 8320 syncs without issue both over USB and bluetooth.   i'm using vista ultimate x64 on my T61p and BBDM 4.2.

one thing to try is to plug in your BB to USB then update the driver using windows update.   my BB didn't work until windows update grabbed the right driver.