Thinkpads Forum

Why am I having so many problems installing software on my X61? I recently trashed Vista and installed XP SP2 with the recovery discs and after installing almost ANY software (which I installed on my x32 i.e.), I'm plagued with log off times BIBLICAL proportions and even slower than molasses Start Up times. All of my software is legit! I don't get it!

Is it the bloat ware that's causing problems? I've unistalled Norton and installed AVG Spyware, AVG AntiVirus and AVG Rootkit. Is it this?

Note from Moderator: I fixed your subject line. Watch your langauge.

My apologies moderator. I'm just really frustrated . . .

@epu - perhaps you should get some help from someone in your area who is knowlegeable.

My systems take time to start (windows, antivirus, firewall, network connection, cache clearing, memory management, fast index search update, VPN-readiness, and so on). I can count on 3 to 4 minutes. But that is not molasses or biblical proportions.

Shutdown takes about a minute. Sometimes a process is running updating something and that takes an extra 30 seconds.

Since I spend my time working (and not starting up or shutting down with any regularity), it doesn't fuss me much. I have about 90 processes running, but I generally know what they are and I want them there.

If you are taking longer than 4 minutes to start and longer than 1 minute to shut down, then start to review your processes and see what is running. Consumer Norton products are slow to start, so use something different if you don't want them.
... JDH

3 to 4 minutes is near normal, but 10 minutes, or indefinitely is surely abnormal. XP is XP. IBM and Lenovo should be one the same. There should be reason why my X32 with 80+ programs should start up and shut down infinitely quicker than a machine that's supposed to be four times as fast. The x61 has a Core 2 Duo, 3GB, 7200 rpm. My x32 has a 2Ghz Core Solo w/1GB RAM.

When you first install your OS, make sure the sequence of software installation is such. The sequence of OS installation is important just as the software you install afterwards. What I'm saying is not scientific but based on experience, and with doing it lots of time and on different PC and laptops throughout the years without ever relying on tech support or run into any problems.

For WinXP Pro system
1. Backup data
2. Format and reinstall OS.
3. Install Virus-scan and turn on firewall. (Norton is known to be a task process hog, that is why I don't use it)
4. Install all service pack for OS through Windows Update.
5. Install Thinkvantage product software only. This will then allow you to do the Lenovo drivers Updates but,
6. Chose only the Lenovo drivers you need at a minimum to get the system working. Don't install Turbo Memory driver
7. Go back to Windows Update and only install the essential
8. Install all your other office apps

For Vista64, see my other posting...But basically I did step #4 after my lenovo drivers. This was a hell of an install.

If you are able to (in terms of your own applied time), use the recovery disks for the X61, uninstall CSS, block R&R from starting, uninstall Consumer Norton at least temporarily, uninstall Picassa if it is there, uninstall System update at least temporarily. Check Add/Remove programs and see if there is anything else.

Such a system (nothing installed), should start in about a minute. If not, there may be something wrong with the machine. My machine is much older than yours, but it has a 7200-rpm hard drive, and when I first built it, before installing things I wanted, it would start in about 45 seconds.
... JDH

Thanks for the responses. Here's a little more info so you guys can get an idea of what's going on.

I received this brand new X61 with Vista Business installed. The laptop came with sealed XP Recovery Discs. Before I trashed Vista, I made Vista recovery discs. I then popped in the XP Recovery Disc Start Recovery Disc. I then popped in the other six discs as I was prompted to do so.

After an hour or so when the machine finally installed the factory Lenovo x61 software, including XP, I then followed the instructions of the Client Security software (fingerprints, etc) and then installed AVG Spyware and AVG AntiVirus.

Throughout this, I got a FOUND NEW HARDWARE WIZARD asking to install software for the PCI controller, which can't be found.

From here, it's almost no go. I plugged out the battery, and the computer booted up in normal time, but is still taking 85 years to shut down. I've never had this problem on ANY XP system.

I'm looking into processes like you've suggested.

epu wrote:the computer booted up in normal time, but is still taking 85 years to shut down.

I think people can better help you if you provide accurate info rather than exaggerations.

Once again . . . I apologize for the [i]exaggeration[/i]. I do remember typing the word [i]indefinitely[/i]. The system just hangs on shut down and took literally 10-15 minutes to start up. This was no exaggeration. Since I'm offending so many people with this thread, I'll just call Lenovo customer support as the unit is brand new and under warranty.

Thanks for your responses and for helping me thus far with this matter.

Im not sure if this has anything to do with it but I did the same thing as you. I had vista then install windows xp using the set from Lenovo on my x60. The first days was kinda lagging on my x60 due to updates windows needs to make. I also notice longer start-up time plus slower shutdown time due to windows downloading updates. After all the updates are done, my x60 boots up no more than one minute and shutdown no more than 30 seconds.

The PCI thing reminds me of the intel turbo cache... which you may have. If you do, you need to disable it in XP, which is available as a download on the lenovo site for the X6x.

I made a few shutdown reg scripts that kill my processes after 1-5 secs, and use them on all my machines without hitch, and xp usually shuts down in about 20 secs or so.

Concerning startup, how many processes are you running? At best, with nothing other than antivirus, I can boot usually xp in less than 20 secs, but with my usually lenovo installed stuff, Im at about 1-2min.