ThinkVantage Software!! The worst ever.

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mcmanaman · #1 Post by **mcmanaman** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:07 pm

I bought my X61s just a month ago, and the performance, design, mobility are outstanding. I have to admit that Lenovo did great work on improving the PC section of IBM.
But here came the tragedy, the ThinkVantage Software that comes with the laptop is just a waste of time, you open the computer and for 10 minutes the harddisk stays active and sometimes something similiar to a deadlock occurs. Well, I couldn't bear this situation so I had to bring my firends Vista DVD, I performed a clean install and used the CD-KEY written under my X61s machine to activate windows. I used the folder stored in "C:\SWTOOLS\Drivers" and managed to recognize all hardware without installing any thinkvantage software. Except the fingerprint reader, I was obliged to install its software inorder to manage my finger's enrollment. Finally I got great results. I installed Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2005, and all other essential softwares for my work.
This is my advice for all purchasers of the new X61s.

#2 Post by **jdhurst** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:02 pm

Vista does that while indexing. Lenovo is not responsible for all the problems you had (maybe some, but not all). Many of use some of this software, so your vote counts for one only. Many others hsve differing votes. ... JDH

fuscob · #3 Post by **fuscob** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:02 pm

I agree with the original poster. I find little utility in most of Lenovo's programs, especially with the default preload that comes with a system (what with all the trial software and other useless junk).

The first thing I do when I get a new machine from an OEM (almost any OEM is guilty of this, not just Lenovo) is wipe the drive and reinstall only the things I actually use. I always find the machine runs much better after that process.

#4 Post by **jdhurst** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:30 pm

My point is this:

Do what you want - No one cares. But STOP telling everyone to do what you do. That is NOT what this forum is about. Share your experiences and leave it at that.

... JDH

fuscob · #5 Post by **fuscob** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:54 pm

I disagree with your assessment. The original post simply stated dissatisfaction with the Lenovo software and provided an alternative. I shared a similar experience. It was clearly stated that the post was "advice." I hardly see that as "telling everyone to do what I do."

#6 Post by **carbon_unit** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:56 pm

Each person has different needs. If these programs are of no use to you get rid of them. They must be of some use to Lenovo's target users or they would not spend the money to develop them.
Remember Thinkpads are primarily business machines not consumer machines. They have business tools on them. Just because consumers buy them does not mean Lenovo is going to tailor the OS preload to them.

watchtower7 · #7 Post by **watchtower7** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:00 pm

Lets get real. The Lenovo crapware is nothing more than that just like the Toshiba crapware and everybody elses. If business users keep that crap on their machines I feel sorry for their companies.

fuscob · #8 Post by **fuscob** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:00 pm

carbon_unit wrote:Remember Thinkpads are primarily business machines not consumer machines. They have business tools on them. Just because consumers buy them does not mean Lenovo is going to tailor the OS preload to them.

I typically find that ThinkPads have less "bloat" than consumer-oriented machines of similar spec. That said, most business users want a machine that "just works" and does so as fast as possible, and the situation described in the original post does not reflect that need.

Ken Fox · #9 Post by **Ken Fox** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:24 pm

If you don't like the bloatware (and I certainly get rid of a lot of it) Lenovo does give you an option that as far as I know is not given by any other notebook manufacturer. After you make your set of recovery media (and I'd advise this as being the first order of business on receiving a new Thinkpad), boot up into the recovery partition. Select "Advanced Rescue and Recovery." Then, do a custom restore eliminating those programs you do not want; my candidates, as a home user, include everything Symantec, Client Security System, System Migration Assistant, and several other Thinkvantage applications. After a couple of hours you can get as clean an install of the operating system as you want.

RoadHazard · #10 Post by **RoadHazard** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:07 pm

While some of them are too much for me, I tend to find some of the preinstalled stuff useful as they are specially made for these notebooks. Instead of reinstalling everything from scratch, I just disabled some services that I don't need. I don't know if the notebook can get any faster than this but it has become faster after the tweaks and it's good enough for me.

With that said, I do not believe ThankVantage software deserves the word "worst software" as the OP said.

#11 Post by **carbon_unit** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:33 am

fuscob wrote: That said, most business users want a machine that "just works" and does so as fast as possible, and the situation described in the original post does not reflect that need.

Did you read the second post in this thread? Vista was indexing, OP had no patience. Not Lenovos fault.

#12 Post by **ryengineer** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:11 am

Well, Sony has started offering clean install of Windows for free now (initially they surfaced it for $50 extra), it will be nice (not necessary) if lenovo adopts the same policy, image deployment isn't hard of a task, a copy of original contents can be left in the hidden partition and a clean install on the primary partition for users to utilize their machines out of the box without extra non essential software trials.

The Custom Restore option from lenovo is an excellent option but from my experience I’ve learned:

-Most users aren’t aware about it since it’s hidden in the service partition. I’m aware of one manufacturer (name not necessary), when you start their notebooks for the 1st time it asks you on 1st boot to choose the applications you need and in 5 mins. you’re ready, set and go.

-Aren’t happy performing and spending some hours on their new machines only to get rid of non essential software.

-They just don’t trust factory image and thus merely want clean install.

-As pointed out by fellow moderator that when it's Windows fault users panic and start blaming the manufacturer, with a clean install at least they would make some point to question the correct party.

By the way I’ve never installed or used clean install of Windows on thinkpads and am happy with the way things are.

RoadHazard · #13 Post by **RoadHazard** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:29 am

ryengineer wrote: -They just don’t trust factory image and thus merely want clean install.

I've seen a lot of people who fall in the description you're giving here. I keep wondering what makes them think they are better at installing software than the manufacturer. Don't they think the manufacturer wants their products to run fast too? These people attempt clean installation by themselves and a lot end up having unstable machines because they don't know what they are doing. Then they blame the manufacturer for selling crappy machines.

mcmanaman · #14 Post by **mcmanaman** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:03 am

ThinkVantage software was blocking my Visual Studio 2008 Installation, and SQL Server 2005 installation. These softwares are essential for my work as a .NET Developer. Moreover the computer was very slow and sometimes deadlocks occurred, I was obliged to force my computer to turn off 9 times because of this so-called ThinkVantage software. But now after the clean install fanatastic results, who needs Symantec when AVG is available for free, faster, and more reliable. Who need Office 2007 trial when there is and office 2003 professional in hand.

Even the custom installation of the lenovo software you talked about won't be that good, I tried it and its as slow as the full install.

So my advice again a fresh clean install, partition your harddisk as desired because no one is obliged to use only one partition as Lenovo recovery system forces you to do, install all the drivers, and here you go .

One more thing remove the big ThinkVantage sticker located on the back of your LCD because you don't have any thinkvantage software installed on your computer

fuscob · #15 Post by **fuscob** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:37 am

carbon_unit wrote:Did you read the second post in this thread? Vista was indexing, OP had no patience. Not Lenovos fault.

OP said that "something similar to a deadlock occurs." I don't count that as being very functional.

#16 Post by **bill bolton** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:25 pm

fuscob wrote:OP said that "something similar to a deadlock occurs." I don't count that as being very functional.

I bought a new X61 December and had no particular problems with the out of the box software load.

The OP has a lot of "stuff" that he was attempting to install on his system, so blaming the base product load for the performance issues he (poorly) described is naive, at the very least!

Cheers,

Bill B.

mcmanaman · #17 Post by **mcmanaman** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:41 pm

Sorry to tell you that but when it comes to this I have to give some facts:

My Toshiba Satellite M45-S265/Vista Business/2 GB RAM/128 MB VGA/Intel Centrino 1.6 GHz (no core technology)/ including all the softwares that came with it and all the softwares I was attempting to install boots faster than my new X61s including only ThinkVantage software without the software I was attempting to install.

Note that the Toshiba is old, I bought it 3 years ago. But now after I did a fresh install of Vista Business, I admit that the X61s put the Toshiba in its small pocket, and from this I conclude that the ThinkVantage software is just a waste, and one more time I advice all to clean their systems from this software.

#18 Post by **bill bolton** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:12 pm

mcmanaman wrote:ThinkVantage software is just a waste, and one more time I advice all to clean their systems from this software.

Just saying something over and over does not make it worthwhile advice.

A story that has changed in the telling over several locations is not particularly credible as far as I am concerned, and I'm left wondering what is being left out of the story!

Cheers,

Bill B.

watchtower7 · #19 Post by **watchtower7** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:27 pm

Bill I appreciate your website but I can't believe you would support the gunk they put on the thinkpads or whatever they are calling them now.
Anyone that thinks their computer is fine out of the box has never done a clean install.

RoadHazard · #20 Post by **RoadHazard** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:51 pm

watchtower7 wrote: Anyone that thinks their computer is fine out of the box has never done a clean install.

Isn't that obvious? Why should a clean install is needed since it already works fine as it is?

Seriously though. It's not fine out of the box but not bad to the point that clean install is required. Just a couple tweaks here and there and it's good to go.

snots · #21 Post by **snots** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:04 am

I don't know why people would bother getting rid of this Thinkvantage software. True, it does take up a few megs of ram, but other than that it makes the computer alot easier to use.

Take the IBM Thinkvantage Wireless Network connector program. That works like a charm.

True, there are only a few I actually use, such as the Wireless Access app, but I wouldn't risk losing full-functionality on my system just to save on some RAM.

mcmanaman · #22 Post by **mcmanaman** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:12 pm

Actually there are two types of people who use computers:

- People who have little knowledge in computers, usually use computers for gaming, surfing the internet, emailing, listening to music, watching videos. This kind of people will appreciate the ThinkVantage Software.

- But for people like us (Software Engineers), we are computer professionals we use computers for building applications that make people's life easier. So we usually spend hours and hours on computers to get the job done, any thing that gets in the way, we usually get rid of it. And ThinkVantage was slowing the computer so I removed it.

#23 Post by **jdhurst** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:22 pm

mcmanaman wrote:Actually there are two types of people who use computers:

- People who have little knowledge in computers, usually use computers for gaming, surfing the internet, emailing, listening to music, watching videos. This kind of people will appreciate the ThinkVantage Software.

- But for people like us (Software Engineers), we are computer professionals we use computers for building applications that make people's life easier. So we usually spend hours and hours on computers to get the job done, any thing that gets in the way, we usually get rid of it. And ThinkVantage was slowing the computer so I removed it.

Please do not try to categorize the rest of us and speak ONLY for yourself please. You have NO idea who we are, how much we might know, or how we use computers.

... JDH

mcmanaman · #24 Post by **mcmanaman** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:28 pm

I'm not categorizing anyone, I'm just speeking facts.

#25 Post by **jdhurst** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:46 pm

mcmanaman wrote:I'm not categorizing anyone, I'm just speeking facts.

What you say (on your own behalf) are NOT facts at all. They are just your own opinions. It is NOT a fact that a person who uses ThinkVantage software is a person of little knowledge. It is just an opinion, and frankly an ignorant opinion to be displaying in public.
... JDH

mcmanaman · #26 Post by **mcmanaman** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:01 pm

So I conclude that you use ThinkVantage Software

.

#27 Post by **jdhurst** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:32 pm

mcmanaman wrote:So I conclude that you use ThinkVantage Software .

You can conclude that. I also am not a person of little knowledge.
... JDH

#28 Post by **carbon_unit** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:19 pm

mcmanaman wrote:So I conclude that you use ThinkVantage Software .

If you don't like it uninstall it and get on with your life. Trying to force your view of this software on everyone is a waste of your time and our bandwidth.
Some people find Thinkvantage software useful and some don't. I don't use it but I respect the fact that others do use it and I don't try to demean them for using it.
To each his own.

ajkula66 · #29 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:25 pm

jdhurst wrote:

I also am not a person of little knowledge.

And I'm certain that anyone who browses this forum often enough will agree with the statement above...

There's many more than two categories of computer users, mcmanaman...I wouldn't fit in any of the two that you've specified, neither would many people that I know, and I do get to meet a very high number of ThinkPad users.

Personally, I don't care for ThinkVantage Software, for my own reasons. But guess what: I don't care much for Windows in general, and if I had to pick a favourite OS from MS, it would be W2K. That being said, that's just me. Different people have different needs and preferences, and are entitled to them.

I sell more used ThinkPads of all kinds a month than most people get to see in a lifetime. Unless specifically instructed otherwise, I set them up with factory load and give the customer a choice of playing with the OS and tweaking it to suit his/hers own needs when the machine is in their possession. It would be downright insulting if I tried to impose my preferences (or "knowledge" as you would put it) on someone else. If and when asked for opinion, I shall offer it, but never shove it down someone's throat. It's a matter of one's manners, amongst other things.

Just my $0.02

thuur · #30 Post by **thuur** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:09 am

mcmanaman wrote:Actually there are two types of people who use computers:

- People who have little knowledge in computers, usually use computers for gaming, surfing the internet, emailing, listening to music, watching videos. This kind of people will appreciate the ThinkVantage Software.

- But for people like us (Software Engineers), we are computer professionals we use computers for building applications that make people's life easier. So we usually spend hours and hours on computers to get the job done, any thing that gets in the way, we usually get rid of it. And ThinkVantage was slowing the computer so I removed it.

I used to be a software engineer, and yes, at some point in time you think you know how good software behaves and is built. Unfortunately, this does not have to be the case. Building a great piece of software takes a lot effort. But that's nothing when you compare it to the usage. If your product doesn't get used, it useless. No matter how technically clever, advanced or fancy looking.

I've come to learn that the bigger challenge in IT is getting the users to work with your product. You can have a crappy tool, but if you sell and promote it well... Well, look at MS Word: over 90% of all PC users have it and use it. I will not start about the technical side of Word.

What I'm trying to say is that from a user perspective the factory software is just great. It fulfills wishes from/for a lot of users. It takes away so much manual tasks, easy to setup, etc. Yes it takes some CPU cycles and RAM, but you can sit back and relax. You're not a developer at Lenovo, you're a user now

I just love it, although I disabled some features that are not of my liking.

My 2 eurocents

R,

ThinkVantage Software!! The worst ever.

ThinkVantage Software!! The worst ever.

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