X61 Tablet - Vista upgrade to Windows 7 (How I am doing it)

[tombaker]

This is a thread on how I am upgrading my Lenovo factory restore of Vista Business edition to Windows 7 on a X61t (X60)

I am typing on the Windows 7 machine right now, but I am only half way done, already its faster than the Vista, and XP strains. I starting with a new system, but an up to date installed working Vista will be the same. Because the goal here is to have a fully enabled with everything Lenovo Tablet installed in the new system, its gonna be an upgrade, and to upgrade you can only use the 32bit version. You may be able to get everything on without the upgrade, but this is how I am doing it, and it is easier.

Good idea to have the X61 off the side, and just let this stuff grind out, while doing other stuff.

1. Start with Fresh Vista Recovery install.
2. Update to the most current System Update.
3. Download all the available updates from inside System Update. Mine had over 30 listed, at 430MB. Install all those updates. Restart all the times necessary until its fully up to date.

This is where an installed Vista would begin.

You can either continue to use your external DVD drive, for the new Windows 7 DVD or use the MS utility to convert it to bootable USB http://store.microsoft.com/help/iso-tool

4. From inside of windows, launch setup.
5. Use the upgrade option. On mine, it said I should delete certain programs, such as diskkeeper, and others that may or may not be compatible and need to be reinstalled.....I deleted everything they said to.
6. Let it grind away, activate.....and it will boot into Windows 7. Everything works, and there are no devices listed that show as improperly installed.

7. Next Update all the new items from System Update.....there is 250 MB of downloads
8. Reboot and start up Windows update there should be about 120 Megs of new updates. Install all except Wacom Penabled Dual Touch...yes it seen like a great gift to get dual touch but it will not work and it will mess up your Settings... I suggest that you hide it from future updates.
9. You could stop here. . . and calibrate everything but I did not... I installed the Wacom drivers from their site... these are supposed supposed to give better pleasure sensitivity in the pen... it does but it messes up the finger touch ...I could go through the 3 hours of trial and error ...or just give the solution.

10. Go to http://www.wacom.com.sg/download/down_s.html?drv_c=199 this is a harder to find driver package... but it will give full pen pressure ink. After the reboot be sure to calibrate the pen and the finger touch.

wacom PenTablet_511-1.exe Search this if, link goes dead goes
At this point you should be all done. Everything should be perfect all devices work. I have significantly improved response times by Killing extra processes.. that yes even a clean install does. I used Boostspeed from Ausologic ...but there are Many options ...check Tweakhound.com

Theomhy thing I have left is to get the auto screen turn going... I think I just missed something ...but worse case I just use the Button

that's about It.

Windows 7... all things working.. faster than XP and Vista and with tons more features... Enjoy

UPDATES:

1. Everything is working perfect....there are a lot more option on the handwriting system where you can tweak how fast it converts to text etc etc.
2. I have disable tons of services, and am still parring them down.....getting faster GUI response.
3. Turned off all the devices in the BIOS I am not using.....Like Serial, Parallel ports. And the Ethernet controller, and Bluetooth. If I get the Devices I will turn them on.....I did this after installing all the software for them first.
4. Even though its not listed in the Windows 7 updates....The Productivity Suite works just fine. I may have made the *.exe files as Windows XP compatible via properties, but I doubt this is even required. This gives a nicer interface to services.
5. I am sure everything I did could be done with a Generic Windows 7 install....then downloading the System Update from Lenovo....and letting it do its work.....While people love the build of thinkpads....I would argue the support for drivers and updates of Lenovo is the best of the breeds.
6. I am personally convinced that for the X60-X61, that if the option is available, that Windows 7 is the way to go for speed and features.

Good luck.

[GpsPasSion]

I'll be following this as I'm expecting my x61t tomorrow with a Vista Clean Install. I haven't looking into Windows 7 at all yet, is there just one version or do I need to buy the right one?

[tombaker]

after more everything is working well I think I can call this a completed topic.I hope the procedure helps out others

[GpsPasSion]

Thanks, wow "Microsoft Windows 7 Professional" is going for $260 on Amazon, a bit hard to justify for a $370 computer, I'll see if I can live with Vista Business.