Thinkpads Forum

hallo all:

I am new to this machine - usually I am Mac

a good deal came my way - this machine seems slow to me - is running Vista Business - would prefer a fresh install - and if that does not speed it up - I may install Windows 7

any suggestions on how all to go about this fresh install - I have rescue discs - they are burned copies

appreciate the help - in advance

cheers:

metric wrote:hallo all:

I am new to this machine - usually I am Mac

a good deal came my way - this machine seems slow to me - is running Vista Business - would prefer a fresh install - and if that does not speed it up - I may install Windows 7

any suggestions on how all to go about this fresh install - I have rescue discs - they are burned copies

appreciate the help - in advance

cheers:

Mac user, welcome to hell....

Fresh install is easy. If you want to compare the speed of vista biz vs win7, no question ask win7 beat it hands down. i am using an x301 with vista biz and win7 on different partition. I had also tried pure vista biz, and pure win7 on the same machine. All different configuration runs at same speed.

1) download partition wizard and shrink the vista partition and gie around 30GB for win7. When your experiment is complete you can delete vista partition, or increase win7 partition and shift it 'forward', using this tool.
2) If you are using window 7, (even the upgrade disc), boot up using the DVD disc and choose 'install' then custom. This will allow you to select the new partition. Install win7 which is a fresh copy with no lenovo stuff.

3) boot up, choose win7 or vista as you like, for win7, install lenovo stuff as you like. You will find win7 boot up and shut down so much faster than vista.

If you doing vista fresh install, there is not much you can do except to use the recovery disc and install vista, then delete off all the lenovo stuff.

Cheers ideasmiths:

was not sure if the finger scan option would cause a problem.

As I stated - this is a used computer to me - but understand it has not seen much use

I will look to utilize Windows 7 as you suggested - sometime next week i think

So this is Hell eh .... this laptop seems fine fine - fast enough once going - booting is the issue - not to mention all the constant updates - mcAfee etc.... no fond memories there

cheers:

I have installed win7 over vista, but with dramas. As I am a pc user for the last 20+ years, I am use to the challenge, although not without pain.

There are some features on vista that will not be used with win7, but they are not critical.

You will have to install many new updated drivers from Lenovo so that their programs work with win7.

If you get the upgrade from Lenovo to Win7, it will come with instructions of what works and what doesn't. What programs you have to uninstall before installing win7 and what programs after.

It's a journey.

First is the latest BIOS, which can be downloaded from the Lenovo site.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-70496

Here also you can get most of the programs required from this site.

I have found that the Intel Pro Wireless update didn't work for me.
So I went directly to Intel and got their file.
Recommendations prior to upgrading from Windows Vista* to Windows 7
http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/w ... 030810.htm

As I said, it's a journey and if your not familar with windows........it will be quite challenging. i suggest you get a good friend who is pc techi knowledgeable to help you. It will take time.

It has taken me a day to get my x301 win7 to the stage that I am happy with.

You will have to update to the new win7 drivers, mostly from the Lenovo support website as mentioned earlier.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-70496

1. Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Driver ( Use Lenovo's)
2. Intel PROset for Wireless Connector (get from Intel)
3. Lenovo Bluetooth with Enhance Data Rate Software (use only Lenovo, as Broadcom didn't work for me)
4. InterVideo WinDVD ( get from Lenovo WinDVD 8 upgrade ) Don't uninstall the old program,the new file you downloaded will do that for you automatically when you go through the installation process of the new program. I leant the hardway.
5. ThinkVantage Tool box ( get ver. 6.0544931 doing a search ) I found this newer version by searching on Lenovo support site, better than the one on the x301 support site listed above.
6. ThinkVantage UltraNav (use Lenovo's)
7. ThinkVantage Access Connections
8. Lenovo Resue and Recovery ver 4.3 ( use Lenovo's) Personally I use Acronis as my backup tool.
9. Use Lenovo new Monitor driver for Win7
10. Lenovo System Update ( use lenovo's )
11. Thinkpad Power Management driver for Windows
12. Productivity Centre

There maybe a few other programs, but these are the most critical, IMO.

I don't use the Mcafee virus program, i use a freeware program named AVG, you can download a freeware version on the web. This is good enough, won't cost you anything and has been around and used by millions for many years. Just make sure when you install it, that you right click on the file and select "run as administartor". They have paid versions, but if it is for your personal and not commercial use, it is free. It's good enough. There are other freeware virus protection programs, but I am happy with AVG.

Win7 boots in just under a minute and shuts down in less than 20 secs........so this is the best windows yet. It's about time MS.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Cheers.

metric wrote:Cheers ideasmiths:

So this is Hell eh .... this laptop seems fine fine - fast enough once going - booting is the issue - not to mention all the constant updates - mcAfee etc.... no fond memories there

cheers:

I was an Apple fan, way way way back when I had my first Apple //e, //gs, and Mac Lc and such. had to switch to the dark side when I do work...best PC I found was lenovo. But everytime I work i keep reminding myself, i could have done this 30% faster on my mac....

If Apple had won the PC war back in the 1980s, human would have been on mars by now...[censored] john Scully.

Do a fresh install of Windows 7 (forget the upgrade) , then install Lenovo Thinkvantage System Update 4.0. Let it install the drivers for you.
(Welcome to hell... ). One mans hell is another mans heaven.

hi, all.......
after upgrade to win 7, i can't running thinkvantage system update 4.0, have message like this :



anyone know about this issue?

Win 7 and the X301 work great with each other! I have owned three different X301 units and Win 7 is so superior and I used Lenovo's Win7 Restore disks. There is very little junk, not AV to get rid!

After using Win 7 I realize how bloated previous XP and Vista really were!