Thinkpads Forum

Hello,

I recently got a new T520 4239-CTO, to replace a previous 4239-CTO. The machines are quite the same build, aside from a modest processor bump (then-current base i5 in both) and the addition of a SmartCard reader in the newer one). I still have a copy of the old restore discs from the previous machine; will they work properly with the new machine? Both shipped with Win7 Home Premium X64. The reason I care is that on the new one, Lenovo changed the default software load somewhat (for the worse, IMO).

Also: The new machine shipped with a 7mm hard drive, and a special caddy/bumpers to fit it...does it cost much to get the standard larger caddy/bumpers from Lenovo? I'd realy like to re-fit the machine with another larger drive I've got lying around...

Thanks!

The disks are fine to use.

You can pick up the caddy and rails for less than $10 - be it in Marketplace or on feebay.

They tell you that they do not work, but I have tested the discs from T410s and T410 onto T420, T510, T520, and they all work. Some drivers still have to be added, but Lenovo System Update takes care of all that for you. For example, my T410 discs were from a computer with no fingerprint reader. So when I tried it out on a T410s with fingerprint reader, it didn't work until System Update updated the drivers.

Thanks for the input, it did indeed work just fine, after a set of driver updates via Lenovo Update. I'm awfully glad I had the old images available--I don't care for the new Lenovo software. I may get to do this again soon though, as I"m sorely tempted to pick up an SSD. The cycle never stops...