Help with switchable graphics / What Bloat Ware to Delete

[thnkpdrox]

I have a couple of questions.

1) I've tried to create a back CD for Vista Restart but could find no such wizard. There is only a back-up-your-files-kinda-wizard. Is it even necessary? I just want to be prepared in the case of a crash or something that requires reformatting.

2) I am running 92 processes.. What's up with that. Is it because when i go to display options, there are 4 displays showing?

3) Seems like it doesn't come preinstalled with lots of bloatware crap. Which programs would you recommend uninstalling immediately?

On a side note, i cannot see the switchable button in the power manager. Yes it is switched to switchable in the BIOS.

[visionviper]

If you go into the advanced options for the backup utility there is an option to create restore discs. In fact, I just set up restore DVDs for my x301 the other week.

Vista's task manager is a little different than XP's. For starters, it hides a number of processes unless you click the "Show processes from all users" button (something like that, it's at the bottom).

I found that most of the stuff it came installed with I wanted to keep. I'd get rid of things that you know you don't need. Example: no WAAN card? Remove all the WAAN related software.

[thnkpdrox]

but is 80+ process normal? on my desktop with vista it only gets around 65

also, i really need help on the switchable graphics option to work. i go to power manager but do not see the option that i should see. my power manager version is 2.5 if that helps

[visionviper]

but is 80+ process normal? on my desktop with vista it only gets around 65

also, i really need help on the switchable graphics option to work. i go to power manager but do not see the option that i should see. my power manager version is 2.5 if that helps

I don't really think so. I'm running Vista on my laptop and it has around 90. My sister's Lenovo laptop runs around 90 as well. I wouldn't be concerned. Keep in mind I am one of those types that likes to fiddle with services and only run programs that I feel are needed.

Here is what Lenovo has to say about switching between descreet and integrated graphics:

By simply clicking our battery gauge on ThinkPad Power Manager, a user can switch from integrated to discrete modes with 2 – 4 seconds. Though there is a warning that some applications fuss when going from graphics mode to graphics mode, in practical use, most of them behave just fine.

[thnkpdrox]

yes i tried both ways and neither one works. :/

[pipspeak]

I uninstalled about half the Lenovo software (including Access Connections, which spawns five processes) and disabled the vista services I either didn't want running (for security reasons) or just would never use and I'm down to about 74 processes running, including about 6 from software I installed myself. When I uninstall Rescue and Recovery I'll lose another 2-3 processes. My goal is to get it under 70, for no other reason that a challenge!

My XP system hummed away with 39 processes!

[aeschylus]

Go here

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... eLenovo.do

Enter your product number (it will be on the bottom of the laptop) and install the latest ati video card drivers for your t400. Switchable graphics should work at that point.

[thnkpdrox]

i went and downloaded the drivers, and currently have version 8.563.2.1-090401a-079160C-Lenovo. Still nothing :S

[aeschylus]

Actually, I misspoke. What you need to download is listed as

"ThinkPad Switchable Graphics Driver for Windows Vista 32bit and 64bit - ThinkPad T400, R400, T500, W500"

I don't know if this will solve your specific problem but I downloaded this before I tried using switchable graphics on my t400. The function works fine now however. I hope this helps.

[thnkpdrox]

yeah googled that, and that was the driver i downloaded but nothing :/ i guess i'll disable in BIOS...

[NJ_Dave]

The menu behavior of the Power Manager battery gauge with the current Switchable Graphics driver is not exactly as depicted in the Switchable Graphics FAQ. On top of that I've never been able to find a Switchable Graphics option within the Power Manager application itself. Maybe this is the problem...?

Try this to access Switchable Graphics: Right-click the PM battery icon in the system tray. The resulting menu should have a Switchable Graphics sub-menu, with choices for Energy Saving and High Performance. This is the only way I know of to access this option.

Hope this helps!