W520 Fresh windows 7 install

[MSKFAHIM]

Hello,

My w520 slowed down like hell. I am thinking about a windows reinstall. Any tips/suggestions? Will a normal reinstall restore everything? I guess its not supposed to. The bloatwares are supposed to be gone, right? You guys think that its a good thing if I get rid of all that and just have windows 7 running on its own? I will have to get an external hard drive to back up a lot of things.

[RealBlackStuff]

A straight install from standard Windows 7 disks will only install Windows itself.
After that you'll need to find/install all the required (Lenovo and other) drivers.
If you use the Lenovo Recovery disks, you'd get all the bloatware back, but at least all your required drivers etc. are in place.
In both cases you still need to update Windows plus install all other programs you want.

The slowing down may have been caused by:
- not keeping the system clean (regularly emptying Temp files etc.)
- a nearly full drive
- malware or virus

[MSKFAHIM]

A straight install from standard Windows 7 disks will only install Windows itself.
After that you'll need to find/install all the required (Lenovo and other) drivers.
If you use the Lenovo Recovery disks, you'd get all the bloatware back, but at least all your required drivers etc. are in place.
In both cases you still need to update Windows plus install all other programs you want.

The slowing down may have been caused by:
- not keeping the system clean (regularly emptying Temp files etc.)
- a nearly full drive
- malware or virus

I will try to use the recovery disc and see if it helps increase my PC performance after a fresh reset thing.

- I never empty temp files
- I have 51 GB free of 448 GB. Sometimes it is 10-20 GB Free. This is a problem, isn't it? I wanted to buy a new 1 TB Hard drive. The problem is that SSDs costs more than the Mars Rover! It has been 3 years since I bought this laptop. I didn't choose SSD at the time since it was way too much money for only 128 GB that it offered. Now they offer more space but the cost is too high. You know of good ones for good price? I want to experience the difference but don't know if I can afford it. Are there good 1 TB non SSd ones?
- I have some pet malwares and viruses, they are fine, contained.

[RealBlackStuff]

Unless you start looking after your installation, your laptop will soon bog down completely!
You need a minimum of 10% free space at all times.
If you have music/movies/pictures, store them on an external USB drive (flash or HD) and delete them from the HD.
Run a program like Piri's CCCleaner.
Get rid of ALL malware/virus junk! There's no such thing as pet malware or pet virus!
Then do a defrag.
No need for a bigger HD.

[ZaZ]

I do a clean install, then use some imaging software to make an ISO, which you can put back any time you want.

If you're not using WWAN, I might suggest picking up a small mSATA SSD. It plugs into a miniPCI slot on the motherboard. Then you can install the OS onto it, which should give you a nice performance bump. You don't need a big drive, maybe a 120GB drive, which should cost you less than $75. Then leave the platter drive in the main bay for storage where speed is not as important.

[MSKFAHIM]

Unless you start looking after your installation, your laptop will soon bog down completely!
You need a minimum of 10% free space at all times.
If you have music/movies/pictures, store them on an external USB drive (flash or HD) and delete them from the HD.
Run a program like Piri's CCCleaner.
Get rid of ALL malware/virus junk! There's no such thing as pet malware or pet virus!
Then do a defrag.
No need for a bigger HD.

- I have less than 10% free now !!

- That is the problem, I don't want to store a lot of things away in some external drive. Unless I am certain that I am not accessing them regularly.

- Did you mean C Cleaner? I used it and didn't notice much of a difference besides the software doing away with all my browser settings and memory which I hated.

- My malware/viruses are good ones. I mean, I know how they work and have them contained. They are not designed to do what you are saying they might do. That is why I labelled them as safe.

- I will try to defrag it. I used to defrag back in the days but later it became something that happens automatic. So I lost the habit. Is it back? I thought computers these days does that automatic.

- There is a need to get a bigger HD!! Mine is only 500 GB.

[MSKFAHIM]

I do a clean install, then use some imaging software to make an ISO, which you can put back any time you want.

If you're not using WWAN, I might suggest picking up a small mSATA SSD. It plugs into a miniPCI slot on the motherboard. Then you can install the OS onto it, which should give you a nice performance bump. You don't need a big drive, maybe a 120GB drive, which should cost you less than $75. Then leave the platter drive in the main bay for storage where speed is not as important.

- Imaging? you mean, like a system restore?

- WAIT!!!

Are you talking about having 2 HDs in my laptop? Where is this miniPCI slot in my W520? Will keeping the OS in that SSD Drive make a significant performance difference? I need a big HD because 500 GB is just too little for my habits. You are talking about making my system into a hybrid one, aren't you?

[MSKFAHIM]

Hey people,

What if I get a solid state hybrid hard drive? Will that let me have the performance boost and high storage for a reasonable price? What if I use my recovery disk to set up the new hybrid drive? Will it work?

[ajkula66]

Hey people,

What if I get a solid state hybrid hard drive? Will that let me have the performance boost and high storage for a reasonable price?

No. Take ZaZ's advice and get a mSATA SSD. You can thank him later.

What if I use my recovery disk to set up the new hybrid drive? Will it work?

It will work but hybrid drives offer the worst of both worlds.

My malware/viruses are good ones. I mean, I know how they work and have them contained. They are not designed to do what you are saying they might do. That is why I labelled them as safe.

You're kidding, right? Safe malware? With that approach, not even a $3000 SLC enterprise-grade SSD will be fast enough...

[bit_twiddler]

Imaging? you mean, like a system restore?

- WAIT!!!

The kind of imaging that Zaz is referring to is probably the Windows backup/restore
system. At least that's what I'm familiar w/respect to Windows 7.

With it you can create a Windows "Restore" disk, which is a bootable DVD,
and, in combination with a "backup" you can restore your system to a new drive.

There are also other Windows- and Linux-based solutions, such as Acronis, RedoBackup,
etc.

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

I do a clean install, then use some imaging software to make an ISO, which you can put back any time you want.

If you're not using WWAN, I might suggest picking up a small mSATA SSD. It plugs into a miniPCI slot on the motherboard. Then you can install the OS onto it, which should give you a nice performance bump. You don't need a big drive, maybe a 120GB drive, which should cost you less than $75. Then leave the platter drive in the main bay for storage where speed is not as important.

- Imaging? you mean, like a system restore?

- WAIT!!!

Are you talking about having 2 HDs in my laptop? Where is this miniPCI slot in my W520? Will keeping the OS in that SSD Drive make a significant performance difference? I need a big HD because 500 GB is just too little for my habits. You are talking about making my system into a hybrid one, aren't you?

That mini PCI-e (mSata) slot is under the keyboard. Take the keyboard out with the correspondingly labeled screw(s) on the backside, and you will find it a bit on the right side of the middle, near the back.

You can have an mSata SSd and a regular HDD. I have that too in my W520.

[Sleepy664]

I went with 240 GB mSATA SSD and I would recommend at least that. I keep only some necessary files there and I'm already using up around 110-120 GB. Performance bump is really nice.

You could also add another HDD into the UltraBay, that would make for a 3 HDDs in a laptop


When doing a new install, I get a clean W7 image from here: http://www.techverse.net/download-windo ... l-servers/ and install that; activate with a product key from a sticker (I think it should be legal to do that, over the phone activation always worked this way). Then I install only the Lenovo stuff that I need. That way I've got a clean system without the need of uninstalling the unnecesary crap.

[Khipata]

Here is my setup on W520 for your consideration:

FHD IPS, i7-2820QM, 2000M, 32GB RAM
mSata slot: 24GB SLC Intel SSD, Linux Mint
Sata slot: 180GB MLC Intel SSD, Windows 7 Ultimate, clean install
Ultrabay: 750GB Seagate Hybrid HDD, for storage

Works like a Swiss watch

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

How you got IPS in W520?

[ajkula66]

How you got IPS in W520?

LG Philips panel, an aftermarket upgrade...

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

You could also add another HDD into the UltraBay, that would make for a 3 HDDs in a laptop

That's 1 SSD and 2 HDD's. Not 3 HDD's. For that you need to look at 17" monsters like the Dell M6800

How you got IPS in W520?

LG Philips panel, an aftermarket upgrade...

Nice. Any report on that here on the forums?

[ajkula66]

Nice. Any report on that here on the forums?

You can either nicely ask Khipata to write one, or wait for me to get to that mod which is likely to happen but not anytime soon...

[Khipata]

Sorry guys I was away for some time and could not reply
I sent PM to bmwman91 but will post it here as well:

This one:
https://www.laptopscreen.com/English/mo ... 04282-4GU/

IBM-Lenovo THINKPAD W520
Part number: FRU 4282-4GU
Size: 15.6-inch WideScreen (13.6"x7.6")
Resolution: WUXGA (1920x1080) Full HD
Surface Type: Matte
Backlight type: LED
Video signal connector: 40 pin LED screen socket
Condition: New Grade A+
Warranty: 3 Years

I replaced it myself using this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkI4XtxkppI

And this one too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm5kzo4NENc

I am not sure if it is LG or Phillips panel or something else but works great

[Norway Pad]

How you got IPS in W520?

LG Philips panel, an aftermarket upgrade...

Is this an IPS panel? I looked at the panel in the link that Khipata posted above, but there wasn't any mentioning of actual IPS. The reason I ask: With a nice panel, I could live with a T520 the day the need for something more powerful than the Frankenpad arises..

[ajkula66]

Is this an IPS panel? I looked at the panel in the link that Khipata posted above, but there wasn't any mentioning of actual IPS. The reason I ask: With a nice panel, I could live with a T520 the day the need for something more powerful than the Frankenpad arises..

Take a peak here:

http://www.panelook.com/LP156WF4-SLB1_L ... 16978.html

[emeraldgirl08]

Darn you all! Now that I see there is an IPS panel for the T520 you are making me think (no pun intended) of saving up for one now to geek out on!

[Sleepy664]

You could also add another HDD into the UltraBay, that would make for a 3 HDDs in a laptop

That's 1 SSD and 2 HDD's. Not 3 HDD's. For that you need to look at 17" monsters like the Dell M6800

Well, I guess you're right. But still...

Take a peak here:

http://www.panelook.com/LP156WF4-SLB1_L ... 16978.html

Is this really compatible with W520, same connector an everything? And I was hoping I'm done with upgrading my W520

///Wouldn't I loose switching graphics with that?

[ajkula66]

Is this really compatible with W520, same connector an everything? And I was hoping I'm done with upgrading my W520

The mod has already been performed by at least one member of this forum

///Wouldn't I loose switching graphics with that?

Huh???

[Sleepy664]

Huh???

There is a thing with IPS LCDs – they are usually 10-bit and Intel Graphics can not drive them. I know that on Panelook they state it is a 6-bit LCD but I don't trust them enough

For this reason – in other laptops with IPS screens (like EliteBook with Dreamcolor, Dell Precision with IPS – whatever they call it) the nVidia Optimus was not available (at least that was the case when I was choosing a used laptop from around 2011).

But maybe I'm wrong, I didn't study this topic yet.

[ajkula66]

There is a thing with IPS LCDs – they are usually 10-bit and Intel Graphics can not drive them. I know that on Panelook they state it is a 6-bit LCD but I don't trust them enough

You should. They are usually pretty reliable with stuff like this.

For this reason – in other laptops with IPS screens (like EliteBook with Dreamcolor, Dell Precision with IPS – whatever they call it) the nVidia Optimus was not available (at least that was the case when I was choosing a used laptop from around 2011).

But maybe I'm wrong, I didn't study this topic yet.

Yes and no.

DreamColor and its Dell cousins are marketed as 10-bit panels. However, they are the only such panels on the market. An exception rather than the rule, shall we say...

There's quite a few of 6-bit IPS panels in various sizes available.

[Sleepy664]

Oh, OK then.

How does the IPS compare to FHD TN? According to notebookcheck.net it has a worse gamut Is this trade-off really worth it?

[ajkula66]

According to notebookcheck.net it has a worse gamut Is this trade-off really worth it?

To me, it would probably be worth it since I'm not all that impressed with the standard FHD panel, but to each their own.