Thinkpads Forum

So I upgraded my old Thinkpad T41 to Windows 7 32bit without any issue, all worked well.
I installed the Vista Drivers for any hardware that did not get resolved other than the fingerprint reader.
For the fingerprint reader I had to use software from the hardware manufacturer and not from Lenovo/IBM.

Then I thought, if all worked well on that ancient system that all should run well on my W500.
So I installed Windows 7 RC 64Bit.
This works mostly well but I can't get Bluetooth, Fingerprint Reader, and the Docking station to work out.
The device manager shows no devices unrecognized or not working so drivers are installed for everything.
I tried installing "Thinkvantage Access Connections" to try to manage the WiFi and Bluetooth radios but it will not run on Win7.
The Fingerprint reader won't work with either the Lenovo software or the software from the device maker (AuthenTec).
And any time I try to put this sucker on the dock, be it while already booted or from a cold boot connected to the dock the thing locks up tight on the Win7 logon screen.

I realize that Windows 7 isn't final software and that there aren't any official drivers for it from most manufacturers so if I have to wait, then I have to wait. I am just wondering if anyone else here has run into any of these issues and been able to find a way to fix them.

Any feedback would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Lenovo has posted some Windows 7 BETA drivers...try those. I think you might have better luck with W7 32bit on that W500, but that is not based on any real data, just a gut feel looking at the available BETA drivers. I only see (2) 64 bit versions avaialble.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -BETA#hotf

Were you able to get the switchable graphics to work? I have been unsuccessful. I'm going to try a new install, download all updates and try the driver again.