New R61 owner - any tips & tricks ?

[natgab]

I just got my R61 yesterday, actually arrived before my power supply I ordered for it. Currently has Win XP installed from seller. I will be dual booting Vista / Linux Mint (Haiku once its in Beta). I have been seeing posts regarding BIOS updates. Can someone tell me what I should do first? Should I install Vista or check for update / install while in Win XP?

I will probably upgrade to 4GB RAM and save up for SSD and put old HDD in the media bay. RAM or SSD first?

Also, anybody have experience with OS X on these? I know it can be done, how usable is it?

Tested it with the charge it had when I got it, everything works.

http://tinypic.com/r/s4uctu/5

http://tinypic.com/r/2l8vtao/5 <-what is under the PCMICA slot? Not a SD card reader right?
____
Thinkpad R61- Product # 7733-11U / BIOS 1.14, date 2007-06-27

2.0 GHz C2D Centrino T7300 (4MB cache) / Merom 800MHz FSB Sta. Rosa / 1GB RAM

60GB HD / no Firewire / WIFI / DVD/CD-RW /1280x800 14" WXGA / X3100 Intel video

Win XP Pro / Battery 1.5 hrs. (small battery) / no AC adapter / Paid $49.95 (plus S/H) on eBay

TIA, sorry for the question overload.

[RealBlackStuff]

Get your new Middleton BIOS here (last one): http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/ ... ost6501443

That is a SmartCard reader on pic # 2.

[DaKKS]

Ditto on Middleton bios.

Middleton -> RAM -> SSD -> CPU in that order

[natgab]

Get your new Middleton BIOS here (last one): http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/ ... ost6501443

That is a SmartCard reader on pic # 2.

--OK, that is one of those security cards they use for DOD right? My brother has one for his work.

Ditto on Middleton bios.

Middleton -> RAM -> SSD -> CPU in that order

--Downloading Middleton and will probably put 4GB of RAM. Once I take care of the BIOS, I will install Vista.

[natgab]

I installed Vista 64bit, so far everything good. But middle button scrolling wont work. Only seems to work scrolling in Control Panel & IE 9 but not in Firefox.

Also forgot to write down I have Bluetooth. The indicator light is always on, does this use up power? I only see the WIFI F5 Function key.

[RealBlackStuff]

Have you installed SP1 and other Vista updates?
Is Bluetooth showing in Device Manager?
Proper drivers installed?
Intel Chip drivers installed?

[natgab]

Have you installed SP1 and other Vista updates?
Is Bluetooth showing in Device Manager?
Proper drivers installed?
Intel Chip drivers installed?

EDIT:
-I installed Vista disc w/ SP2 included and then ran updates <- All updates installed
-Bluetooth radios listed in Device Manager. <- Turned it off under Linux Mint
-In the updates, there was a UltraNav driver. <- Re-installed driver in Vista, still won't work in Firefox
-Intel Chip driver from Windows, or do I get from Lenovo? <- Installed driver in Vista

thanks