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Here are some of the minor issues I ran into, and how I solved them.
Before you start, make a copy of the following directories on your hard drive to a safe place, such as your network server or your usb hdd:
c:\drivers
c:\ibmtools
c:\swshare
c:\swtools
Now, base-install Vista, and go through all of the microsoft hoops to get it up and running. Make sure you allow Vista to remove all traces of your old RnR partition. RnR4 don't need it, and infact the installation program (under Vista) will stop responding at 75% if it finds an old partition it doesn't quite recognize.
Next up, install the "ThinkVantage Productivity Center". This is a whole lot more useful than the hardware manual, which you by now know by heart.
This also installs the "Software Installer" (aka pkgmgr) which allows you to install a lot of your old trusty tools. Among them the ThinkPad keyboard customizer. I always sacrifice my right control key to get a windows key wich is useful for shortcuts like explorer and console lock. (I'll return to this later)
Next up, install System Update and let that sort out all the odds and ends of getting RnR4 and fingerprint installed in one big gulp.
This way the installation should be pretty straightforward, with a minimum of reboots.
Now, for the bad news.
The ThinkPad keyboard customizer for Vista leaves a lot to be desired. My mapping of using the Right ctrl button as a windows button only works when inside microsoft programs, or other programs that are EXPLICITLY Vista compatible. For the others, it's still ctrl. This one needs some work from IBM/Lenovo, methinks.
Backing up with RnR4 is a slow business. That is if it completes at all. It keeps complaining "file in use" instead of using the shadow copy feature of the operating system. My recommendation would be to use the in-system backup utility until RnR is properly updated for Vista.
But other than that, the laptop is 100% Vista ready, and quite honestly: Vista is both more stable, and a LOT better looking than XP. I would recommend any user who considers Vista do jump to it, with the following hints:
Vista really likes ram. Ram is so cheap nowadays anyways, add two gigabytes and don't look back.
Make sure you buy a "full" Vista, not an upgrade. Having to install XP before you can install Vista is a real pain, besides: Having your Vista license tied to your XP license is a bad idea anyways. You can legally buy an OEM license with a new harddrive anyways, and the full OEM Ultimate is half the price of the "Upgrade to" Home Premium. Doesn't take long to consider.
Upgrade your HDD before you install Vista, not after. Vista requires re-activation of you swap hdd's and that reactivation must be done manually, due to Microsofts new extortion^wanti-piracy setup. It's a good idea to buy the hdd at the same time anyways, so you can buy an OEM license legally.
//Svein
