A31 Software from Lenovo

[gal]

My A31 is a perfectly working laptop with new battery, new Seagate hard disk. and newly installed windows XP SP3.



IBM Think pad A31 Pentium 4 - 1.6 GHz Laptop w/ 512 MB Ram, Type # 2652-1U1,

My question is I am confused about what Lenovo software updates I should apply, and perhaps what order. I have not been able to find "productivity center" that includes system update utility specifically designated as supporting A31. I have a sinking feeling that the A31 is not supported by this useful system update utility. Hope I am wrong. BTW. my A31 has the original bios version. Suggestions will be gratefully accepted. Thanks

[sjthinkpader]

If you want to use the System Update utility, install the .NET Framework first, then install System Update. It should run on the A31.

Some optional utilities will not install and update automatically such as WinDVD, Recordnow. You will have to install from a distribution disk first, then System Update will install the newest versions.

The new Power Manager should work on a A31 and it will uninstall the older Battery Maximizer automatically.

Some software such as Client Security is not useful in a home environment and should be unchecked from the install list.

[gal]

Thanks, I have net framework installed already, but to be clear is there a piece of software (Lenovo) that is called system update. I got the impression that that was a component of the "Productivity package". Can I download it- system update- as a single piece of software? and is that what it is called?
I also notice that with some Lenovo software it asks you to update the bios first.
Really appreciate your input.

[goofyGAguy]

Can I download it- system update- as a single piece of software?

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... PDATE.html

[gal]

Thanks so much, I missed it !!! will repost after I get everything done to let you know how it comes out. I love this support from you guys and IBM/Lenovo.

[gal]

Update to my update- It all worked flawlessly, so thanks for the help.
one more question, though,
I am surprised that system did not offer me a bios update.
I have the original bios, 1.00e from years ago. and according to the blurb about system update it will update the bios. I am curious as why this is not happening?
I realize that it can be done manually, but I read about specific versions of bios requiring a corresponding version of an embedded controller update. So I assume that the controller version is installed first and then the bios. Since messing up the bios is the worst thing that i could do. I was hoping that SU would do it for me.I need some words of wisdom, before I do something that I regret please.

[goofyGAguy]

Why do you feel you need an updated BIOS? You said that your machine was working perfectly.

[tbartold]

I've given up on the System Update (or whatever the latest version is called) for my A31ps. I've installed updates individually, since I doubt they're thinking about me any more.

I do go to the ibm/lenovo website to see what's available, but there is stuff I'm sure I don't need, and other stuff I'm sure is out of date.

I have updated bios and embedded controller to the latest versions (there are two latest versions depending on your model number),
1guj14us.exe
1nuj10us.exe
1ghj06us.exe
1nhj05us.exe
The 'g' versions are for the earlier models, the 'n' versions for the later. I think the difference is whether the security chip is installed (can someone confirm/correct that?).

I also have what I think are the latest of the following drivers installed (with current version numbers):

ibm bluetooth 1.4.2.18
tpbteba.exe
tpbtfw1g.exe (firmware update)

ibm highrate wireless 2.0.9.0
1awc32ww.exe

thinkpad configuration 1.55
7ju501aw.exe

thinkpad power management driver 1.51
7zku03ww.exe

thinkpad trackpoint driver 4.64.0.0 (actually for t43p -although I can't download the newer 4.65.0.0 driver - better? than the A31p driver?)
7bg569ww.exe

if you need the modem driver, I think 2.1.31c is the latest version.
1oma23ww.exe

I'm still not sure about the best ATI drivers, but I have the following installed:
ATI Software Uninstall Utility 6.14.10.1012
ATI Control Panel 6.14.10.5154
ATI Display Driver 8.33.2.1.1....
1rd637ww.exe
I don't know if Hydravision is compatible with the a31p. I haven't tried it out yet.

other drivers are from windows / xp sp3 / windows update - the intel updates etc are newer than the ibm/lenovo stuff it seems.

There are loads of other drivers you could install, but there is probably no added value. In fact there is probably no added value in most of the ones I've mentioned either, unless you're 'anal retentive' like I am. I think that if you have XP SP3 everything should work pretty much fine without any added drivers. I think I might try that when I reinstall the OS on one of my A31ps (I do that every so often - reformat the HD etc.).

[gal]

Thanks so much for the info! I have everything setup now and working great. Next step to add 1gig of crucial ram.

[FrankK-F]

tbartold,

re: Drivers ... as I remember from the days that the A31p was the 'rage' that the MS drivers were to be avoided, and the (then) IBM drivers were to be used as they were optimized to the machine.

I have also by and large updated the drivers manually ... but the not all need updating, as they talk to system variants that may not apply to your system ... such as Vista ... as you are most likely running XPP.

The latest Lenovo (ATI) video driver did not do me any favors. I am also running Photoshop CS3, AutodeskInventor-2009, etc. For me the driver that runs most comfortably is ATI Radeon Omega 4.8.442 .. has all the bells and whistles for 3D operation (I don't know about games as I don't do games). ATI Catalyst 8.2_xp32_dd_5828 is another OK driver on my system (XPP-SP3).

I should add that recently I got a video card (just for the hell of it, as I am forced to migrate to a W500 by my CAD operational demands) an ATI FireMV-2260 PCI with 256MB memory (vs 64MB for the internal video card). Installed the card in my Dock-II (Type2631) and later in my Advanced Dock II (Type 2877). Both were OK installs. This Video Card sports the new 'VisionPort' connector, and can run 2 external monitors 2560x1600.

To install the FireMV 2260 driver I had to uninstall all Video Drivers from the A31p. When done my external monitor lit up but my internal monitor was black ... not quite where I wanted to arrive. Via Device Manager I managed to stumble into a solution .. where both displays are on. The external works off the FireMV driver while the internal runs off the Omega 4.8.22 as ''ATI Mobilty FireGL 7800''. To my surprise it is running and is stable.

The second surprise with this setup is color calibration. Before this dual setup only the primary (designated) display's calibration file was active ... while now both displays run in calibrated mode, each from if own file. I use ColorVision Spyder for hardware calibration .. for my photos, videos and movies.

I hope that this might be helpful other A31p users as well.

[sjthinkpader]

Frank's video solution is one of the few two video driver solution I've seen, thank you so much.

As for wireless, in order to get WPA, WPA2 and 11n, the later drivers need to be used. The latest one is from late-2008, Atheros ver 7.4.2.134. This will not be updated either as IBM/Lenovo assume we still have the 11b/modem combo card in these old machines. This driver should work from the old AR5001X (abg) to new AR5008 (abgn) based cards, IBM branded or non-branded.

These later drivers need AC to be updated also. Non-branded cards need to use MS Zero utility to set configurations. I use Zero utility within AC to facilitate location switching.

[gal]

More excellent advice. I installed a cisco aironet wifi card bus device with the latest cisco software and I am so impressed. You will be impressed by the cost too unless you can find it on eBay! I don't do games so the video driver is OK as long as it works.