Clean OS Install on T410s

[Rockrz]

I bought a used Thinkpad T410s laptop to give to someone and before I do I'm going to do a clean OS install and install 8gigs of new ram... but, I have a few questions hopefully someone knows the answer to.

This laptop can with Win 7 Ultimate which I do not have the ISO file for to burn on to a DVD to use when doing the fresh install.

So, does the Win 7 Ultimate key work with Win 7 Professional?

If not, where can I download the ISO file for Win 7 Ultimate?

I have several OEM copies of Win 7 Pro I could use... but this laptop has the COA sticker so I should be able to do a fresh install using that like I have numerous times before.

[pianowizard]

We used to be able to download the ISO files for free, legally: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... 3be24e3d15

But now, this may be the cheapest option, if you are lucky: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/326246/

[Rockrz]

I did a search and found a place to get the ISO file for Win 7 Ultimate, so I've got that burned to a DVD and I'm good to go.

I take it the COA will only work for Win 7 Ultimate, so I'll just use that.

[Rockrz]

OK, next question...

I bought a single stick of RAM, so do you think this will work OK?
8GB Single DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800)

Also, it already has a 4 gig stick of RAM in it, but it's probably not the same RAM... so, will both work together or should I just go with the 8 new gigs of RAM?

[MrMaguire]

Both sticks should work together and give you 12GB of RAM, running at the speed of the slowest stick. I think the T410 only supports 8GB of RAM total, so there might not be any gain.

EDIT: For future reference, you may be interested in a small utility that can remove ei.cfg from Windows 7 ISO files.

All Windows 7 media is the same, just the ei.cfg file dictates what version is installed. By removing that file, you get a choice during setup for every Windows 7 version except Enterprise, because it's different in certain ways.

The utility can be found here: http://code.kliu.org/misc/winisoutils/

[Rockrz]

Currently, I have numerous versions of Windows 7 in ISO format and Win 7 Home 64, Win 7 Pro 64, and now Win 7 Ultimate 64 are burned on to DVDs and are ready to go. But, thanks for the link... I may need it yet.

Maybe in 2 or 3 years when they get all the bugs and kinks worked out, I might look at Windows 10 since some are saying it's looking like a good version of Windows.

[Hans Gruber]

The T410s has a max memory of 8GB. The T420 can take 8GB sticks and 16GB of ram. What software did you use to burn or create your .iso files with?

[Rockrz]

I used Windows7-USB-DVD-tool from Bill's company

[Rockrz]

OK, so I found out that modern day DDR3 RAM doesn't work on this T410s... The old RAM that was originall in this laptop is: PC3-8500S 1066

I ordered 8GB DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) and it came in today, but when I popped it in the laptop she won't boot.
(I ordered the RAM before the laptop ever got delivered)

So, I found what I think MAY work on Amazon and it is:
8GB KIT (2 x 4GB) SO-DIMM DDR3 NON-ECC PC3-10600 1333MHz RAM

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VQKLGTM/ref ... RZK4Y4IPWM

Do you think this RAM will work?

I thought I'd better ask the resident experts here before ordering...

[Hans Gruber]

Yes, 1333mhz 4GB sticks will work on a T410s.

[Rockrz]

So, would this be slightly faster than what came in the laptop originally?

Also, the system shows Win 7 Pro 64 bit... but the COA says Win 7 Ult

The guy I got it from did a fresh OS install... so can you install Win 7 Pro 64 using the Win 7 Ult COA?

[ajkula66]

So, I found what I think MAY work on Amazon and it is:
8GB KIT (2 x 4GB) SO-DIMM DDR3 NON-ECC PC3-10600 1333MHz RAM

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VQKLGTM/ref ... RZK4Y4IPWM

Do you think this RAM will work?

I always advise against using fifth-tier RAM in ThinkPads. You can do better...an AWFUL LOT better...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... gnorebbr=1

So, would this be slightly faster than what came in the laptop originally?

No. The faster RAM will downclock to 1066MHz.

so can you install Win 7 Pro 64 using the Win 7 Ult COA?

Legally, no. Since you already have the COA for Ultimate, just borrow a physical disk and perform a clean install.

[Rockrz]

I thought 1333MHz would run faster than 1066MHz ???
Or, is this laptop limited to just 1066MHz capability?

And, I wanted to try a hybrid drive, so will this one work OK with T410s ?

Seagate Momentus XT 500 GB 2.5 Solid State Hybrid Drive


Yes, I have the Ultimate on disc ready to go... I was just trying to figure out what the guy I got it from did a fresh install using Win 7 Pro 64 since surely he would not buy a copy of this just for the clean install... unless you came by it in some way that it was free to him.

[Hans Gruber]

This is what I use. You can't go wrong with Gskil. The T410 is limited to 1066mhz. T420 uses 1333mhz. I suggest 1333mhz for upgradability for future Thinkpads.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231342

[ajkula66]

And, I wanted to try a hybrid drive, so will this one work OK with T410s ?

Seagate Momentus XT 500 GB 2.5 Solid State Hybrid Drive

Hybrids are junk, especially new ones that are based on 5400rpm spinners.

Secondly, T410s takes a 1.8" drive, not a 2.5" so it will not work.

[Rockrz]

OK, so an mSata would work OK... right?

Would the Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB mSATA 2-Inch SSD work?

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-850-mSATA ... ords=mSata

I was thinking mSata originally but had heard hybrids were what the kooL kids were using these days.

[Rockrz]

OK, so I got the 8gigs of Gskil RAM installed and that's all good.

But, I noticed that when I plug in my external drive (it has some programs on it I install from)... the laptop does not see it, and it's not visible in Disk Management either.

Assuming a standard mSata drive will work, I got that installed and it also is not recognized by Windows and is not visible in Disk Management.

I'm hoping that if I can get this laptop to recognize my external drive... not sure how to get it to do that... it will then also recognize the mSata drive.

I still have the original drive in the laptop. I just wanted to experiment to make sure the mSata drive is recognized before removing the original drive altogether so I can start loading Windows on the mSata.

What do I need to do to get this laptop to recognize hard drives automatically as normal???

PS... if this matters... when I installed the mSata, there was some communication device inserted in that slot (can't remember what it's called)... does the laptop having one of these originally make a difference, now that I have removed it to install the mSata drive?

[Hans Gruber]

On a T410s, the msata has to be the primary drive unless you have an elaborate adapter where it can plug into the ultra bay. Is your external drive a USB drive or a SATA drive in your ultra bay?

[axur-delmeria]

mSATA SSDs will not work on the T410s.

If you already have an mSATA SSD, you should buy the same 1.8-inch Micro SATA to mSATA adapter that Thinkpad X300/X301 owners use.

[Hans Gruber]

I use the adapter on several different T410s. All 128GB SSD's.

[Rockrz]

Is your external drive a USB drive or a SATA drive in your ultra bay?

My external drive is a standard drive in an enclosure that connects by USB.

If need be, I'll just have to put my programs on to a RW cd and get them on that way.

I knew this laptop was cheap for a reason... I should have gotten one a little more modern. Oh well, it's going to be used by a teenager so at least it has 8 gigs of RAM now!

[Hans Gruber]

I have 8GB in all my T410 and T410s thinkpads. You may need to check your USB connections in your device manager. You may have some driver issues. The external flash drive or external HDD are the easiest to connect.

[Rockrz]

My USB mouse works so the USB seems to be working.

Since it only has one USB port, I plugged in my USB strip that has multiple USB ports on and it works OK as well.

[Temetka]

If the drive you are trying to use as an external drive is a standard 2.5" laptop drive in a USB enclosure, then the problem you saw is that a single USB port does not provide enough power to run the drive. Most USB drive kits come with a cable that has 2 connectors on one end and the other end has one connector. Plus both connectors into the machine and the 3rd into the drive. But as you noticed, you don't have enough ports so a hub is necessary.

Glad you got it all sorted though.

[Rockrz]

Yeah, there's usually a work around for stuff.

Sometimes I have to come here for ideas tho