Microsoft Windows & ThinkPad

[ThinkPad560X]

Post your experience with the latest or hightest Windows version that can run on a ThinkPad.

[ThinkPad560X]

I got in my CF cards/Hard Drive adapter for my ThinkPad 755CD & 701C.
I went to install Windows XP Professional on them, and got the not enough memory "RAM" for install.
So install the CF hard drive in a bettery running ThinkPad and installed XP and reinstalled back into the 2 94/95 ThinkPads and they booted up Windows XP Pro
If you were going to do this I would recommend switching it to classic Windows to run better, or install Windows 2000 Pro. I'd say Windows XP will be the highest OS that can run on the older ThinkPads. My very first test on installing Windows XP back in 2005 was on my ThinkPad 560X. and it ran very well.
My 2nd was installing Windows Vista on my ThinkPad T20 that worked well. 750MHz with 512MB RAM.

[automobus]

I had Vista on a T23 with 384 MiB memory, but just as an experiment. Is there any good reason to have Vista on a T20?
Somewhat related topic: what is the oldest mobile video controller with a driver for Vista? I am not aware of any laptop video controller from before year 2001 (mobile Radeon) with a working driver (but counting non-portables, the Matrox G450 from 2000 is supposed to have a Vista-compatible driver, and it might work with the G400 from 1999).

[RealBlackStuff]

You guys should be looking for Windows FLP.
That's a really "skinny" XP-Pro version For Legacy PCs.
I have it running like a champ on a T23 with only 256MB.
Boots up in less than a minute.

[ArtShapiro]

You guys should be looking for Windows FLP.

Good grief. I've never even heard of this product. I don't see it in the MSDN downloads section for operating systems. Where does one procure such a beast?

Art

[rkawakami]

Here's the Wiki article about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Fu ... Legacy_PCs

[Norway Pad]

At one point hardware simply becomes outdated and insufficient for newer OSs, and should be allowed to retire with it's current OS and become a novelty rather than being used as an every day tool. (As an automotive guy, I see it as trying to use a 50s car to compete in todays Nascar races) But if you really want or need a newer and supported OS on your old computer, a lightweight Linux distro or the FLP seems like a good solution for systems that's too weak even for XP.

However:

Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs is exclusively available to Microsoft Software Assurance customers, as it is designed to be an inexpensive upgrade option for corporations that have a number of Windows 9x computers, but lack the hardware necessary to support the latest Windows. It is not available through retail or OEM channels.

Which is too bad. There is apparently no way to buy FLP through normal sources. Or are there other sources or ways to get this?

[ThinkPad560X]

Is there a Windows 7 version of this lower operating system like Windows XP?
just woundering, but Windows XP is probably my favorit OS.

[RealBlackStuff]

Nope.

[Neil]

I put FLP on a 770Z that I had a couple of years ago. It ran reasonably well. Also used nLite to strip a bunch of stuff out of the normal XP to install on my 600E (although it could probably run the full version OK), and it was very quick and usable.

But I really enjoy using the OS that the older ThinkPad shipped with. It's just more nostalgic. My 380D is running Win95 and all I use it for is a mp3 player. I'm always impressed how fast and snappy the OS feels. And at this moment I'm writing on my beloved 600X running Win98SE tweaked out with AutoPatcher, KernelEx and RPConfig with a Windows 7 theme (just for kicks as I prefer the look of the Vista theme).

[ThinkPad560X]

Is there a way to make Windows XP Professioanl run faster than buying the FLP? The Windows XP FLP will most likely not be availble to buy as Windows XP is not being made anymore and should be soon End of Service.

[Tasurinchi]

As Neil said above nLite is a good tool. I used it to create a special installation CD without all the bloatware, you can also include programs you use frequently to be installed together with XP.

I think you can use vLite with Win7 as well, but not 100% sure of that...

[Mike Blake]

I think you can use vLite with Win7 as well, but not 100% sure of that...

It seems to be problematical. See the user comments here:
http://www.intowindows.com/download-vli ... windows-7/

And the program's creator currently has no plans for a Win7 version:
http://apcmag.com/no-plans-for-7lite-re ... reator.htm

[Mike Blake]

I also stumbled across this, but am not personally familiar with it.
Still, it seems worthwhile to pass the URL along:

RT Se7en Lite Windows 7 Configuration Tool
http://www.rt7lite.com/

[crashnburn]

I also stumbled across this, but am not personally familiar with it.
Still, it seems worthwhile to pass the URL along:

RT Se7en Lite Windows 7 Configuration Tool
http://www.rt7lite.com/

Has anyone here used / been using RT Seven Lite (Rt7lite) to streamline, lean down and customize their Windows 7 installation on their Thinkpads?

Any suggestions on which
- Drivers (MS or Lenovo)
- Services (MS Windows 7)
- Apps (ThinkVantage etc)
to install / remove / leave out?

[rossmosis]

I've installed Windows FLP on my T22 and it boots up in around 40 seconds and does pretty much everything XP does, I'd recommend it to anyone with any system, old or not, who likes the look of XP but doesn't need any of the junk that comes with it! I may try to install 7 and strip it waaay down though and see how that goes!

[Neil]

I've trimmed 7 down about as much as possible, but it is just larger XP. And there are still driver issues with older hardware that are not overcome. Not worth the effort, IMHO.

[rossmosis]

Ah, yeah that's what I'm afraid of, maybe someday I'll try it on a day where there's nothing to do just to mess around with, but I'm content with FLP

[Brian10161]

I have had Windows 7 on my T60 and X60s and it runs quite fast. I've since switched both computers over to Linux Mint 10 however and am finding it a lot better for what I do. I think I only have 1 pc running Windows now.

[crashnburn]

I've trimmed 7 down about as much as possible, but it is just larger XP. And there are still driver issues with older hardware that are not overcome. Not worth the effort, IMHO.

Do share what & how you have trimmed it down?

[Neil]

It's been a while since I messed around with this, but just removed a bunch of services and components with vlite, like:

Accessories:
- Games
- Speech Support

Drivers:
- Diva Server
- Printers
- Scanners

Languages: only left English

Multimedia:
- Media Center
- Music and Video samples
- Sample Pictures
- Screensavers
- Wallpapers

Services:
- Error Reporting
- Windows Search

System:
- BitLocker Drive Encryption
- Help
- Natural Language
- Security Center
- System Restore
- Tablet PC
- Windows Defender
- Windows Easy Transfer

It was functional, but I would prefer to have some of those things included and run it on a more capable system. It's just not worth it on older hardware. Linux would be better there.

[ThinkPad560X]

I'm trying to activate my Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 I have on my IBM ThinkPad X41 Tablet. I have 3 more days until I have to Activate it. I got a copy XP CD from a guy from work and I said I have a product key on the bottom of my laptop. I go to activate windows and enter the key under the laptop and it don't accept it, Error 45090 on the bottom window. I tryed to do my normal Windows Product key updater, I did this every time I got a used ThinkPad that came with it product key on it, I would update it with it product key, so not to use my full copy XP Pro CD key. Anyway I get this error trying to update the key: This application must be run on a supported version of the Windows XP operating system.

As far as I know This is a XP OS, Home Edition, Professional, Media Center Edition and Tablet PC Edition.

Another note, I did install Windows XP Professional on my X41T and it ran fine but was not able to use the Tablet software...

[ajkula66]

@ThinkPad560X:

Unless the disk in question is an OEM version (IBM/Lenovo in this case) the installation will not activate automatically with the code from the bottom of your laptop. You'll have to call MS to activate.

Good luck.

[automobus]

I think all Tablet Edition license are OEM or MSDN. I do not know if the MSDN keys are different.
ThinkPad560X, do you know what computer that disc was made for?

[ThinkPad560X]

I don't know, He may of had a HP tablet.

Is their a way to just install XP Professional "Have lots of Product Keys from off my other TP" and on the lenovo X41T download site is their a Tablet software? I installed XP Pro on it before but none of the Tablet/penable worked, Didn't install any lenovo software but the Tablet PC Edition, its works right now. And Shouldn't Windows XP "Professional" be the Ultimate out of the XP series? like shouldn't it be all Media Center, Tablet and Home in one Professional Edition?

I know Windows 7 has Home Premium, Professional, Business and Ultimate. The only Windows 7 I own is Home Premium and the Key is used on a double OS with XP on my NetVista.

Just pulled out my X41T, The Product key says: Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition (Under) Lenovo Singapore (Under) Product Key...

I seen that it don't say, Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005...

[ajkula66]

PM me your address and I'll mail you a set of disks for X41T...since I don't perceive owning one of those ever again...

[ThinkPad560X]

About the Windows XP Professional FLP, Where can you get it at? Can you download it from somewhere or even off Microsoft?

[RealBlackStuff]

I found 'my' FLP on the internet, incl. a working CD-Key (you need to boldly go where no one has gone before...)
You can download further FLP goodies, such as FLP-SP3, free from M$.