Win 8 & X61t - Hotkeys (bluetooth) & tablet button issues

[sonorous]

I've updated an x61t to Windows 8 x64. Overall the process was a bit of a pain, but if any one has any questions I'm happy to further explain some of the steps I had to go through (getting x64, changing from AHCI to compatibility and then back without BSOD with a new SSD, etc). Doing the same install on another older thinkpad after the first go was MUCH faster!

Overall the computer is very responsive and I'm very impressed. It's a thinkpad 7762-B6U ( with multitouch) 1.6 C2D, 6gb ram, Crucial M4 256gb SSD (middleton Bios).

The remaining issues that I can find so far are that Bluetooth is not working and that tablet buttons are not working. Through some googling I've noticed many people overcome the bluetooth issue by installing the hotkey drivers to enable bluetooth (FN+F5). I've had no success doing this. The Win 7 drivers are installed (Hotkey 3.80.0000) but the keys don't work. Last, and possibly related, the tablet buttons are not working even after installing the drivers (Win 7 x64 4.04).

Any ideas? I'd like to thank the users here for all their help resolving issues so far - googling this site provides SO much information. I've done my best to come up with a solution before posting.

P.S.
I know that installing a brand new OS on old hardware is never a great idea. The tablet was previously using XP tablet and it honestly feels like a modern computer again. The other thinkpad I upgraded was an older T60. It received a 64gb SSD and with 3gb of ram is working very well as a word processing system and an extra 'around the house' laptop. It was almost unusable with Vista SP2 and a slow laptop drive (not my choices!) but it too has come back to life.

Cheers and thanks!

[crashnburn]

I am wondering if Win 8 would provide a better or atleast equal to experience as Win 7.. esp on X61T.

PS: What kind of Win 8 license did you procure? Or is it enabled via SLIC/ OEM?

[twistero]

Maybe you can try running the fn+f5 utility directly? Look for something called tpfnf5.exe or similar in your Program Files folder.

[sonorous]

Maybe you can try running the fn+f5 utility directly? Look for something called tpfnf5.exe or similar in your Program Files folder.

That worked to launch the program. Sadly it showed no bluetooth radio. I will do more looking into it but thank you for the suggestion!

[sonorous]

I am wondering if Win 8 would provide a better or atleast equal to experience as Win 7.. esp on X61T.

PS: What kind of Win 8 license did you procure? Or is it enabled via SLIC/ OEM?

I did the upgrade ($40 with the download - some more adventurous people report exercising a loophole for recently purchased computers to get the $15 upgrade). The problem is that moving from XP tablet you are usually stuck with 32 bit. I had a 4gb DDR2 stick of ram from my old Macbook pro that I wanted to take full advantage of (to get 6gb total).

I probably took some liberty with the EULA - my first attempt was to install the x64 version of XP I had to get the x64 Win 8. XP x64 is not supported for the upgrade though! I then installed Win 7 Ultimate and did the upgrade without authorizing Win 7. That was the 'easiest' way. I'm sure there is a better way, but at the end of the day I feel okay about having paid for the software and using it the way I did.

I'm not a regular Win 7 user so I can't really comment on the experience. I can tell you that the difference of an SSD and Win 8 have taken the computer from being something I used for a very narrow and specific application that benefited from the stylus to being able to use it on a regular basis without frustration. It is on par with my other 'modern' computers.

[GomJabbar]

Did you install the latest Intel Chipset Driver? It should be installed.

There is a Hotkey Features driver for Windows 8. Your ThinkPad model is not listed as supported, but it may be worth a try if the Hotkey Features driver you are using is not working. I've used unsupported Lenovo software drivers on occasion with success.

README
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/researc ... D=HT073838

Hotkey Features Windows 8 driver
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... vu18ww.exe

[precip9]

Re: Bluetooth.

The original X61 Bluetooth module was the 39T0497, Bluetooth 2.0.
The successor module, found on the W/T400/500 is the 42T0969, Bluetooth 2.1.

In my tests with an Windows 8 Enteprise Evaluation copy on a W500, the Thinkpad Bluetooth package would not install, but Windows 8 provides native drivers for 42T0969. The native drivers actually work with the Hotkeys feature, so the combination is a complete solution.

I have seen 42T0969, combined with a cable and LED decal, sold as an "upgrade kit" for the X61 tablet. I do not know if it is a factory upgrade, or just cobbled together by the seller. But on machines with the Middleton BIOS, 42T0969 works flawlessly with Windows 7. I suspect it would work with Windows 8 as well, but I have not yet performed the experiment.

If your tablet is already equipped with a module, the cable in place will do, and the module is an easy swap, located under the palm rest. The non-tablet X61 does not require a cable, but the module is located under the LCD bezel.

This ebay seller, "discountedlaptopparts", is currently offering the module:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160895424832?ss ... 1439.l2649

[Fixed_Rider]

I just had great success following the instructions from the bottom reply of this link.

Bluetooth is now working.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=107001

Hope this helps

[sonorous]

I just had great success following the instructions from the bottom reply of this link.

Bluetooth is now working.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=107001

Hope this helps

Just to update.

I have the bluetooth working. I think it may have been a hardware issue as it began working again after I opened the machine up to replace the CMOS battery and wifi card. I don't even remember but I suspect I reseated the connector on the mobo. I didn't really use the bluetooth much before.

For the tablet buttons, a workaround is to use keytweak 2.3. I had the software on the t60 work around a defective key. It's not perfect but at least gives you some utility out of the buttons. Something like ATN Key Manager would be better (but not free!).