Windows Vista on the T60p

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#1 Post by **BillMorrow** » Thu May 25, 2006 7:18 pm

An anonymous user has this to say about loading Windows Vista on his T60p..

*************START*************

Vista Beta 2 on T60p

I performed a clean installation of Vista Beta 2 Ultimate Ed. on my ThinkPad T60P. Before the installation, I removed the original hard drive (with XP and all of my apps and data) and replaced it with a new 2.5" SATA HDD, booted from the Vista DVD, and installed. I also copied to a CD the C:\ibmtools and c:\Drivers folders from the original hard drive.

The installation took a little over an hour. While Win2000 and XP built the OS for a system, Vista copies a generic image to the HDD, expands the files, and boots before configuring the system for a particular hardware configuration by adding drivers, etc.

Vista detected all the hardware and provided drivers for almost all the devices including the display, the SATA hard drive, and both wired and wireless NICs. After the install completed, opened device manager, right clicked on each device with a mark by it, and had Vista search for the device first online and then in the directories I had copied to CD as described above. Vista searched folders on the CD to obtain the drivers for the Atmel TP device, the IBM PM (power manager), and many (but not all) components of the Sierra Wireless Modem. Vista searched online and came up with drivers for the biometric processor and fingerprint reader although I haven't yet tried the FP Reader with the drivers Vista provided.

I was able to install and use the Lenovo-provided Keyboard Configuration and HotKey utilities. Most Lenovo applets won't run (and generate an error code saying unsupported OS) unless you first right click on them and set them to run in XP SP2 compatibility mode. Many of the Lenovo Applets (e.g., Access Connections) just won't work with Vista. As a result, users are left with the a/b/g WiFi radio on all the time. You can use the hotkey FN+F5 to shut down the radio and bluetooth only if you use the Lenovo drivers, but in one Beta2 install the Lenovo drivers for Intel 3945a/b/g wireless NIC caused the NIC to turn off and to become "access denied" when I tried to roll back the drivers (requiring a re-install).

The Lenovo UNAV driver package won't install at all - it generates an ominous error message that I have never seen before (and that disappeared too quickly to write down) and caused the trackpoint and mousepad to stop working. I was able to roll back the driver to PS2 mouse by booting into safe mode and "updating" the driver to the one indicated in C:\windows\inf.

I am unsure whether the Vista-supplied intel ICH7 storeage drivers are correct as the devices have different names in Vista Device Manager and I haven't figure out which device to "update" to the Lenovo-supplied ICH7 drivers. It seems that the SATA HDD I/O performance is lower in Vista than in the Lenovo Preload, which is likely a driver problem. I say this because the system hibernates and resumes more slowly in Vista.

I have not yet tried a fresh XP install from the Recovery CDs and upgrading to Vista from there to see how thing work. I will look forward to hearing the results of others' attempts at this scenario.

*********** -30- ************

NS · #2 Post by NS » Sun May 28, 2006 9:33 pm

Bill,
(No opinion, but still interesting, than you)

I suppossed you mean thank you right? Make me hesitate whether i should choose this option or not.

Option: (No opinion, but still interesting, than you)
I got no comments on this. Thanks.

~:::Cheers:::~

MODERATOR EDIT: Poll option fixed. Thank you.

#3 Post by **Kyocera** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 12:22 pm

Outstanding Bill, it is nice to hear from someone who has "actually used" the OS rather than guess about it.

I like it a lot, my install experience consisted of installing from inside XP to create a dual boot scenario, this I found after trying to do the dual boot the old fashioned way, and stumbled across others who found it much easier to just run the cd from XP. I downloaded the software installer and it found some drivers, not many though to install. I have also clean installed it on another HD and it is very painless and took about 40 mins to complete. Most functions work fine, well enough to enjoy learning the OS. My version is build 5308.

This is on my T42.

When my T60 2623D7U gets here i'm going to try it with the 128M of video ram to see how Aero works out.

JHEM · #4 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 3:19 pm

I've got it running on my backup T41p, including the Aero features.

Not as much time to play with it lately as I would wish, but what I've seen so far I like.

MSDN subscribers can download it from the usual places.

Technet subscribers will receive it on DVD as a special shipment this month.

Those who have enrolled in the Beta program will receive an email when it's available for download.

MS will launch a Customer Preview Program (CPP) for Vista as well as Office 2007 in the coming weeks. If they're anything like the CPPs that were offered for W2K, XP, Office 2K and Office 2003, anyone who doesn't have access via other subscriptions would be a fool to not sign up for them.

Regards,

James

hvi · #5 Post by **hvi** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:16 am

I'm currently testing Vista Ultimate Beta 2 on a Z60t, and it seems to run pretty good. About the same results as you got with the T60 i think (with drivers and things like that).

I'm actually posting this from the Z60t running Vista.

I think Vista looks pretty promising even though it will require a lot of resources...

This Z60t doesn't have a good enough graphics adapter (only Intel GMA900) so i can't take advantage of the Aero interface.

I will keep on testing on this machine

NJRonbo · #6 Post by **NJRonbo** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:57 am

I partitioned my T60 hard drive and installed Vista
to the new partition.

Question....

What files do I need to activate all the IBM tools which
include security and touchpad controls?

Are these files already on my Windows XP hard drive
or do I need to go to IBM's site to download?

If it's the latter, what files should I look for?

Thank You in advance!

skou · #7 Post by **skou** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:17 pm

OK, now here's an interesting. (As Paul Harvey would say.)

I managed to get Vista to run on my T23 1.2, with on-board wireless.

Granted, video isn't up to scratch, what with my 16 MB of memory, as opposed to the 256 MB that Vista wants, but all of my stuff runs, even the wireless and wired networking.

However, I will stay with 2000, since I really DISLIKE my OS phoning home every 5 minutes!

steve

jjesusfreak01 · #8 Post by **jjesusfreak01** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:22 pm

skou wrote:OK, now here's an interesting. (As Paul Harvey would say.)

I managed to get Vista to run on my T23 1.2, with on-board wireless.

Granted, video isn't up to scratch, what with my 16 MB of memory, as opposed to the 256 MB that Vista wants, but all of my stuff runs, even the wireless and wired networking.

However, I will stay with 2000, since I really DISLIKE my OS phoning home every 5 minutes!

steve

You are paranoid, and since all it really checks is activation and validity status, if you arent running an illegal copy, you really have nothing to worry about. I would be more worried about the government keeping tabs on you than MS. Microsoft actually has a vested interest in your well being, as the paying customer.

christopher_wolf · #9 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:35 pm

jjesusfreak01 wrote:
skou wrote:OK, now here's an interesting. (As Paul Harvey would say.)

I managed to get Vista to run on my T23 1.2, with on-board wireless.

Granted, video isn't up to scratch, what with my 16 MB of memory, as opposed to the 256 MB that Vista wants, but all of my stuff runs, even the wireless and wired networking.

However, I will stay with 2000, since I really DISLIKE my OS phoning home every 5 minutes!

steve
You are paranoid, and since all it really checks is activation and validity status, if you arent running an illegal copy, you really have nothing to worry about. I would be more worried about the government keeping tabs on you than MS. Microsoft actually has a vested interest in your well being, as the paying customer.

That would be OK........if only WGA and the other "Genuine (Dis)advantage" tools that Microsoft has come up with to date haven't had the nasty habit of flagging software as pirated a la false positive. Proctor and Gamble had to put up with WGA bugging them that software on close to a half of all their systems was pirated. Needless to say, they weren't too happy.

jjesusfreak01 · #10 Post by **jjesusfreak01** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:47 pm

christopher_wolf wrote:
jjesusfreak01 wrote:You are paranoid, and since all it really checks is activation and validity status, if you arent running an illegal copy, you really have nothing to worry about. I would be more worried about the government keeping tabs on you than MS. Microsoft actually has a vested interest in your well being, as the paying customer.
That would be OK........if only WGA and the other "Genuine (Dis)advantage" tools that Microsoft has come up with to date haven't had the nasty habit of flagging software as pirated a la false positive. Proctor and Gamble had to put up with WGA bugging them that software on close to a half of all their systems was pirated. Needless to say, they weren't too happy.

Guess I am biased since I dont usually have this type of problem. Actually, when downloading software directly, I just use Firefox, and temporarily download the validation checker. When im done, delete it...

skou · #11 Post by **skou** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:06 pm

jjesusfreak01 wrote:You are paranoid, and since all it really checks is activation and validity status, if you arent running an illegal copy, you really have nothing to worry about. I would be more worried about the government keeping tabs on you than MS. Microsoft actually has a vested interest in your well being, as the paying customer.

Nope, not paranoid.

Just don't like putting up with all the noise. Besides, all of my Thinkpads have come with 2000 stickers on them, so I'm running legally.

2000 runs just fine, when not connected to the 'net, but it seems that XP and Vista don't. I don't always have internet access, when I am away from home, so I just don't bother with them.

Besides, I like the simplicity of setting up my stuff, without the OS deciding how I want it done. With 2000, everything is done manually, and in my (never to be humble) opinion, that is much easier.

steve

jjesusfreak01 · #12 Post by **jjesusfreak01** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:46 pm

Unfortunately, I believe MS is dropping (or has already) dropped support for 2000.

skou · #13 Post by **skou** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:14 pm

From what I've heard, last week they stopped supporting 98 and 98SE. 2000 is still supported.

steve

#14 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 7:56 am

jjesusfreak01 wrote:Unfortunately, I believe MS is dropping (or has already) dropped support for 2000.

From the horses mouth.....

Windows 2000 Transitions to Extended Support June 30, 2005

Microsoft wrote:Overview
•

On June 30, 2005, the Windows 2000 product family enters the Extended Support phase, which continues for at least 5 years through June 2010.
•

Microsoft offers a minimum of 10 years' support (5 years Mainstream plus 5 years Extended) for business and developer products. The Microsoft support life-cycle policy provides predictable coverage of Microsoft products and continues to set the standard for product support policies industry-wide.
•

Microsoft is not ending support for Windows 2000. During the Extended Support phase, Microsoft continues to provide security hot fixes and paid support but no longer provides complimentary support options, design change requests, and non-security hotfixes.*

Note: The Update Rollup for Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4) is the final release of Windows 2000.

freedomtraveler · #15 Post by **freedomtraveler** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 1:54 am

i choice the "No opinion, but still interesting, thank you"

Very nice to know someone have used the vista on t60,but so many problems, not a good news.would it have a perfect method to install vista on TP?If the OS can't run fluency on T43 or T60 ,i think it has no meaning to update our OS to Vista.Nobady will pay for the OS.

tric · #16 Post by **tric** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 9:03 am

Installed last night Windows Vista RC1 on my T43 (2686-M4U). So far, I'm quite happy, some Thinkvantage technologies didn't work. But I can wait for Lenovo's upgrade. I read some the post here before I installed. Saying some drivers you have to install it manually. But, I guess Im lucky. I didnt have to do the manual install thing. RC1 installed the right drivers for all my devices. But comparing notes to others, I got the same result.

Not working:
Access Connection
Intel software for WiFi
most of the Fn+F* keys.
Also in the browser IE 7, when you right click u can scroll thru the menus

I hove Lenovo releases Thinkvantage softwares for Windows Vista very soon.

Regards to all
Tric

tilneford · #17 Post by **tilneford** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:05 am

Yes.

Every bit of unvarnished info helps create a more realistic perspective.

arni · #18 Post by **arni** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:30 pm

Since some users tryied to install RC1 on their Thinkpads i'm going to tell my experiences so far.

Since the last post in the forum, that Lenove finally brought out some Vista Drivers, i'll decided to backup my hole system and start a installtion nightmare (i hate paving my machine).

So last evening i wiped out my hole hdd and the recovery partition (still have my restore disks at hand). I was a litte curious about an upgrade, since Scott Hanselmann (a nice guy with a very interesting blog) had bad experiences with an upgrade install. So i got the Vista disk and booted to do a clean install on my T60.

After typing in the Vista key it took about 30 min. and the system started for the first time. All drivers where in place, without fingerprint and the tpm module. I connected my machine to my home wlan without hassle and windows update made sure, to install all left out drivers. The only ones i have installed separte where the Lenovo Touchpad beta drivers and ATI Vista RC1 video drivers.

Since yesterday i installed Office 2007 BTR and some of my favorite apps like FeedDemon, Firefox Beta 2, iTunes, Nero 7.5.1.1 and Trend Micro AntiVirus. So far everthing works fine, and i'm half way through installing my other apps for becomming productive. Since i'm a programmer i will put IIS 7, VisualStudio and SQL Server on this machine, too.

I'm very happy with my installation. It's running stable and fine. I didn't had any major problems only some glitches here and there, but nothing serious. So far i'm very amazed and looking forward for the final release.

So long
Artur

--
Lenovo ThinkPad T60 (2007-63G)
1 GB RAM, 100 GB SATA HDD, DVD-Mulitburner
WLAN, Bluetooth, FingerPrint and TPM

coolsilicon · #19 Post by **coolsilicon** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:43 pm

arni,
where did you get the beta brivers from? Does the middle mouse button in fact finally work? I managed to install an Xp driver from dell, but it didn't support the middle button (Dell's obviously don't have one).

#20 Post by **GomJabbar** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:12 pm

coolsilicon wrote:where did you get the beta brivers from? Does the middle mouse button in fact finally work?

remaker posted the link in the following thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=30710

And yes, the middle button finally works!

coolsilicon · #21 Post by **coolsilicon** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:26 pm

GomJabbar,
thanks for the link! Is the new BIOS a "must have" for RC1? I found the fan to run a lot more under Vista than under XP, but maybe this is due to AeroGlass trying to initiate a melt-down of the video card's core...

#22 Post by **GomJabbar** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:41 pm

I can't speak about the BIOS update. There is no (Vista) BIOS update for my T42, on which I am running Vista.

arni · #23 Post by **arni** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 3:47 am

@coolsilicon

Maybe it's just my personal feeling but indeed the fan isn't that anoying than it was before the Vista BIOS upgrade. I tried RC1 whent it came out in the beginning of september but gave up, since the T60 became really hot and the fan drove me crazy. Secondly i noticed that with Vista the T60 runs about 30 min. longer with the standard battery pack.

Now i'm fine and staying with RC1 till RTM. So just give it a try with the new BIOS releases.

coolsilicon · #24 Post by **coolsilicon** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 5:51 am

arni,
any downsides with the beta BIOS for XP? Have you noticed any new/changed menu options?

I currently have a dual-boot setup with XP and Vista and I need my machine to work reliably. Vista is on its own partition and it wouldn't hurt to much if I had to skip it again. So far I'm pleased with the performance and reliability and now that we have an Ultranav-driver there's little reason not to use it as an (sub-) main OS

arni · #25 Post by **arni** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 3:17 pm

I didn't have any downsides on XP with this BIOS release. IMHO Lenovo would not made an bios update which can have side effects for other os, since the bios is critical for operation the machine.

collector_edi · #26 Post by **collector_edi** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:51 pm

coolsilicon wrote:arni,
any downsides with the beta BIOS for XP? Have you noticed any new/changed menu options?

I currently have a dual-boot setup with XP and Vista and I need my machine to work reliably. Vista is on its own partition and it wouldn't hurt to much if I had to skip it again. So far I'm pleased with the performance and reliability and now that we have an Ultranav-driver there's little reason not to use it as an (sub-) main OS

I would like to try this solution. After you install the OS on the new partition how do you select the boot option on start-up?

kay.one · #27 Post by **kay.one** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 3:44 pm

i think its time for this article to be unstikied, since it refers to BETA2, which may cause confusion on new comers considering trying vista on their thinkpad.

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