After reloading WinXP, help w/ drivers & system utilitie

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alexmoss · #1 Post by **alexmoss** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:12 am

Trying to figure out which updated drivers and utilities I really need and how to get them all installed efficiently after reinstalling the OS....

Machine: T30, WinXP, 2x256, 60G

Prior problem: recurring blue screens, was weekly, recently daily; and also had problem that when powering down, the system gets to "Windows is shutting down" but it hangs there and never shuts, maybe that caused the blue screen...whatever. Finally, I reinstalled WinXP off the factory restore partition, seems to be ok and I have back my factory install, i.e. a 4 year old setup.

Now: what's the smart way to get all the latest drivers & system utilities updated?

1. I upgraded BIOS and Embedded Controller from Lenovo site.

2. I installed .Net Framework 2.0 so I could run Lenovo's System Update, installed that too, but it won't run -- it starts, then shuts itself down, no idea why -- maybe not compatible with my old system setup?

I'd like to get the latest Access Connections, Power Management, Presentation Director, video driver, etc.

Specifically: The current version of Access Connections requires certain wireless modem drivers, and my wireless card is not even on the list -- "High Rate Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Adapter with Modem II", i.e. WiFi "b" only. My machine type is 2366-97U. Any advice on how to get the latest Access Connections that will work with my (original factory) wireless card?

Generally: Suggestions re what to update and what to leave alone?

Very much obliged,
Alex

#2 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:48 am

The easiest path (for me at least) would be:
- Install XP-SP2 (from a CD, or download ca. 270MB from M$) if your restore-partition does not include that yet.

- Install an Antivirus program, e.g. the free AVG from http://free.grisoft.com

- Then go to www.autopatcher.com and get their latest 'lite' patchfile.
This includes all updates since SP2 came out. It is one monster download, but you can re-use this for other XP (re-)installs as well.
Alternatively you can do an Express M$ Windows Update, but that takes much longer

- Then go to the IBM website and install the Software Installer http://tinyurl.com/dqx8t
Run that and it will automatically get all your missing drivers etc.
It's hardly worth it trying to omit certain elements of the IBM-stuff to save a few MB on your HD. Get it all!

-------------------------------------------------

Alternatively, visit the Windows OS forum and check out the big post (stickie) on how to freshly install XP http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=3827

alexmoss · #3 Post by **alexmoss** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:57 am

This is exactly what I was looking for. And you're right that my restore partition does not include SP2, I'll start w/ that.

I will be back if I get stuck.

Thanks VERY much.
Alex

#4 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:55 am

[edit] Before you install anything of the above, get the Intel Chipset file from IBM and install that. (gets rid of some yellow exclamation marks in Device Manager) http://tinyurl.com/29mnez [/edit]

When you have done all of the above, and before you start installing more junk like Office etc., take the time to buy/use Acronis TrueImage to take an image of your harddisk. Depending on it's (compacted) size, store that on a CD, DVD or external harddisk. Next time you need to reinstall, you can just restore that image, which should take less than 1/2 hour.

You could also consider to get the Acronis Disk Director suite, to re-organize the partitions on your HD. You could delete the restore partition and add that space to another partition, provided you verified the previously taken image, that it works!

Have fun.

alexmoss · #5 Post by **alexmoss** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:02 am

Delete this -- sent by mistake before finishing. The actual reply follows.

For future reference: I don't see how to delete my own goofs, is that possible?

alexmoss · #6 Post by **alexmoss** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:24 am

Well, I'm not sure "fun" is the word <g>, but your advice is solid on all counts.

I checked the Lenovo site and it says:

"If you use the Product Recovery function shipped with your ThinkPad to restore the Windows preload environment, you do not need this package. This package is required when you install Windows Operating Systems without the Product Recovery function."

I probably didn't specify this before, but I reinstalled by hitting F11 when rebooting, i.e. from the dedicated partition, not from CDs, I think that's what they mean by Product Recovery, so they seem to be saying I don't need it. Is there a separate reason to apply this patch anyway?

Otherwise, I'm traveling and won't be able to work on this more until I get back home over the weekend (where the T30 lives), so I won't be back w/ more questions immediately. I'll confirm when I'm set, just fyi, or I'll be back w/ more questions.

Thanks again for the ongoing help.

#7 Post by **jdhurst** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:19 am

I have a fleet of T30's at a client. They are built from the original IBM image (if you can find one of those) and have updated drivers from IBM and SP2 plus patches from Microsoft. They are as solid as a rock and do not blue screen at all. ... JD Hurst

#8 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:25 am

On both my TPs I have deleted the restore-partitions, because I don't like pre-installed PCs/Laptops. I always do my own fresh installs.

As an afterthought, those Intel-drivers would be part of the restored install already, so there is no need for them (was not thinking straight).

The rest of my advice stays as is.

alexmoss · #9 Post by **alexmoss** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:50 am

jdhurst wrote:I have a fleet of T30's at a client. They are built from the original IBM image (if you can find one of those) and have updated drivers from IBM and SP2 plus patches from Microsoft. They are as solid as a rock and do not blue screen at all. ... JD Hurst

Thanks. My problem with "updated drivers from IBM" is that some of them, e.g. Access Connections, specifically say they only work with certain hardware, and that hardware does not include what's on my T30, and there's no info about which prior version does work or where to get it, etc., that was the root of my problem. So, I'll follow the rest of the suggestions here and see how it goes. Thanks very much.

alexmoss · #10 Post by **alexmoss** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:53 am

realblackstuff wrote:On both my TPs I have deleted the restore-partitions, because I don't like pre-installed PCs/Laptops. I always do my own fresh installs.

As an afterthought, those Intel-drivers would be part of the restored install already, so there is no need for them (was not thinking straight).

The rest of my advice stays as is.

Thanks for all -- given that I just reinstalled the OS, I'm going to leave it alone and just upgrade to SP2 as you suggested. But if (when?) I have trouble, I may go back and wipe and reinstall from CDs as noted.

Thanks again.

After reloading WinXP, help w/ drivers & system utilitie

After reloading WinXP, help w/ drivers & system utilitie

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