Windows update - replace Lenovo drivers?

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noetus · #1 Post by **noetus** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 11:00 pm

I recently performed a clean install of Vista Ultimate on a T60p, and I manually installed all the latest Lenovo drivers and then ran the System Update tool as well. After than I performed a Microsoft Windows update. I noticed the following things:

(1) There seem to be Lenovo drivers only available by downloading from the Lenovo website, i.e. that don't install with the System Update tool.

(2) Conversely, there seem to be Lenovo drivers only available via the System Update tool - i.e., once you have manually installed all the drivers, System Update comes up with some more (though no critical updates - and I'm not talking about the optional stuff here, but recommended drivers such as for the UltraNav, and other stuff).

(3) Once you've installed all the Lenovo drivers both manually and via the system update, the MS Windows Update recommends further Lenovo Thinkpad specific updates, including for the Atheros wireless card (if you have that one installed), for the Intel PRO network connection, for the ATI video card, and a sound driver.

Any comments on this? Is it correct to allow Microsoft update drivers even after you've downloaded and installed all the latest ones from the Lenovo website?

SHoTTa35 · #2 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:07 am

on a fresh install i usually use Windows updates rather than Lenovo ones.

#3 Post by **jdhurst** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:32 am

However you get your OS installed, I use and recommend to use the IBM / Lenovo drivers. These have been tested against the machine you have, and in my experience (A22e, T23, T30, T41, T42, T43), the manufacturer's drivers work fine.

I have on occasion tried the Windows equivalent, and most of these have worked as well. However, my read from various forum posts is the Windows drivers may not always work because they are untested against all machines. ... JDH

#4 Post by **ryengineer** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:40 am

Lenovo knows their machine better than Microsoft.

JD has covered it all.

steveg47 · #5 Post by **steveg47** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:09 am

I'm afraid I have to disagree. I have found that with some devices it is better to go with the manufacturers drivers. Specifically intel wired and wireless network devices. Since Atheros does not offer drivers from their website the only way to get the latest drivers is via the Microsoft Windows update. I have also found that the XP drivers downloaded from the manufacturer of the Ultranav, Synaptics, work better then the Lenovo ones.

If experimentation is not your thing stick with the Lenovo stuff for XP; however, with Vista I have been able to stay months ahead of the bugs by using the latest manufacturers drivers and when they're not available Windows updates.

Also, I always create a restore point before I install new drivers.

emmfan · #6 Post by **emmfan** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 12:39 pm

I think I'm going to have to go with the manufacturer drivers via Windows Update. Thinkpad Utilities indicated there were some new system updates, so I did that, but it screwed up my display. I ended up having to manually update the video driver through windows update and it's working fine now.

npish · #7 Post by **npish** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:15 pm

personally, I've always used Windows update to do just-- and only-- that, i.e. update Windows itself; something makes me nervous about downloading hardware drivers from WU...so I stick with the Lenovo site and SystemUpdate....

SHoTTa35 · #8 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:12 pm

the only time i use manufacturers drivers is when it's pertains to something the "normal" drivers don't have. Say like a special variation of the hardware or something.

I use the Windows Update version of my Atheros card because i can use Windows Mobility Center controls with em. The latest IBM drivers for that doesn't allow me to control wireless state (on/off) with it. So that would mean i'd have to also install that applet (FN + F5) to get that to work. More apps on my clean install is not what i was hoping for.

My Bluetooth can be controlled via FN + F5 without any special software installed. It's just enabled and disabled when i press the combination even with the default Vista drivers and MS Bluetooth stack.

lovebeta · #9 Post by **lovebeta** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:37 pm

I strongly suggest Lenovo drivers. The one you saw in M$ update are usually newer than Lenovo's, but not as stable. So if this baby is your work horse, you'd better stick with Lenovo.

barrywohl · #10 Post by **barrywohl** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:41 am

Unfortunately each rule of thumb is just a rule of thumb.

I had a problem with the wireless card on my Z61p. Under XP, it would work properly, but uner Vista Business 32, it would not show more than 50% signal strength even when operating right next to the wireless access point.

I found a driver on the Intel sight that solved this problem, even though Lenovo and Microsoft didn't have a solution.

I'm sure Lenovo eventually caught up.

My advice is to use the Lenovo approved drivers only UNLESS you have a problem. Then, experiment.

Windows update - replace Lenovo drivers?

Windows update - replace Lenovo drivers?

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