List of what each ThinkVantage product does?

[novasource]

Is there somewhere a concise list of what each ThinkVantage product does, in terms of what functionality does it enable or what features does it provide?

I am interested in paring down my ThinkVantage software to the minimum possible--some of it feels pretty buggy and may be prolonging boot times and hurting performance. Only problem is that it's not entirely clear to me what does what and what I lose by uninstalling x.

It sure would be easier to have a summary document than to have to read reams of technical documents.

[ryengineer]

With short summaries:

ThinkVantage Technologies downloads.

With guides:

ThinkVantage software.

There is a flash presentation on the following page:

ThinkVantage Technologies presentation.

[JaneL]

It sure would be easier to have a summary document than to have to read reams of technical documents.

ThinkVantage in plain english:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthr ... ?p=2407893

[novasource]

Thanks to both of you. These are helpful.

[JaneL]

Our pleasure - welcome to the forum!

[robtheg]

It sure would be easier to have a summary document than to have to read reams of technical documents.

ThinkVantage in plain english:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthr ... ?p=2407893

Nonny, can you repost that link or at least post the subject line of that thread so I can search for it? Every time I try to use the link I get redirected to newegg.

Thanks

[robtheg]

I had to go to the other forum and search for the post and finally managed to stop the browser before it redirected me. I'm posting the info here so others don't run into the same problem, the links won't work but at least the info is there.

LENOVO THINKVANTAGE SOFTWARE GUIDE


So what is ThinkVantage?
ThinkVantage is a software library preinstalled on a Lenovo ThinkPad computers. Formerly known as Access IBM, ThinkVantage is intended to maximize the business user's experience through the use of easy-to-access utilities that take advantage of the ThinkPad's hardware features.

How do I know which ones I want?
Well, being the objective guide that I am, I can't literally tell you which ones you should download and which ones you shouldn't. That would be really naughty. Hopefully, after reading the below, you'll get an idea of which utilities you want. Otherwise, ask the friendly people in the NBR forums for suggestions.

For more information about ThinkVantage, visit its official webpage.

List of ThinkVantage Software (Click the titles to link to their webpages.)


Productivity Center
This is the mothership; the amalgamation of all the ThinkVantage software on your computer on one menu activated by the light blue ThinkVantage button on the top left of your keyboard. This menu gives you quick access of all ThinkVantage utilities plus allows you to place shortucts to computer maintenance tasks, such as hard disk defragmentation and backups.

Access Connections
Replacing the Windows Wireless Connections utility, Access Connections gives you the ability to manage all wireless connections, including LAN, Wi-fi, Bluetooth, and WWAN. You can set different connection profiles and security settings.

Active Protection System
This utility contains settings for the shock protection feature for the hard drive. This must be installed in order for the feature to work.

Base Software Administrator
If you don't like the bloatware that came with the Lenovo preload, you can use Base Software Administrator to customize the preload installation to only install what you want, whether it be Windows, drivers, or other software.

Client Security Solution
To take the most advantage of the fingerprint reader, CSS manages passwords for different websites you visit and can configure them to open password-protected pages with the swipe of your finger. Moreover, CSS activates the Trusted Platform Module hardware chip in your laptop to improve security.

Fingerprint Software
Necessary for the functioning of the fingerprint reader, this utility lets you enroll your different fingerprints and gives the feature of logging into Windows with a fingerprint swipe.

ImageUltra Builder
Much like Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image, ImageUltra Builder lets you create an exact copy of your hard drive for cloning purposes. Unlike the other utilities, this software does not come preinstalled on the computer.

Rescue and Recovery
This program is designed to back up your hard drive. You can set R&R to backup your hard drive on a schedule, and restore from those backups at any time. R&R also lets you create the recovery discs for the factory install (one-time only) and said discs can be booted from if your system is unable to on its own. The installation of R&R also enables the hidden recovery partition on your computer, which also can restore your laptop to original factory settings.

Secure Data Disposal
Did you know that deleting something from the Recycle Bin doesn't mean the data is gone forever? Windows only removes those files from your view permanently, but those 1's and 0's still exist on your drive, albeit waiting to be written over. Secure Data Disposal rewrites over your deleted files multiple times to ensure those 1's and 0's are gone for good.

System Migration Assistant
Got all those settings you love and pictures of your family on your old desktop? This utility makes it easy to transfer all those personal settings to your brand new ThinkPad.

System Update
Lenovo's drivers page is a hornet's nest. System Update finds those drivers and even most of the utilities listed above for you and you can choose which ones you want to install. Note that System Update does not always find all the software and drivers you may need.

[RealBlackStuff]

This version shows the links that you need to copy/paste to see them.
It won't redirect to Newegg (what a pain!)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/archive ... 44980.html