Preparing for my first clean reinstall on vista

[fr0zenmon]

What should i need. I have backed up my files. Is this the best time to install the thinkvantage bios updates. I dont want to mess up my system. Is there anything i need to know before I do these updates? How can I back up my installed software and settings?

[lighthammer]

I wiped my harddrive and put a fresh install of XP. All drivers and XP updates are installed.

I have not updated anything from Lenovo. My system runs real smooth and I think those updates are for people that have issues with their laptops.

Just make sure you read the Lenovo updates and ask yourself if you really need it? I didn't.

[richk]

If you are going to install 64-bit, read the sticky at the top of the Vista forum about my problem with 64-bit on T61.

[Nolonemo]

I would not install a bios update unless you are having an issue the update is designed to fix.

[Wiz]

I agree with lighthammer when he says you have to check for yourself to find out if you need the lenovo software/drivers or not. I also did not install all the lenovo stuff, but i installed some of it since i think it's useful. Some examples are the chipset utility and most of the drivers. Also some of the software i find pretty useful like the APS which is a protection for your harddisk, power manager and power management driver which will give you more options to make your battery last longer. There are more stuff that is useful as well, but you have to decide for yourself. I would not recommend to install it all unless you know what it is and need it. I do not use system update since i do not find it to work very well. Some find the hotkey driver, fingerprint reader and other stuff to be useful as well. If you decide to not install anything from Lenovo i would recommend to find out what it is before you decide since i think most people find some of it to be useful.
There is some functionality you cannot use if you do not install anything from Lenovo.

Regarding the BIOS i would suggest to check what the new BIOS versions fix and if you are not affected i cannot see a good reason to upgrade, but usually it won't hurt either.