Clean Install Guide (works for 32-bit or 64-bit)

I did try to do it initially when doing the clean install, but for some reason it did not work. I am sure I did something wrong. I will read through the entire threat tonight, hopefully someone will also chime in

Thanks

Jim

 

Would a third party utility like acronis disk director work? I am too looking for a solution on this as well.

 

Hi! Great Post!!

I have a simple, newbie question.

"• Chipset Driver (This driver from Intel is the latest: Chipset Driver/INF Update Utility) CHIPSET DRIVER SHOULD ALWAYS BE INSTALLED FIRST"

Where is the chipsent driver? I cannot find any reference to a "chipset driver" on Lenovo's Driver page. This is the page I am looking at: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?doccategoryind=0&template=%2Fproductpage%2Flandingpages%2FproductPageLandingPage.vm&brandind=10&familyind=290543&machineind=344967&modelind=350219&partnumberind=0&subcategoryind=0&operatingsystemind=343518&validate=true

now, I am going to take a leap of faith and guess that the chipset driver is referring to the bios?? if this is so, then which item do I download for the bios page? http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?doccategoryind=50385&template=%2Fproductpage%2Flandingpages%2FproductPageLandingPage.vm&brandind=10&familyind=290543&machineind=344967&modelind=350219&partnumberind=0&subcategoryind=0&operatingsystemind=343518&validate=true

 

Yeah, that's definitely a newbie question considering you quoted the link you need to click on. That's OK we've all been there. Just go back to the fist page and click on the link that says "Chipset Driver/INF Update Utility" It will start to download right after you click on it.

Let me know if there is something wrong with the link. It works fine on my end.
The BIOS is something different.

 

Is there a huge difference between XP and Vista clean installs?Is there XP clean install review that somebody can refer me to?
thanks.

 

There are a bunch. I'm sure if you use the search tool you will find several.

 

I will probably do a clean install when I get my T61 (great post, congratulations). I have just a quick question. I will not install Vista 64bit right now because I have some old accessories and printers without 64bit drivers. So, I will keep the 32bit version that comes with the machine for now. Given that, do I still need to buy the 32bit Anytime Upgrade DVD? Or is there a way to do the clean install using the Vista provided by the hidden partition without install the ThinkVantage?

Well, anyway, I will not die because of $5 anyway , but I am curious.

 

There is no way to do a clean install from the recovery partition. You can do a psuedo-clean install by using the Base Administrator utility. I don't know a lot about it. I can only tell you that if you follow the guide you WILL get the cleanest install possible.

You need the Anytime upgrade disk or some type of Vista installation disk (OEM or Retail any version will work for all versions) to do a clean install.

 

I just noticed a fair amount of positive reps coming in. Thanks Guys!

 

Hey Stallen, wow thats for such a quick response.

I guess I have two concerns about that link that I quoted.

1)I noticed your guide are for the T61 santa rosa platforms. My laptop is the T60P (pre-Santa rosa). wouldn't that be a different chipset? How can I find out which chipset my laptop is running??

2)How come this chipset driver is not listed on the official Lenovo driver page? I am able to find all the other drivers you speak of, except for this one. Is it not important?

I appreciate the help from anyone. Thanks in advance!

 

^^^ My responses in bold.

 

@jimlenz - have a look at this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2591568#post2591568

 

Stallen:
Does the ThinkVantage System Update 3.0 work for updating all the drivers/software as described in steps2/4, without getting all the bloatware?


Thanks!!!

 

Yes. You can pick and choose what it installs. Sometimes it installs older drivers than what is available and sometimes the utility has some issues. Please read the F.A.Q. "• Can I use ThinkVantage System Update to install all of my drivers for me?" at the bottom of the guide.

 

IMO, there is value to using Thinkvantage for this purpose, especially if you are not very technical and you just want a simple way to get updates.

However, if this describes you, I'm not really sure you should be doing the clean install... Seems to me like if you are the tech-y kind of person doing a clean install you should be able to handle downloading and installing drivers, why would you even want to use thinkvantage system update?

Just my opinion..

 

...to save me time, thats why

 

Thanks for this excellent guide. I am going to hit it after my 64-bit version comes from CompUSA. It took me quite a while to finish these 57 pages (so far) before I dare to ask a question having in mind for so long, and I am pretty sure I got no clear clue about it (some buys put it up somewhere but no definite answers):

My T61 has only a DVD drive which cannot record DVD/CD. So is it possible to make the back up DVD/CDs out of it? In what way then?

Anyway, if it's not doable, fine with me coz I don't care too much about the original status.

Thanks again.

 

It's impossible to make backupds without a dvd-r(w) or cd-r(w), sorry.

if you have an external HD...then use that. If you don't have one, I would recommend getting one; they are very cheap now a days

 

Or you can get one of those cheap external burner on ebay for like 50 or so (I think they doesn't required external power, just usb) and use that as your main burner. I remember many folks going this route for their x60 and x61 deals.

 

sounds like your question has been answered. FWIW, I didn't make recovery disks. I knew I would never want to go back. I have to put that in the guide just in case something goes wrong with someones attempt at a clean install or someone will want to revert back to the original install so I still recommend it.

I did back-up the swtools folder.

 

I can't bear the thought of reading 57 pages-please-where is the xp pro clean install guide?
Preferably for the x61s if there is one.
TIA

 

You never know the skill level of people who are going to be doing it, so I wanted to make sure they could get the system back without any help from me

 

Well, doesn't matter. One question though: I do have DVD+/-RW on my desktop computer, do you think I can share it and use it as the external one? Thanks.

 

Thanks. BTW, my order of the Anytime upgrade disk from CompUSA on 10/17 arrived yesterday so I can try it this weekend when I have some time.

 

More driver confusions!

"• System interface" I don't know what this is, and that is probably the reason why I cannot find it.

"Registry Patches" I am afraid that I might be missing some. From the page you recommended, I downloaded three (device initiated power management..., enabling usb s3 power management..., and improve usb detection...). I believe there are more usb patches scattered throughout the other lenovo driver page: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/s...ind=0&operatingsystemind=343518&validate=true are they not required?

 

System interface is about halfway down on the driver matrix page...
Or here is the direct link: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-67228

There are 4 registry patches related to vista that I can see. Also on the matrix page:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-67853

If you can find more, please provide a direct link. I'd say if they are definitely for Vista then apply them if they apply to your laptop.

 

You should be able to use an external DVD writer to do this.

That was fast. Some people have been waiting 2-3 weeks for the disk.

 

again, thanks for your help, stallen.

Here is another patch that I have found http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?doccategoryind=51825&template=%2Fproductpage%2Flandingpages%2FproductPageLandingPage.vm&brandind=10&familyind=290543&machineind=344967&modelind=350219&partnumberind=0&subcategoryind=0&operatingsystemind=343518&validate=true but I am unsure if that is something everyone will need.

I have all the drivers downloaded and my system restore CDs created. Soon I will have time to do the deed!

 

I get a PM just about everyday from someone thanking me for putting out this guide. That is very nice and thoughtful to take the time to send me a PM. However, I would appreciate it if those who have used the guide would post in the thread instead of sending a PM. The reason for that is because people are going to read this thread before deciding if they should try it. I think new people reading the thread would find it encouraging if they could read all of the positive feedback that I get in my PM box. I have considered posting them in the thread, but I guess some people prefer not to have their comments posted on the public forum and I will respect that.

So please. If you used the guide, post your experience in the thread and click on the upper right corner of this page and rate it as "excellent" so newcomers will be encouraged to try it as well!!!

 

32 bit clean install (vista business) 2 days ago, installed 4 gigs of ram, 100 gig 7k200, ultrabay hd adapter

got a t61 15.4 wxga w/ nvs140m

not one problem with installs, and no problem with screen brightness

performed some of the suggested tweaks in this thread...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166532 ... no issues

made a little case for my optical drive out of impact foam


just need someone to explain to me how to setup task scheduler to run complete pc backup on a regular basis (or perhaps there is another way to do this?)

 

Stallen, in the lenovo's website the driver for the matrix is recommended for vista 32 bit. Is it ok to use that drive in a clean install for vista 64 bit?

 

Hi all, I am the happy owner of a new x61 with all the trimmings, (except the 7k200 which is 5-10 days away)

While I wait for the new drive, I have done a custom recovery without all the extras, the lenovo system update and all of the ms vista updates, then I will customise my install.

Once finished I was planning on doing an acronis partition backup, then when the new drive comes I was going to restore this on to the new 200GB hitachi.

Can anyone tell me if I am losing anything by NOT doing a full manual install from scratch ?

 

Stallen you wanted people to post their experience right? I followed the instructions in this thread to do a clean install on Vista Business 64 and it worked like you said it would.

 

Yeah, thanks!

You know how it is when you are new to this sort of thing. Newbies will read every post on all 50+ pages of this thread and base their decision to try out a clean install based on other peoples experience. For some reason, most of the posts I get in the thread are of people who are having trouble finding a driver or getting something to work. But most of the PMs people send me are to thank me that the experience went perfect. I just want newbies to be able to see that 99% of the time everything goes just as planned. The other 1% can usually be taken care of.

 

My experience was also wonderfu! much faster now and no problems....a lot of the thinkpad software causes driver conflicts with the vista drivers so that solved many problems

 

I just completed some minor updates to the guide. I have provided direct links to the Intel Chipset/INF, Turbo Memory, and Matrix Storage Manager.

I originally installed the Turbo Memory Driver from Lenovo. I did not have any problems, but I installed the newer drivers from Intel today. If you have the previous driver from Lenovo installed, you will get a false message when you try to install the Turbo Memory driver from Intel. It will tell you that you are attempting to install an older driver. This is a false message. This message pops up because the driver numbering system is different on the Lenovo driver. You can procede with installation. Of course if you are not having any issues you might not want to bother.

 

I just finished the x64 upgrade using your guide!!! Everything seemed to work great!

My only issue is trying to find an x64 driver/software for the integrated camera. Does anyone have a link to this?

 

I'm glad it worked out for you!

For some reason they don't list Integrated Camera Software as being specifically for Vista. However, I have read in the threads that the XP driver works just fine for Vista 32 or 64:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-67775

 

i never even installed a driver for my camera..it just worked after a clean install

 

Here's my feedback on the clean installation:

My new T61 is as fast as ever compared with the orginal settings. I have a T61 and X60, one with clean installation and the other with rescue and recovery and the difference is night and day so I am going to do a clean installation on the X60 as well when I have time. The only problem I have is Intel Turbo Memory Controller still not working, even after the latest update of drivers from Intel Website. (Hopefully it's not the card that's damage). The overall process is quite simple and much less time consuming than an XP clean installation. Infact, it worked so well, that I decided to do the clean installation on my friend two HP Desktops as well running Vista. They originally run so slow that he thought it was hopeless, but after the clean installation, it's indeed been a miracle and now he can see what true core2duo technology can do. Full propz and thanks again to Stallen for this great post.

 

I have one question.
I think I will go ahead with the clean install over the xmas break or next summer (too busy with school right now).

However, I just installed, and activated MS office.
when I do a clean install will i have any trouble "re-activating" office with the same product key???

Thanks!!!

 

No you shouldn't have any problem, MS will remember the computer you install Office on. Did it with my friend's HP with no problem whatsoever. Worst case is you call MS to activate and tell them your comp crash and you did a clean format.

 

I have called MS before to have Office activated when I switched computers. It was fairly simple to get activated over the phone. So I wouldn't worry about it either way.

 

Yeah I have never had trouble re-installing Microsoft Office. I have the student edition which was originally installed on my old Compaq. Didn't have to call to get it reinstalled.
Tim

 

Hey stallen, thanks so much for the awesome clean install guide! Two quick questions/suggestions:

1) Even though you seem to disfavor System Update, that strikes me as the one TP tool I want to use -- I understand that in some circumstances it can misbehave, but overall I'd probably prefer that risk to having to keep re-cheking the matrix.

Might you consider a version of your guide for people who would similarly be happy to use System Update? (It seems like it would make the guide a fair amount simpler.)

[Edit: I now see you do cover this!] 2) Is it possible to perform your clean install onto a new hard drive? I'm thinking I could buy a TP with Vista Business preloaded onto the cheapest hard drive, and also get a separate 7K200 -- and then clean install to the 7K200. If so, might you consider adding tips on that to your guide?

Thanks again, it's awesome! -Scott

 

hey guys, I am doing clean install right now and for some reason when I get to the step where you supposed to delete hidden partition I can only see Disk 0 partition 1, for some reason hidden partition is not showing up.

 

If you used diskpart to remove the partition it's already gone.

Just delete all partitions that you can see. Then create a new one using the max size possible.

 

thanks for the reply

nope did not see diskpart part until now already deleted primary partition tho now trying to decide whats better restore to factory and delete hidden partition using diskpart or just clean install now keeping hidden partition and removing it later possible with one more clean install

any thoughts?

thanks!

 

That's why I try so hard to get people to read the F.A.Q. before doing the clean install.

No need to revert back to factory.

If you are already in the middle of the clean install you have to finish until you get to the desktop. After you get to the desktop, use diskpart to delete the partition. Follow the guide in (link in the F.A.Q.) Then redo the clean install.

That seems like the most painless solution since you haven't installed any drivers or apps yet.

 

is there anywhere to purchase the anytime upgrade disc from canada? i couldnt seem to get compusa to ship to canda.