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

Questions, why aren't the following drivers in the install guide?

"
Enabling Wake on LAN from Standby for ENERGY STAR Version 4.0 " Driver for my T61p?

"
Scheduler patch to fix the tvtsched.exe hold 99% CPU issue" driver?

"
Windows Vista update modules (KB941137) - Notebooks" to convert your keyboard from 101 keys to 106?

"Windows Vista update modules (KB929637) - Notebooks "

"Windows Vista update modules (KB937500) - Notebooks "


Windows Vista update modules (KB929191) - Notebooks
QFE# Description of Fixed Problems
929191
Vista disk enumeration optimizations are disabled

All of the above seem important, no?

 

Woe is me. Turns out the 32-bit Vista install disc was a bad one. None of my DVD drives would read it. I thought something was wrong when the case had a curvature. I hope Microsoft's customer service is quick; I just sent them an email requesting another one. Grrr...

 

Hrm, I have a silly question on the driver installation procedure. Do you guys install them using the setup.exe/install.exe or use the Windows Device Manager and manually point each device entry to the folder containing the *.inf?

I just successfully finished the clean installation on my 64-bit laptop using the setup.exe/install.exe for the drivers, and everything seems to be okay! However, I couldn't help but wonder if you guys were doing it the other way. It's a real silly, probably inconsequential, question but I thought I'd ask in case it would help anyone else new to this.

Also, since I am not willing to wait around another three weeks for a replacement 32-bit disc (if they send it ), I will have to use the downloadable image link. I'll report back with the installation from USB hard drive + Windows PE 2.0 on USB Flash results.

 

Use setup.exe. Often there are other utilities and programs that need to be installed alongside the driver, and using .inf files may not install them.

 

Yay! My install using the 32-bit download link was also success. Vista can be implemented in so many ways; in terms of administration, it is a great improvement.

First, I placed the three files from the direct download onto my USB hard drive. Then I created a bootable Windows PE 2.0 USB flash drive and booted from it. Finally, I installed Windows Vista and drivers. Not bad at all.

Thanks again guys. Oh, I received an email from Microsoft's customer support saying that my replacement disc is on the way. Very nice!

 

Hey guys, with the impending Vista SP1 coming out soon, just want to know what is the procedure for fresh install - can we install the SP1 immediately after the fresh install? Or do we have to use windows update to update other KB's first?

 

woah, nobody could reply?

 

I just ordered my t61p. Can I use a friends t61 to make the recovery discs? I didn't get a DVD burner with mine and figured this would save me some time when I do get the laptop.

 

You can probably do either. Or you may be able to slipstream the service pack into the DVD (though I have seen rumors that you cannot).

 

Sorry, could anyone answer this question for me? Also, I've been reading that laptops are sent out much sooner than estimated ship date. Mine is 2/27 and I really hope to get it this coming week. Am I being optimistic?

 

This clean install guide is not exhaustive. Meaning, I just can't keep up with every new driver and patch available. If you find a driver or a patch that applies to your laptop. Read the read me file that is associated with it. If it applies to your laptop then by all means, you should probably install it.

Ifyour friend has the exact same operating system and the exact same hardware configuration, then "yes" it should work out just fine.

As for SP1 questions. As far as I know, SP1 will be available automatically via Windows Update. There are some required KB installs prior to installing SP1. This is not a problem, Windows Update will intelligently recognize what your system requires prior to installing SP1 and apply the necessary updates.

You will not need to do another clean install with a SP1 disk. Personally, I will not install SP1 until it has been out for several weeks. I had shut-down issues when I installed SP1 beta (just before it became SP1 RC) the shutdown issues went away when I reverted back to pre-SP1. As many problems as SP1 will no doubt fix, I can almost guarantee that new problems will be introduced with SP1. Within a month or so after the official release of SP1 those problems should be corrected with additional Windows Updates.

 

I want to let everyone know that I am up to my neck in school work. I ordinarily check the thread several times a day. However, I have been so busy and on the road so much that I will probably only be able to check in once or twice a week. I encourage people to post questions in the thread instead of sending me PMs. You will get a faster response that way. Not to mention the NBR community is here to help you as well.

 

Ifyour friend has the exact same operating system and the exact same hardware configuration, then "yes" it should work out just fine.

[/QUOTE]

Dang, it is not the exact same hardware configuration. I didn't not opt for a DVD burner but he has one. He has a WS t61 14'' and I ordered the t61p. Can i remove his optical drive and put it into mine? Or will I have to make recovery discs through many CDRs?

 

Stallen,

Thanks for a GREAT GUIDE!!!

I've had my T61p for a few months now and the performance was really so-so. I hate all the 3rd party software, i'd rather just stick with basic windows (I have ultimate 32-bit). I measured my boot time after installing my apps and it was at 44 sec (T61p, 3gb, 2.2ghz, 100gb hdd).

I was a little nervous about the license thing, but I followed the instructions carefully and it worked nicely. I deleted the extra partition (pretty easy), and downloaded the vista files off the website and burned my own vista cd (for free!). All told I think it was about a 4 hour process. A large part of that was downloading the correct driver files and the vista files.

A few suggestions to make the install easier for folks.

1) Put in a time estimate for some of the steps or just the whole thing. I think 4 hours is reasonable for the whole thing.

2) Number the driver downloads/install files. This way its easy to see i'm on driver 5 etc. Also i'd put the word reboot in between each number.

3) The intel lan card driver has an APP and a DRIVER folder. I could see someone going in and putting in the APP also - and you really don't need this bloatware. Maybe you could say driver folder only.

Overall, fantastic work, thanks again!

 

If someone has an available VISTA license other than the one that comes with the Thinkpad, how necessary is any of this?

I was out of the country with my T60 when I totally botched my XP install. I had already removed the hidden partition, and all I had was a VISTA 32 disk with me that I had not used yet.

I installed VISTA, and when the install was complete, the T60 had almost everything working fairly well: the Thinkpad b/g wireless worked, the 10/100/1000 card worked, the sound worked, the touchpad worked, and power management was enabled. The only things not working were the fingerprint reader (which I didn't need or want), and the trackpoint (which I didn't need or want).

I ended up downloading the correct ATI driver, the chipset drivers and the storage drivers, but everything was working fine before I installed them.

My question is:
Has that much changed between the T60 and the T61 where VISTA can not properly identify most of the hardware?
What I was most impressed with was the fact that VISTA knew almost EVERYTHING, and made it fully functional.

Now, you say that the chipset driver MUST be installed first. I didn't do that, and I have no issues.

Also, it is listed in the procedures here to back up the drivers folders to USB drive or other storage. Since all of these drivers are on Lenovo's website, why is this necessary?

I realize that this thread was started to assist with clean installs using the license that came with the Thinkpad, but I don't know why this is so cumbersome, especially when compared to my experience using my own VISTA media and license, and why the order of drivers has become so particular?

Basically, I would like to know what changed from the T60 to the T61 that made things so complicated and exacting?

Andrew

 

Hello,
i'm looking for install.wim dowload link because the one supplied in the 1st post is dead

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/08/windows-vista-free-direct-download-link/

thanks

 

The links are not dead, they are still working (at least for me).

 

the link for install.wim is working ?

 

Vista may detect the hardware, but in most cases it's worth it to use the drivers that came with the system or updated ones from the web sites. In general, you may have working sound that was detected by Vista (for example), but that driver may not give you the full capabilities of your sound card.

The only thing different in this guide vs. installing a retail version of vista is entering the license key instead of using ABR, everything else is the same.

You are right that driver order may not matter that much, but many people get confused by this, so it is better to add recommendations about what order to install them in. The chipset is at the very base of the system, so it is a good idea to install that towards the beginning in case it impacts things further down the line.

It's also much easier to copy 1 folder of drivers to a USB drive than it is to sit there for an hour and download each new driver one by one. In addition, the drivers on the disk are known to work with your hardware.

It's not complicated, just detailed. Maybe you don't need such a level of detail, but many others do because they have not done a clean install before.

 

It's on the page you posted the link to! Scroll down past the first page!

 

hum... am i stupid or what... ???

i've succeded to DL the boot.wim, the X13-49120.exe but not the install.wim.
you can do it ?
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent...5--NOA/msvista/pub/Vista_WIM/i386/install.wim

 

The download seems to be working here for me. I didn't download the whole thing, but it did start and downloaded a few MB.

 

thanks for your answer.. don't know why it's not working for me... maybe because of the large size..

 

Define "not working". The file is not found? It does not download? Your browser freezes up?

 

It opens a white blank page and does nothing more.

 

The links work for me as well.

tazulrey, what web browser are you using?

 

firefox 2.0.12 (i have same pb with ie6) but maybe there is a firewall or proxy that are blocking the process...

 

You can't right click the link and save as...?

 

Thanks, that does answer my question well.
It is just when I saw this massive thread with such a detailed guide and comprehensive FAQ I wondered if the hardware had substantially changed.
Glad to hear that is hasn't.

Andrew

 

that's working right now, from my house network. sorry for the incovenience

 

By saving all the drivers to a USB flash drive, about how much space will be needed? I have a 256MB and a 128MB flash drive. I'm guessing that is way too little?

 

Can I use a DVD drive from a T61 for my T61p?

 

Yup. No problem there.

 

256MB should be able to get the main drivers that are needed and then you can download the rest afterwards.

 

So I tried burning the Vista files and I am guessing you need dual layer media? Is this true? If so, could I just use my roommates Dell M1330 Windows Vista DVD and follow the necessary steps? It seems like a regular Vista installation disc with Dell's logo on the cover.

 

Hi,
is this method compatible with other laptop ? mine is acer Aspire 5920G-602G25Mn...
In that case, what are the differences ?

Thanks a lot

 

If you're talking about the Vista installation disc, then no, it should fit on one regular DVD.

 

Hmm, I downloaded the files and followed the steps and it's bigger than 4.7GB. I did get a DL-DVDR from work which I wont mind using but I am afraid that if it's supposed to fit on a single DVD R, then I did something wrong.

 

Sorry, no one answered earlier, but can I use my roommates Vista install disc from his M1330? I just can't see waht the difference could be between that disc and the disc that I download.

 

Are you burning the whole file to the disc? It creates an ISO file which must be burned in a particular way. How are you trying to burn it to the DVD?

Please check my clean install guide (in my sig) for information on how to use a Dell OEM disc and modify it so you can use it to install.

 

Thanks! I will try that tonight. Repped!

 

Ever since i did the clean install. I keep getting a blue screen that automatically restarts my computer. when i do a system diagnostics report I get that i am missing the device driver for the biometric coprocessor. what should i do

 

well...do you have the driver for it?

I did my clean install twice in a span of a week. What I thought was correct the first time was actually not.

The best way I think is.. Follow the guide step by step. Make a decision on what drivers you want/need and what (lenovo) apps if any as well. Number the drivers and install them one @ a time and in order. Remember some of them actually jsut get extracted locally to the DRIVERS folder and you must run setup/install again.

Reboot after each driver install and you should be fine. For me I only kept Rescue & Recovery, EZEject & FingerPrint software. Rest were all required drivers to the spec of my T61.

Good Luck

 

i've followed the guide and it worked perfectly for me on my new acer aspire 5920...
thanks a lot.
Just a last question.. is there a link to an anytime vista DVD in french ?

 

Hoping Someone can help me with a driver/t61 question. I followed the guide yesterday exactly as written and everything went off without a hitch with the exception of the following...

On the Lenovo Driver page...Enabling Wake on LAN from Standby for ENERGY STAR Version 4.0...

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-69219

I followed these install instructions

1. Start Windows Vista and logon with administrative privileges.
2. Double-click the package to extract it to your hard drive. The default location is C:\DRIVERS\OSFIXES\VISTA\CTRLWOL.
3. Click Start, select All Programs, then select Accessories.
4. [Windows Vista] Right-click on Command Prompt, then select Open as Administrator.
5. Move to the folder that you extracted the package in step 2.
6. Type the following and press the Enter key. cscript CTRLWOL.vbs ENABLE and press Enter.

I'm lost on Step 6. Where am I typing cscript CTRLWOL.vbs ENABLE. In the command prompt or in the folder somewhere? If in the command prompt it can't find the script. If I'm supposed to type the script in the folder where would I do that? There are files/subfolders under C:\DRIVERS\OSFIXES\VISTA\CTRLWOL. I would appreciate help from anyone who know's what to do. Thanks...

 

hey thanks for this guide!
works perfectly for t61p!

 

So, I thought the files were there after I ran the ABR backup, wrote down the files and I just got done installing Vista and the files are missing. Can I just activate by manually typing in the CDKey I wrote down?

 

Bump bump =/

 

nobody knows where i can find anytime dvd vista in french ?

this link provide only english language.
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/0...download-link/

 

Edit: sorry, I read too quickly.

No, you need to use the activation_restore program. If you don't have the files, since the install is new, the easiest thing to do is to restore using the recovery discs, rerun abr, then reinstall clean.