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

I saw the whole thing and you were a sniveling wreck, unable to handle simple instructions under pressure, and emotionally unstable. You hit all the ‘girlie’ states in the course of an hour. You also admitted yourself that you were expecting to pirate your OS. Your quote:

 

Hey everyone.

First off, great guide Stallen. I think it is unfortunate that Lenovo doesn't give reboot disk and a driver disk. It just makes the rebooting process a little more tedious. Thanks to your guide though, it was a piece of cake.

Now for my question. One thing that I would like to have that I did before reboot was the energy star power plan. I reinstalled both the drivers and ThinkVantage software for power plans. I figured the ThinkVantage software would give me the energy star power plan but it didn't. Any idea how to get this back. It's not too big a deal, but I would like to get it back if I can.

Thanks again for the great guide!

 

Has anyone been able to figure out how to get the ThinkVantage button to work after following the guide? Do you guys think it is just a driver that could be backed up or something?
Tim

 

Yea, you need to download the ThinkVantage Productivity Center. Here is a link to get started:

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

Just pick your machine, then at the top click on ThinkVantage Technologies and then scroll down. You should see it. Hope this helps.

 

I'm glad the guide was helpful.

The driver you installed is for energy star.
Version 1.43 (Certified)

* (New) Support for EnergyStar 4.0 support feature.

It sounds like the factory install included an engery star power plan. I just use Vista power management... I had very little experience with Thinkvantage power management before I did my clean install.

Are power plans saved on the computer as some sort of file? Are you able to locate the power plan files? I'm sure they are hidden files. This is how to unhide files:

1. Start -> Computer
2. Click the Organize button (to the left of the Views button)
3. Click Folder Options
4. Click the View tab
5. Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types
6. Click OK

I wonder if there is an energy star power plan file in the swtools folder that could be added to your current install.

If not maybe that is something another member could e-mail to you... or possibly there is a file that could be e-mailed from tech support. At the very least maybe they could add it to the next release of ThinkVantage Power Management.

Good Luck, let me know if you figure it out.

 

Thanks for the detailed response. I think I am just going to live without it for now. I tried to limit my ThinkVantage tools as much as I could. I agree they are just lots of 3rd party aps booting up your system. I have the power manager, hard disk protection system, and fingerprint reader software. The other stuff I don't really need. I can probably just do a power plan just like energy star anyway by lowering all the settings. That is all the plan would do anyway.

 

Tim, You can get the ThinkVantage button working within the OS with the installation of the ThinkVantage Productivity Center Utility.

After a clean install though, the ThinkVantage button will no longer function properly pre-OS bootup, and you will no longer be able to access rescue and recovery through the hidden recovery partition that way. There is no resolution that i know of at the moment for this problem. The MBR sectors on the HDD become corrupt, and the only "fix" out is the Rescue and Recovery Recovery Repair Diskette, but many users who have tried it found that it did not fix the problem.

 

Thank for the laugh abu comming apart a the seams...lol
I admit I had a "NERvous Breakdown" as a result of loosin t Thinkvantage Button funtionality...

(You would,nt believe what I do/have done for a living...I guess most folks would freak and run from gunshots, and I run toward them lol)

Anyway all is well in my world today and I really love this site...

Regards

 

Thanks for the research in this area...
Has anyone figured out why?

 

BTW Nothing i said in the course of that "Kangeroo Court"
Can be held against me as there were numerous "Maranda Rights Violations"...

 

I just ordered a t61p and asked Lenovo if I would get a Vista CD for a clean install. Their reply: We do not send operating Cd's out, you can create your own when you receive the laptop or can purchase them from technical support.

I can create my own Vista CD??? Microsoft open sourced their OS?

Back to being serious, did any of you get a Vista CD (or not), and what did you use for the clean install?

Thanks
Nick

 

If you ask them that question they of course will say no. The way around this is to ask if they are including an "Anytime Upgrade" Disc. This is the same disc as a "clean" install disc, but it's labeled differently. Don't ask them about doing any type of clean install, as all they will say is that it's not supported and you can't do it.

 

Nick, if you had read the thread here that you replied to you will see that you can use a $5 Microsoft issued Vista anytime upgrade DVD. Read the original post here to find out more.

 

I would like to add that Lenovo included an "AnyTime Disc" with my T61--Recieved June 20...(as they should)

 

they stopped doing that now....unfortunately....i think it's a reason for MS to make more money off of us

 

Anytime upgrade actually was the opportunity for MS to make more money, so not including the CD does not fit with that theory.

 

anytime upgrade was not only to upgrade to a higher OS...but to reinstall the same version after a crash...so by not including it...it forces people to spend extra money on obtaining it..so theory does fit

 

Not to mention that by including anytime dvd lenovo might not have to field as many tech support ?? that may disturb all 3 drugged-up , hypnotically-induced nodding tech people in Atlanta...

 

hi there!

1st post and 1st problem...but i guess that's quite normal.

followed the guide step by step and do have a clean install now. used the abr tool as described and got the two sufficient files on my usb stick. problem is even though using the activation_restore tells me different:

my copy doesn't seem to be activated. still tells me I'll have 30 days left to activate... any ideas? and no i've only installed the version i got delivered with my x61s...

thanks in advance!

regards

JohnnyT

 

Stallen,

what are these update modules for in the thinkvantage upgrade managers? why is thinkpad update making us download these? shouldn't these be taken care of by the windows update?

the reason why im asking is because i finally figured out how to not create any problems . I've noticed many problems occur becuase thinkvantage update and windows update conflict, often resulting in multiple drivers being installed for the same hardware; i think that is the root of all problems related to thinkpads.

so i was curious about if anyone knows what these 'vista update modules' are...thanks

 

A few things to try:
- Make sure you close and re-open the control panel that shows you the activation.
- Try to reboot the computer
- Did you type in any serial number during the install?
- Did you run the activation_backup program when the system had the default factory install of windows on it?

 

clear positive to your first two questions.

I didn't type in any serial number as it wasn't mentioned in your guide. Yep, system had the out of the box config plus some extra programs on it. But they shouldn't mix with the vista reg, shouldn't they?

I don't really have any idea what went wrong. Even did a reinstall just to make sure i didn't choose the wrong vista version...

Any other ideas?

Thanx

JohhnyT

 

Here are a couple other options for activating Vista:

PLAN B
Download "68351C09 lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms"
Here: http://oembios.net/\filesets\68351C09.rar

It is a .rar file so you will need to use winrar to extract the file ( winrar is a free utility you will need to download and install). After downloading and installing winrar, REBOOT. Then just right click on the file and select "extract here". Take the extracted file and place it on a USB drive.

You will have to re-install Vista again. During installation type in the serial number that is in the text file created by ABR.

After Vista installation has completed, place the lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms (extracted file) in C:\

Now click on the Vista Orb (Start Button) and type: "cmd" (without the quotation marks) -> right click cmd.exe -> select "run as administrator".

Type in: "slmgr –ilc path/to/licence/file/lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms" (without the quotation marks)

Then type: "slmgr –ato" (without the quotation marks)

That should do it. REBOOT- You should be activated.

If "Plan B" doesn't work...

PLAN C
Install Vista again. During install insert the key that is located on the product sticker. AND, check the box that says "automatically activate online".

After installation is complete, follow the activation instructions outlined by Microsoft (Quote from Microsoft: "Note: If you select the automatic activation method when you set up the computer, the automatic activation process tries to activate your copy of Windows Vista three days after you first log on.")

You should be activated in three days after following Microsoft's instructions for activating Vista. On the fourth day, check your activation, if you are not activated call Microsoft for phone activation at (800) MICROSOFT (642-7676).


.

 

Look in the backup files on your flash drive with ABR. backup-key.txt and the other one. Are they empty? If not, can you PM the first group of digits in the backup-key.txt file? Did you happen to open them to see what was inside before?

 

thanks a lot for your support!

@stallen:

first of all, did a recovery to delivery state now. just to make sure i did everything right. after reinstall first thing i did backing up the keys with abr. had a look in the backup-key.txt and it's exactly the same as before...

to answer your questions...

i'm pretty sure i had the check boxes right. i used the Windows Anytime Upgrade DVD directly purchased from Microsoft over here. if you x out the vista version at the end of purchase you'll get the upgrade dvd delivered for 3,57 €. i own a vista business version.

my machine is a x61s (7666 36G).

as soon as my 64bit dvd is delivered i'm gonna try a new clean reinstall and tell you if it works now.

@orev: nope, they weren't empty. you've got a pm.

thanx a lot to you all!

greetz

JohnnyT

 

How long did you guys have to wait to get your Vista CD from CompUSA if you ordered through them? Mine was shipped last Friday but it still hasn't arrived. -_- I am starting to wonder if I should be concerned.
Tim

 

I ordered mine from CompUSA last Wed week (Sept 12th), it shipped on the Friday (14th), and still not here. Can't track it either.

Was hoping to get disc by this w/e so as to do clean install, etc.

 

hey guys!

me again!

actually i got pretty sick of all the installing within the last two days. thought just to be sure to start back right from the scratch. so i did a recovery install, created the abr files first thing, started a clean install again, ran the activation_restore.exe file again, let it do its tricks and TATA...

not activated!

I don't have any idea what's going wrong besides that ms might have put up a barrier for doing this?

now i'm gonna wait for my vista 64bit dvd and try a clean one with plan b stallen suggested...

or anybody havin any idea?

thanx!

regards

JohnnyT

 

It seems strange this isn't working for you. I don't think Microsoft can put a block on the utility. I mean, we are all using the same installation disks. AND, applying the ABR restore BEFORE Windows update installs anything that could block it, right? Hmmm

Orev, created the ABR utility. Hopefully you will provide him with any information he requests from you so he can update the utility.

If plan B doesn't work for you, the last suggestion I have for you is called.... you guessed it.... "plan C". Use the keycode on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop during Vista installation. Select to automatically activate online during Vista installation. Auto online activation most likely will not work so you will have to call Microsoft for activation.

 

I believe stallen's vision for this thread was to allow users to clean install their systems without having to install the "unnecessary" Thinkvantage utilities, which in most cases, like the Power Manager utility, conflict with Vista itself. The Thinkvantage Systems Update would fall into that category if you are following this guide to a "t," and are manually installing all the utilities and drivers yourself through the Thinkpad driver matrix page.

 

It look almost two weeks after ordering before i got mine.

 

Well I guess I am not alone waiting then. lol
Tim

 

I just did a few minor updates to the guide, mostly the F.A.Q. section. I added these questions:


• What do I do if ABR utility does not activate Vista?

• Can I use ThinkVantage System Update to install all of my drivers for me?

 

Hello Everyone,

I would like to thank all parties involved in making this guide possible. It worked great on my T61p. After playing with my new baby for a week with a clean install, I have the following questions.

1) I am assuming most people are just using the wireless connection manager from Vista. There is really no point in installing the Lenovo connection utility or the Intel wireless utility (just use the Intel drivers).

2) There really is no point to the on screen magnify utility that is bundled with the OSD utility from Lenovo. Just use the Ctrl+ option in IE and change the view size in word.

3) Is there a way to save the activation files from office 2007 or any other Microsoft product (Visual Basic, etc)? It is great that we can install Vista whenever we like but means very little if one has to call Microsoft to activate our copy of office for instance because we like to master the OS as much as possible.

4) I have saved the original SWTOOLS folder and found the Roxio folder in SWTOOLS. Does anyone know what the install process is for Roxio from the SWTOOLS folder? I have the dual layer drive and Vista Ultimate if it matters.

5) Microsoft Update has a new Nvidia Driver Listed for my FX 570M but it does not show up on my Lenovo update program. Should I install it?

6) I originally installed the Lenovo power manager on my clean install. I uninstalled it but kept the battery driver to see what the built in Windows manager looked like and seems similar. The only thing missing is the battery calibration utility and some finer adjustments. Battery life is my biggest concern. Should I just assume that the built in windows battery utility is just as good in terms of battery life as the Lenovo utility except some of the finer adjustments?

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

EDITED the above post to include a better answer for your Roxio question

 

Well I finally got my upgrade DVD today. Now I just need to find the time to do this. If only I had gotten it on Friday. -_-
Tim

 

At least you finally got it. Let me know how it works out.

 

Hey Tim... nice review on the Wenger Synergy Backpack, thanks. I got one about 4 months ago after reading your review. I like it really well. My T61 w/9-cell is pretty snug in the laptop pouch, but it fits. I actually started putting my laptop in the Zeroshock III sleeve. It's a pretty snug fit in the Zeroshock III sleeve. The sleeve has a nice gel-like feeling. I can fit the ZeroShock III into the backpack, but not inside the pouch. I just drop it into the same zipper compartment as the pouch. It's a little snug to zip up the backpack, but it works. I'm doing this because I had concerns about the backpack zipper wearing on the laptop.

 

Did some searching in the thread, and I'm a bit confused regarding the turbo memory.

Because I do not have turbo memory, I do NOT install the driver "Turbo Memory Driver", but I do install the "Matrix Storage Manager Driver", is this correct?

I think my confusion stems from these listed as 2 separate bullet points rather than "if you do have turbo, install X, otherwise install Y"

Thanks for the help.

Also happened to notice on that page with all the registry updates there were some other items recently updated. BIOS was one of them. Is it a good idea to update the BIOS as well? Anything else for the T61?

 

The guide frowns on BIOS updates unless you have an issue that the update specifically addresses. The Turbo/Matrix driver situation is nothing more than a "You say tomato and I say tomato" situation. If you do not have turbo memory install the matrix driver that does not have the turbo memory driver.

 

Hey all-
I had a very frustrating day with my new thinkpad yesterday, but it wasn't really the T61's fault. I broke my second external hard drive in the past month! Those damn things are so fragile!

Anyway, my question...
I dont have the anytime upgrade DVD. My friend has an OEM copy of Windows Vista business. Is it true that I can install Vista Home Premium from that copy? I installed Vista business because I thought I had to, but of course my keycode that I got from the T61 (the ABR thing) does not work in activating business since I got it from my Home Premium setup.

To make it clear- can I install Vista Home Premium from a Vista business disk?

 

simple answer - yes

 

Good, it seemed to give me that option (installing Vista Home Premium) in the install from the Vista business disk. I hope the ABR keycode thing works with it, because I am very tired of installing vista, drivers, etc.

I just want my new laptop ready to go, but I couldn't handle the ridiculous amount of software and useless crap that came with it from the factory.

Thank you for your answer!

 

you're welcome; all vista cd's have every version available on it. You only would need separate discs if you wanted to install x86 vs x64. When you type in your key, the disc should automatically recognize the version that key is entitled for

 

Thanks for helping with an answer on this, aadams. This is my take on BIOS upgrades. Please read this in the F.A.Q.:
• Can I use ThinkVantage System Update to install all of my drivers for me?

Basically, unless you are doing a BIOS upgrade to resolve an issue you are having, you might introduce a new problem. Better to leave it alone unless you are certain it will improve something YOU are having an issue with.

 

Thanks, eyecon82, for assisting with an answer.

I think I have this covered with this F.A.Q.:
• Can I use a retail or OEM Vista DVD instead of the "Anytime Upgrade" DVD?

You shouldn't have any problems with the ABR utility. If you do please do a cut & paste of the information so you can send it to Orev so he can update the utility. If it doesn't activate be sure to read the F.A.Q. "What do I do if ABR does not activate?"

 

Thanks again eyecon, and thank you very much Stallen! Your clean install guide was excellent- I just need to finish it up by installing the proper version of Vista. I couldn't believe how much faster and nicer it was once I did a clean install.

I dont have much to offer in return... maybe I'll do a guide on how to write a graduate level theological paper

 

you're welcome...don't worry, I was pretty useless before too...but now that I'm getting the hang of things and having gone through the same thoughts and dilemma's you have probably gone though, I'm glad I can be a help

 

Hi ,

"This is how you can do a clean install while avoiding all thirdparty software and "bloatware". I even consider the Thinkvantage utilities to be thirdparty. Really any application/utility that isn't part of the OS (Windows XP or Vista) is considered "thirdparty". Considering there have been quite a few problems with the new T61's it is reasonable to at least suspect that there could be an issue with one or more of the Thinkvantage utilities on this new T61 (Santa Rosa) platform. Many people have been complaining about system freezes/lock-ups and BSODs (Blue Screen of Death). These problems are often resolved with a clean " - 40 pages ...

And why it is impossible to remove all unnecessary programs ( Thinkvantage utilities ) simply ? After removal there will be a same pure system ...
Or , I am wrong ?