Just finished a clean install! Any of the Lenovo Apps worth installing?

All of the thinkvantage software. I know some of it should be worth it but which ones are actually better than what Windows 7 has to offer?

Access Connections
Productivity Center
Rescue and Recovery
Power Manager

Those are a few but I think there are more that I would also consider reinstalling.

 

When I updated mine, I installed 1 and 4.

Renee

 

I justed installed Power Manager. Windows already has software similiar to Access Connections

 

Second that: just Power Manager.

 

Same here. Just Power Manager. Access Connections causes more problems than it solves.

Not that it solves any problems anyway.

 

Like many above, I think that Lenovo power manager is the only program worth installing.

 

Thinkvanatage Power manager, Thinkvantage Active Protection Systems, Thinkvantage Ultranav, Hotkey Utility.

If you have fingerprint reader, then you may want to install the Thinkvantage Fingerprint reader softwares too.

 

+1 to all of the above less the fingerprint reader since my machine does not have one.

 

In addition to those above I install the system interface driver, the LCD monitor driver, UltraNav utility and driver (clarification), and the power manager utility and driver (clarification).

 

Integrated Camera Driver
Lenovo Fingerprint Software
Lenovo System Interface Driver
On Screen Display (Hotkey)
ThinkPad Power Manager
ThinkPad TrackPoint Driver
ThinkVantage Active Protection System

 

What's the benefit of installing the ThinkVantage Power Manager over Windows 7 Power Manager.

I had it installed my T500 but it seemed to cause problems in that my machine would hibernate after 2 hours even though both the Windows 7 Power settings and ThinkVantage Power Manager were set to sleep after 2 hours.

 

ThinkVantage Power Manager is the best thing ever. It allows for much finer control of battery-power/AC-power settings. Your computer should last longer on battery power if properly configured in ThinkVantage Power Manager than in the generic Windows 7 Power Manager. You also can set battery charging thresholds, instead of having your battery charge up whenever you're plugged in, extending the lifespan of your battery. Also, switchable graphics, if you have it, depends on Power Manager. I don't know if I can ever buy another non-Thinkpad laptop because of Power Manager.

 

I have power manager because I agree that it allows for much better control of the battery, sleep, etc.

Also I think I need the ultranav and possibly hotkey utilities. I use the red dot constantly and I believe that is the ultranav. What does the hotkeys utilities control?

There is also mention the LCD Monitor Driver and Active Protection Systems. Wouldn't the LCD driver be installed with the Windows 7 install. It seems to be working just fine. Also what is the Active Protection Systems and where would I be able to get it? Lenovo's website says that it is not available for download and only available preloaded.

Oh and I really miss the green markers for when I raise and lower the volume and screen brightness. Will any of the above bring those back?

 

Hotkey is for features such as volume control. You would be able to see volume status on the monitor as you mute, decrease, or increase volume.

Active Protection is for your hard drive. It is supposed to protect your hard drive should you drop for instance.

I don't think you need a LCD driver. I believe it should be caught by Windows Update should you need them anyhow. Seems like printers too nowadays. Windows Update automatically installed my printer driver with no bloatwares that comes with HP drivers downloaded from hp.com.

 

The system interface driver plays a significant role in the onscreen display, so I always install it. The LCD driver installed by Windows is generic one, so I use the monitor specific driver provided by Lenovo since its readily available. This driver is not bloated as a matter of fact only the driver is included, it has to be installed through the device manager because only the inf form is included.

I assumed you did not have options like a fingerprint reader, camera, and etc. I do and I install all the appropriate drivers for those as well, FYI. The drivers can be found here: Lenovo Support - Drivers and software - ThinkPad T410, T410i, T410s, T410si, T510, T510i and W510

 

To make your life a lot easier, you may want to install System Update and just select the relevant updates you need from inside that tool. Then, it will automatically be installed in an appropriate order. Far less digging around required.

 

I agree.

That's what I did when I clean installed my X200 and T410.
also, I tend to use the defer install option and let the utility download everything ('choose later' path for me)
...may take some time though.

 

in fact, the active protection system can work without any additional software, it's hardware-based. but Thinkvantage APS can give you some useful features such as adjustment the sensitivity or ignoring the repetitive movements

 

I didn't install the crossed out ones listed in the following Quote (note that I don't have a cam or fingerprint reader):

Power Manager *Driver* (without Power Manager...advice from Stallen's NBR Vista Clean Install Guide for Thinkpad T60)

Ultranav (Trackpoint and Touchpad) Driver
Ultranav Utility Driver

Clean installing is oh so fun sometimes.

 

A bit of OT here, but I noticed nobody has Client Security Solution installed? Is CSS necessary for the security chip thingy to work?

 

I've downloaded all the drivers and everything things to be working right. I think I may add the active protetion system when I get home.

Another thing I've noticed is that my computer seems to be using battery like crazy. I'd say I've lost maybe a bit lit than an hour. I ran 62 windows updates last night and it added quite a bit of battery life (It was only lasting 2:30? 9 Cell by the way) but it still doesn't seem to be what it was before my HDD failed.

Any other drivers I might try and download to add to my battery life?

EDIT: So I found this article that relates to Vista but I am pretty sure I am having the exact same problems. http://forum.lenovo.com/t5/T400-T50...tery-life-very-poor-9-cell-battery/td-p/88790
Does anyone know if these directions would be exactly the same for windows 7? My battery life actually went up switching from integrated to discrete. I was at about 20-22w on integrated and it went down to 17-19w with discrete. That is with the screen all the way up.