Just got my new T61--some questions

I just received my new standard screen T61. As soon as I turned it on, it became very warm quickly--I haven't done anything yet. Not good. One reason I chose T61 was it's said to have a good cooling system.

Two questions to start with:

1. Shouldn't it come with an XP pro CD? I got no CD whatsoever, just the laptop, power cord, AC adapter, battery and a phone cord.

2. How to confirm I have DVD recordable? The device manager shows 'DVD/CD-ROM drives'. I wish I could show you a screen shot of the device manager as some people did but I don't know how to do that.

Thanks for any comments. Let me know if anyone wants to know anything about this machine.

 

When you expaned the DVD/CD-ROM tab in the device manager what does it say? Mine says HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-U10 ATA Device. Also when I look at My computer at the drives it says DVD RW drive.

 

1) I don't know about XP, but my two T61s did not come with any CDs whatsoever. This is common practice these days.

2) go to Start->Computer. If your DVD drive is listed as DVD RW, you're good. Device Manager will show CD/DVD Roms, but that's just the category. Expand it, and you'll see what braddd described.

 

Hi braddd. It says the same like yours except without "ATA". And the drive type is "DVD/CD-ROM drives". "Manufacturer: Standard CD-ROM drives". The drive itself does have "DVD multi recorder CD-RW" printed on it.

Have you received yours yet?

 

Thanks. I just checked; it shows "DVD-RAM drive:".

If we ever need reinstall XP, will lenovo provide the CD for free?

 

I noticed on the parts list in the warranty look up that my system lists a Windows Vista Restore DVD. If there is not one then I will certainly be making them provide it. You may want to check your warranty parts list.

 

I am running vista so maybe that is why there are some small differences in the way things are labeled(eg. ATA).

UPS dropped it off around 10AM EST, I'm typing this message from the T61 right now.

I got an ALPS keyboard just like you, also we have the same screen manufacturer.

 

Yes indeed, the parts lookup included "WINDOWS XP PRO RECOVERY DISC"! Thanks for pointing out. I'm going to call. (On the other hand I find the negligence unacceptable)

 

I didn't get a CD either..

 

I got it from UPS just 4 minutes before you So am I typing from the (very warm ) T61 now. Glad you got the same keyboard! I hae XGA, though, so must be more blurred but larger text than yours.

 

I called Lenovo and was told they don't ship recovery CD at all. All we can do is to use the recovery media already installed.

 

I was going to say, I've called them and tried and tried, but they just tell me to burn my own Recovery discs.

With Vista, you can buy $5 Anytime Upgrade discs. I don't know what you can do with XP, though.

 

That's also an option they told me about.

 

My new T61 heats up too, upon 30 mins of virus scan activity. Pls see my other thread on this:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=156828

 

The palm rest area feels very hollow, like there's nothing inside, especially if I tap or press it very lightly (when pressing it sinks). Is it supposed to be so? Rollcage effect or what?

 

Computers are supposed to heat up when you use them! You aren't doing a virus scan every day are you? At least set it to low priority so it doesn't get in your way.

 

Ari_m,

During web browsing the palmrest is warm (HDD temp = 39 deg. C).
When compiling a huge java workspace 5 times the temp goes up 6-7 degs and hangs around 45 deg.C.

The important thing is, these readings are consistently higher than my T60P. The only diff between my 2 laptops is that the T60p has XP wheras the T61 has vista. Not sure if vista is doing some weird disk activity in the background causing temp to go up. I just removed the diskeeper utility and the temp and fan noise looks better already.

Debating whether i should try installing xp to make the heat better.

 

Be sure to check your cpu temps with a program like core temp, the normal idle temp should be around 41c and 50c load. Sometimes they can mess up and not seat the heatsink very well.

As for hard drive temps, mine can get a bit warm but I really haven't noticed when not running AV scans or other hard drive intensive stuff.

 

I tried to install Core Temp, but after unzipping the compressed file, when trying to open the Core Temp file, I got BSOD followed by restarting the computer. I did see warnings from the "ReadMe" that it can cause crashes.