New ThinkPad owner, where to start?

Hello everybody!
Been around here for some time reading like frantic about ThinkPads and Thinking what to get and finally got myself nicely loaded and even better priced R400, specs as follows:

Original description: T9400(2.53GHz), 2GB RAM, 160GB 7200rpm HD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, Intel X4500HD, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ether, Ultranav, Sec Chip, FPR, Camera, Turbo Mem, 9c Li-Ion, WinVista Business 32


Now, where should I start? What to do? How to optimize its performance and battery life?

I have so many questions, tho it all seemed so simple and easy before I actually got myself ThinkPad and now it looks harder to comprehend

Is there some kind of mega-thread with tutorials how to properly set up all built in devices, fingerprint reader, Turbo Memory?

Another question is about its OS, now IWS lists it as Vista Business, laptop itself came with XP Pro, however underneath it license sticker says Windows 7 Pro!
So, the natural question is - how to get myself Win7? Can I just get random Win7Pro installation DVD and install it with my license key or do I need special DVD ordered from Lenovo?

Im sorry to ask these questions because I KNOW that there are plenty of threads covering all these matter, but at the moment it seems like quite a mess to browse through all of search results so once again, YOUR help would be appreciated.

After all, repeating is mother of knowledge

 

Repetition is indeed the mother of knowledge, and imitation is the highest form of flattery....

To setup all the devices you would need to install all the relevant drivers, and the easiest way to do that is to install the Thinkvantage System Update software.

If you want to install a legal copy of the Win 7 OS, and then activate it using the given serial no. that is given under your laptop.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

But learning is never an easy process, and taking shortcuts is probably not going to help you to gain all the necessary knowledge.

 

True about that, I love being lazy, but doing things myself keeps the knowledge in my brain for longer
Thanks for that Win link, lets see how it will work.
I already have ThinkVantage, have set it up and running, its just that laptop isnt as fast as it should be IMO, so im gonna do clean isntall.

Ill keep you update folks, once again, thanks!

 

Just couldn't help myself: read the manual (no offense, just kidding!)

 

Well, in that case you should have said:
RTFM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111111oneeleven

Just installed Win7Pro, i hope I got the right one, cause I took it from torrents and Im not sure its legal one or not because it didnt ask for serial during installation and it also had crack inside, which tho i didnt apply.
Either way, will reinstall real deal tomorrow.

So far I am not going to comment on user experience and build quality until its ready to go with all updates and tweaks done.

 

RTFM... I learned something today!

And, just use the legal upgrade you are entitled to from the post mentioned above.