Questions about T410S Setup

Hi, received my T410S but had a couple quick questions.

1. I tried to swap my CTRL and FN keys, but for some reason when I hit the Blue Thinkvantage button during setup to enter the BIOS, it takes me to Rescue and Recovery. How do I get to the BIOS controls? I also tried F2.

2. I have an 80GB SSD, with 10 GB allocated for recovery, why do I only have 35GB free of the remaining 70?

3. I've heard system restores are damaging to SSDs, is this true? If so how do I assign that function to an external drive instead?

4. Is there a way to stop the screen brightness bar from showing every time I start up the computer?

5. Any recs for internet security? Right now I'm deciding between Kaspersky and ESET

6. I configured my computer with a media card reader, is there any way to eject it to use expresscard functionality? Also how do I eject my DCD Drive?

7. Why doesn't the fingerprint reader light turn off when I shut down the computer?

8. Finally, how do I enable multitouch gestures on my touchpad?

thanks a ton in advance

 

1. Usually it's F1.
2. I always flatten the machine and repartition to remove the fluff.
3. System restores don't damage SSD drives. Myth.
4. The screen brightness display is really just an indicator the hot key support is working. You can certainly remove that via uninstall but is seems like a small issue to worry about.
5. For security, you could always consider using the Microsoft Security Essentials product. Fast, free and it works.
6. I thought the T410s only came with either the ExpressCard slot or the media reader depending on the GPU selected. Did you get the NVIDIA NVS 3100m? If so, your only choice is the media reader.

 

1, F1 during POST
2, bloatware, drivers...eat up those space. you can do a clean install (if you have some experiences), or add ultra-bay HDD for storage purpose.
3, it's OKAY. what's the point of external drive restore?? you use your external drive for bootup?
4, i don't think it's a problem.
5, i've been using norton internet security for many years.
6, no comment....
7, you can configure it from the fingerprint software settings. actually it's a convenient function.
8, i don't have touchpad.


based on all your questions, i guess you're a new thinkpad owner. i suggest you read through all lenovo manuals, especially the AccessHelp electronic manual (you'll find it by pressing the ThinkVantage button, or from your program list)

 

1. try f1

2. big windows 7 install - google "reduce windows 7 install size" - there's some great guides out there for slimming down your install

3. i would not have system restore on your ssd. just turn it off. honestly, if you're the type of user that can even ask questions like this, you don't ever need system restore. not only will it be much better for your ssd health, but it will improve system performance overall. oh, also, while we are on the subject - MAKE SURE YOU COMPLETELY DISABLE HIBERNATE!!!! (start - accessories - command prompt [run as administrator] - type "powercfg -h off" - enter)

4. Not that I know of other than uninstalling hotkeys/onscreen display - which you don't want to do, too useful to lose

5. Definitely use Microsoft Security Essentials - surprisingly, it is one of the best options out there right now for a personal use system. it is free, and very thorough, and it is very very unobtrusive and easy on memory usage. Can't recommend it enough.

6. Google for "Lenovo T410s Hardware Maintenance Manual." There's a page in there that tells you how to remove your media card reader. Please note that you don't have to take out all the stuff the service manual tells you to - removing the keyboard is enough to access the screw you need. There's a single screw that you remove from the inside of the laptop to do this - just remove that and leave it out permanently. Once you do this, you can just push in on the media card reader and it will pop out for removal, leaving you with a fully functional expresscard slot. Just push the card reader in to click it back into place. It stays put perfectly without the internal screw. To eject your DVD drive, there's a sliding button thing on the bottom of the laptop right underneath the drive.

7. I don't know the answer to this question.

8. Don't know this one either.

Enjoy the new laptop!

 

Thanks to everyone who answered my questions, I sorted most of the issues out thanks to your help. I'm still experiencing a few issues:

1. A high pitched whining sound - I tried setting the CPU and graphics settings to low but it has persisted. Should I get this looked at/addressed or is it a common issue?

2. So I should just disable the recovery partition?

 

1. sounds like typical calpella cpu whine - if that's what it is, not much to be done about it

2. if you've backed up the recovery disks in multiple places, i see no need to keep the recovery partition if you need the space

 

Does anyone know how to activate the webcam feature? Do I need to download third party software for it, because it doesn't seem to work

 

use something like Yawcam and see whether that gets the camera to work.

 

fn f6 shows you the webcam
I have a t410s too. Do you notice a flex on the screen?

 

Yes, I definitely get some screen flex when there is pressure applied, especially around the corners of the monitor. There is also flex around the Ultrabay area.

Do you hear any CPU/SSD whine as well?

 

"2. I have an 80GB SSD, with 10 GB allocated for recovery, why do I only have 35GB free of the remaining 70?"

Because windows requires about 35 GB of space.

Renee

 

I'm confused about backup. The computer didn't come with any recovery or restore disks. Do I create them myself, and how?

I haven't done anything with my laptop, just took it out the box and installed the basic programs (Office, Firefox)

If my computer crashed, how would I restore Windows 7, etc.

Thanks

 

you have to burn your own recovery disks using the thinkvantage toolkit

 

Thanks wilse, any other procedures I for backup? Am I good to go after making the recovery disks and establishing a weekly backup schedule

 

I don't really hear the noise. It's there occasionally but I most of the time its not.

 

I'm purchasing DVD+RWs, how many would I need?

Also, on an unrelated note, how do I check my Thinkpad warranty? Through ThinkVantage it displays 1 year, though I purchased 3 year + protection.

 

I think you'll need something like 4DVD's. AFAIK it takes a few weeks before the 3years will show on the ThinkVantage. Login to Lenovo's site to check what you got etc, if it doesnt show it there call em.

 

Thanks. Would these restore DVDs have Windows? My old computer shipped with a Windows CD... If not, how would I obtain a copy?

 

the restore dvds will restore your laptop to its factory original install
they will not function as windows install disks
i don't believe it is possible to get regular windows install disks from lenovo