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THINKPAD STICKY

General Information
ThinkPad Tabook
The ThinkPad Tabook is a list of most available ThinkPad models. The Tabook contains hardware and software information on each ThinkPad model by machine type. If you are looking for information on a particular model or would like to know which ThinkPads have what you need, here it is.
ThinkPad Warranty Status
You can look up the status of your warranty on Lenovo's website. ThinkPad warranties are unlike other notebooks. They follow the machine, not the buyer. No registration or proof of purchase is ever required.
ThinkPad Parts Lookup
You can find out what parts were used to make your ThinkPad. Which keyboard did I get? What LCD brand? You can find all this information and much more.
ThinkPad Hardware Maintenance Manuals
The ThinkPad Hardware Maintenance Manuals are an in-depth guide to the hardware on your ThinkPad. They will instruct you on how to completely disassemble your ThinkPad should you feel the need. The ThinkPad Hardware Maintenance Manuals are great reference when replacing or upgrading parts on your ThinkPad.

Links/Guides
Vista Clean Install Guide
XP Clean Install Guide
Just got your computer and it's running slow? Some prefer to do a clean install to rid themselves of any unwanted programs. These guides will hopefully aid in that process.
If you feel a clean install is too much for you, the latest versions of Rescue and Recovery allow you to essentially do a clean install. When you re-install from Rescue and Recovery, it allows you to pick and chose the programs you want to install. You can leave out any ThinkVantage tools you don't wish to use or any of the bloatware that sadly now comes on ThinkPads like the Office Trial of Google Desktop. After finishing the custom install, Rescue and Recovery allows you to burn a new set of recovery discs which will mirror the new custom install.
ThinkVantage Software Guide
What do all these ThinkVantage programs do? Each has their own place, but having all those applications running in the background can slow things down. You may wish to pick and choose which the ones you need. This guide explains what each of the ThinkVantage Tools does and gives links to download the latest versions.

Odds and Ends
Price Protection
If you find a lower price within 21 days after your purchase, you can call to get a price match done.
Price Quotes
Do everything you would do when ordering excepting when you get to the last page, do not submit order and select "Convert to Price Quote" instead. Save the Price Quote order number and present it to a customer service rep within 30 days to convert the price quote into an order.
Estimated Ship Dates
You've just purchased a new ThinkPad. The next obvious question is when will I get it? When you ordered your ThinkPad, you should have received an estimated ship date from Lenovo. If not, you can log into your account on Lenovo's website and find it or call. The estimated ship date is Lenovo's best guess of when your notebook will ship from the factory. Lenovo tends to be conservative in their estimates of the ship date. The vast majority of buyers get their notebooks before the estimated ship date, but if a part on the notebook you've just ordered is low in stock or out of stock, you will wait. Your two choices are to cancel and re-order with a part that is not low in stock or wait. Lenovo does not allow changes to your order, only cancel and re-order. The shipping clock on your order does not start when your notebook leaves the factory. It still has to come over from China and clear customs. Hopefully that will only take a few days, but on occasion it does take longer.
Employee Pricing Plan
Lenovo's Employee Pricing Plan allows IBM/Lenovo employees or their friends and family members to receive access to ThinkPad notebooks at substantial discounts. If you know or are related to an employee, in which case you probably already know them, congrats. You're probably going to get a great deal on a ThinkPad. What is not acceptable is to post asking for EPP access. If an IBM/Lenovo employee wants to give you access to their EPP account, they can do it via PM. EPP begging is unbecoming and all such threads/posts will be deleted forthwith. For all IBM/Lenovo employees I would also suggest not posting access to your account.
Contractor Purchase Program (CPP)
Lenovo's Contractor Purchase Program allows IBM/Lenovo contractors or their friends and family members to receive access to Lenovo products at substantial discounts. NotebookReview forums prohibit the posting of CPP codes. All threads/posts containing CPP codes will be deleted and the poster will receive an infraction.
P Versus Non-P Models
One of the most often asked question is what's the difference between the P and non-P models. The P models use higher end parts like better graphics cards and higher resolution screens, but are otherwise offer them same build quality and software as other ThinkPads.
Software and Recovery Media
ThinkPads do not come with Recovery Media. They must burned from your computer which we would highly recommend you do shortly after receiving your machine. Put them in a safe place too. The recovery discs are not a Windows disc, but will restore your machine to its factory state. All the software for your machine, which would include the drivers and applications installed on your ThinkPad, is located in the SWTools folder on C:\ drive. We would recommend promptly making a copy of this as well.
ThinkPad Updates RSS Feed
Not religiously following updates for your ThinkPad? This RSS Feed can let you know the latest drivers/software available straight from Lenovo.
Search First, Then Post
We've tried to be comprehensive as possible without being too long winded in our sticky. However, issues will arise that have not been covered in the sticky. We would recommend you search first before posting. Chances are if you are experiencing a problem or have a question, someone has already posted on the subject. There may already be relevant information posted pertaining to your issue(s). There are other forums on NBR, like the Software and Accessories forums, that offer a wealth of information on laptops in general though are not ThinkPad specific. Internet search engines like Google can be a big help too.


If you feel there is something we have forgotten, please feel free to shoot me a PM. Keep in mind we try to keep stickies short to make the information as usable possible.