T61 Vista Clean Install Guide

is Justin's install guide updated to include all the minor issues addressed recently?

Just want to make sure.

 

It's fine if you are using a new retail version to do the install, but if you are trying to do a clean install without paying any extra money I would follow the links below...

No, this guide has not been updated. He does not provide links to the video drivers provided on the Lenovo website. Also, some of the links go to outdated drivers. I would do this instead...

This guy (orev)... http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228 ...wrote the best guide for a clean install. He wrote it for the HP thread, but it works for every brand. The only thing is when you are done you will need to install the correct thinkpad drivers from here and in this order:

Chipset Driver - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...=2529&lang=eng

Intel® Matrix Storage Manager - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...ProductID=2101

Intel Wifi Driver -
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...=2753&lang=eng

Turbo Memory -
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...=2813&lang=eng

1. Video Driver
2. (Keyboard)Hotkey
3. Bluetooth
4. Fingerprint Reader (ALL found here)-
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si...testyle=lenovo

I would install these drivers in that order. Especially the chipset driver should be installed first and ASAP.

You will want to download these drivers before the clean install and put them on a disk or USB drive so they are available to install as soon as possible.

I would also try to find a way to get rid of that hidden partition I've been reading about from Johnny_1987. I don't really know about that though.

 

Thanks stallen
then, is there any BSOD on battery mode with turbo memory?

 

Well.... I wish I could say for sure. It sounds like those who have done a clean install don't have any BSODs from what I've been reading, but I can't give you first hand information. All I can say is that is what I plan on doing when I get mine and I think it will fix the BSOD issues. I am going to do a clean install regardless of BSODs. The people that have done it claim that their laptop is like night and day difference after getting rid of all the bloatware/bugware.

If you try it, report back and let us know.

Also, there might be a problem with some of the batteries. Lenovo has been shipping out new batteries for those that have issues specifically while on battery power.

 

Can people comment on how many processes they have running on their computers after the clean install and if they installed any of the thinkvantage software.

 

thank you!

 

Hopefully you'll get others to chime in, but I hear about 60 processes after the clean install. I personally would stay away from all of the Thinkvantage stuff. I think that is the problem. I would start off without installing any of it. If you decide that you really want some of the Thinkvantage stuff, then install one thing and wait until a few days of heavy use before you install another. Then if it is something Thinkvantage related maybe you will isolate the problem.

 

I'm a little confused about the chispet driver. The link you provided doesn't work. Is the chipset driver the same thing as the driver for the intel graphics card?

 

Try this: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=2529&lang=eng

No, chipset drivers and video drivers are totally different. This is the driver for the Intel 965 Express Chipset (Santa Rosa Chipset driver).

 

If that link doesn't work then just go to intel.com and navigate to the download center and search for "intel PM965 chipset utility" then choose #3 "Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family - Chipset Information ..." Then select one of the download options under "Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility" then you will download option #2 - INF Update Utility (2347KB) 8.3.0.1013 6/4/2007

This link might take you their directly: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/fil...64-bit+version&lang=eng&strOSs=162&submit=Go!

The driver is the same for every version of Windows XP or Vista, 32-bit or 64-bit, and for both the GM965 and PM965. So if you've got a T61 (Santa Rosa) laptop this is the right one for all.

 

In the link you sent me I put in my operating system and it put me on a page with two different drivers. One is the graphics media accelerator and the other is the inf update utility. I'm guessing the inf update utility is the chipset driver since that's the only other one listed. Am I correct in assuming this?

Update: Disregard this post, I got you. I'm just trying to prepare myself for the clean install. Getting all my drivers and stuff ready and putting it on a usb jump drive.

 

I hope it works out for you. Again, I'm just trying to help. I can't give firsthand advice since I don't have my beloved T61P yet

 

I found this link that shows the download to all of the drivers for the T61 on one page: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-67853.html (hopefully the link will not break like most of the other ones did.

Also, after looking closer at the fingerprint reader driver, it looks like the driver that I linked before might not be necessary and should be installed after the actual finger print software. You would need the actual Fingerprint Reader Software. You could try this one that states that it is for the T60: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/TVAN-EAPFPR.html I would think it is the same for the T61 since many of the other drivers work for both the T60 and T61. Hopefully you backed-up your files and you can get that software from your back-up.

 

A Clean Install of Vista Ultimate 32 bit has about 45 process running. The clean install got rid of the random sysgtem freezings.

 

I am going to do this after using my Vista full version boot DVD

I remember somebody saying something about saving a thinkpad driver folder before you format.
Is that necessary?

Also, my T61 came with home basic. If I have Ultimate full version can I format with that...can I remove the backup partition somehow? If not that's fine...120GB drive is plenty for me

 

It's not really necessary if you have a ethernet cable that you can plug in directly to your laptop. I put the main drivers like the chipset and wireless drivers on a usb before I did the clean install, but I didn't end up using them because plugging in the ethernet cable gave me access to the internet. I would still suggest you put some of the main ones on a burned cd or jump drive.

If you already have a clean vista cd then this shouldn't be such a hard task.

 

I've never used vista, and I like to partition away my OS drive because if I have to reload I'd rather just wipe it out and start over.. is 20GB too small? 25? I'll have a 160 drive and I kinda want at least 20 of that to be Linux too

 

is there a simpler way of installing the nVidia drivers than the OP's guide suggests or is it still that complicated?

 

No, it's easy... just download them from lenovo.com support&downloads page

 

I just got my new T61 today, and I want to do a clean install, but it doesn't come with any media at all!!! what should i do?

 

Vista Clean Install: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

XP Clean Install: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=188992

Please read the sticky before bumping old threads.