T61 drivers & Software before re-install Help!!!

Update: I feel pretty stupid. I just carefully read the other tutorial and it was more detailed and easier to read. At this point I followed the less detailed guide. I will attempt to follow the other guide more carefully.

Hi Thinkpad users

I just recently purchased a refurbished T61 (7663-13U) Thinkpad and I’m running into a few problems planning a new re-install of either XP or Vista. I haven’t decided on whether to install XP or Vista. (Most likely XP just because I have a retail copy of it already)

I’d like to know the exact Drivers & Software needed for a fresh install for XP and possibly Vista too if you have time.

Here are my Thinkpad specs.

T61 Model 7663-13U
- Lenovo ThinkPad T61, Core 2 Duo (T7500 @2.20 GHz)
- 2 GB Ram (667 MHz DDR2)
- 160 GB 7200 RPM hard drive
- CD-RW/DVD-RW optical drive
- nVidia Quadro NVS 140 video card (512 Mb dedicated video RAM)
- Installation of Windows XP Pro SP3 with MS office 2003.
- Built-in Intel Wireless and Bluetooth.
- Biometric Fingerprint reader/security.
- High Definition (HD) Audio, Built-in stereo speakers
- Integrated UltraNav dual-pointing system, featuring TrackPoint and touch pad.
- One PC Card (Type-II) slot and one Smart Card slot.
- Three USB ports version 2.0and one IEEE 1394 port
- Built-in RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors for telephony and LAN connections
- 6-cell Li-Ion extended battery.
- Docking Station
- Out of Warranty

T61 Background Facts:

Purchased refurbished with Windows XP Pro pre-installed. Originally it came with Vista Business but I dunno what the previous owner did with it.

I did not receive any recovery CD/DVDs with it so I must re-install all drivers by myself manually.

Failed attempts at re-installing drivers with Thinkvantage Update. I keep getting Error 75 when I use the update. I’m assuming that my T61 was serviced at one point and something must have changed. I’ve checked online but I can’t seem to find a solution to this problem. Here is a link to the same problem posted by another user.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/157733-thinkvantage-system-update-error-75-a.html

Failed attempt at auto-detecting my model number on the Lenovo website. I’m guessing it must be a similar problem with the Thinkvantage Update problem.

So the only option available for me without paying for a recovery CD/DVD from Lenovo is installing the Drivers manually myself.

Guides I’m following:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/333677-thinkpad-superguide.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/188992-windows-xp-clean-install.html

So far I’m following these guides here to re-install Windows and the needed drivers & software on my T61 machine. The problem I’m having is determining what exactly to download. Some of these files I have no clue if they apply to my T61 or not.

Example: The Guide says to download chipset. I don't really know what files belong to chipset category.

So my best bet would be to have an experienced T61 user tell me exactly which files I need for the re-install.

Lenovo Support & downloads - Drivers and software - ThinkPad T61, T61p

It would be helpful if you could list it in the order that each file is available.

Anyways thank you for taking the time to respond.
I really appreciate it.
Jimmy

 

It largely depends which OS you will go for in the end. With Windows XP, while been solid it's also an aging operating system so you may find that it won't be supported well few years down the line. You also have to do a lot of work at first before you can get it running properly. I heard Vista SP3 have improved considerably but I haven't used Vista myself personally as I skipped straight to Windows 7 from XP.

It's been a while since I used XP but back then I had to use a separate PC to download the essential files first for the T61 and put them on a USB stick. In order I did this (my XP disc was slipstreamed with SP3 – saves time from updating afterwards):

- Display Driver (in your case the NVIDIA Quadro driver)
- Wireless Driver (Most likely it’s an Intel 3945ABG driver for most T61’s but check the card. If unsure download both drivers and store them on the USB. I just usually direct Windows to the INF files from the Device Manager to save the hassle from installing the additional software.)
- Sound Driver (SoundMAX Integrated Audio)
- Network Driver (Intel PRO/1000 LAN – Same as wireless, point Windows to INF files).

Restart the system, then I put an antivirus/firewall on and connect wirelessly to the internet. From there you can install Lenovo’s System Update and it usually finds the remaining drivers after that, though if you’re dedicated enough you can opt to find the remaining drivers manually:

- Modem – Thinkpad Modem Driver
- Mouse – Synaptics UltraNav
- Unknown Device #1 – Thinkpad PM (Power Management Driver)
- Unknown Device #2 – Atmel TPM Driver
- Smart Card – Can be 3 variants, normally it's the Ricoh card reader
- Bluetooth – Use “Bluetooth Enhanced Data Rate software II” and install
- Hotkey’s – Install Lenovo Hot Key Utility
- Thinkvantage Productivity Center (Optional – If you want the blue button to work in Windows, install alongside with Access Help).
- Thinkpad Power Manager – Create Power Profiles for your T61 & Battery Gauge.
- Thinkvantage Fingerprint Software (Again optional, I don't use this feature myself so I didn't bother installing it).

Many updates will appear after XP SP3 so install those too, afterwards most should be done and you’re free to install any additional software you wish to use such as browsers, office etc. The links above are for XP mainly, Vista SP3 should be a bit more easier when it comes to drivers as it will recognise most of them but you will need to install the Thinkvantage Software and utlities such as Hotkey's yourself.

 

Hearts

I appreciate your post. Really helped me understand what files needed for the new install.

This weekend I will begin my new install of XP.

Wish me luck
Thanks

 

Hi!

I also have a t61p and I want to congratulate you.

I'd go with Vista. XP is getting a little old.I use Windows 7 and windows 7 tries to do everything for you. I'm a developer and I don't like it. I find windows 7 a little buggy Also.

So good luck and by the way do a pefectly clean install. I have since I got the machine and I haven't regretted it.

Renee