T61 going from XP to Vista

Trust me, I tried every possible permutation of this thread title to find out the answer on my own but all I got was "invalid search entry".

I have a four year old T61 with XP. Still works great although a bit slow. I've re-installed XP in the past on it but this time I'd like to just go with Vista if possible without having to buy Vista. I had my choice to spec Vista at the same I ordered it but didn't. The idea of "upgrading" to Vista seems strange as I now have two desktops with W7 64-bit. I'm pretty sure my T61's system couldn't handle W7. Maybe it could?

Would Lenovo send me a free Vista OS CD to do this "upgrade"? Thanks.

 

I'm pretty sure that Lenovo wouldn't send you a free OS DVD no matter how nicely you asked. Windows 7 uses about the same amount of resources as Vista. Any machine that can run Vista will only run faster with 7, so just go straight for 7 if you want to upgrade. If you are a student, and your university has MSDNAA, then you can get Windows XP, Vista, and 7 for free.

 

Windows 7 will run find on a T61, as long as you have enough ram, it may run better than XP to be honest.

I ran Win7 on my T60 and it ran great on 2gb ram with the X1300 video.

What are the specifications on your T61?

 

I finally searched correctly on Lenovo's website, got directed to Microsoft where I ran the W7 compatability check and, indeed, it says my T61 can handle W7 32-bit.

I've got two desktops with W7 "re-install" discs. Guess I'll find out if either one of them would work as a "re-install" on my T61. Thanks for your help.

 

Your T61 can actually handle a 64-bit version of W7 - or any other OS for that fact - along with 8GB of RAM which is a rather tempting combination IMO.

Happy upgrading.

 

Install whatever OS (W7 preferably) onto an SSD and you are set.

 

They probably won't. They'll either ask you for a product key or are associated with a product key for the computer that they came with, and not the ThinkPad. You'll most likely need this: Amazon.com: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade: Software

 

The desktop Win 7 recovery disks will install drivers for whatever hardware is in the desktops, which may cause problems with your notebook.

Also, the licenses for those copies of Win 7 ARE tied to the motherboards, both legally, and in the software itself. They won't activate unless the motherboard came from the same manufacturer and matches certain info stored in the CMOS/BIOS.

 

T61 with SSD and 4GB RAM, been running clean W7 64 the last two years. No problems what so ever. Can't see any reason to choose Vista.

 

My impression is the same - any computer capable of running Vista will run W7 even better. I'm running W7 on an x60 with SSD and 2gb ram, works perfectly.

 

Absolutely correct. Moving from XP to Vista should be avoided at all costs.

 

Moving from anything to Vista should be avoided.

 

I was under the (mistaken) impression that W7 required a modern bios (whatever that might entail) or other unfathomable inner-T61 requirements. Now all I have to do is convince myself to undergo the brain damage and cost of "upgrading" to W7 32-bit when my T61 works just fine as it is.

Thanks for all your help and advice.

 

You weren't thinking of the Middleton BIOS were you? That's only required if for specific features like going from SATA1 to SATA2.

If you don't want to buy the licence, you could always give linux a try.

 

Windows 7 x64 runs well on the T61p with the Lenovo supplied BIOS. You can have 2x4GB of RAM but a good SSD in the primary bay is still the best upgrade.

 

There's a *lot* more to Middleton's BIOS than just a (very important) jump from SATA I to SATA II...