ThinkVantage anything I can use?

I got an X60s and X61s, but I can see any good thing with ThinkVantage other that it gets my laptops slow, so anything you think I will could use ThinkVantage to?

 

It has some useful shortcuts to a few areas. As an example it makes it quick and easy to access/search for wifi locations when I travel.

 

the ones that i use the most are access connections and easy eject.

 

I use the access connections to manage wireless and system updater to keep up to date with bios upgrades, drivers, etc. although I am very cautious of updating the wireless drivers as more often than not it breaks them.

 

Which ThinkVantage software is there? There are ThinkVantage:
access connections
and?

 

1)Rescue and Recovery and Client Security Solution
2)Fingerprint software
3)Productivity Center
4)Access Connections
5)System Update
6)Base Software Administrator
7)Active Protection System™
8)Secure Data Disposal™
9)System Migration Assistant™

I personally use the following: 1,2,3,4,5,7

The active protection system is a must, its one of the things that makes a thinkpad a thinkpad, unlike the corny dells with a "strike zone"

 

Hmm I do not want my computer to be slow, so I don’t want any program I do not need.
Hmm I only think I need 5 to all-time be updated and 7 to protect my harddisk. Is that stupid? Is there not a ThinkVantage battery program?

 

if i were you I would install all the programs but only keep the power manager and productivity center running all the time. Remove all the other things from the startup. If you ever need anything else, as soon as you press the FN+___ button, it will automatically start up.

 

What do the Productivity Center and what about the Active Protection System do I not need that to protect my harddisk?

 

The Active Protection system is necessary for your hard drive. While many of the modern laptop hard drives feature built in protection, I believe the software works WITH the hard drive's built in protection. I cannot verify this for sure though.

The productivity center is the little screen that pops up when you press the blue ThinkVantage button. It provides easy links to all the ThinkVantage software you have on your computer. You probably don't necessarily need to have it, but I would keep it on there anyways.

Dont forget the Power Manager - it is more informative and probably more useful than the built in Power Managing software Windows provides (at least XP anyways, I do know Vista's Notebook Center ... at least I think thats what its called, does have more features/functions. As to if they are compatible / able to control your computer's hardware correctly, however, is another issue.) Also note that Power Manager can do Battery Maintenance and provide information about your battery as well.

The ThinkVantage Software Options I keep on my computer are:
Easy Eject Utility (For managing the UltraBay)
Power Manager
Access Connections (While I can use Windows XP's built in, Access Connections seems to have more features / accessibility)
System Update (even though I actually use the Update RSS that is linked in my signature more often)
Presentation Director
UltraNav wizard

 

Check out the ThinkVantage Software Guide in my signature.

 

Playmaker, many thanks for that guide
What is "Presentation Director"?

 

Easy way to manage video modes when using multiple monitors, aka, your LCD and a projector.

 

ie. pointless

 

I have the following that comes pre-installed on my z61m. Of course more stuff came pre-installed, but anything listed has been replaced by Third Party Solutions. Although I chose to list HotKey Driver, that doesn't mean the other System Drivers aren't installed, ie Wireless, Chipset, Storage, etc drivers.

1) Fingerprint Software
2) System Updater 3
3) Power Manager
4) System Configuration
5) Active Protection system
6) UltraNav Driver/Utility
7) HotKey Driver
8) Bluetooth Software
9) Integrated Camera software

Only 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 start up. 1 is unnecessary if you don't want to sign on using Fingerprints. I password Protect my drives so it helps on boot up. 2 doesn't need to start up if you don't want things done automatically. Disable/Set to Manual the appropriate scheduler's and services. Start System Update Service when you want to check. 99% of the time, I find it faster and more thorough to Use IE and check what new downloads there are on Lenovos site then use System Update.

I like 3 because switching Power Profiles is helpful sometimes and I like the meter on my Taskbar.

4 is Unnecessary, but sometimes a quicker way of disabling devices and/or checking System BIOS Version. Since nothing starts-up, all it burdens is diskspace.

5, because I like my Hard Drives to keep on keeping on.

6, 7, and 8 just bring in Functionality that would be more cumbersome without it installed. I also use Bluetooth a lot to tether to my Smartphone.

9, if you have a WebCam I haven't had any real issues letting the process start up. But I use it so infrequently it provides no real use. I have my Integrated Camera Disabled and the Start-up Process Disabled, but created a shortcut in the Start Menu.

PS I use Tune-Up Utilities, Acronis, and KIS to cover Backup, Repair, and Protection. I do have other lightweight utilities but those are the main ones.