Thinkpad return questions

Hello all, I ordered a T61p from lenovo during the labor day weekend (the 2nd or 3rd) and I got it 3 days ago, and to my surprise I hate it, I spent all summer looking for a computer and was set on the Sager 2090, but then that sale came up and I decided that it would be a good safe bet. But this thing has had some many freaking problems I can't even begin...but I will, it came with vista preinstalled, the thing would lock up every now and then, freeze and get the BSOD, it runs really hot and there seemed to be a lot of driver problems, now I read that i can return it within 21 days and have to pay a 15% restocking fee, i am ok with paying the fee. But, I do not have the original box or all the manuals, threw out the ones that said buy more of Lenovos crap, etc, I have all the acccessores most unopened except the charger...and 2 manuals for the thing, So i am just wondering if it is ok, I'd call and ask but Im on the west coast and the close 4pm my time (return dept.) so i am wondering if anyone knows beause i would love to get this thing out of my life, I tried to dual boot xp and vista, but that just left me with xp only it seems, and I have no way to access vista and xp is on a 2 gig partion and i cant even install drivers for the thing because there is no room, i have never had so much trouble with a computer, my desktop i have had for 3 years and never encountered this much trouble in that time compared to the trouble I have had with this laptop, if you guys need any more information ill supply it, thanks for your time and help.

 

I agree, the T61P is a terrible machine.

Dual booting XP/Vista is a bit more involved than just 'installing XP', but it is possible. Do some searching on dual booting, you'll find lots of info.

Lenovo/China has so many problems I suspect that you are not the only one who will flee the company.


I know my experience with Lenovo was miserable and I'll never give them another penny (hopefully my lawyer will take some of theirs.)

 

Well yeah I know it isn't as simple as just installing XP, and I did search around and followed a tutorial, but there were so many flaws, like the XP install disc cant read SATA drives, so I had to make my own bootdisc with the drives on it, and oh boy, yeah, but any information on the return policy, do I need the box and all that, cuz its gone.
Thanks again

 

Sorry for the bump, but it would be really helpful if someone could answer some of my other questions, like if I need every little piece that came with the laptop, i threw out 2 catalogs and the quick start guide, as well as the box...Oh and AIM 6.0 nearly destroyed the thing, system would freeze whenever I tried to load it, ugh, thanks for your help

 

When you started to try to create a dual boot environment, did you flatten the box, partition the drive correctly, then install WinXP first?

You are going to need the SATA driver at http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-62909

Frankly, you are probably better off just creating one big partition, installing Windows Vista, then creating a Windows XP virtual machine.

 

If you had the original box, I'd say it wouldn't be any problem, just toss everything you have in the box and return it. From my own experience I don't think they pay to much attention as to what is in the box... as long as the laptop is in there.

I guess you are just going to have to call and ask since you don't have the original box. Ask them if you can ship it in a shipping box made for laptops.

 

Thanks for the replys, and what do you mean did I flatten the box? I recycyled it a few days ago because the trash came the day it got here and figured I wouldn't need it, and I would just re install vista again, but oh right! Lenovo doesn't send me any restore CD's or Vista cd's! So I think they are closed today but I will call first thing monday, I really have had enough, not sure what I will do about a lapotop though, sager 2090 looks great, shall wait and see though.
Thanks again

 

+1 to that.

But who knows if they're going to charge you for it, they shouldn't though...

Very sad to hear that you're having problems with your Thinkpad theneighborrkid, have you tried doing a clean install?

 

It is almost impossible to get around the 15% restocking fee with Lenovo right now even with a unopened box.

 

Well I thought about that too, and I don't know if they will charge me for a thing that gets BSOD's anytime the GPU is underload, feezes / locks up anytime the CPU is under load, of and I forgot to mention, it wouldn't let me install AIM 6.0, I installed it, signed on, and it froze! I restarted, and whenever it was supposed to startup it locked up again! So I had to reboot in safemode and uninstall it. The thing also runs what I think is way to hot, 60ºC idle and around 79ºC under a load, I think that is a lot hotter than normal, most computers seem to run around 40-50ºC yes? Anyways I obviously would rather not pay the fee, because of all these problems, but if I have to, it will be worth it. Thanks again guys

 

I have posted some screenshots of my temps for my T61 (I only have the 140M card). Temps are much higher in the laptop world than the desktop worls. Your processor is rated at 100C max. If you click on any of the notebookreview laptop reviews they usually post temps for you to look at.

I can certainly understand your frustrations. I think they will insists that you get taken care of through tech support or a 15% restocking fee. Personally I think that is BS, most places have more of a no hassle policy when it comes to equipment that doesn't work properly. Good Luck.

 

You are getting 60C when idling?? If you have it on max performance energy profile that would be the reason why. Set the processor speed to be adaptive, let the computer sit for 15-20 minutes WHILE taking temps and try again. I usually see ~45C but I've had it as low as 40C while idling. Specs below. 79C is not hot all all for a core 2 duo under load.

 

Well the thing is, it doesnt seem to matter what profile I put it on it just wants to think its the laptop from hell and get as hot as possible