X200 - Have any shipped yet?

Um... from what I know (i could be wrong) Visa will double the manufacturer warranty up to one year. So i figure what i purchased IS manufacturer warranty and i did purchase it at the same time on the same bill as the laptop so.. i don't really see a problem. I had good experience with my desktops and laptops using visa's warranty. Hopefully it'll apply. Oh and just an FYI, the warranty covers not only Canada but also the states (i'm from Canada).

Ya.. i know what you mean about scratches and stuff... there's a lot of service centers where i live so I'm planning to just drop of the laptop if it needs servicing and pick it up as well.

A good service center is Asus. They're awesome, with my previous M6BNe laptop even after warranty.

 

Is this normal? I popped in my Vista Ultimate CD to switch Basic, but it will only let me do clean install.

Is there guide to clean install for X200? I went to the Lenovo Driver site but there's like 75 drivers avail.

I'm not sure which ones are useful and what not.

 

what do you mean by.. "to switch basic"?

 

To upgrade from windows vista basic. Have you ever done a clean OS install before strangesweet? It isn't really all that difficult. I would hope Lenovo would organize their drivers. The important thing would probably be your wifi (and then you can figure out the rest by using wifi or wired ethernet). Basically if you have nothing to lose (data wise) you can't go too wrong with a clean install . I can help you out with the drivers once I get my laptop on tuesday.

 

I meant to upgrade from Basic (pre-installed) to Vista (I have a retail CD).

It seems like there aren't too much of third party bloatwares, but a lot of Lenovo's which I have no idea which programs are important or not.

I'm not sure what drivers to upgrade. 75 drivers seem rather too much. I notice some are XP versions and some are for Vista.

I don't have much time so I prefer to just upgrade to Vista Ultimate and uninstall useless programs for now.

There is no data because I just got them. So doesn't matter whether I do clean install or not, it's just that I'm not too sure with Lenovo programs since I'm new to Lenovo.

Do I follow T61 Clean Guide?

I've been pretty much Vaio users for the past 8 years.

 

A vista upgrade might be completely possible because you have an OEM's (Lenovo) OS install, which can vary a bit from retail copies of an OS. I would do a clean install. All the drivers are the same (unless you're going from 32bit Vista to 64bit). For the programs in question...I would just look on your laptop and look up the programs on lenovo's site or google and figure out what you would like to keep. You can ALWAYS find them again. Just make your backup disk though just in case.

 

So I just insert Vista Ultimate CD to do a clean install?

I inserted Vista Ultimate CD to upgrade, but that option was disabled (only allowed me to do clean install).

I went to Lenovo X200 driver site and there were 75 drivers.

I think I'll make recovery disc before clean install.

But do I follow T61 Clean Install Guide?

 

Install will be the same. You can use DriverMax to help you extract all your drivers if you don't want to click through 75 drivers. It's a free program I found on download.com that works pretty well.

 

You could just follow any Vista install tutorial if you have any confusion. It should be pretty straight forward (boot from wherever you have your media of Vista Ultimates) and follow instructions. Extracting the drivers like roxtc said is good idea if you are worried.

 

A Lenovo tool "System update 3" can find most of the drivers and utilities. For it to work you need an Internet connection. That means that you will have to install a network driver if it is missing in Vista.

 

DriverMax automatically extracts all the drivers? Then how do I bring it back once I do a clean install?

Do I simply pop-in Vista Ultimate CD on external drive to do a clean install?

 

Yeah it'll back up all your drivers. They can organize them into folders or zip file, do the folders, I had a rough time with the zip file for some reason. Anyway when you have Vista installed, just install DriverMax again (you'll want to have the setup on an external drive as well) and let it install all the drivers it's backed up for you. It'll take probably an hour or so but it's all auto-pilot so just watch a DVD or TV show in the time and you'll be up and running.

 

Oh, so I extract all the drivers using DriverMax and save them on external hard drive?

But if I were to copy all the drivers, what is the point of doing clean install?

In my opinion, there weren't too many third party bloatwares (just a lot of drivers and Lenovo-related programs).

I think I'll make a copy of recovery disc before installing Ultimate.

I'm not home right now so I think I'll probably have a chance to do them tonight.

P.S: I noticed an option to change product key when you right click computer and show you CPU options. Would that change to Ultimate?

 

There is a very simple ability in the Vista OS's line to upgrade...MS wanted to make sure consumers could spend more money when they found out what features Vista OS's had or did not have. I'm not sure you could easily upgrade with an OEM (Lenovo) OS install though.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=156142

Seems like you'd need the anytime upgrade version of it...so if you have a retail copy I am not sure how simple/fast it would be. But really installing a new OS is not too hard. If you have the drivers say on a flash drive then it would be really easy to just start installing them. Also your laptop's ethernet shouldn't need drivers (wifi will) for Vista (but if you have them extracted then well you do ).

To start installing it you will need to plug in your external drive or USB drive with the Vista image on it and then boot from that (hit f8 when the computer is booting or go into bios and switch the boot order). Then follow instructions...delete the old partition with Basic on it...make a new one, etc...not so hard . Hopefully you have another computer handy if you run into problems and have questions.

 

The disk shows two options: Upgrade or Clean Install, but upgrade feature is disabled on this particular disc.

I know how to do clean install but I'm just not sure how drivers work and what I need and not need and such because I'm first time Lenovo user.

What if I just decide to install drivers on my own? 1) Insert Windows Ultimate CD 2) Do a clean install [every files, programs are gone] 3) Install drivers and whatever programs I need.

Is that how it should be done?

I think I'll write down list of programs shown on control panel / programs & features and install all the drivers. "It says Windows Drivers - name" for the most drivers, instead of having its own name.

All drivers and Thinkvantage utilities are available from the Lenovo Support and Download page. Just to be safe you can always back-up the c:/swtools/drivers directory to make sure you have all drivers and utilities. But you'll find the latest releases on the website.

^ What's that about?

 

You shouldn't worry too much. Just note the programs you need really. You can always look up drivers if you happen to miss one. But in general it is chipset, wifi, graphics (part of intel chipset), media card reader (might be part of chipset), and audio driver (could be part of chipset too). I am probably forgetting something but you can just look up your hardware and see what windows might be missing and sort of figure it out from there. I always sort of just get make sure i have a internet connection going and figure out what I am missing. I just put server 2008 on my desktop workstation ....had to track down all the drivers and tweak/hack things to make sure they work o.o.

Edit: just save that directory to a flash drive or something and that should have most of your driver needs.

 

I believe Intel released new drivers on most/if not all WiFi on 8/1/08. I updated that on my 3 other family laptops.

But from the look of it at Lenovo site, some drivers are compatible with another X models.

Even if it's missing a specific driver, computer should run right?

Why does my sticker says Centrio 2 while KriX says Core 2 Duo?

I ordered P8600..

 

As did I. That is very strange.

 

Isn't suppose to show Centrino 2? I though that's the new name for the montevina cpus.

 

Questions both Krix and I have is that his sticker says Core 2 Duo and mine says Centrio 2..

Well anyway, can't wait to return home to try clean install.

Some fingerprints stays on the palm rest already..

 

How do you like it? Did you get over the smallness? How is the screen quality vis-a-vis a Macbook?

 

I had Vaio SZ (which is also small) before it didn't take me long time, but what I was saying that it was smaller than what I expected.

I don't know about Macbook's screen quality, but it looks pretty fine to me. I think SZ quality is better though.

Impressed with battery life. It only had about 30% left when I first turned it on - which recorded 2 hours.

 

Centrino 2 refers to the whole new platform. They are still Core 2 processors (penryn).

 

It could be because you have Intel wireless and he doesn't.

Centrino 2 = Penryn processor + Montevina chipset + Intel Wireless 5100/5300

 

I see. I ordered 5300. Thanks for the information.

 

That would be funny if that were actually the reason, heh. It is still a centrino 2 haha.

 

These are the programs listed under 'Programs and Features.'

2007 Microsoft Office system
Access Help
Adobe Flash Player9 ActiveX
Adobe Flash Player 9 Plugin
Adobe Reader 8.1.2
Business Contact Manager for Outlook 2007 SP1
Camera Center
Client Security - Password Manager
Coneaxant HD Audio
Help Center
Integrated Camera Driver Installer Package Ver.1.18.5
Integrated Camera TWAIN
Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator Driver
Intel(R) Management Engine Interface
Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software
Java(TM) 6 Update 7
Lenovo Fingerprint Software
Lenovo Registration
Lenovo System Interface Driver
Lenovo Welcome v1.0.24.3
Message Center
Microsoft Office 2003 Web Components
Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies
Microsoft Office Small Business Connectivity Components
Microsoft Office Suite Activation Assistant
Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Microsoft SQL Server Native Client
Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files (English)
Microsoft SQL Server VSS Writer
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable
Mobile Broadband Connect
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB936181)
On Screen Display
PC-Doctor 5 for Windows
Presentation Director
Product Recovery Disc Burning Utility
Productivity Center SUpplement for ThinkPad
Registry patch for Windows Vista USB S3 PM Enable..
Registry patch of Changing Timing of IDLE IRP by Fin..
Registry patch of Enabling Device Initiated Power Ma..
Registry patch to improve USB device dection on re..
Rescue and Recovery
ThinkPad Bluetooth with Enhanced Data Rate Software
ThinkPad EasyEject Utility
ThinkPad FullScreen Magnifier
ThinkPad Mobility Center Customization
ThinkPad Power Management Driver
ThinkPad Power Manager
ThinkPad TrackPoint Driver
ThinkVantage Access Connections
ThinkVantage Active Protection System
ThinkVantage Productivity Center
ThinkVantage Status Gadget
ThinkVantage System Update
Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess Self Activation
Windows Driver Package - AuthenTec Inc. (ATSwpW..
Windows Driver Package - Intel (e1yexpress) Net (03/..
Windows Driver Package - Intel (iaStor) hdc (05/07/2..
Windows Driver Package - Intel hdc (02/20/2008 6.9..
Windows Driver Package - Intel System (01/03/2008..
Windows Driver Package - Intel System (02/20/2008..
Windows Driver Package - Intel System (02/20/2008..
Windows Driver Package - Intel System (09/15/2006..
Windows Driver Package - Intel USB (02/05/2007 8.3..
Windows Driver Package - Lenovo 1.45 (02/18/2008 1..
Windows Live Toolbar

 

I'm currently burning recovery disc and looking at the driver site.

Edit: can anybody confirm this? I clicked 'Create Recovery Media' and burnt a recovery CD, but it only needed 1 DVD-R (only used 415mb)... It went by pretty quick too.

 

I have the 4 cell. I haven't done a real test of it, but this weekend I ran it off the battery for an hour or so at full-whack...no conservation measures or half-brightness on the screen. After an hour or so there was still >65% power on the battery, so I presume I could go 4 hours using reduced brightness and some other battery-saving tweaks.

 

Can't I just install whatever is in the SWTOOLS/Drivers folder instead of downloading everything from Lenovo?

 

Ya that is probably everything...and if it isn't you can always look it up so no big deal. That recovery media seems too small. It might just be a backup of the drivers and software. Double check.

 

Is there separate driver for SSD or do I install SATA driver available at Lenovo driver site?

I'm downloading every drivers (32 bits only) at the moment. I hope everything works out fine..

The recovery CD has boot folder and stuff like that.

 

There's two options to make recovery disc. I think I found the right one this time. It's asking me to insert 2nd DVD-R.

Could anyone find me a latest update to these? I went through T61 Clean Install Guide, but I couldn't find one for Intel GMA X4500 HD. I found the update to WiFi 5300 though.

Intel Chipset Driver/INF Update Utility
Matrix Storage Manager Driver

---

Driver listed at Lenovo X200 driver site has "This package detect and configure the INTEL GM965 Express Chipset and INTEL PM965 Chipset for Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista."

This is not the right chip right?

 

Sheesh...talk about bloatware, have they learned nothing from customer feedback?

 

Is it SSD or the processor? It's running 83 processors at startup but it's going pretty fast. Faster than my previous Core 2 Duo 7xxx with only 48 running. Haven't really counted the starting time, but it shuts down in few seconds.

 

It's the SSD. That's the most noticible difference.

 

Could anyone answer my questions about clean install?

 

I'm about to do a clean install and I see 3 partitions

C: SW_Preload (main hard drive 48.3 GB)
Q: Lenovo (Recovery partition)
S: SERVICEV003 (1.46GB - When I clicked it, it says "This partition is used by Windows to boot your system. Lenovo recommends that you do not make any changes to this partition. Removing or renaming this partition may cause the system to become unusable.")

I don't know what to do. Should I delete both Q: and S: or just Q:?

 

I'm about to do a clean install and I see 3 partitions

C: SW_Preload (main hard drive 48.3 GB)
Q: Lenovo (Recovery partition)
S: SERVICEV003 (1.46GB - When I clicked it, it says "This partition is used by Windows to boot your system. Lenovo recommends that you do not make any changes to this partition. Removing or renaming this partition may cause the system to become unusable.")

I don't know what to do. Should I delete both Q: and S: or just Q:?

 

I could be wrong but I think S is the Lenovo software? There should be no reason your computer wouldn't work if you deleted it.

 

If you want to whip absolutely everything then go ahead. If you are doing a clean install of the OS then it will create the boot files and such.

 

So I could erase both S: and Q: partition?

I've done recovery/uninstalling bloatwares many times, but I've never done a clean install before, so I really want to be sure this time.

Would you guys leave the recovery partitions?

C: is using only about 10GB, so after deleting some bloatwares and some of ThinkVantage sofwares, I think I should have enough to install my essential programs as well.

Could anybody find me a latest update to these for X200? I couldn't find anything but latest WiFi updates (released 8/1/08)

Intel Chipset Driver/INF Update Utility
Matrix Storage Manager Driver

It won't let me delete the S: drive through DiskPart. I guess that driver is important. I removed the recovery partition though. Doing clean install right now.

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

It doesn't show STEP 3 #12 like Stellan's Guide.. I cannot delete and create larger partition.

I don't see 'Drive option (advanced)', 'New'...

So I'm only able to install it on 48GB instead of 56GB or so..

My RAM number went down to 1.92GB.. and I guess my index rating for graphics is 1.0 because I didn't install the driver?

How do you bring back the hidden recovery partition? I think it's messed up..

I pressed ThinkVantage during start and went to Rescue and Recovery, inserted my Recovery Disc and it says it's wrong disc. It's reading from E:, but my external DVD is D:..

 

If you load your recovery discs, you should be able to bring back the recovery partition as well.

 

How do you load the recovery disc? Would it be the problem with the discs? When I viewed them on Vista, all 3 discs seems to have no problems.

I tried to load the discs pressing ThinkVantage button during startup and it will only read C:/Preboots... something like that which isn't there anymore.

And I tried some other options by going into Rescue and Recovery (reinstalled them). It keeps saying that the disc is not correct. I tried all 3, but same result.

Is there a way to load the recovery discs?

If by any case, if the disc was wrong (I don't see why it would be wrong because I didn't have any problem from burning them), is there another way?

BTW, the chipset driver I downloaded from Lenovo doesn't seem to work.

 

To llaod recovery discs - I guess he means to boot one of them. I do not remember, but I guess it is the very first one. To boot from a disk normally you need to select it when computer is just starting (when the notebook shows first logos (Lenovo). At that point you have to press F12. This will activate a menu where you can select to boot from the CD/DVD.

 

I think it is F11. It goes to Rescue and Recovery when I press F11 and something happens as I listed above. Could it be because I'm using external drive?

 

If I send it back to Lenovo, would they be able to install them back to factory setting?

I didn't want to do a clean install and just wanted to upgrade but I found out why CD only let me upgrade to do a clean install.

It's because the OEM version has SP1 and my Ultimate CD doesn't. After searching online, I had to delete SP1 from the laptop and install Ultimate.

 

No F11 is usually the key to run it off the hard drive's partition, since you deleted it, it won't work. The key should be F8, you should have a little screen asking you what to boot from first, at that point you may select the external disk drive you're using.

Another option is to go to bios, and change your boot sequence so it loads the external drive before trying to boot off the hard drive.

 

I brought up USBCD as first boot option/saved and then it goes to Rescue and Recovery..

Still says the same following message:

"If you have a set of Operating System Recovery Discs, please insert Disk 1 into drive E: now and press Yes, otherwise press No."

I tried all 3 recovery CDs, but it keeps saying that I inserted wrong discs.

I might try to take it to computer technicans. It's $60 flat rate but they would need recovery discs to bring back the recovery partition right?


--

I think I could really use recovery partition option in the future if anything goes wrong.

If I call Lenovo and send it to them, would they be able to install it back to factory setting without a charge?

 

I finally received my own X200! First impressions...

• SMALL! Makes sense, after all, as a 12" widescreen is bound to be smaller than 12" standard. But as there's more horizontal estate, the keyboard is still full-sized (and beautiful as always).
• LIGHT! Technically 3.5 pounds with the 9-cell battery, so about the same as previous generation X-series, but it feels lighter somehow... I'm sure that'll change as I carry it around.
• Beautiful finish throughout. Attracts fingerprints, of course, but they vanish quickly.

As far as performance is concerned...

• Disgusting bloatware, as reported by many. Clean install a must.
• Yet, performance is pretty fast even with just 1Gb DDR3. Upgrade to 4Gb, even if DDR2, will surely improve things.
• Screen isn't very bright, but still plenty adequate, unless you're in full sunlight (and if you often use a laptop in full sunlight you're not buying a X200 to begin with).
• Couldn't test connectivity, as my school has a DUMB application that verifies whether or not you have an antivirus installed... and this app doesn't run on Vista, apparently! They'll hear my sound *****ing tomorrow.
• Battery was 28% charged out of the box. It lasted almost 2 hours with wi-fi on, screen brightness at max, and no undervolting. 6 hours under these conditions can be expected!

Overall, so far I'm quite pleased.