X220 SSD question

Hello, I'm getting a X220 and am going to install an intel 320 SSD.

How do I get the SSD set up with all of Lenovo's optimization and general SSD optimization.

I have a 4gb flash drive, will I need larger?

 

Hello,
What OS are you using? I'll assume Windows7.
There are 2 main ways to do it.

Method 1: Create Recovery Disks
When you get a new computer, with Windows7, one of the first things you should do is create recovery disks (we're talking optical disks here, DVD-R or CD-R). Recovery disks are an image of the harddrive that includes the OS, and all programs and drivers, and files, at the time the image was created. If you have alot of programs installed, or alot of files, the image will be quite large, and take up more disks, which is a pain. So you might have to remove a bunch of your files before you create it.

Method 2: Clean install using a Windows install disk

This method is a little trickier, but the advantage of doing a clean install is your x220 won't have a bunch of software that you probably never use, and the OS install will take up less room on the SSD, which is great.

You'll need a windows install disk. If you know anyone who has a windows install disk you can use theirs, then when it's time to input your windows serial number, and activate it, you can just enter the number that came with your x220. It's on a sticker on the bottom. Recommend you make note of this number and never loose it.

You can also buy a windows install disk. There are full retail windows install disks, cost like $190 USD (Windows7 Home Premium), or upgrade disks cost like $100 or $200 for the family pack which allows for 3 upgrades from vista to win7. Even though this is an upgrade disk you can still use it to do a clean install of windows7. Here's a guide from Paul Thurott which is very helpful.

If you want to use a USB key to install windows7, here's a guide. 4GB is the minimum size you need.

After you have windows7 installed, you'll have to install your drivers from Lenovo.com. You don't have to install all the thinkvantage software, you can pick and choose what you want.

Here's rough guide of how I did it for an x61s. Going from memory right now, I'll update this later when I know for sure how I did it.

First, Get your intell SSD, Update it to the latest intell firmware. Read intel's instructions, print them out if you have to. You have to do this on a computer with a CD or DVD drive I think.

Note, when installing drivers from Lenovo, read the readme file that comes with each one. Also, when installing drivers from lenovo, follow the onscreen instructions for each one, you usually have to restart the computer one or more times for each one.
There are different drivers for 32 and 64 bit Windows7. Make sure you are choosing the right one.
- install windows
- run windows update
- install Chipset driver
- install Power Manger Driver (this is different from Power Manager)
- Power Manger
- HotKey Driver
- Access Connections (optional) - I like it, it manages your wireless wifi connections. I think you need it to turn bluetooth on and off.

Windows7 comes in either 32 bit or 64 bit.Most people will tell you to go with 64 bit. If you want to go with 64bit, make sure that any printers or scanners you use have 64 bit drivers available for download.