X301 wipe and reformat

Hello,

I just received x301 with Windows 7. I'd like to do a wipe and reformat and keep only the essential thinkpad software. This is my first thinkpad and I'm not familiar with all the thinkpad software. Can someone point out the ones I should keep and the ones that are clearly useless?

I will also need help on reformating. It would be great if someone can provide a step-by-step walkthrough specific for x301. Thank you!

 

Wrote this a while ago, but it should still be relevant.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=305160

 

Personally, I am only using Power Manager and System Update in Windows 7 Professional. I let System Update download all the appropriate drivers (which it did very nicely), but unchecked the additional software. If you're using a regular hard drive (not SSD), you'll want Active Protection as well.

 

Thanks, both of you!

Chrixx, based on your description from another post, it sounds like if Win 7 is already installed, then I wouldn't need to worry about getting any other drivers and it would take care of itself. Is this correct?

 

as s/o else in another post said, win7 uses drivers which will satisfy most of the systems. hence, for better performance and less of a chance for mishaps, you better get the lenovo system update. that should take care of things. i, opersonally wouldn't rely solely on the win7 abilities.

 

No, you need certain Lenovo specific drivers for certain functions to work, but there are some drivers which are generic, i.e. the Intel wireless card. Even the Intel display drivers should be sourced from Lenovo if you want the hotkeys to work. In my guide, I provide a list of essential drivers which I find are optimal to the X301.

 

I concur here. When I tried OEM/generic drivers, certain features were definitely missing.