getting new HD and Win 7 new install

Hi All,

I'm getting a new HD drive (after the old one crashed) and will be doing a clean install of Win 7 Ultimate, 32 bit (have only 2 GB or RAM)

Here are my specs, 8891-CTO, 14.1 std XGA screen, 2GB PC2-5300 SDRam, Intel Pro 3945 ABG wireless, nVidia Quadro 140M (128MB) Video and now 320 7200 RPM/16mb cache Western Digital HD.

I've updated the BIOS on my TP to the latest (I believe it's June '09 version).

My plan is to remove the old drive, pop the new one in and pop the win 7 cd in, performing clean install.

My plan is to then go to the Lenovo website and download Thinvantage System update

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=TVSU-UPDATE

This, according to Lenovo, would help me get all the latest drivers, etc...

Question - is this a good idea?
If not, what are the absolute must have drivers for my system?

Secondly, I have a few Win XP programs that I'm not sure will be working in Win 7. One of them is Quake IV and the other is ChessMaster 9000. Will these run with Win 7?

Thirdly, I've had audio problem with Win XP pro. Occasionally, during the boot up, my "audio hadrware has been changed" message would appear, and the pc would ask me if I wanted to reinstall ms active sync, etc.. along with the message. I thought it had something to do with the XP pack 2 or 3 incompatibility with Lenovo. I presume there should not be a problem in Win 7.

Thanks in advance

 

There should be no problem with doing that. As a matter of fact, I installed windows 7 on a blank drive a few days ago doing just that. Put the new drive in along with the disc, and used system update. Everything is working as it should so far (knock on wood).

 

thanks, so thinkvantage should take care of the most important updates first?

 

Well, I ran windows update first, and that installed one or two drivers. Then I ran the lenovo system update, and that lets you choose what to download and install. It'll give you descriptions about the specific update as well.

After I ran those two, it was fine.

 

did you install 32 bit or 64 bit?

 

windows 7 pro, 64 bit

 

I just installed win7 from scratch on a new drive after swapping out the stock drive. I didn't install anything from Lenovo's download site, and my device manager lists the following devices as needing drivers (yellow bang):

* Fingerprint Sensor
* PCI Serial Port
* PCI Simple Communications Controller

My blue thinkvantage button and fingerprint reader don't work, but other than that everything works great (graphics, wireless, audio, audio buttons next to the thinkvantage button, etc.).

So the minimum you need depends on what functionality you want...