noob T400 questions about recovery cd etc

Just got my T400.

I created the recovery media. I keep hearing conflicting stories. T400 users: how many recovery disks are you surposed to have? currently I have 3, one of which is a cd as told by the program.

Now my question is: how do you do format and reinstall. I tried this and I get an error because I am missing the first OS disk they ask for. I cancel it and it lets me through with the disks I have. However after reinstall I find the old programs I installed were still there. Meaning the reinstall obviously didnt work.

Im also wondering what this intel active management technology is. It prompts me during start up. I read its some remote control software? Please fill mein on the downlow with this.

I paid for 3gigs of ram. It says 3 gigs in system information. Task manager says I only have 2.5 gigs total physical memory. Whats the deal?

Cheers

 

Another few questions that really bother me:

I have the extended battery. My first day of use had already lead to 96% max charge. Inefficient dying battery already?

Also very important. The middle scroll button. Say I press it a few times. A window will pop up to prompt you to learn more about scroll pad. Thats great and everything. If I restart or hybernate or put in sleep mode and come back then press the middle scroll key some more it pops up again. This is even after i check the 'dont show up again tab'. It is really annoying me now. Is it related to the vista administrator protection blocking this or whats the deal here. Please help.

one more question: does system update under thinkvantage actually work for anyone. mine cant connect

 

Your memory and the displays are working allright. Earlier you referred to Vista as a program. It's not...it's an executive and the memory taken by the exec is usually not shown.
-Renee

 

I have a desktop computer with vista and 3 gigs installed. I see 3 gigs in total physical memory. The thinkpad I have the same, except I see 2.5 gigs.

I never said windows is a program. Theres two cases here where I refer to program. (1) Windows installation PROGRAM. (2) 3rd party software (PROGRAM). I meant I had installed third party software. I then attempted factory format. It obviously did not work because I find the 3rd party PROGRAM was still there after reinstall. I wanted to get an answer on how to properly do a formatting job cause obviously the one I did didnt work.

Anyone else can answer questions for me plz?

 

If you have the T400 with dedicated graphics, it could be borrowing system RAM and hence you see less RAM.

Also, you want to know how to do a clean install, please refer to this guide.

 

You have the right disks, one CD and two DVDs.

You boot from the CD and when it asks you if you have an operating system disk you answer no, you don't have one -- they only come with the recovery disks Lenovo support ships you if you destroyed your system before you managed to burn your own.

So then you insert the two DVDs one after the other, don't be too quick removing the last DVD, I think it needs it at least one time after rebooting.

 

How come my reinstallation of windows did not work?

I know this did not work because I downloaded a drivers file that was placed in the C directory. After reinstallation I find its still there. This is after going through the lenovo welcome stuff as if it was brand new reinstalled.

Also, for Intel active management technology, is it surposed to be on as default with purchase? How come this was not advertised? Also is it only certain Intel processors that have this? Do all T400s have this?

 

I believe Lenovo partitions the hard drive into three separate partitions at factory. If you do not choose to delete them and then reformat using only one partition they will remain.

Intel AMT is activated when you get the laptop from Lenovo, if you did a clean install and did not install the AMT driver/software, then it is disabled. There might also be a way to disable it in the BIOS I would think.