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    Reformatting my HD for the first time, question about drivers

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by illway, Jan 7, 2013.

  1. illway

    illway Notebook Geek

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    Hello,

    I just received a Lenovo Thinkpad E430 with a fair amount of bloatware and would like to install a fresh copy of Windows 7. I understand how to do that, but when it comes to getting and installing the drivers for my machine, will Windows be able to grab those drivers or should I download all the drivers from Lenovo's website and install them one-by-one?

    Thanks
     
    illway, Jan 7, 2013
    #1
  2. S.SubZero

    S.SubZero Notebook Deity

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    Windows Update is far from comprehensive. Besides, let's say Windows 7 doesn't have LAN and WAN drivers for your laptop. How will Windows Update help you? 8)

    - Visit Lenovo's website
    - Download the LAN/WAN drivers for your laptop
    - Clean install Windows 7
    - Install LAN/WAN drivers
    - Get on the network
    - Run Windows Update
    - Let it install whatever it can find
    - Review Device Manager afterwards for devices it did not install drivers for.

    Your problem will be the unknown stuff will likely come up with useless terms like "Unknown Device" and "Base System Driver" which don't tell you what they are. At this point go back to Lenovo's driver site and get anything that looks like it's very Lenovo-specific, like their power management driver. Card readers are also popular things WU can't find.
     
    S.SubZero, Jan 7, 2013
    #2
  3. illway

    illway Notebook Geek

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    Much obliged, thank you for providing steps!
     
    illway, Jan 7, 2013
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  4. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    There's also a clean install guide for Thinkpads in the Lenovo forums on NBR, you can take a look at that too.
     
    tijo, Jan 7, 2013
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  5. Prostar Computer

    Prostar Computer Company Representative

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    Windows Update is hit or miss. And the drivers it does provide aren't always up to date; they can be one or two versions behind if the vendor hasn't submitted them to Microsoft - or if Microsoft has received them, but not published or reviewed them.

    Your best bet is to use Lenovo's site, and don't forget about the component's manufacturer website for alternate downloads. You can use the program Unknown Devices to pick up any missing drivers that aren't easy to find/recognize, or applications such as 3D Chip or DriverPack Solution.
     
    Prostar Computer, Jan 7, 2013
    #5