Win 7 on a T61P Widescreen

[JohnQ-FWB]

I have a T61P with 4gb memory & a 256gb hd with XP Pro and nothing software installed so a clean install of Win 7 is OK. I am looking at this - http://www.ebay.com/itm/181136149396?ss ... 1423.l2649 on FleaBay. I want to be able to have the original install DVD. What drivers do I need, especially the fingerprint reader, trackpoint, Power Management? Any guidence?

[father_longcat]

Out of the box Windows should work fine. You might need to do a bit of fiddling with drivers for network first, but that's fairly straight forward.

Once you are connected to internet properly, run Windows Update. Make sure to check all optional packages, usually this will update stuff like the chipset, GPU, wireless, modem, and screen driver. This includes some other arbitrary stuff Microsoft adds as well like system patches so it might take some time. Once you've installed all that jazz, go get the latest ThinkVantage System Update binary from the respective Drivers and Software tab for your laptop from the Lenovo site. The rest should be self explanitory, it will probably prompt you to update system drivers.

[ajkula66]

Before Windows Update, install Lenovo's System Update, and run it at least two times. Then you can proceed to Windows.

[Temetka]

Before Windows Update, install Lenovo's System Update, and run it at least two times. Then you can proceed to Windows.

Weird. I always do this.

1. Install Windows
2. Activate
3. Install MSE
4. Windows Update
5. Thinkvantage System Update

After that it's the usual install install Office, Adobe Reader, vlc and a few other choice apps.

[jronald]

I always have run the Thinkpad Update, just as soon as I could get it on the internet.
Then I run "most" of the Winblows updates
Add AntiVir
Add the rest of the needed software.

YMMV
Ron

[JohnQ-FWB]

I am posting this from a T61 that just had a Fresh Load of Win7 Ultimate 64 bit DVD and works GREAT!!!! I had the PC Tech follow the advise from this particular thread.

[ZaZ]

I always have run the Thinkpad Update, just as soon as I could get it on the internet.

I never run System or Windows update.

[Temetka]

I never run System or Windows update.

What?

Why?

Between those two you get all the drivers, security patches and performance updates.

Your post made it sound like you never, ever run updates. I hope I was mistaken in how I read that.

An unpatched system is a time bomb.

[ZaZ]

Been doing it that way for years and never had a problem. My own personal opinion is updates often cause more problems than they cure.

[ajkula66]

My own personal opinion is updates often cause more problems than they cure.

+ 1.

While I do install updates on occasion, I'm *very* careful and choosy on what actually ends up being installed...

[TEFGAF]

Just installed Win 7 Pro in T61 and found that it was better to do all of the the Windows updates before the Thinkpad updates as the latter depends on the presence of certain Windows updates. Specifically Thinkpad update software requires MS.NET framework 3.5 before it will install. Therefore, I'd suggest that one complete the Windows updates first. Moreover, Windows 7 installs all of the drivers one needs to get online and operate one's T61.

As an aside, what an amazing difference Win 7 Pro makes if one is updating from XP pro. Frankly, it's like one is getting a new and much faster laptop. I certainly don't miss XP after installing Win 7 in my T61.