IBM ThinkPad Users' Group

[dao]

How do you guys format the laptop?

1) Download all drivers 1st
2) Format
3) Reinstall -- Windows 7 using the original Win7 Installation CD (my recovery cd is unusable, and forgot to make a clean backup 2 years ago)
4) Load drivers 1 by 1?

Is there a shorter way to do it so that its clean (especially the download drivers part) -- without any unnecessary warez from Lenovo Thinkpad -- except for the battery management app.

Thanks!

1) & 4) not needed. Run Thinkpad System Update after windows installation, it will load/update all the drivers.

2) & 3) at one go since Windows 7/8 installation has the option to partition & format.

 

[gohkhm]

you can try here,B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders

Or you can try Newstead, Juzz1 at Sim Lim / Funan, I think they should be selling it already. Note that only non-US T440s comes with an option for nVidia.

 

[Calvin.Lee]

Just found out the hard way that even if the brand and model is the same for WWAN card does not guarantee that the card will work on the ThinkPad as I tried to get one..

From the Lenovo ThinkPad forum overseas, it seems to also applied to the Wireless LAN modules as well.

I assume the older the BIOS on the ThinkPad and the older the model of ThinkPad, the better the compatibility of the acceptance of the same brand and model or other brand and model of WWAN and Wireless LAN modules not brought from Lenovo directly for use unless using modded BIOS...

 

[gohkhm]

Just found out the hard way that even if the brand and model is the same for WWAN card does not guarantee that the card will work on the ThinkPad as I tried to get one..

From the Lenovo ThinkPad forum overseas, it seems to also applied to the Wireless LAN modules as well.

I assume the older the BIOS on the ThinkPad and the older the model of ThinkPad, the better the compatibility of the acceptance of the same brand and model or other brand and model of WWAN and Wireless LAN modules not brought from Lenovo directly for use unless using modded BIOS...

Where did you buy the wwan card from? Was it stated specifically to be used with Lenovo ThinkPads? I managed to install a Ericsson gobi 1000 3G card on my X200 last time, but have since removed it.

 

[Calvin.Lee]

Where did you buy the wwan card from? Was it stated specifically to be used with Lenovo ThinkPads? I managed to install a Ericsson gobi 1000 3G card on my X200 last time, but have since removed it.

I am not sure of the details but the seller of the WWAN card did mentioned it was installed and used on another x220. We tested the WWAN card on my x220 and system halt during POST, once remove no issue at all.

No damage done, just wanted to post here to alert users of ThinkPad be aware of the whitelist/blacklist and also even the correct model parts from Lenovo (at least for WWAN card I know) are used on another same model ThinkPad, it may not necessary work on another same model ThinkPad.

Not sure of the older model ThinkPads as we only tested on my x220. The advise is if the older model ThinkPads work with any WWAN or wireless module cards without a need of modded BIOS, do not update to a newer BIOS version from Lenovo cos never know what will happen...

This assumption is based purely on my finding, not from any one else for that matter.

 

[Lss]

I am not sure of the details but the seller of the WWAN card did mentioned it was installed and used on another x220. We tested the WWAN card on my x220 and system halt during POST, once remove no issue at all.

No damage done, just wanted to post here to alert users of ThinkPad be aware of the whitelist/blacklist and also even the correct model parts from Lenovo (at least for WWAN card I know) are used on another same model ThinkPad, it may not necessary work on another same model ThinkPad.

Not sure of the older model ThinkPads as we only tested on my x220. The advise is if the older model ThinkPads work with any WWAN or wireless module cards without a need of modded BIOS, do not update to a newer BIOS version from Lenovo cos never know what will happen...

This assumption is based purely on my finding, not from any one else for that matter.

pm if anyone is keen on a mini dock with/without power adaptor. under utilised so want to clear it before cny.

 

[jalanbesi]

hi, anyone know where to get thinkpad parts in singapore, such as the palm rest plate, mine got sticky.

 

[Calvin.Lee]

pm if anyone is keen on a mini dock with/without power adaptor. under utilised so want to clear it before cny.

Can work with x220?

 

[yukita]

the new T540 or W540 with 3k display looks good....

 

[gohkhm]

hi, anyone know where to get thinkpad parts in singapore, such as the palm rest plate, mine got sticky.

Why dont you try using some lighter fluid or lemon juice to remove the stickyness?

 

[Forseti]

Hi guys,
Am wondering abt this.
I've got win 8 pro installed in my thinkpad edge, should I update it to 8.1?
Would it still be pro, or the ordinary 8.1?
Tks!

 

[cheery]

1) & 4) not needed. Run Thinkpad System Update after windows installation, it will load/update all the drivers.

2) & 3) at one go since Windows 7/8 installation has the option to partition & format.

Thank you.... its been quite some time since I last touched formatting and restoring....

BTW, I think initially when I re-create the partitions to have 2 to 3 partitions for the ease of managing the data, I accidentally "lost" the ability to create recovery discs.

Any idea how I can get that back? OR I have to stick to 3rd party backup recovery softwares like Acronis True Image?

 

[Calvin.Lee]

I am not sure of the details but the seller of the WWAN card did mentioned it was installed and used on another x220. We tested the WWAN card on my x220 and system halt during POST, once remove no issue at all.

No damage done, just wanted to post here to alert users of ThinkPad be aware of the whitelist/blacklist and also even the correct model parts from Lenovo (at least for WWAN card I know) are used on another same model ThinkPad, it may not necessary work on another same model ThinkPad.

Not sure of the older model ThinkPads as we only tested on my x220. The advise is if the older model ThinkPads work with any WWAN or wireless module cards without a need of modded BIOS, do not update to a newer BIOS version from Lenovo cos never know what will happen...

This assumption is based purely on my finding, not from any one else for that matter.

Finally got one that works!! Works like a charm!!
Next thing for me is to try getting Mac OS to install on my X220..

 

[Calvin.Lee]

Thank you.... its been quite some time since I last touched formatting and restoring....

BTW, I think initially when I re-create the partitions to have 2 to 3 partitions for the ease of managing the data, I accidentally "lost" the ability to create recovery discs.

Any idea how I can get that back? OR I have to stick to 3rd party backup recovery softwares like Acronis True Image?

If you have accidentally deleted or removed the recovery partition like me, I did that during a disaster installing of Windows 8, then there is no way it can be recovered unless you have already made a backup of the recovery to discs or HDD or thumb drive for that matter when you first setup your thinkpad when brought. I didn't and now paying the price for it as I cannot use the blue button "ThinkVantage" for recovery anymore, it so easy to use.

The other thing that I have not tried is to call Lenovo SG for Recovery discs that is built for our thinkpad model. Some say it is chargeable, some say it is only free for one time and another say no such thing as Recovery discs since Lenovo already provided a method for user to create recovery discs in the laptop.

Currently, I am using the Acronis True Image Home to do my backup of the partition I want to restore if thing goes bad. Since my hard disk is big, I split into 2 partitions (one for OS and one for backup/data). I am using a X series thinkpad so I also created a boot-able thumb drive with Acronis True Image Home in it so I can boot up and perform a restore if needed.

 

[shawniiex]

Finally got one that works!! Works like a charm!!
Next thing for me is to try getting Mac OS to install on my X220..

Can be done ah?

If so, please give guide

Preferably if can dual-boot one. Dw just install OSX nia.

 

[Calvin.Lee]

Can be done ah?

If so, please give guide

Preferably if can dual-boot one. Dw just install OSX nia.

Easier said than doing it....

Now still trying and looking for experts to help me with it.

I may consider just getting a pre-owned X61 or X200 from someone who has already successfully installed Mac OS on the ThinkPad....

 

[shawniiex]

Easier said than doing it....

Now still trying and looking for experts to help me with it.

I may consider just getting a pre-owned X61 or X200 from someone who has already successfully installed Mac OS on the ThinkPad....

Haiyo, that alternative quite far off leh, as in, big diff from your x220.

 

[Lss]

Can work with x220?

dont see why not i use with T410.

 

[Lss]

If you have accidentally deleted or removed the recovery partition like me, I did that during a disaster installing of Windows 8, then there is no way it can be recovered unless you have already made a backup of the recovery to discs or HDD or thumb drive for that matter when you first setup your thinkpad when brought. I didn't and now paying the price for it as I cannot use the blue button "ThinkVantage" for recovery anymore, it so easy to use.

The other thing that I have not tried is to call Lenovo SG for Recovery discs that is built for our thinkpad model. Some say it is chargeable, some say it is only free for one time and another say no such thing as Recovery discs since Lenovo already provided a method for user to create recovery discs in the laptop.

Currently, I am using the Acronis True Image Home to do my backup of the partition I want to restore if thing goes bad. Since my hard disk is big, I split into 2 partitions (one for OS and one for backup/data). I am using a X series thinkpad so I also created a boot-able thumb drive with Acronis True Image Home in it so I can boot up and perform a restore if needed.

ive requested for the disks before 2013 dec ask they give 2011 version for T410s.

 

[gohkhm]

Looks like Lenovo is stopping production of the X230 Tablet - the last line of models that feature the signature swivel display panel.

In replacement, they are pushing the ThinkPad Yoga - currently the only model that features a stylus pen.

Often confused with this one - the Ideapad Yoga 2 Pro w/o stylus

Btw, just sent my Tablet for repair at Changi Business Park and they mentioned that they would be moving to Kaki Bukit before end of Jan. Maybe good news to some of you...