Clean Install Guide (works for 32-bit or 64-bit)

[allisonhome]

Originally Posted by thetymeis

... I am curious why you decided factory restore your computer after a clean install.

I'm just testing it.

I'm prepping this machine for a family member who will be on travel for 4 months. If the machine gets hosed (operator error, severe infection, "helpful" friend :-), I want to be able to give instructions over the phone that says "Here's how to get back to square one." So I needed to test those instructions ahead of time.

Originally Posted by thetymeis

Also, what is the difference between using recovery discs and F11? Thanks!

The recovery disks are three DVDs that you create by using the Factory Recovery Disc utility. Since everything is on DVD, it doesn't matter what you've got on your hard disk--hidden partitions or whatever.

The F11 function, however, is intended to let you repair a bad system, or even restore all the way back to Factory Settings by using image files stored on the custom Lenovo partitions ... no DVDs required. The way you use it is ... reboot, press the Enter key to interrupt, then press F11 to repair/restore.

The differences are important for the X100e because the X100e doesn't have a DVD drive. Also, it's different from most other ThinkPads because the other ThinkPads have a special blue button that the X100e doesn't have. Apparently, on those machines you're supposed to press the blue button during the reboot to get this OneKey Recovery (OKR).

[thetymeis]

@allisonhome

I appreciate the thorough feedback! I am waiting for my new ThinkPad to ship in and am just working out the details of setting it up.

I see you made the 3 Recovery Discs as well as a System Repair Disc. Did you notice any differences between the Windows 7 Clean Install and the Factory Restore? Which do you prefer? +1 Rep for you!

Anybody have tips for dual booting with Linux? I read that ThinkPads have some difficulty in this area as their Master Boot Records (MBR) do not like being touched.

[ngakpunya]

WOW this is really nice guide, Stallen! Thank you so much, my T400 compared much faster than the factory pre-installed, the boot time is one-third from the original one! Well done!

[alias23]

I can't find the driver named "system interface" on the lenovo web page? Even a google search (lenovo+t400+"system interface") yields no results. Could somebody please tell me what is the full exact name of the driver?

Thanks!

[gmoneyphatstyle]

Originally Posted by alias23

I can't find the driver named "system interface" on the lenovo web page? Even a google search (lenovo+t400+"system interface") yields no results. Could somebody please tell me what is the full exact name of the driver?

It might of been better to put your question in a new thread as this thread was started in 2007 and was originally for Vista. But I'll respond anyways as I was wondering the same thing when I did a clean win7 install on a Thinkpad x61s. Where's the system interface driver? Well I never found it and the install went just fine.

Here's the order I installed the drivers after doing a clean win7 install.

Windows 7 installation (this included some reboots)
ThinkPad Power Management Driver
Hotkey driver
--Reboot--
wait until the installation of hardware devices is complete
--Reboot--
Power Manager
--Reboot--
Trackpoint Driver, also refered to as Ultranav Driver

I also installed Access Connections because I like some of its features.

I skipped ThinkVantage Active Protection System, for harddrive protection, because I was using an SSD.

[Nekro]

Hello,

I had a quick question regarding the deletion of the hidden partition using diskpart on my Y470. When I list the partition, I see the following:

Partition 1 Primary 200MB
Partition 2 Primary 421GB
Partition 0 Extended 28GB
Partition 4 Logical 28GB
Partition 3 OEM 14GB

I'm assuming the OEM 14GB is the hidden partition I am to delete, and leave all others untouched until the install process, correct?

Thanks!

[gbporkpie]

What is the "system interface" equivalent for W700? Can't find anything like that on Lenovo's driver page for W700. I'd definitely like my Fn and volume keys to still work after the clean install.

[AESdecryption]

Originally Posted by gbporkpie

What is the "system interface" equivalent for W700? Can't find anything like that on Lenovo's driver page for W700. I'd definitely like my Fn and volume keys to still work after the clean install.

Your Fn keys should work after a fresh install of Windows 7 without any Lenovo drivers. If you haven't installed any Lenovo drivers, download the Lenovo System Update (here) and install the updates you want to install in one go, just restart and everything you downloaded will be working (assuming that you didn't corrupt the downloaded files).

[CdnShockwave]

I'd love to do a clean install on my T500, but I can't find the Vista Upgrade Anytime disc or any links that work for downloading and making my own disc. All I have are the three recovery discs labeled "start recovery disc", "Operating System Recovery Disc Windows Vista Business SP 1", and "Applications and drivers recovery disc." Help?

[cn_habs]

Does the ABR activation tool still work with W7 Pro x64?
Thanks!