Lenovo W520 Owner's Thread

[Kaso]

True. Make the recovery discs from the original drive, then create the factory-image on the new drive from the recovery discs.

(The other way is to install Windows 7 SP1 yourself, then install Lenovo drivers and tools/applications.)

[pchome]

True. Make the recovery discs from the original drive, then create the factory-image on the new drive from the recovery discs.

(The other way is to install Windows 7 SP1 yourself, then install Lenovo drivers and tools/applications.)

Is there a preferred way over another?

[badhabit_wb]

Someone mentioned to me that if I am going to replace the HDD with an SSD, all what I have to do to keep everything working as originally came from lenovo is to make the recover disks from the original drive. Is that true?

you could also use a product like acronis true image and make an image of the factory drive and put it on the ssd. I did it that way, then I did it with a clean install of windows 7, then I did it with the recovery disks. testing with pcvantage the clean install came in third with the recovery disks and the image pretty much tied for first. I was surprised that the clean install wasn't the best performer. boot times were also faster with lenovo's build. good luck.

[Thors.Hammer]

Is there a preferred way over another?

Yes. If you don't have a lot of experience with ThinkPads and the software produced by Lenovo, it's best to use the Lenovo factory images until you gain that experience.

After you have an understanding of what is provided and it's intent, then you can make informed choices on what to uninstall or clean install the OS.

Your first order of business is to create the factory DVD disk set using the Rescue and Recovery software. Do that right when you get the machine so you can always revert back to it if desired.

[Thors.Hammer]

boot times were also faster with lenovo's build.

Not in my experience. RapidBoot and RapidBoot Extreme is pure marketing.

[badhabit_wb]

Not in my experience. RapidBoot and RapidBoot Extreme is pure marketing.

I did uninstall rapidboot I forgot that until you mentioned it. You are correct.

[huberth]

It is a great idea but I am now rethinking about not having my backup drive at all in my laptop in case of theft/damage.

Another option: use a 32GB, 64GB or 128GB SD card as a removable backup device. They are coming down in price (currently about 1 dollar per GB: Amazon.com: Komputerbay 64GB SDXC High Speed Class 10 Memory Card 15MB/s Write 20MB/s Read 64 GB: Electronics )

[SaabLives]

Hey all you nerds,
These probably have already been mentioned, but I'll ask anyways:

First off, as like many, my 500gb 7200rpm shipment took forever to ship. Order 1/26 and was just shipped yesterday. If you order by enabling RAID, it did/does not warn you about the long shipment.(noticed upgrading HD when not enabling raid does warn you). Apparently there was a shortage of these HDs, why couldn't they just upgrade me to SSDs?

Questions:

• 1. Ordering Raid Enabled Option: Does that mean they ship you 2 HDDs? (just checking)
• 2. mSATA: So I'll have the primary drive bay and secondary ultrabay drive bay, I'm thinking mSATA SSD. Does RAID and mSATA have any correlation.... just wondering if I have to configure the BIOS a certain way when installing the mSATA SSD. The upgrade guide doesn't give much info on installing mSATA SSD. Do I just plug it in and install an OS on it? (Also, anyone have a good mSATA SSD recommendation?)
• 3. Upgrading Memory: I want 2x8gb memory upgrade in addition to 4gb that came with it.(mostly just for kicks) Anyone have a good recommendation(links please).
• 4. When does Lenovo bill you for the laptop?

Huberth, I'm liking your thinking on them SD cards.

laptop should get here soon. Landed in the US of A from those commie manufactures today according to the shipment tracking. I once worked for the soulless company called Foxconn. I hope Lenovo doesn't use them.

FYI: levono laptops got an excellent deal today using ecoupon: PRESIDENT.

[pchome]

Hey all you nerds,
These probably have already been mentioned, but I'll ask anyways:

First off, as like many, my 500gb 7200rpm shipment took forever to ship. Order 1/26 and was just shipped yesterday. If you order by enabling RAID, it did/does not warn you about the long shipment.(noticed upgrading HD when not enabling raid does warn you). Apparently there was a shortage of these HDs, why couldn't they just upgrade me to SSDs?

Questions:

• 1. Ordering Raid Enabled Option: Does that mean they ship you 2 HDDs? (just checking)
• 2. mSATA: So I'll have the primary drive bay and secondary ultrabay drive bay, I'm thinking mSATA SSD. Does RAID and mSATA have any correlation.... just wondering if I have to configure the BIOS a certain way when installing the mSATA SSD. The upgrade guide doesn't give much info on installing mSATA SSD. Do I just plug it in and install an OS on it? (Also, anyone have a good mSATA SSD recommendation?)
• 3. Upgrading Memory: I want 2x8gb memory upgrade in addition to 4gb that came with it.(mostly just for kicks) Anyone have a good recommendation(links please).
• 4. When does Lenovo bill you for the laptop?

Huberth, I'm liking your thinking on them SD cards.

laptop should get here soon. Landed in the US of A from those commie manufactures today according to the shipment tracking. I once worked for the soulless company called Foxconn. I hope Lenovo doesn't use them.

FYI: levono laptops got an excellent deal today using ecoupon: PRESIDENT.

It was as interesting to me as you that the 500GB 7200RPM in the RAID option ships immediately within the same time fame as the 5400RPM. They do not warn you because they actually ship fast. I called them after getting tired of waiting for my 7200 RPM to ask why with RAD, they ship faster, and they told me something funny that I did not get. They say the RAID machines get a priority on having the 7200 RPM when they arrive in stock!!!

Long story short, I gave up, I requested cancellation of my order and got the 5400 RPM and that was the reason for my discussion. I cannot wait till 3/16 when I can get on 2/27, don't you agree?

[Kaso]

... Ordering Raid Enabled Option: Does that mean they ship you 2 HDDs?

They ship a drive of your choice in the primary bay and an UltraBay caddy in lieu of the optical drive.