Thinkpad T420 Owner's Thread

[Hearst]

Installing software then it stops "don't meet the minimum requirements"

Try manually installing it using the Device Manager. Taken from my Q&A:

Q. I'm having trouble installing the latest Intel HD Graphics drivers on my ThinkPad T420, what method do I need to do to get this on?

A. If for some reason you have trouble installing the Intel HD Graphics on your ThinkPad T420 then try installing the driver manually instead of using the installer. First download the latest driver and run the file, it will tell you where you want to extract the contents to. Take note of the location and when the extraction completes it will ask whether you want to "Install the Intel HD Graphics", uncheck the box and close the installer.

Go to Device Manager, open the Display Adapters and on Intel HD Graphics, right-click and select "Update Driver Software...". On the following window, select the second option "Browse My Computer For Driver Software", browse and direct it to the directory of where you extracted your Intel HD Graphics driver early on. Afterwards click "Next" and it will begin installing the new graphics driver, the screen may flicker or go black but this is normal. Once done you maybe required to restart the system so make sure you save any work before doing so.

[600X]

I think you need to uninstall the old Intel driver first and install the new one normally afterwards. It worked for me.

[FMruss]

I think the thinkpad's software version of the T-420 was designed for the i5 and not the i7 so that's why it is not recognizing the HD3000. Did try to uninstall the hd3000- then my screen went blank and had to go inside the bios and have the system run as dedicated graphics only. I think the other problem is my buddy sold me a system that did not have it's original software (win 7 pro) and I had to install win 7 premium (that's what I had available).

[FMruss]

I am going to try to download drivers from intel and bypass Lenovo and see if that will work.

[FMruss]

Shoot, still no luck- will have to do another clean re-install.

[yrc]

I hope this doesn't get buried, but I need help on selecting and eSATA cable for the T420. Will this eSATA+USB Power to eSATA Cable work Amazon.com: StarTech.com eSATA and USB A to Power eSATA Cable M/M - 3 feet (ESATAUSBMM3): Electronics ?

Or do I need to find one of those eSATA USB hybrid cables like the one described here: Addonics Technology: Hybrid eSATA (eSATA USB hybrid) interface

I have an external enclosure with an eSATA port (did not come with an eSATA cable) and am thinking of trying it out.

[daemmon]

I'm sorry if this sounds like interminable whining, but after seeing the hp 8460p screen at a local store, it makes it so ever harder for me to wait for X1C to come out.. HP's screen might not be as bright as the one on my t420, but its viewing angles are visibly better.. I used to watch a lot of movies on my old laptop's screen and now... guess what! I still watch them.. on my old laptop... I really hope the X1C and t420 screens are interchangeable.

[Thors.Hammer]

I hope this doesn't get buried, but I need help on selecting and eSATA cable for the T420. Will this eSATA+USB Power to eSATA Cable work Amazon.com: StarTech.com eSATA and USB A to Power eSATA Cable M/M - 3 feet (ESATAUSBMM3): Electronics ?

Or do I need to find one of those eSATA USB hybrid cables like the one described here: Addonics Technology: Hybrid eSATA (eSATA USB hybrid) interface

I have an external enclosure with an eSATA port (did not come with an eSATA cable) and am thinking of trying it out.

Get the $2.99 cable at the top of the page I already provided.

See SATA Cables External and eSATA cables External

[kyohiros]

hehe i like to be the first to inform about Bios Update
New Bios Update is out version 1.40
Version 1.40
UEFI: 1.40 / ECP: 1.19

(Fix) Fixed an issue where specific hard disks might not be detected after resuming normal operation from standby/sleep state.
(Fix) Fixed an issue where an unnecessary fan error message might be shown.

Download

[Hearst]

Thanks for the update Kyohiros. For those who prefer the Bootable CD version of the 1.40 BIOS you can get it here.