The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Any Thinkvantage software required?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by puthupa, Nov 11, 2009.

  1. puthupa

    puthupa Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'm going to switch my T400 to Windows 7 64 from Vista. I don't use most of the Thinkvantage software. Is there any specific Lenovo software that is required? I don't care about the blue Thinkvantage button (never used it), but I would like to use the volume buttons, function keys, etc. Thanks!
     
    puthupa, Nov 11, 2009
    #1
  2. cassiohui

    cassiohui Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    32
    Messages:
    378
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    well i skipped access help and toolbox. everything else is useful to me.
     
    cassiohui, Nov 11, 2009
    #2
  3. puthupa

    puthupa Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    'Useful' is subjective. The only Lenovo software I've used regularly is 1) power management and 2) Access Connections - and the latter stopped working, so I'm not keen on reinstalling it.

    I wonder if the mediocre experience I've had with Vista has been aided by Lenovo's software or not.
     
    puthupa, Nov 11, 2009
    #3
  4. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    426
    Messages:
    2,889
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    The Volume buttons and functions keys are not based on the Thinkvantage software, but on drivers such as the Hotkey driver. As far as Thinkvantage software, it is subjective. I would say Power manager is the most important one as even Windows 7 power management isnt' going to be as good as Power Manager since it is written for Thinkpad hardware specifically. Right now with Vista I am using Easy Eject, Power Manager and Active protection. I think Easy Eject is not going to be supported any longer on Windows 7.
     
    The Fire Snake, Nov 11, 2009
    #4
  5. JabbaJabba

    JabbaJabba ThinkPad Facilitator

    Reputations:
    847
    Messages:
    1,309
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    55
    As firesnake said the FN keys and volume buttons are not ThinkVantage software related.

    I am using ThinkVantage:
    - Fingerprint software
    - Active Protection System
    - Power Manager
    - Productivity Center (linked to the blue ThinkVantage button)
    - System Update (just to check if I missed one of the latest drivers on lenovo.com)

    Even if you haven't used the blue button before - you might appreciate it with the Productivity Center menu where you can add quick links which are shortcuts to programs or functions of your choice.
     
    JabbaJabba, Nov 11, 2009
    #5
  6. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

    Reputations:
    1,581
    Messages:
    5,346
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    See everything works for me except the brightness/volume green indicator bars (and brightness settings while using the ATi card).
     
    Thaenatos, Nov 11, 2009
    #6
  7. antskip

    antskip Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    146
    Messages:
    795
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    antskip, Nov 11, 2009
    #7
  8. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

    Reputations:
    1,581
    Messages:
    5,346
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    What I did was install System update 4.0 and it fixed all my issues with drivers, but sadly I goofed and installed the intel Wifi software. But it wasn't bad as I just uninstalled, ccleaned, and a restart away from fixed.
     
    Thaenatos, Nov 12, 2009
    #8