Help with X60 tablet functionality...please

I bought the x60 because I thought the digital ink would be very helpful. I was eager to capture the page and pages of paper notes that utimately get lost or discarded. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get my machine to work like a tablet. What is the "trick?"

I am currently running Vista. Do I have to go back to the XP tablet edition of the O/S? I see several X60 around but I have yet to find someone who is using the tablet functionality. Can someone please point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Gil

 

To use the tablet functionality, first you need a tablet computer. Even though the X60/61 Tablet shares the same model name as the X60/61(s) notebooks, they are very different machines. The main difference is in the display, starting from the LCD with active digitizer to the hinge that allows the display to pivot.

Next, you need an OS that supports tablet functionality. On Vista, the Home Basic edition does not support tablet functionality. Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions have the support. Next, make sure the component is installed, which they should be by default. You can check via Control Panel, Uninstall a program, Turn Windows features on or off, and make sure Tablet PC Optional Components is checked.

Once these two requirements are met, you should be able to use the tablet functions. The stylus works like the mouse pointer, and the tablet input panel (TIP) can convert your handwriting into text. Ink-aware applications such as Windows Journal or OneNote can capture handwriting directly without the TIP conversion.

 

It seems you don;t have the tablet laptop. Just to make sure, can you swivel the screen so it rests flat on the keyboard, face up. If not, you don't have tablet. I'd return it if u really want the tablet feature. However, the x61/x60 is a fine machine, so its not like you got something crap.

 

To use the tablet functionality, first you need a tablet computer. Even though the X60/61 Tablet shares the same model name as the X60/61(s) notebooks, they are very different machines. The main difference is in the display, starting from the LCD with active digitizer to the hinge that allows the display to pivot. Yes my screen will pivot and lay down flat.

Next, you need an OS that supports tablet functionality. On Vista, the Home Basic edition does not support tablet functionality. Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions have the support. I have Vista Enterprise Next, make sure the component is installed, which they should be by default. You can check via Control Panel, Uninstall a program, Turn Windows features on or off, and make sure Tablet PC Optional Components is checked. Not sure what you mean. Which specific componet needs to be installed? None of my "tablet" buttons work. Which program should I uninstall? I believe my problem is definitely related to "configuration". I hope someone can help me out. At least I don't think I need to "roll back" to XP Tablet Version to get this working. Help

Thanks,
Gil

Once these two requirements are met, you should be able to use the tablet functions. The stylus works like the mouse pointer, and the tablet input panel (TIP) can convert your handwriting into text. Ink-aware applications such as Windows Journal or OneNote can capture handwriting directly without the TIP conversion.

 

Vista Enterprise... That's a different animal. It is possible that your corp admin stripped out the Tablet components when he created the corporate image.

You can check by looking in Start->All Programs->Accessories->Tablet PC. If the Tablet PC program group does not exist or is empty, then you need to install the components. Open up Control Panel->Programs->Turn Windows feature on or off. In the Windows Features list box, look for "Tablet PC Optional Components", put a check mark next to it and click OK. Windows will then copy some files and may need to restart. If everything went right, tablet should be working.

 

msb0b has been very helpful but I am still not getting my tablet to work. This morning we went to lenovo site and did all the updates. That took about an hour. Then we did the last steps you recommended. I still can not get my tablet to work. Even the "tablet" buttons don't work.

Is this a driver issue or could I have a genuine hardware failure somewhere? Now I know why I have not seen anyone around here using their x60 as a tablet. It is very difficult to get it set up.

Help .

Gil

 

Try calling Lenovo support. They might be able to tell you if it is a hardware problem.

 

Your problem is most likely that fact that you are using Vista Enterprise. I had a similar problem trying to install/hack tablet functionality in to windows xp pro (a os that does not have tablet functionality built in natively). I bet if you threw Vista home premium or higher on your x60 your tablet would work.

 

After spending a few hours loading drivers and poking around my 2nd level tech support guy determined we have a HW problem with the digitizer. The are planning to replace it tomorrow. I hope that solves my problem. Thanks again to everyone who gave me some tips.

Gil