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    I just ordered a T500. How do I downgrade to XP?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by chukwe, May 9, 2009.

  1. chukwe

    chukwe Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi All,

    I just ordered the T500

    * Intel Core 2 Duo (T9550) 2.66GHz 6144KB (L2 Cache)
    * CPU Bus Speed: 1066MHz
    * 4096MB (4096MB) PC3-8500 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
    * 320GB (1 x 320GB) Serial ATA Hard Drive
    * DVD±RW (Dual ±R)
    * Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Business
    * 15.4” WSXGA+
    * 16.77 million Colours
    * Resolution: 1680 x 1050 Pixels
    * ATI Mobility Radeon 3650
    * Intel 82567LM Ethernet 10/100/1000Mbps Integrated
    * Intel WiFi Link 5300AGN
    * RF Network Standard: IEEE 802.11 a/g/n

    This is my first Lenovo Notebook.

    What the first things to do when I get it? And how do I downgrade it to XP?
     
    chukwe, May 9, 2009
    #1
  2. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Before you downgrade, be aware that:
    1.- your battery life will be a fair bit shorter on XP than on Vista (figure 1 to 1.5 hours or so on a 9-cell battery, I've heard)
    2.- you will not be able to use the on-the-fly switchable graphics in XP: you have to reboot into BIOS to change graphics, which kind of negates the purpose

    If you configured it as such on the Lenovo website, it should come with free Windows XP Professional SP2 restore disks, which you can use to downgrade. You should first boot into Vista, however, and make Vista restore disks in case you want to upgrade to Vista later on.
     
    MidnightSun, May 9, 2009
    #2
  3. chukwe

    chukwe Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi MidnightSun,

    I ordered it in UK so no Configuration. Is it best to leave it with Vista?

    I like Vista, I thought about downgrading b/c many people suggest it.

    Will it see all the 4gb RAM?
     
    chukwe, May 9, 2009
    #3
  4. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Nice choice!!

    @chukwe: How much did you pay it for in the uk?
     
    Luke1708, May 9, 2009
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  5. chukwe

    chukwe Notebook Evangelist

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    chukwe, May 9, 2009
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  6. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You will need to request 64bit Vista discs from Lenovo and install it yourself. Unless the UK site explicitly says it comes with 64bit, it probably will not by default.
     
    Greg, May 9, 2009
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  7. chukwe

    chukwe Notebook Evangelist

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    I've a 64-bit Vista software from MSDN. I do know whether it'll see all the drivers
     
    chukwe, May 9, 2009
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  8. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    I would advise against downgrading to XP, as 32-bit XP (which is most widely supported) will not see all your RAM. Vista also has many features and advantages that XP lacks (two of which I already mentioned earlier).
     
    MidnightSun, May 9, 2009
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  9. sefk

    sefk Notebook Consultant

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    A lot of people say that global warning is just another urban legend, too.

    Joke aside, if you like vista why change?

    No it won't see full 4gb ram. The 4 gb problem is a 32bit limit.
     
    sefk, May 9, 2009
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  10. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'd also warn agains't downgrading to XP as it is a technological hangover reminiscent of this URL. This URL has plenty.

    32 Bits is correct unless you get 64-bit system. I did.

    -Renee
     
    Renee, May 9, 2009
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  11. drake437

    drake437 Notebook Consultant

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    Vista is great...It won't be worth the trouble to go to xp.
     
    drake437, May 10, 2009
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  12. chukwe

    chukwe Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks all for your great advice. I'll upgrade it to Vista X64 when I receive it.

    Another question, this model comes with a 9-cell battery according to the website I purchased it from.

    How many hours will the Notebook last on the battery assuming I'm running VMWare with SharePoint and Visual Studio 2008?
     
    chukwe, May 10, 2009
    #12
  13. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    That depends on many different factors. The most battery I've managed to get out of the T500 is around 8 hours.
     
    MidnightSun, May 10, 2009
    #13