I messed up on my T400 purchase, please help

Hello Everyone,

Well, I probably would not need to be asking these questions if I had spent some time reading the forums before making my purchase. Unfortunately, my Lenovo T60 had a short in the mother board (out of warranty) and I needed to replace it fast. I went on the Lenovo site, customized my new T400 and pressed paid. It shipped on Friday and is scheduled for delivery on Monday. Here is my dilemma, after spending some time reading the forums today (Saturday, March 14), I realized that purchasing 4GB (2DIMM) of total memory with the "Genuine Windows Vista Business with Windows XP Professional Downgrade" was a mistake. The 32-BIT Windows XP Operating System (OS) will not know the additional 1GB is there. I also learned that the Windows XP OS will not allow me to utilize the "Switchable Graphics" without entering the BIOS at startup. Since I want to be able to utilize both of these resources, my first question is:

How can I update my 32-BIT Windows Operating system to 64-BIT Operating system?

I just read Lenovo's return policy (unless it was their error, there is a 15% restocking fee), so it is not as simple as sending it back (or returning the order) to have the 64-BIT OS installed. From what I have read, you can only upgrade a 32-BIT OS to a 32-BIT OS, not a 32-BIT OS to a 64-BIT OS. Any considerations would be appreciated.

My second question, from additional reading, it seems as though the "AT&T 3G Mobile Broadband Card" is something that now interest me. My customized T400 was set to "Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable," so I know I have the antenna but no card. As an accessory, Lenovo charges $129 for it. If I would have purchased it with my T400, it would have been $30.

Is their a way to receive the "AT&T 3G Mobile Broadband Card" at the original $30 price and is it easy to install?

Well, those are my questions. Thanks for reading and any considerations,

RMunoz

 

If you want to change your order you'll have to cancel and re-order. Do it quick because as noted once it ships you're hosed.

Lenovo only offers 64 bit in Vista Business. I suppose you order a set of 64 bit recovery discs from Lenovo. They're $45. A clean install is another option if you can get a Windows disc, but you'll lose the ThinkVantage button if you care.

 

How much did the extra 1GB RAM cost?

I have 3GB on my T400 with WinXP and I wish I got 4GB.. there is always a chance you will want to upgrade your OS later.

 

Thanks ZaZ, but like I mentioned, my order shipped on Friday and is scheduled for delivery on Monday, March 15. If I try to return it, Lenovo's return policy says I will have to pay a 15% restocking fee. Do you know if this still holds true if I can get them to redirect the package before it even arrives at my home? From what I have read, once it arrives it is mine.

The funny thing is when I purchased it on Tuesday, March 10, they originally gave me a shipping data of April 7, 2009. I thought I had time. So I planned on spending the weekend researching if I should change or had made the right decisions with my customized order. Now here I am. Hopefully some one knows of a way to resolve this without to much effort or cost.

Bluerose, the base model that I choose, without customization, came with 2GB (1DIMM) total memory. The additional 2GB (1DIMM) upgrade cost $75. It is cheaper to get the additional memory from another site, like New Egg, but the Lenvo warranty only covers those items the product shipped with. Because of the type of work I am in and the places my notebook must go, I purchased the "4 Year Depot Upgrade with 4 Year ThinkPad Protection." From my understanding, the only other way to have the warranty cover any modifications is to have an authorized Lenovo dealer service the product. Hence, another reason for my original second question. Thank for the read and like I said before, any considerations are appreciated.

 

The only way I've heard of someone getting out of the fee is to order another more expensive machine before returning the other.