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    If I do a clean install...

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by LDM91, Sep 13, 2009.

  1. LDM91

    LDM91 Notebook Guru

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    I found my old OEM version of Vista I used to on my computer, I want to install this because Lenovo put way too much crap on the R400 I got and thus I suspect that's why it's slow (RAM and HDD tests both passed). Will I still be able to get power options to adjust my power plan e.g. screen brightness etc. so I can get more battery life? I won't be using any ThinkVantage rubbish but I think there is supposed to be a built-in Vista power management isn't there?
     
    LDM91, Sep 13, 2009
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  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Lenovo's Power Manager software is better than the built Vista options.
     
    ZaZ, Sep 13, 2009
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  3. LDM91

    LDM91 Notebook Guru

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    Yeah but I'm doing the clean install to get rid of all the stuff Lenovo put on since it makes the laptop perform considerably slower than it should. Can I download power manager seperately?
     
    LDM91, Sep 13, 2009
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  4. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Should be located in the SWTools folder on the C:\ drive. You might want to make a copy of the folder and the recovery discs too.
     
    ZaZ, Sep 13, 2009
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  5. LDM91

    LDM91 Notebook Guru

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    Ok. I tried to do recovery discs before and it did the first one and after I clicked ok when it ended nothing happened, any reason for that? I ended up restoring from the factory image Lenovo put on a partition but if I do a clean install then I won't have this, I'll try and do the recovery discs again I guess.
     
    LDM91, Sep 13, 2009
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  6. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Call Lenovo. They might send you a set if your machine fails to make them.
     
    ZaZ, Sep 13, 2009
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  7. LDM91

    LDM91 Notebook Guru

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    I already called them friday and plan to call them to ask if I'm allowed/should try the clean install anyway haha.

    Edit: I just thought, the discs weren't formatted before I tried doing it, would that be the problem?
     
    LDM91, Sep 13, 2009
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  8. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    A few points...

    1.) Like Zaz said, the Thinkvantage power manager is better than the one that comes with Vista. Better meaning that it will give you more battery life and more tweaking options since it is made for your machine. If you don't want to use any of the other Thinkvantage tools, then don't install them and only install Power Manager. That will work.

    2.) I don't think you have to worry about formatting any modern optical media.

    3.) You can do a clean install with out touching the recovery partition on your drive. Just wipe all the partitions on the drive excapt the recovery partition and clean install Vista. This way you will have your clean install and also the recovery partition intact incase you want to go back(ex: selling the machine).

    4.) Even though you have the OEM media and can clean install anytime you like, I still like to have a set of recovery media made since they can be used if/when you sell the machine.
     
    The Fire Snake, Sep 13, 2009
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  9. LDM91

    LDM91 Notebook Guru

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    The recovery media refuses to go past the first disc. I press ok then the program just disappears lol.
     
    LDM91, Sep 13, 2009
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