My plan on installing Win 7 on new T500 with XP installed.

Question

I have a T500 2082 on order.  It comes with XP Pro installed. I have a full Windows 7 that I intend to install.
Here is my initial plan:
Do the BIOS upgrade v3.11/3.10 dated 27 Nov 2009.
Copy the C:\SWTOOLS folder to other media for drivers etc.
Install Windows 7 -- maybe 64-bit. Probably a fresh install.
Let Windows 7 choose drivers.
Install ThinkVantage System Update 4.0, and let that get the appropriate Lenovo drivers. I will have another computer to download drivers from the website if the need arises.
Install ThinkVantage System Update 4.0, and let that get the appropriate Lenovo drivers.I will have another computer to download drivers from the website if the need arises.
If something does not work, remove the existing driver, reboot, and provide the Lenovo driver when Windows 7 finds the hardware.
I am concerned that I will lose extra applications, such as the ability to play DVD movies. Will I find installation for those extras in the C:\SWTOOLS folder?
Comments, suggestions? Is there maybe a FAQ that I have missed?This ThinkPad is for personal use rather than business.
Thanks.

Answer 1

Ideasmiths wrote:
Copying the C:/SWTools doesn't help that much. Most likely the original stuff is in the S: and Q: drives. What you need to do is to invest in 3 DVD Roms and do a creation of recovery disc. Almost every other lenovo user don't do that on their first bootup and then they messed up the system and can't recover.
@The OP: if you want the DVD player, you wil have to copy it from SWTOOLS.  That's where the installer is.  AFAIK, you can't browse the recovery images to get it.  You can download the update from the Lenovo site but it won't install unless you install the original version first.
OTOH, by all means, make the XP recovery media before touching anything else.  That should be printed in RED on the outside of the box the laptops come in.
Generally your approach makes sense to me.  That's how I migrated my T400 from Vista to 7 64 bit.  If you have switchable graphics, be prepared to see your battery runtime go way down until they fix the drivers:  Battery Life Decrease In Windows 7
HTH,
Z.
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