Windows 7 and Lenovo T400

I just installed Windows 7 on my (Thinkpad) Lenovo T400, it works like a charm. I struggled a bit with the switchable graphics though, because I dock my laptop and use the xdvi cable. All I got was black screen when I downloaded the drivers from Lenovo.

What I did then was disable the switchable graphics in the BIOS, booted and updated the drivers, I did this via the Lenovo updater. I updated everything and installed the Lenovo software, except the Vista patches. When I tried to install the Vista patches the machine went into blue screen.

After updating all drivers I enabled the switchable graphics again but it didn’t help, no matter what I tried.

But then I right clicked the power symbol, chose “Switchable graphics” and high performance, answered yes and there it was. Now everything works fine.

There is still a problem when I close my laptop while Windows 7 is running, if I do that and open it the screen is black. I found out that I had to press the power button and put it to sleep again, and then wake it up by pressing the power button again, then the screen is ok.

Remember that the System updater still think you run Vista, ignore that and install the updates that arrives for it on your new Windows 7 – but don’t install the ones that say “Windows Vista Update Module”. :)

Update: You can now download version 4 of Lenovo’s update software, it will now recognize your Windows 7 system and be able to update drivers. It worked like a charm.

Update : September 9th a new version of the ATI drivers were released. Check out version 03.00.0741 special designed for Windows 7. It makes Switchable graphics a little easier to use. I had to fiddle a bit with the settings though but your setup will feel more “windows 7 native”.

Update: Now I got the accelerometer to work too, I had to download the latest drivers via Lenovo update software.


Related posts:

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  3. 10 lost hours – my Thinkpad
  4. Friday Humor – Windows 7 and sofas
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