Thinkpads Forum

If the moderators agree, I thought it would be good to start a "sticky" thread on essential hotfixes and other tweaks.

Here's my list to start us off (these are links):

1. The monitor does not turn on when you move the mouse or press any key after you configure the "Power Options" settings on a Windows XP SP2-based portable computer. The hotfix is available here: http://hf.xable.net/, just search for 917332.
2. A Windows XP-based computer that is using an Intel dual-core processor may stop responding (hang) when you try to resume the computer from standby
3. Desktop Heap Default Size Prevents Programs from Launching Even When You Have Lots of Memory. Also see Forum discussion.
4. Computers that are running Windows XP Service Pack 2 and that are equipped with multiple processors that support processor power management features may experience decreased performance. Also see Forum discussion.
5. Docking to a ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock, ThinkPad Advanced Dock, or Essential Port Replicator, causes the system to power off - ThinkPad R60, T60,T60p, Z60m, Z60t, Z61e, Z61m, Z61p, Z61t
6. Upgrade to wireless driver prevents Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with text "NMI: Parity Check/Memory Parity Error"
7. How to move an old XP installation on a P-ATA drive with one processor to an S-ATA drive with more than one processor
8. XP fails to see USB hardware & install drivers - workaround

Hey moderators, how about a sticky status for these essential hotfixes? I could have saved >10 hours of research and frustration had I had this information in January.

People have a lot of expectation of the volunteer effort put in here by moderators. I read through your post, and I wonder how many people would be affected? Can you estimate?

I have no issue with a sticky, but I only have one vote. Let's see if any other moderator posts. ... JDH

The first and fourth issues probably affect every Thinkpad owner with a Core 2 Duo and perhaps a Core Duo also. I can't speak for issue two, it does not affect me. Issue 3 affects every Windows XP user with 1.5GB or more of memory and who runs lots of programs. Issue 5 potentially affects all dock owners who bought docks prior to whenever Lenovo starts shipping new docks with the rubber static caps.

I am definately affected and appreciate the information very much. I need to apply two of the hot fixes listed.

Much appreciated!

Although I am currently not affected by any of these issues with my T41P, I do vote for a sticky. I will be picking up a T60 or T60P very soon.

Although a sticky is a great idea, I do think it should include any other hot fixes, performance tweaks and whatnot as they apply to the T60 series. I know it would be a lot of work to comb through this forum and put it together, so:

I hereby volunteer myself for the task.

WPWoodJr wrote:Hey moderators, how about a sticky status for these essential hotfixes? I could have saved >10 hours of research and frustration had I had this information in January.

relax..
cool your jets..

thank you for your efforts..

now others will benefit from your work..

we'll take care of your request..

we ALL have more to do than to jump instantly..

drop a nickel in the slot and watch the blinking lights..

and soon you will see your name, there..
IF you have filled in your signature lines..

I also like the idea of this sticky. There are few hotfixes to Windows that everyone needs, and there are also lots of tweaks to get a system to perform like it should. I will contribute to this sticky with my own list of Windows tweaks that should make Windows fast and reliable (that is if it does become a sticky).

Thanks Bill, I've added my machine details to my signature.

and i made a sticky..

BillMorrow wrote:and i made a sticky..

Thanks but why in this forum? Perhaps General Hardwar/Software would be better?

Woody, I moved it for you, are we now. I hope so.

Kyocera wrote:Woody, I moved it for you, are we now. I hope so.

You're a sweetie

Since I got my T60p in January I have had this BSOD twice:

Hardware malfunction
Call your hardware vendor for support
NMI: Parity Check/Memory Parity Error
*** The system has halted***

I ran MEMTEST86 with no problems reported. Then Zender posted information about a wireless driver update which prevents this error:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 945#270945

I have updated the first post in this thread with this "essential tip".

New tip posted in first post:
XP fails to see USB hardware & install drivers - workaround

all the tips in point 8 don't work for me. had to do a complete system restore. now two weeks later i am starting to have symptoms of USBs not working again...

Hey!

Great Idea!! Thankzzzzz!

Esay to read format..instructions clear!!


Good Luck!
Bata21c

here are a couple of suggestion for guides (probably most of the information is already in this forum).
- how to speed up your XP
- how to speed up newly acquired lenovo laptop (turning off/tuning automatic back up, turning off security, etc)

faster boot in vista (t61) select run and msconfig+boot+advance,set to use 2 prosessors.

bjalle wrote:faster boot in vista (t61) select run and msconfig+boot+advance,set to use 2 prosessors.

I just tried that on my T61 (Vista Business 64-bit). It was not any faster at all. Not even by a smidgen. In fact, in the one boot I tried, not everything started. I went back to the default (1 CPU) and it started as fast as with 2 and started better (properly). ... JDH

bjalle wrote:faster boot in vista (t61) select run and msconfig+boot+advance,set to use 2 prosessors.

Per default Vista uses both cores for booting (for that matter all available cores/cpus as long as supported by architecture). The only use of that setting is to reduce the number of cores/cpus used by Vista to boot up (like for diagnostic purposes).