Just a few notes on being cautious and careful with your data… because if you lose it, it’s gone! Of course you can lose anything – including your keys, your dreams and/or your self-respect – but I’m thinking digital. With the ongoing conversion of “things” into binary digits – or “bits” – it’s easy to overlook the potential for loss of data.
So here are some tips:
Hard drives fail, often suddenly. So make backups. To do this, firstly file your digital documents and images in logical spots (so you can find them easily without a hunt) then do a back up onto a different device. A backup can be as simple as a copy – onto a flash drive, a web drive, a DVD or an external HDD – or can be via backup software. As long as it’s done – and works (ie test it occasionally) – it may save you from some grievous digital loss.
You can also make complete images of your working PC setup using “ghosting” or imaging software. A ‘belts and braces’ approach to data backup and recovery may include regular backups onto external hardware plus a working “image” of your PC or other device (again, stored externally). Sounds too hard? Get someone to do it for you.
Programs and drivers sometimes screw up, too: or “what works today may not work tomorrow”. It could be that some data was re-written but was unintentionally distorted in the process, or a new program or OS update overwrote a critical shared file and left your older software out of action. It happens. So prepare for that with new system restore point (a link below on how to do that in XP, it’s similar in most popular operating systems). That way you can “roll back” to a previous, working state. Often software (such as device driver updates) offer “rollbacks” as standard, in case of drama. But if they don’t – and the new driver has killed something you rely upon – you need a restore point.
And remember to do the occasional test restoration, so that you know it works!
Using System Restore in XP – How-To Geek
Windows is well-known for having driver and .dll conflicts, as well as all sorts of software that causes problems with your computer. Luckily there’s a System restore feature that can return your computer back to a known working configuration, as long as you’ve created a restore point.
Note that some software installations will create restore points automatically, but you should run it manually before installing any questionable applications. (Or better yet, don’t install questionable applications!)
Let me guess. You just updated to the latest version of Live Messenger on Windows XP (and maybe later OS versions as well) and suddenly Live Messenger fails to proceed. It crashes with the “has encountered a problem and needs to close” message. Well I had that as well. And there’s a quick fix.
Let me tell you firstly what doesn’t work:
- Reinstalling or repairing Live Messenger via “Add/Remove Programs” in “Control Panel” doesn’t work
- Uninstalling Internet Explore 8 doesn’t work
- Re-installing Internet Explorer 8 doesn’t work
- Running all manner of virus checkers doesn’t work.
What does work is this fix from Microsoft: http://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=17e5dddf-4156-4725-a1a5-f3a10a76e12f
Well it worked for me, anyway. If you’ve tried everything else then it’s up to you. Another way around this problem is to disable or remove it and use another messenger.
Let me guess. You just updated to the latest version of Live Messenger on Windows XP (and maybe later OS versions as well) and suddenly Live Messenger fails to proceed. It crashes with the “has encountered a problem and needs to close” message. Well I had that as well. And there’s a quick fix.
Let me tell you firstly what doesn’t work:
- Reinstalling or repairing Live Messenger via “Add/Remove Programs” in “Control Panel” doesn’t work
- Uninstalling Internet Explore 8 doesn’t work
- Re-installing Internet Explorer 8 doesn’t work
- Running all manner of virus checkers doesn’t work.
What does work is this fix from Microsoft: http://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=17e5dddf-4156-4725-a1a5-f3a10a76e12f
Well it worked for me, anyway. If you’ve tried everything else then it’s up to you. Another way around this problem is to disable or remove it and use another messenger.
Just to recap (and this applies in general to many laptops, not just Lenovo’s) the steps in the downgrade from Vista to XP are (a) find the XP drivers for your hardware (in this example the Lenovo X200) and download them (b) go into the BIOS and switch your HDD to ‘compatibility mode’ and (c) boot up with the XP install disk. After that fine tune as needed. But that’s not all as (as in life) there are alternatives…. like a call to Lenovo support to get the optional XP install disk.
Or, if you really want to do the job yourself have a read of this variation on the theme…
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Lenovo Community
Well, to install Windows XP you will need a Windows XP cd of course.
Insert the Windows XP cd in your external optical drive. Set the boot order in the BIOS so that your external optical drive is boot up before your hard disk. Reboot and follow the instructions :smileyhappy:
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Lenovo Community
However, I got “Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer” msg and asked me to quit the setup.
Seems it couldn’t recongnize my harddisk
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Lenovo Community
Go into you Bios (by clicking on F1 while booting) and go to “Config” -> “Serial ATA (SATA)” and amend type to “Compatibilty” mode.
Afterwards press F10 to save and exit.
Now you should be able to install XP.
Once XP is installed, do not amend SATA type to original one, this would lead to a boot error.
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Lenovo Community
This solution works but however, I doubt it’s the best solution because basically you’re using old SATA drivers to run your Harddrive now. Here’s what I did. You’ll need another computer for this.
1. Get a Windows CD and copy the ISO to your PC.
2. Download nLite – Link
3. Download SATA Drivers – Link
4. Add Sata Drivers to your nLite Copy
5. Burn a Copy of this new Windows with Drivers.
6. You’re set! No more BSOD.
Notes: The SATA drivers will unzip themselves in a folder make sure you pick the right one (9M). Instruction on how to add drivers on nLite are pretty easy; add “Single Driver” (read their forums for more stuff you can do to your installation).
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Lenovo Community
Actually, since this is a montevina based machine, you need to start with a XP cd that is SP2 or higher. You do need to go into the BIOS and change the SATA mode to Compatibility. Once you have installed Windows XP, you need to download the IMSM driver from lenovo’s website. Once you have installed the IMSM package, go back into BIOS and change the SATA mode back to AHCI.
If you use an XP cd that is SP0 or SP1, you will blue screen on PCI.SYS. If you don’t change the SATA mode to compatibility, you will likely blue screen with a 07B error.
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Page 2 – Lenovo Community
This is the way to do this.
change the sata controllor to compability.
install xp sp3.
after installation install the Intel matrix storage manager from the driver page http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70477.html
reboot and change the sata controllor to ahci again. The driver will be automatically installed.
install .net from the ms site.
install system update from the lenovo site.
run system update.
after this installation there are still some drivers missing.
wifi, bluetooth, modem, and two pci devices.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70477.html
but the tricky thing is the two pci devices.
for this one you need first to install this one
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70313.html
and after reboot you install this one
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70317.html
Now you can update xp with all the necessary updates. and you’re done.
there are still some missing tools like active protection but this you can download from the site too!
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Page 2 – Lenovo Community
i used nLlite with my own XP Pro disk and Lenovo drivers. With no prev experience with nLite, I found it very easy. Will do this from now on.
Windows XP Clean Install
Welcome to the Windows XP Clean Install/Downgrade Guide!
I’ve seen a lot of threads asking how they should do a clean install and what they should do when problems occur. So I’ve made this thorough guide so everyone can have a stable, clean, and complete installation of Windows XP without any 3rd party software. ThinkVantage applications are considered 3rd party software. This Clean Install Guide can also help with slow boot up times (mine went from 90 seconds to 30 seconds from the moment I press the power button to a usable desktop), BSOD’s (Blue-Screens-of-Death), a slow, unstable system, adware, spyware, viruses, and many more problems. The Guide can be used to install XP on any ThinkPad, e.g., T61(p), R61(i/e), X61(s), T60(p), etc.
The guide is somewhat tedious to follow due to its length. Please follow the guide carefully and make sure not to skip anything or else your computer will be incomplete. This guide can also be used as a downgrade from Vista to XP.
ThinkPad SuperGuide
Windows XP Clean Install
Method 1 (manual driver installation)
1. Backup data if necessary.
2. Use the Driver Matrices to download the following drivers/software and their respective readme’s to an external storage device:
Just to recap (and this applies in general to many laptops, not just Lenovo’s) the steps in the downgrade from Vista to XP are (a) find the XP drivers for your hardware (in this example the Lenovo X200) and download them (b) go into the BIOS and switch your HDD to ‘compatibility mode’ and (c) boot up with the XP install disk. After that fine tune as needed. But that’s not all as (as in life) there are alternatives…. like a call to Lenovo support to get the optional XP install disk.
Or, if you really want to do the job yourself have a read of this variation on the theme…
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Lenovo Community
Well, to install Windows XP you will need a Windows XP cd of course.
Insert the Windows XP cd in your external optical drive. Set the boot order in the BIOS so that your external optical drive is boot up before your hard disk. Reboot and follow the instructions :smileyhappy:
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Lenovo Community
However, I got “Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer” msg and asked me to quit the setup.
Seems it couldn’t recongnize my harddisk
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Lenovo Community
Go into you Bios (by clicking on F1 while booting) and go to “Config” -> “Serial ATA (SATA)” and amend type to “Compatibilty” mode.
Afterwards press F10 to save and exit.
Now you should be able to install XP.
Once XP is installed, do not amend SATA type to original one, this would lead to a boot error.
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Lenovo Community
This solution works but however, I doubt it’s the best solution because basically you’re using old SATA drivers to run your Harddrive now. Here’s what I did. You’ll need another computer for this.
1. Get a Windows CD and copy the ISO to your PC.
2. Download nLite – Link
3. Download SATA Drivers – Link
4. Add Sata Drivers to your nLite Copy
5. Burn a Copy of this new Windows with Drivers.
6. You’re set! No more BSOD.
Notes: The SATA drivers will unzip themselves in a folder make sure you pick the right one (9M). Instruction on how to add drivers on nLite are pretty easy; add “Single Driver” (read their forums for more stuff you can do to your installation).
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Lenovo Community
Actually, since this is a montevina based machine, you need to start with a XP cd that is SP2 or higher. You do need to go into the BIOS and change the SATA mode to Compatibility. Once you have installed Windows XP, you need to download the IMSM driver from lenovo’s website. Once you have installed the IMSM package, go back into BIOS and change the SATA mode back to AHCI.
If you use an XP cd that is SP0 or SP1, you will blue screen on PCI.SYS. If you don’t change the SATA mode to compatibility, you will likely blue screen with a 07B error.
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Page 2 – Lenovo Community
This is the way to do this.
change the sata controllor to compability.
install xp sp3.
after installation install the Intel matrix storage manager from the driver page http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70477.html
reboot and change the sata controllor to ahci again. The driver will be automatically installed.
install .net from the ms site.
install system update from the lenovo site.
run system update.
after this installation there are still some drivers missing.
wifi, bluetooth, modem, and two pci devices.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70477.html
but the tricky thing is the two pci devices.
for this one you need first to install this one
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70313.html
and after reboot you install this one
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70317.html
Now you can update xp with all the necessary updates. and you’re done.
there are still some missing tools like active protection but this you can download from the site too!
X200 remove Vista and install XP – Page 2 – Lenovo Community
i used nLlite with my own XP Pro disk and Lenovo drivers. With no prev experience with nLite, I found it very easy. Will do this from now on.
Windows XP Clean Install
Welcome to the Windows XP Clean Install/Downgrade Guide!
I’ve seen a lot of threads asking how they should do a clean install and what they should do when problems occur. So I’ve made this thorough guide so everyone can have a stable, clean, and complete installation of Windows XP without any 3rd party software. ThinkVantage applications are considered 3rd party software. This Clean Install Guide can also help with slow boot up times (mine went from 90 seconds to 30 seconds from the moment I press the power button to a usable desktop), BSOD’s (Blue-Screens-of-Death), a slow, unstable system, adware, spyware, viruses, and many more problems. The Guide can be used to install XP on any ThinkPad, e.g., T61(p), R61(i/e), X61(s), T60(p), etc.
The guide is somewhat tedious to follow due to its length. Please follow the guide carefully and make sure not to skip anything or else your computer will be incomplete. This guide can also be used as a downgrade from Vista to XP.
ThinkPad SuperGuide
Windows XP Clean Install
Method 1 (manual driver installation)
1. Backup data if necessary.
2. Use the Driver Matrices to download the following drivers/software and their respective readme’s to an external storage device:
There are many things you can do to speed up outdated but still perfectly functional operating systems like Windows XP. A hardware refresh is one option, including the most obvious thing – simply add more RAM (the ‘random access memory’ or short-term memory that a computer uses to load and run a program, as distinct from the non-volatile memory that you store your data on). Of course you may already have enough RAM or just don’t want to spend a lot of money, so what else can you do?
There are all-in-one utilities like TuneUp that will do this for you, and there are also inbuilt utilities in the operating system that address each function. It’s your choice.
- First up, remove software you no longer use - These may accumulate over time and soak up space. If you aren’t ever going to use it again (and have a copy of the installation disk or files somewhere, just in case) simply remove it. Go to Control Panel –> Add/Remove Software
- Clean your system and make some space – Delete unwanted files and old emails you no longer need via Control Panel –> Internet Options -> Delete Files (always look carefully at what’s being deleted just in case but most downloads and old cached files can go)
- Get rid of old cookies. These are hidden Internet browser files that may contain helpful setup information for individual web sites, so be careful – zap only the ones you are sure about. Control Panel –> Internet Options –> Settings –> View Files –> Check and delete the cookies you don’t need
- Cleanup all other temporary files and empty the recycle bin: go ‘start\programs\accessories\system tools\disk cleanup’. That will make some space. Temp files are meant to be, umm, temporary! (Just don’t zap things you need.)!
- Defragment your hard drive (the non-volatile data storage) Hard drives do a good job of writing and rewriting your data but over time things that should be close together and quicker to get to get stored apart. This restores logic to the filing system. Use the XP tool: ‘start\programs\accessories\system tools\disk defragmenter’
- Clean your registry. Not such an easy one and best left for a professional, the experienced or the brave. You can also download a utility to do this. Errors accumulate over time and the registry gets cluttered
- Backup unused fonts. These collect over time and can become quite massive if you have loaded many programs. Whatever you do keep the ones you need, especially the “XP Fonts”. Back unwanted fonts onto a CD or DVD and store them somewhere.
- Get rid of any big desktop background graphics files, consider even unchecking the Windows XP theme (ie go back to the ‘old style’ or classic Windows – it runs faster). Right-click on a blank part of your desktop and click on ‘properties’.
- Uncheck all of the system-hogging effects that look cool but slow you down. Look in Control Panel –> System –> Advanced tab –> Performance tab, click Settings –> Uncheck everything
Of course there are loads more options but above are some of the simplest things to do in order to make things faster and delay a hardware upgrade.
There are many things you can do to speed up outdated but still perfectly functional operating systems like Windows XP. A hardware refresh is one option, including the most obvious thing – simply add more RAM (the ‘random access memory’ or short-term memory that a computer uses to load and run a program, as distinct from the non-volatile memory that you store your data on). Of course you may already have enough RAM or just don’t want to spend a lot of money, so what else can you do?
There are all-in-one utilities like TuneUp that will do this for you, and there are also inbuilt utilities in the operating system that address each function. It’s your choice.
- First up, remove software you no longer use - These may accumulate over time and soak up space. If you aren’t ever going to use it again (and have a copy of the installation disk or files somewhere, just in case) simply remove it. Go to Control Panel –> Add/Remove Software
- Clean your system and make some space – Delete unwanted files and old emails you no longer need via Control Panel –> Internet Options -> Delete Files (always look carefully at what’s being deleted just in case but most downloads and old cached files can go)
- Get rid of old cookies. These are hidden Internet browser files that may contain helpful setup information for individual web sites, so be careful – zap only the ones you are sure about. Control Panel –> Internet Options –> Settings –> View Files –> Check and delete the cookies you don’t need
- Cleanup all other temporary files and empty the recycle bin: go ‘start\programs\accessories\system tools\disk cleanup’. That will make some space. Temp files are meant to be, umm, temporary! (Just don’t zap things you need.)!
- Defragment your hard drive (the non-volatile data storage) Hard drives do a good job of writing and rewriting your data but over time things that should be close together and quicker to get to get stored apart. This restores logic to the filing system. Use the XP tool: ‘start\programs\accessories\system tools\disk defragmenter’
- Clean your registry. Not such an easy one and best left for a professional, the experienced or the brave. You can also download a utility to do this. Errors accumulate over time and the registry gets cluttered
- Backup unused fonts. These collect over time and can become quite massive if you have loaded many programs. Whatever you do keep the ones you need, especially the “XP Fonts”. Back unwanted fonts onto a CD or DVD and store them somewhere.
- Get rid of any big desktop background graphics files, consider even unchecking the Windows XP theme (ie go back to the ‘old style’ or classic Windows – it runs faster). Right-click on a blank part of your desktop and click on ‘properties’.
- Uncheck all of the system-hogging effects that look cool but slow you down. Look in Control Panel –> System –> Advanced tab –> Performance tab, click Settings –> Uncheck everything
Of course there are loads more options but above are some of the simplest things to do in order to make things faster and delay a hardware upgrade.
Here’s a tip. Having just updated to Windows 7 I couldn’t find where to set my workgroup name (which is the name you set for all computers on your network). Well it’s not under Networks in control panel (which is where you might think it should be) but under System instead.
From the Start menu select Control Panel, System; then to the right of “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings” click Change Settings. You can change your Computer Name here as well, BTW. Click Change settings and the workgroup option (which was greyed out) becomes editable in a dialog box. Set it to whatever workgroup name you use for all your machines (in XP the default was MSHome, I think… in Win7 it’s just Workgroup. So it’s not going to work out of the box, it just needs some help.)
Here’s a tip. Having just updated to Windows 7 I couldn’t find where to set my workgroup name (which is the name you set for all computers on your network). Well it’s not under Networks in control panel (which is where you might think it should be) but under System instead.
From the Start menu select Control Panel, System; then to the right of “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings” click Change Settings. You can change your Computer Name here as well, BTW. Click Change settings and the workgroup option (which was greyed out) becomes editable in a dialog box. Set it to whatever workgroup name you use for all your machines (in XP the default was MSHome, I think… in Win7 it’s just Workgroup. So it’s not going to work out of the box, it just needs some help.)
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