Chapter 8. Advanced Configuration; Installing A New Operating System; Before You Begin - Lenovo ThinkPad L420 User Manual

Chapter 8. Advanced configuration

While it is important to protect files, data, and settings that are on the hard disk or on the solid state drive,
you may also need to install a new operating system, install new device drivers, update your system BIOS, or
recover preinstalled software. This information will help you handle your computer with proper care and
keep it in top working shape.
• "Installing a new operating system" on page 131
• "Installing device drivers" on page 135
• "BIOS Setup Utility" on page 138
• "Using system management" on page 149

Installing a new operating system

If you install a new operating system in your computer, you need to install the Supplement files and ThinkPad
device drivers for it at the same time. The necessary files are located in the following directories of your solid
state drive or hard disk drive:
• The Supplement files for the operating system supported are in the C:\SWTOOLS\OSFIXES directory.
• The device drivers for the operating system supported are in the C:\SWTOOLS\DRIVERS directory.
• The preloaded software applications are in the C:\SWTOOLS\APPS directory.
Notes:
• The process of installing the new operating system deletes all the data on your hard disk, including
backups or images that were stored in a hidden folder by use of the Rescue and Recovery program.
• If you cannot find the Supplement files, the device drivers, and application software you need on your
hard disk drive, or if you want to receive updates and the latest information about them, refer to the
ThinkPad Web site at:
http://www.lenovo.com/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=tpad-matrix

Before you begin

Before you install the operating system, do the following:
• Copy all the subdirectories and files in the C:\SWTOOLS directory to a removable storage device, to avoid
losing files during the installation.
• Print the sections you will be using. Go to the section for the operating system you are using:
"Installing Windows 7" on page 132
"Installing Windows Vista" on page 132
"Installing Windows XP" on page 133
For the country or region code required in the installation, use one of the following:
Country or region: Code
China: SC
Denmark: DK
Finland: FI
France: FR
Germany: GR
Italy: IT
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