Lenovo dependency package was ist das

Recently we have been upgrading some VMware host from ESXi 6.0 to ESXi 6.7, We where applying the image using VMware update manager and a HPE custom ESXi image.

When applying the image we where getting incompatible warring and where not able to apply the image to upgrade ESXi on some hosts.

The issues was related to VIBS but they where not showing in the html 5 client.

To find the missing VIBS we ended up having to mount the ISO through HPE ILO and try a manual upgrade which did show the conflicting VIBS.

In our case the VIBS causing issue was the below.

Mellanox_bootbank_net-mlx4-core_1.9.9.8-10EM.510.0.0.799733
Mellanox_bootbank_net-mlx4-en_1.9.9.0-10EM.510.0.0.799733
Emulex_bootbank_scsi-lpfc820_10.5.55.0-10EM.500.0.0.472560
Mellanox_bootbank_net-mst_2.0.0.0-10EM.500.0.0.472560

The issue seem to be related to older hosts that where previously upgraded from ESXi 5.5.

VMware recommends doing a fresh install if possible but in this case that was not possible, but if you get this error and can do a fresh install that would be the better option. If you can’t do a fresh install below is how I checked to see if the VIBS where in use and how to remove them. 

Next we needed to find out if the VIBS where in use by either the storage or network adapters,

below is the VMware KB that explain how to do this.

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1027206

To get the list of storage and network adapter use the esxcli commands

esxcli storage core adapter list

esxcli network nic list

To get check the VIBS version we can use

esxcli software vib list | grep Mel

esxcli software vib list | grep scsi-lpfc820

Once we know the version numbers of the VIBS, we just need to confirm they are not used and if not used remove them.

If they where in use we would need to look at creating a custom image or wipe and reload the ESXi host.

We use esxcli to view if the drivers are in use and what version each is

esxcli system module list | grep lpfc820, esxcli network nic get -n vmnic0

Once we confirm that none of the VIBS are required the last step is to remove each one. Below is the KB from VMware on removing VIBS.

https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.5/com.vmware.vsphere.upgrade.doc/GUID-7FFEBD91-5D82-4E32-93AB-F10D8BFFECAA.html

There might be some VIBS that have dependency’s on others in our case the net-mlx4-core needed to be removed after the net-mlx4-en as it was dependent on it.

Lenovo Settings Dependency Package è un software di Shareware nella categoria (2) sviluppato da Lenovo Group Limited.

È stato controllato per tempi di aggiornamenti 283 dagli utenti della nostra applicazione client UpdateStar durante il mese scorso.

L'ultima versione di Lenovo Settings Dependency Package is 2.3.3.33, pubblicato su 07/03/2018. Inizialmente è stato aggiunto al nostro database su 29/11/2012. La versione più diffusa è 2.3.3.33, che viene utilizzato da 44% di tutte le installazioni.

If you’ve got a Lenovo laptop, you’ve probably noticed an app called Lenovo Vantage has popped on your PC. It sounds like a pension scheme and an instant candidate for uninstallation, but it actually contains a useful set of utilities for keeping your laptop healthy and up-to-date.

Sadly, however, Lenovo has also bundled a whole load of other promotional garbage with it, reducing the usefulness of this utility and making it an occasional nuisance. So should you keep or get rid? Let’s look more closely at it’s good and bad points.

Lenovo Vantage: the good bits

The hardware scan is handy

The best thing about Lenovo Vantage is that it includes a series of diagnostic tools that check on the health of your system and ensure that key software drivers are up to date. If you’ve got a problem with your laptop, Lenovo Vantage might well identify the cause.

Most of these useful features can be found under the Device tab at the top of the screen. These include:

Hardware Scan  This is the place to go if you’ve got a problem with your laptop. The Hardware Scan feature is like an MOT for laptops, checking all the key components are working as Lenovo intended. If you’ve got a faltering hard disk, dodgy memory stick or wobbly power supply, this will probably identify it.

Device Settings  This includes a bunch of handy tweaks that you might not find in the regular Windows 10/11 Settings menu. From here, for example, you can switch on the clever Intelligent Cooling feature, which throttles performance when it detects the laptop’s being used on your lap, to keep the base cooler.

You’ll also find the option to set a new Battery Charge Threshold. What the Charlie Dickens does that do? Well, if you’re almost always using your laptop plugged into the mains, you’re better off setting the battery to charge to less than 100%. This will reduce the length of time the laptop can run on battery power, but improve the health of your battery in the long run. Given most laptop batteries can’t be replaced these days, that’s almost certainly worth doing.

System Update  In some ways this replicates the Windows Update settings, ensuring you’ve got the latest security patches from Microsoft. But it also houses Lenovo’s own hardware driver updates, letting you know if there’s a new piece of software for your graphics chip, touchpad or other components.

In my experience, major Windows updates often knock out the touchscreen on my Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga X1. However, a quick visit to this section of the Vantage app often reveals a new display driver that returns the touchscreen to working order.

Lenovo Vantage: the bad bits

Unfortunately, Lenovo has added various bits of cruft to Lenovo Vantage over the years. We first wrote about this software in 2018 and it was a reasonably lightweight utility. Since then, it’s been bogged down with various add-ons, many of which add little value or are just Lenovo promotional fluff (you’ll see many such complaints in the Comments section below). These include:

The Lenovo Vantage Toolbar A largely useless waste of space in the bottom-right of the screen, that by default adds another battery bar to go alongside Windows’ own. You can switch the toolbar off by clicking Device, then selecting Power under the Device Settings menu. Scroll down and flick the Vantage Toolbar switch to off.

Promotional articles The main Dashboard of the Lenovo Vantage software is now stuffed with editorial, much of it simply pimping other parts of the Lenovo business. There’s not much you can do about this other than ignore it.

Pop-up messages and promotions Lenovo Vantage has become quite noisy, with warning and promotional messages popping up while you’re trying to get on with stuff. To switch the bulk of these messages off, click the down arrow in the top-right corner of the Vantage screen, select Preference Settings and switch off App Features and Marketing in the Messages section. This leaves only the most critical messages activated.

Should I uninstall Lenovo Vantage?

Despite its problems, Lenovo Vantage still adds value to the computer, especially for less experienced users who might otherwise miss things such as driver updates or hardware faults. However, the added promotional puff has certainly made Lenovo Vantage less attractive. On balance, I’d still keep it installed, although make sure to turn off the toolbar and pop-up messages, as shown above.