I recently wiped my old XP by loading Windows 7. I've now decided I'd prefer to keep XP on it and thought I would be able to restore back to XP. I don't need any of my old data, but I thought I could get the old operating system back and start fresh.

However, I have been unable to find any restore point that will take me back. Even my Thinkvantage Toolbox has disappeared. When I do a property search of my hard drive I can still see that storage is at 75% which means my old stuff must be there somewhere. I just can't access it.

I tried reloading an XP version from USB, but it won't go over the top of W7.

Could you please advise?

Sorry, this should have been in the software section. Should I repost or will the administrator redirect it? My apologies.

Your old data will be under C:\windows.old. There isn't really a way to go right back to windows xp without a format and reinstall, you cannot install over the top of windows 7. When you installed 7 on top of xp it should have moved all of your data to the folder I mentioned above. Next time it would be a good idea to take a full image backup with a program like Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image Home.

Most likely one of the mods will come along and move it if they feel it doesn't belong here.


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Moved to Windows 7 ...

Hunter you're all over the place, I ran into this same problem on my brothers older Sony desktop, an XP disc that had never failed to boot a system wouldn't boot or load because Microsoft wants you to pay to downgrade back off a 30 day trial version of 7, he had a rewritable DVD from a tech who previously worked on it and it booted fine and did a complete restore without formatting the hard drive, I've heard I was lucky? I don't know how or what program created this disc? On a scale of 1 - 10 on software I'm about a .41 ( point four one ) I have 3 systems now that are running 7 32-bit and they have 4Gb of memory, 4Gb of memory and my new laptop with 8Gb, they all say the same, useable memory 2.99???? SUX

I have 3 systems now that are running 7 32-bit and they have 4Gb of memory, 4Gb of memory and my new laptop with 8Gb, they all say the same, useable memory 2.99???? SUX [/quote]

32 bit versions of Windows do not support 4GB of RAM, the max is usually around 3GB, like in your case. If you want full use of all if the memory you will need to move to 64 bit Windows 7.


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I'm happy to do a reformat and reinstall. As I say, I don't really want the data anymore. Is it as simple as going to DOS and typing, FORMAT C: ??

That's the way I did it in 'the old days', but computers aren't so simple now. Detailed instructions would be most welcome. My laptop is an R60.

Thanks for your help and any subsequent help.

Still wondering how to get XP back on the R60 after Windows 7? Do I just type in Format C: from DOS and then load up the XP software?

If you don't want the data, just load up the XP CD, and at the part where you specify the install location press "F" on the partition where Windows 7 is located. It might ask you to confirm your decision by pressing "L" a second time I believe. Then just proceed with the install as normal.

Do you have original media specifically for an R60? If not I can help with drivers if the need be, but the above will get you up and running for the time being.

No problem, and sorry I didn't get back sooner.

Thanks Hunter...

I'll do that on the weekend. No media came with the R60 - it was imbedded on the unit. I'm annoyed that loading on W7 took away all the ThinkAdvantage programs too. Still, I'll work with what I can.

Once you get XP installed run Windows update and get the important updates (especially service packs if you have an old CD), and then run Lenovo System Update:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-66956

That will automate the driver install process. Sometimes you have to run it 2-3 times with a reboot in-between, but it has always worked great for me and many others. As far as ThinkVantage software goes, most people only need Active Protection System (free-fall hard drive sensor) software and the Power Manager, unless you have a need for anything like Access Connections.

Good luck, and keep us posted.