Thinkpads Forum

Hi all, I called today asking for a set of the recovery cds for my computer. The tech showed me where to go to create them (needed 7 cds), but when I asked for a set, he said they cost $45 ....I was under the impression that they were free? Kind of stupid to pay for them. All my Dell desktops came wit the CD...I mean in part I'm paying for XP ...which means I should get a CD with it...they shouldn't charge us for that.

From what it seems, they are charging for these. The fact that they give you the option of burning your own, i think, frees them, in their mind, from the responsibility of providing a set. I think I recall reading elsewhere here that if you attempt to burn a set a something goes wrong, thus prohibiting you from burning another set (you can only burn one set), they take pity and send a set to you if you ask.

Then I read that others have had success by asking within 30 days of purchase if they bought directly from IBM (not sure how Lenovo is handling it). I asked for mine directly from IBM Australia about a year ago, roughly 1 month after I purchased it from an authorised dealer here in NZ.

I've been able to burn multiple sets of recovery discs fine...

laz wrote:I've been able to burn multiple sets of recovery discs fine...

I also have a T42. The way it came from IBM/Lenovo, I could only burn one Recovery Disk set. I did try to burn a second set, but the software wouldn't let me. I am not saying it can't be done, just that the software that came with my T42 only let me burn one set. (Note: AFAIK this limitation does not apply to the 'Rescue Media' CD).

if I want to do a fresh install of everything on my TP what is the best way to do this?? I haven't done any backups or anything like that. could I just use the little blue button during start up??

GoEatFood wrote:if I want to do a fresh install of everything on my TP what is the best way to do this?? I haven't done any backups or anything like that. could I just use the little blue button during start up??

Assuming that you haven't repartitioned your hard drive, you can use the blue Access IBM button to get to the Rescue and Recovery workspace, where one of the menu choices (among many) is to return your ThinkPad to the original 'Factory State'. Alternatively, you can use the Recovery Disk set to accomplish the same thing.

If you wish to have a 'Clean Windows XP' install, without the IBM software, read the sticky at the top of the Windows OS forum: How to Fresh Install Win XP (Step-by-Step Guide).

Tell them that the harddrive is broke, or you lost the recovery partition. Then they will send you the recovery cds for free. They did that for me.