Thinkpads Forum

I'm just curious. I have read in several threads here and also on Lenovo's website that they may not sell Recovery disks to a ThinkPad owner whose TP is out of warranty (I don't know if this is a hard-and-fast rule or is occasionally relaxed). Does anyone know for sure why this is the case? I can't believe they lose money selling them. Is there some sort of liability issue I can't think of?

Brian

I called the other day to inquire as such and after "finally" getting to the correct person, they were $45.00 and would only accept credit card payment. I wasn't actually gonna buy, just wanted to know if they were available. BTW...XP for an R40.

From the feeling I get is that their agreement with Microsoft is to make the operating system available for as long as the ThinkPad is in warranty.

Brad

I ordered from their 24 tech support number. I got recovery discs for my T41 (from 2/2004) about a week ago and I just ordered discs for my new T61. So whether they were in warrenty or not, I got my discs for the same $45 + ship. If you order it early, they make it same day, then 1 day shipping.

For future ref. YOu just call 1-800-426-7378, and I always do option 1 which is hardware support I believe and I think there is one more menu, but once I get the guy, I tell him I want the discs, he 3ways call to billing, confirm our info, then hang up done.

Why don't you check or ask in the Marketplace Forum?
Like this one: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=56674
Someone surely will burn you a set for less than what Lenovo asks.

Brian, which machine do you need discs for, the R52 or R60?

Thanks to all who replied. I am continually cheered by the kindness of the people here. Fortunately, our three ThinkPads are currently under warranty and I have burned the Recovery disks for each of them, so I don't need them myself at this point (I should have made that more clear). I really was just curious as to why Lenovo wouldn't sell the disks for an out-of-warranty ThinkPad. Thanks especially to Phazer and off1c3r for letting me know that Lenovo is a bit relaxed about their stated policy; also to Brad for a plausible explanation.

Brian

BeeJayEmm wrote:Thanks to all who replied. I am continually cheered by the kindness of the people here. Fortunately, our three ThinkPads are currently under warranty and I have burned the Recovery disks for each of them, so I don't need them myself at this point (I should have made that more clear). I really was just curious as to why Lenovo wouldn't sell the disks for an out-of-warranty ThinkPad. Thanks especially to Phazer and off1c3r for letting me know that Lenovo is a bit relaxed about their stated policy; also to Brad for a plausible explanation.

Brian

No problem, I have never heard of Lenovo not selling out of warrenty thinkpad discs as mine was made in 2/2004 and I bought NO extended warrenty with mine. Its now 3/2008.. I would think its out of warrenty =) ... I just paid the $45.99 or whatever the price was and that was done. I also had to pay for my discs for my new T61 same price. I would only get the discs for free for my T61 if there was hardware failure or something like that.