How to recovery my T43???

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ulrich.von.lich · #1 Post by **ulrich.von.lich** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:26 am

The operating system has been crashed on my T43 since last week. I had tried everything I knew to get it back to work, but I gave up at last. Now my Thinkpad is lying in my cupboard and I don't even want to touch it..

The problems started with the creation of those Rescue & Recovery discs. I thought there was only ONE disc so I quitted that program after the first one came out. (can't believe I was dumb enough to do that.. :(

After restarting, I was brought to ThinkVantage Rescue & Recovery program, I chose to "Restore my hard drive to the original factory state", then it started copying files from the disc I got, and restarting again. After that, every time I turn on the laptop, no matter if I press the Access IBM button or not, that program starts and just keeps asking me the Supplementary discs.

I called IBM France and that guy told me to get rid of my battery and then press the Access IBM button for 15 seconds or stuff like that but nothing magic happened, unfortunately. So he finally decided to send me those recovery discs from the UK (I don't know yet if they can work on a US machine.. cuz there are only 4 discs, not 6 or 7..) And the shipping takes extremely long time since everybody is on strike here...

I heard those recovery files were also hidden somewhere on my hard drive, so I assume I might do it without those discs. Does anyone know how?? (It won't work if you just tell me to press the Access IBM button..) Or can I get those recovery discs somewhere else?? Thanks a lot!

Anthony

Thinkpad T43 2686-M5U

#2 Post by **daeojkim** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 11:14 am

Do you have a copy of Windows XP?
You could try to clean install using Windows XP instead of using the recovery disks. Just use the COA from the bottom of the computer.
Then download the software installer from the Lenovo site and reinstall all the drivers and programs automatically.

I do this with all my computers and I feel that it works better than using the factory settings.

#3 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 1:29 pm

I'm pretty sure you destroyed all the information on your hard drive. The only way to get it fixed is to do a clean install with a Windows XP disk as daeojkim suggested, or buy a set of Recovery Discs from IBM/Lenovo. I've heard the price is roughly $50 US. (That's what I would do, unless you have a spare XP disc laying around. I believe you will get into activation problems if you use a disc that has been activated on another computer.)

MobileGuru · #4 Post by **MobileGuru** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 1:57 pm

You will need to wait for the recovery discs to arrive .. they are the only way to recover your Lenovo preload back. You can try to install a vanilla version of Windows XP, but be careful as the COA number on the bottom of your machine is an OEM license, and it may not work with a storebought or pirate version of Windows (you won't be able to get downloaded updates from the web etc.)

MG.

#5 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 4:43 pm

MobileGuru wrote:(you won't be able to get downloaded updates from the web etc.)

MG.

Sure you can.

Maybe you would have a problem with Software Installer (I'm not sure), but you can still download everything from the driver matrix page, with the exception of a few commercial software titles (IE: WinDVD, PC-Doctor, RecordNow!, etc.)

MobileGuru · #6 Post by **MobileGuru** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:11 pm

No I agree that those will work fine ... from the Lenovo site .. but if the key on the bottom of the machine doesn't work because the installed copy is not OEM .. the downloads for Windows itself from the Microsoft site would fail.

Sorry for the confusion there GomJabbar.

MG.

#7 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:06 pm

MobileGuru wrote:No I agree that those will work fine ... from the Lenovo site .. but if the key on the bottom of the machine doesn't work because the installed copy is not OEM .. the downloads for Windows itself from the Microsoft site would fail.

Sorry for the confusion there GomJabbar.

MG.

Yeah, I got confused. I agree with your statement above.

smugiri · #8 Post by **smugiri** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:41 pm

You are in luck: read this. I just found my burner last night and started making copies to mail out today. PM your address and I will send you a disk. Like the post says, if you are in the US or Canada, you get if for free. if you are elsewhere, you pay actual shipping costs.

ulrich.von.lich · #9 Post by **ulrich.von.lich** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 9:27 am

Thanks for the answers!!!

My Windows XP disc was copied from a friend's so there's no valid cd key. I agree with you that I'll have activation problems with an OEM license. And thanks anyway steve but I think those discs should arrive any day.

Now I'm hoping the OEM license of my T43 will work with those British recovery discs (they are only 4 CDs not the US 7 CD version)

7 CDs!!! I don't even know what they are used for. My Fujitsu P5010 came with only two (one for win xp and one for drivers) Why IBM makes it so complicated? Next time I buy a thinkpad, I would like to see an empty hard drive with a retail version of Windows

Anthony
ps: Mobileguru, why you call it Vanilla version

christopher_wolf · #10 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 12:08 pm

Well, it is considered as a "Vanilla" Install because it doesn't have all the bells and whistles IBM has put on it from the beginning. The Ultra-Nav Drivers, IBM Access Connections, Power Manager, Updater/Software INstaller,etc. Thinkpads come with those pre-loaded by IBM; if you do a clean install of WinXP, you won't get back to the pre-load image on your Drive when you got you Thinkpad

#11 Post by **carbon_unit** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 9:50 pm

The number on the sticker on the bottom of your thinkpad will work with a retail cd of Win XP providing the number and cd are the same service pack level. That is what I have on mine right now.
The number on the sticker is the license for a copy of windows. The cd is merely the media to transfer the data to you. The media does not really matter, it is the license that counts. If you have a valid number you have a legal copy of windows.
In my repair shop we use the same XP pro cd to re-install many different computers all the time. There is not problem with activation or WGA authentication. The same for XP home.
The only possible problem would be using a pre SP1 number with a SP2 cd or a pro number with a home cd and vice-versa.
If you want a vanilla install go borrow a cd and use your number, that is what it is there for.
The factory install does not use the number on your sticker, it uses a bulk number that IBM (lenovo) purchased from MS. If you want to compare go get the magic jellybean keyfinder and see what your current install is using for a license number.

ulrich.von.lich · #12 Post by **ulrich.von.lich** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 8:48 am

That's great news! The license I have is for Win Xp Pro SP2, so does that mean I can actually use any Win Xp Pro CD (with or without service parks) to reinstall it???

But if then, I guess my "Access IBM" button will never work again, right? I shall disable it in order to get my hard drive formatted. I'm gonna miss it..

Ten days have passed since I ordered my Recovery CDs, but I haven't still received it yet... I called IBM/Lenovo today but they told me to wait at home patiently, and to call them again if they wouldn't arrive next week.

I'm already sick of waiting, so I wonder if someone could send me a copy of them? [mine is 2686 M5U but I think any T43(p) 2686 or 2668 series would be fine..] Or just a copy of Windows XP Pro Installation CD (I can use my own license) I'm willing to pay for the postage if necessary. (cash in envelope)

I appreciate your answers.

pae77 · #13 Post by **pae77** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:29 pm

carbon_unit wrote: * * *
If you want a vanilla install go borrow a cd and use your number, that is what it is there for.
The factory install does not use the number on your sticker, it uses a bulk number that IBM (lenovo) purchased from MS. If you want to compare go get the magic jellybean keyfinder and see what your current install is using for a license number.

When doing a fresh XP install, is there any advantage to using the keyfinder and installing with the factory "bulk" number vs using the license number from the sticker?

#14 Post by **carbon_unit** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 2:00 pm

ulrich.von.lich wrote:That's great news! The license I have is for Win Xp Pro SP2, so does that mean I can actually use any Win Xp Pro CD (with or without service parks) to reinstall it???

But if then, I guess my "Access IBM" button will never work again, right? I shall disable it in order to get my hard drive formatted. I'm gonna miss it..

Ten days have passed since I ordered my Recovery CDs, but I haven't still received it yet... I called IBM/Lenovo today but they told me to wait at home patiently, and to call them again if they wouldn't arrive next week.

I'm already sick of waiting, so I wonder if someone could send me a copy of them? [mine is 2686 M5U but I think any T43(p) 2686 or 2668 series would be fine..] Or just a copy of Windows XP Pro Installation CD (I can use my own license) I'm willing to pay for the postage if necessary. (cash in envelope)

I appreciate your answers.

As far as the windows cd goes, try to install it and see if it accepts the number or not. If so you are good , if not find another cd with a different SP level.

For the IBM apps just download the "software installer" from IBM and it will find all the IBM apps and let you choose which ones to install.

#15 Post by **carbon_unit** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 2:02 pm

pae77 wrote:
carbon_unit wrote: * * *
If you want a vanilla install go borrow a cd and use your number, that is what it is there for.
The factory install does not use the number on your sticker, it uses a bulk number that IBM (lenovo) purchased from MS. If you want to compare go get the magic jellybean keyfinder and see what your current install is using for a license number.
When doing a fresh XP install, is there any advantage to using the keyfinder and installing with the factory "bulk" number vs using the license number from the sticker?

No advantage at all, in fact it may not even work with a cd. I never tried that. Just use the one on the sticker and you will be fine.

Zeitgeist · #16 Post by **Zeitgeist** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:07 am

ulrich.von.lich wrote: But if then, I guess my "Access IBM" button will never work again, right? I shall disable it in order to get my hard drive formatted. I'm gonna miss it..

If you use IBM's recovery CDs/DVD as offered to you than do the following to restore the original factory state including the functionality of the Access IBM button:

1. Delete ALL partitions of your hdd with e.g. fdisk
2. Change the boot order permanently, CD first
3. Insert the first R&R disk, follow the instructions
4. Don't give up too early: first the hpa will be written on the hdd then the recovery process starts.

ulrich.von.lich · #17 Post by **ulrich.von.lich** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:53 pm

Fdisk? Isn't it a very old DOS command? Is there a bootable Fdisk CD otherwise how can I use it? Sorry if it's a dumb question.

And in IBM BIOS Setup Utility, there are THREE options for Access IBM Predesktop Area: Disabled, Normal & Secure. I suppose Disable means to make everything visible, but what the differences between Normal and Secure??

#18 Post by **carbon_unit** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:19 pm

If you just want to remove all the partitions try this:
http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/
Its a bootable cd with lots of tools on it. Under filesystem tools you will find many programs capable of removing all the partitions from your HD.

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How to recovery my T43???

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