Client Security update/wont boot

[Nightmare]

I have a T42p which I was extremely happy with. Tonight I installed the client security update using IBM's software installation utility. After rebooting I get stuck on a black screen with flashing cursor on top left corner.Called IBM and they seem to know about the problem and they say there is nothing they can do other then send me a recovery CD. The guy just made me try to boot in safe mode which did not work(F8. and that was it...Apparently, they are aware of the problems with the software installation utility but still let people use it with no warnings. I am very disappointed. After all, all I did was install an IBM recommended update using IBM recommended "software installer" utility.

Any suggestions?

[GomJabbar]

The Langoliers

Failing that, if you press the blue Access IBM at the beginning of the boot process, can you access the Predesktop Area (Rescue and Recovery)? What about if you press F1 at the beginning of the boot sequence, can you enter the BIOS menu? Did you ever make the Rescue Media CD, or the Product Recovery Discs? I'm guessing that the answer to the last question is NO.

[Nightmare]

Yes,the answer is no...And yes, I am able to enter the Access IBM window or (F1) Bios.what good would that do?

[Kyocera]

if you press the blue Access IBM at the beginning of the boot process, can you access the Predesktop Area

Recover to factory state from there.

[GomJabbar]

Enter Access IBM and do the following. Realize you will lose all existing data on the hard drive. If you have important files, you will have to rescue your files first.

Using the Restore factory contents method

Make backup copies of your data files, if possible. Any files on drive C that are not backed up will be lost.
Turn off your computer for at least 5 seconds. Turn on the computer. When the following message is displayed, press the blue Access IBM button: "To interrupt normal startup, press the blue Access IBM button." The IBM Rescue and Recovery workspace opens.
Click Restore factory contents and follow the instructions on the screen. Additional help is available from the Rescue and Recovery workspace.

Note: Your computer might restart during the recovery process, possibly more than once. When the recovery process is finished, your computer displays a message to let you know that the recovery is complete.

Recovery tools are provided on your computer hard disk. Use these tools to perform a recovery using one of the three following methods:

Rescue files: This recovery method enables you to rescue files to alternate media such as a diskette, a CD, a DVD, a USB hard-disk drive, or the network. For more information about recovering a file, see Using the Rescue files method


Using the Rescue files method

In the Rescue and Recovery menu, click Rescue files. The File rescue window opens.

Follow the instructions on the screen. Additional help is available from the Rescue and Recovery workspace.

[jdhurst]

I put Client Security on a spare hard drive, but did not use software installer to install it. That worked OK. I am glad I did not try it on a production drive. This Client Security thing scares me. I don't see myself ever putting it on a production machine - at least not for a (long) while.
... JD Hurst

[Nightmare]

I am sorry if I wasnt clear, I can only enter the BIOS when I hit Access IBM button.Some how that update removed the partition in my hard drive...

Now,they want to charge me to send a recovery CD. $50

[GomJabbar]

This probably won't make a difference, but I suppose it's worth a try. Go into the BIOS setup menu, and under Security, disable the Security Chip. If it is already disabled, try enabling it.

Yeah, I think that IBM/Lenovo shouldn't be so cheap, and they should include the Product Recovery Discs with the ThinkPads. How much would it cost them to include these CD's? Most people would gladly pay an extra $25 to have the CD's included. Too many people do not burn a set for themselves - before it is too late. In case you didn't know, you could have made a set of these discs yourself, when you got your new ThinkPad (the software will only let you make one set). Now of course, it is too late for you.