Problem with up Recovery Disks 1-7 for T42 . . . not sure

[tjnet]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum but have been doing a lot reading into the threads of this thinkpad support community in the past 2 weeks. And wow, it is pretty resourceful! I have specifically looked at the threads on the recovery to factory settings for the T42.

I did an install of Windows XP Pro. But I noticed that the function keys are now not working, the audio does not play when I want to listen to news video clips, the thinkvantage is not present, the power management is not there as the notebook does not hibernate when I use Fn-Home and Fn-End, the security features that come with the T42 are not there, the screen does not go out, Fn-F3 and Fn-F4, and a host of other things. It sounds like there a lot of drivers missing. I have gone to the ibm website and downloaded drivers but still have the same problem.

I have a T42 which I would like to restore to factory settings (as if I bought it from the store). I have the IBM Thinkpad Recovery CDs 1-7 for this model. I inserted Disk 1 into the CDRW / DVD drive on the notebook and I hear it spinning but do not see the CD booting or starting the recovery. And immediately thereafter, Windows XP boots and completely bypasses the CD.

Prior to restoring the T42:

Question: Am I supposed to remove Windows XP and just boot from Disk 1 and just go thru the disks to restore everything + the WindowsXP (believe this is Disk 2 or 3, do not have the disks on-hand right now).

Question: Should I format or partition the hard drive before starting the restore process? If yes, what would be a good partition breakdown?

Again, I do not understand why Disk 1 (which I hear is the boot disk) is not booting to start the restore process. Also, I did find and read the "FAQ How To Use Recovery CD Disk Set".

I am hoping that the Thinkpad IBM Recovery and Restore Disks 1-7 will bring back ALL the features of a purchased notebook.

If any can help me shed some light on this or maybe point what I am missing, I would GREATLY appreciate it!

Thanks,

Tager
(Chicago, IL)

[richk]

There is normally a recovery disk thet goes in first, before the other 7. The whole set has 8 disks.

[tjnet]

There is normally a recovery disk thet goes in first, before the other 7. The whole set has 8 disks.

Hi,

Thank you for responding!

There is no recovery disk. But I do have the 7 CDs.

Given the above, what would be my next course of action?

Any help or ideas would be appreciated!

Thx.

[Kyocera]

Post your model and maybe someone can send you the disk. It's weird they would send you the set and not the first disk. Do you have the set which is silver in color and printed from the factory. Or a set someone sent you or you purchased?

Are you booting from the first CD. Machine off, CD in drive turn machine on hit f12 select boot order and select CD drive.

You don't need to remove anything from the HD, the correct recovery CD's will wipe it out and restore to factory settings pretty much unattended once you get all the software loaded.

[tjnet]

Post your model and maybe someone can send you the disk. It's weird they would send you the set and not the first disk. Do you have the set which is silver in color and printed from the factory. Or a set someone sent you or you purchased?

Are you booting from the first CD. Machine off, CD in drive turn machine on hit f12 select boot order and select CD drive.

You don't need to remove anything from the HD, the correct recovery CD's will wipe it out and restore to factory settings pretty much unattended once you get all the software loaded.

Hi,

Thanks for providing someone support.

My notebook is a T42, Type 2379 R1U.

Are you saying there is a total of 8 Cds??? 1 + 7 CD set????

The 7 CD set, I have is silver in color and printed from the factory. It says Thinkpad. For Distribution Only With A New IBM PC. Product Recovery CD for Thinkpad R51, T42, T42p Type 1829, 1830, 1831, 1836, 1840, 1841, 2373, 2374, 2378, 2379. Each disk is labeled Disc x of 7, where x is 1 thru 7. Total 7 disks.

Also, exactly YES, to your question of, "Are you booting from the first CD. Machine off, CD in drive turn machine on hit f12 select boot order and select CD drive. ".

But if you are saying there is a Recovery Disk (Disk 1) that is not part of the set 1-7????

Per the suggestion of Kyocera, If there is someone out there who has this Disk 1 (Recovery Disk that is not part of CD Set 1-7) for the T42 Type 2379 R1U, please let me know.

Thx.

[Kyocera]

I've got a 2378xxx so I can probably help you out. What you need is the startup disk. If you want pm me with your add and I'll get it to you.

[off1c3r]

Hey

Didn't want to start a new thread and since you probably helped him out I just had a quick question. I put a new HD into my T41 and I got my recovery CDs. I put them in and then it seemed like it started to rebuild the hidden partition and for some reason it froze when it asked for disc 2. The 2nd time around, it now gives me options only for reformating the HD and install xp and preinstalled apps.. and I have half a predesktop area? I took out the drive and hooked it to my computer, formated it, got all 145gb From the 160, and put it back in the laptop and everytime I get the reformat your hd and install xp option.. but no more to reinstall the hpa? Unless that happens with the regular reinstall menu I see now?

Edit: thinking about it, a 160 drive .. 145 is visible? or is like 148? I don't know im going to reocnnect it to see if maybe the HPA is somewhat installed if not ill destroy it and reformat again. might help

Edit2: Disabled the hpa in bios, then connected drive to my desktop and the 3hidden gb showed up.. deleted, reformated.. now let me try heh

Edit3: reclaimed full visable partition but I can't see to get that original menu showing to replace the hidden partition. Right now in bios its set to disable and i am doing a regular CD recovery. I hope it reinstall the partition

[Kyocera]

off1c3r, sorry i missed your post, have any luck? Are you using the factory disk set? It probably installed enough to get XP started to install but you probably won't have a complete OS unless you use all the CDs.