How to restore to factory settings

[DaveTeu]

So I have a T42 KA4 lappie and I've installed windows vista ultimate over it.

Some how I'm no longer able to reset my laptop to factory settings (windows xp etc) even though my Disk Management still shows me a hidden partition on my C:/ call Healthy (EISA Configuration) which is 4.29GB.

I read about all these recovery cds etc.. but I do not have it..

Now the magic is.. I HAVE another T42 which is still running the windows XP...

Can I create my recovery CD from that? most imptly.. how?

Another question is.. Am I able to have both vista and the ibm xp on my laptop? How do I do the partitioning?

[ryengineer]

Give the following solution a try:

How to reenable the F11 function (Product Recovery Program). (It works, I've personally tried it)

Or if you've a floppy drive then install the following instead:

Rescue and Recovery - Recovery repair diskette.

snip....Can I create my recovery CD from that?

Another question is.. Am I able to have both vista and the ibm xp on my laptop? How do I do the partitioning?

1. Yep, as long as the recovery partition is intact and you haven't made a set yet. Also, at times if you restore to factory settings and upgrade Rescue and Recovery you can make another set of Product recovery disks once again.

2. Legally if you've licenses for two OS's then yes, the following guide would give an idea:

How to dual-boot Vista with XP - step-by-step guide with screenshots.

After installation of Vista you might have to fix the corrupt MBR to access the predesktop area.

[DaveTeu]

question..

should i use Recovery repair CD for Windows 2000 and XP (rnr31_rrd.exe): or should i use the one for Vista? Since I have vista now and i wish to go back to XP.

[ryengineer]

Use for XP.

[DaveTeu]

ty sir i'm gonna try and share my experience back here in this thread.

[DaveTeu]

Bah.. I've tried the disc done everything now i got to this screen that prompts..


Window Boot Manager
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1. Inser your windows installation disc and restart.
2. Choose your language settings, ad then click "Next."
3. Click Repair your computer.

If you do not have this disk (which I don't), contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File: \ Windows\System32\winload.exe
Status: 0xc000000e
Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupted.


IF I RESTART PRESS ACCESS IBM, I will get to this screen.


Startup Interrupt Menu

Press one of the following keys to continue:

ESC to resume normal startup
F1 to enter the IBM BIOS Setup Utility
F12 to choose a temporary startup device

Press Enter to pause...


Now I'm stuck.. and not sure what to do.



EDITED: OOPs.. works now when I use replace instead of repair =D =D