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T21 - preinstalled Windows serial number, hidden partition, recovery CD

T20-T23 Series and T30. NOT for T25-Retro.
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ja-rek
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Location: Warsaw, Poland

T21 - preinstalled Windows serial number, hidden partition, recovery CD

#1 Post by ja-rek » Wed Sep 28, 2016 3:34 pm

Dear Thinkpad Lovers,

I have deleted partitions of my T21, created new ones and formatted them.
Sadly, I didn't think long enough prior doing it , hence now I need to ask you guys!
Could you please help me?

1) Is it possible to determine serial number of preinstalled Windows XP?
Is it stored maybe in BIOS?
if so, how to display it?

2) what is the hidden partion for?
I suppose it contains "clean" copy of the preinstalled operating system with all drivers?
What software is using it?
I suppose only original Thinkpad recovery software?

3) how can I obtain the Windows 95 or 98 or XP recovery CDs for T21?

thank you so much for help!
Jarek

ajkula66
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Re: T21 - preinstalled Windows serial number, hidden partition, recovery CD

#2 Post by ajkula66 » Wed Sep 28, 2016 6:37 pm

ja-rek wrote:1) Is it possible to determine serial number of preinstalled Windows XP?
Is it stored maybe in BIOS?
if so, how to display it?
No.
2) what is the hidden partion for?
I suppose it contains "clean" copy of the preinstalled operating system with all drivers?
What software is using it?
I suppose only original Thinkpad recovery software?
A *lot* will depend on which OS is actually being discussed. IBM kept on adding features/bloatware as the time moved on. If your COA is for 98SE or W2K, these are still reasonably "lean" installs, but with all the features required included.
3) how can I obtain the Windows 95 or 98 or XP recovery CDs for T21?
Try posting a WTB (want to buy) ad in the forum's Marketplace, it's free.

Good luck.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

ja-rek
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 11:19 am
Location: Warsaw, Poland

Re: T21 - preinstalled Windows serial number, hidden partition, recovery CD

#3 Post by ja-rek » Sat Oct 01, 2016 2:56 am

thanks for answer ajkula66.
However, I still don't know what is the hidden partion for and what software is using it.
Could anyone please clarify?
thank you!
Jarek

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Re: T21 - preinstalled Windows serial number, hidden partition, recovery CD

#4 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sat Oct 01, 2016 3:30 am

Only you can figure out what's in that partition, it should be accessible, even in DOS.
Try pressing F11 when you boot, if the hidden partition still "works", it would re-install the "old" OS from there.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
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PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine
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