Is it possible to use the IBM backup/restore utility on t30?

[cparker]

I just got my t30 a few days ago. I upgraded all the drivers using this automated IBM utility I found somewhere in this forum. As I was upgrading a screen popped up telling me I should also backup the machine. It had a link to this other utility, which I downloaded and installed. Well, it's there on the CDrive and the readme says that it can be accessed during bootup by pressing the "blue" ibm key, but all I have is a "thinkpad" key which doesn't do anything. There are other options listed, such as pressing f11 but that doesn't do anything either. Any suggestions? Or is this for later model Thinkpads, and I should just try doing it another way. (I've actually used partition magic 8.0 to create a spare partition with the image of the working partition on it just in case). But the IBM utility sounds like a great way to go. Otherwise the T30 is a joy. It's running XP pro sp2 by the way.

Thanks,

[cparker]

Since nobody replied it's probably not possible. I read somewhere that it was for t40 machines or maybe later. If I find out more I'll post it here.

[ronbo613]

The blue IBM button on my T30 doesn't do anything either. Best bet for backup would be a set of Restore Discs.

[CeeDee]

Sorry to be so slow off the mark. I have a T30 and have successfully used Backup and Recovery both to create a full backup and have also just done a full restore of my system after replacing the hard drive. The thinkpad button does not activate it but the F11 key does.
When you downloaded the software did you install it? I ask this because when the download completes it does not automatically install.

[cparker]

Colin: That was the problem. It had loaded all these files into a directory on the C drive. I assumed it had installed itself at that time. But I was wrong. Just did the install. Now when I boot up there is a message saying press f11 to launch the recovery program. Now I have to try using it.

Thanks!!!!!

[cparker]

OK, I got the utility to work. To perform a complete backup of say the C partition, do you need to have a usb hard drive plugged in? That was the gist of what I picked up between the lines. Since I have no usb drive at the present time, it didn't recognize any and it seemed to stop at the first step of the backup process.

[CeeDee]

If you do not have a USB Drive then you will have to use a CD Burner. If you dont have one installed then you will have to backup to the hidden partition on the HD, and if you don't have that created then you will need a set of recovery disks, to create the partition. Unfortunatly I don't have a set myself so I can't offer you a copy. I actualy need a set because since I upgraded my HD I don't have the Hiden partition either!!.

[cparker]

Thanks! I have the cdburner/dvd unit on the T30. When I booted windows xp pro the utility popped onto my screen asking if I wanted to do a backup. I selected to make a full image on cds. It then, over the course of 2 hours or so, burned 6 cds, including one which was the startup cd. Seems to have done it!

[CeeDee]

It's nice to have that security isn't it. Depending on how important time is to you, you may want to get an external usb drive, backup is significantly faster and the incremental ones are just a few minutes.
When I replaced my HD last week It took only 18 minutes, and worked flawlessly.

[cparker]

Yes, it's pretty neat having a nice secure image on those cds. But I like the idea of a usb hard drive. I'll keep my eyes out for one. Thanks again.

[doodles113]

The Blue Acces IBM on newer models, or Thinkpad black button on earlier models only works correctly on Windows with the preloaded software installed.Call a application who teaches how to get technical support, the features of the machine, etc,etc.
Mostly, useless for who knows the machine.
I only put this button to work on Linux, with a built-in utility to reassign keys.