T23 - is there a restore partition on the HDD?

[g8tzl]

I have recently acquired a T23 which has an "IBM" XP Pro Product Key sticker on the base BUT Windows 2000 is actually installed on the T23.

It looks like the T23 was a networked ex-corporate laptop so maybe the T23 had to have Windows 2000 installed to match the rest of the network??

Anyway , does anybody know whether it will be possible to restore XP from the HDD??

My T30 has this option - it did not come with any recovery CD's - although I've never used it , so I'm guessing that maybe the T23 is the same?

I've removed the original HDD from the T23 - is it possible to tell if there is a hidden XP restore partition by using the HDD with a USB external caddy?

Thanks

[RealBlackStuff]

It's highly unlikely.
Put the HD back in the T23, then boot up and immediately hit F11 a few times.
IF there is a restore partition, it will come up (probably W2K) and offer it. If not, that's it.

You could use the IBM set of Windows XP Pro restore CDs to get XP on it (and you would not need a COA key, but you are legal), or use an OEM version of XP-Pro and use the COA key on the bottom of your laptop.
A full retail XP Pro will not accept that COA key!
XP Home will not work either.

PM me if interested in the XP-Pro Restore CDs.

[g8tzl]

Thanks RealBlackStuff.

Does the IBM set of XP Pro restore disks work on all Thinkpads or just a particular model?

"OEM version of XP Pro" - Is this basically an "IBM" version of XP Pro - so only an "IBM" XP product key will work??

Thanks

[RealBlackStuff]

Most Thinkpad models have their own Restore sets.
The T23 set can also be used on T20/T21/T22 if you get the video drivers separately.
It will NOT work an a T30 or higher and it will also NOT work on previous models before the T2x series.

An OEM version is made for specific hardware from a specific manufacturer, e.g. IBM for IBM, Dell for Dell, etc.
If you are lucky, a 'foreign' set might work on your own equipment to at least get it going, after which you need to get the rest of the proper drivers etc.

An OEM key will usually work anywhere, provided it is for the same version Windows, i.e. XP Home will only work for Home, not Pro.
An OEM key will also not work on a full retail version, and vice versa.