T30 Trying To Install XP Pro

[killerbee]

The HD died on my T30 so I got a replacement. I do not have the system recovery disks but assumed that I could use the product key from the back of the unit. I used a legitimate copy of xp to do the installation. However, when entered the product key the installationsaid it was not valid. I gather that not xp disks are created equal. What do I have to do to get this to work ? System recovery disks ? Where do I get those ?

Thank You

[rkawakami]

Correct. The COA on the back of the system cannot be used to activate/validate a retail copy of Windows. I don't believe that the factory is offering recovery disk sets for a system as old as the T30. You would probably do well to post a "wanted" here in the Marketplace forum:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewforum.php?f=11

[Neil]

Ray is correct that a retail copy won't work, but any OEM copy of XP will work with the COA on the bottom of the machine, it doesn't have to be a IBM recovery CD. But, the recovery set is very desirable to have since the drivers specific to your machine will already be included.

[killerbee]

Thanks for the replies. I purchased an OEM and wll get the drivers from the Leveno website. I don't hold too much hope of finding the T30 recovery disks.

[jronald]

One should be patient grasshopper.
Or
You can just PM RealBlackStuff

Ron

[RealBlackStuff]

@killerbee:
since 08.18am EST there's a PM waiting for you.

Edit: actually since 07.18am
forgot to change the darned DST switch

[jronald]

Confucius says:
RBS works in strange and mysterious ways

Ron

[RealBlackStuff]

@killerbee

PM still waiting for you...