Thinkpads Forum

Sorry, I'm a complete pleb when it comes to IT so my query is probably not very well described.

When I left my old job, they let me keep my T60 as, being over 5 years old, it was no longer on the asset register. But a year or so previously they had installed Safeboot which required a password as soon as the laptop was, well, booted. To cut a long story short, I managed to bugger things up when I downloaded Google Earth just before Christmas. The system ran so slooowly and I unistalled Google Earth but that didn't improve things. So I used a cleaner to delete orphen files, etc and defragged - still the same. Then I found out about system restore but, of course, having cleaned the disk and defragged, system restore couldn't work. I made matters worse when, having Googled for some tips I learned about how to use the Thinkpad key to access a Rescue and Recovery programme. I'm sure it worked fine but Safeboot certainly didn't like it and now I'm locked out permanently. And it's all my fault!

In desperation I took the laptop back to the helpful IS boys at my old firm and they removed the hardrive and to try to recover the disk via the partitioned bit of the hardrive. All looked hopeful but when they booted up the laptop - same Safeboot code and no access. They didn't have the software to try anything more so now I'm left with a non-functional drive.

I'm told it's probably easiest simply to install a new hardrive but don't have any OS disks.

For a complete novice like me who is prone to making problems worse, how do I install a new hardrive and get it all up and running again? I can't really afford a new laptop right now.

I don't have time to talk you through the details right now, but I'll help point you in the right direction.

You have two decisions to make right now...
1) Purchase a new/used HD
2) Install factory provided Windows XP/Vista or Windows 7.

Purchase a new/used HD...
I have purchased Hitachi 7K200 (7200rpm) 120GB from compuvest on eBay without any issues in the past. You could also goto Fry's or local computer repair shop and purchase Western Digital Scorpio Black (7200rpm).

Factory Windows XP
Phone IBM/Lenovo service and purchase Recovery DVD/CD disc for your machine(approx $45 with shipping). IBM/Lenovo rep will require you to provide type, model, and SERIAL NO. IBM/Lenovo rep will ask for either Windows XP or Windows Vista. Advantage -- you will never be asked for Windows Product Key and you will never be asked to activate within 30 days.

After installation, your machine will appear just like it did when you first opened the shipping box and powered up for the very first time.

You will need to install Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. I don't know what the current SP version is for Vista.

Retail Windows 7
Purchase Windows 7 Pro with Service Pack 1 (32-bit version for less than $130) at Fry's or your local computer repair shop. You will need to enter Product Key and Activate.

If you purchase Windows 7 Ultimate, then you will need to install Service Pack 1 afterwards.

Here is how I explained this process to a newbie over at T20 thru T30 forums...
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=94148

Having never used Safeboot, I don't really know what it can do to a HDD, but why can't you just zero fill the drive, and re-install whatever OS you want?

If you have never removed a hard drive before.

Purchase a screwdriver with a magnetic tip.
Turn machine over sideways with bottom up.
The Harddrive is located in lower left hand corner. You should see a harddrive icon molded into the base cover.
Remove the one screw.
Remove the black plastic HD cover.
Search for black plastic pull-tab, curled up and over HD.
Write down the position of the HD. (Bottom up and SATA interface towards machine).
Remove HD.
Remove two rubber HD guides.
Remove four screws from HD caddy.
Remove HD from HD caddy.

Best bet -- search Lenovo's support site for your type and model. One of the options is repair manual which has on-line videos of all service replacement procedures.

Neil wrote:Having never used Safeboot, I don't really know what it can do to a HDD, but why can't you just zero fill the drive, and re-install whatever OS you want?

He probably does not have access to a second machine.
He probably does not even know how to find and install software to zero-fill old HD.

If he purchases another HD (and throws old HD in the sock drawer in his bedroom), there is always hope that someone with more knowledge will come along and figure out how to retrieve data from old HD.

I understand the OP would probably not be able to do it....but, I just don't understand why and IT department wouldn't have the tools needed to wipe a drive and install an OS. It's just a hobby to me. I've never worked in IT at all, but I think I could get the job done.

So...ianmiles2000...if you can download the free Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") boot disk, you can completely remove absolutely everything on that hard drive, then borrow a Windows XP OEM disc from someone and install away. Or get T60 recovery discs from someone on the forum. Or, install something like Linux Mint. The possibilities are almost endless.

I'm going to try DBAN and then Linux. I'll let you know how I get on.

In the meantime, thanks for your advice which is really appreciated. You're the best!

Here are all the movies that are available for a T60 (incl. HD removal): http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product ... MIGR-63959