Suspected virus - how do I trash everything and start again?

[ship69]

Hi

My old T60 appears to have a virus. I want to take no changes and re-format the disk.

Here is my spec:
Lenovo TS ThinkPad T60
Machine type-model: 2007-F4G
Mf part number: UT0F4UK
Processor: Intel Core Duo processor T2400, 1.8GHZ
RAM: 3GB
Date of purchase: 9/Aug/2006

No Windows CD came with the PC.
Yes, I can still read the labels at that bottom of the PC describing the OEM codes etc.
I tried using the blue ThinkVantage button but it doesnt work
I tried dowloading and burning a new Windows XP CD and booting off my CD drive, but that doesnt work
I tried using the Restore & Recovery tool (hold down F11 is it, I forget), but that says that it cant find X:\preboot\Utiles\convert.cmd

Any other suggestions?

With thanks

J

P.S. Would I be better off installing Windows 7 on this PC?
I want to sell this PC or give it to someone for simplistic Internet browsing and maybe light email...
(If so what would it cost to buy a LEGIT copy?)

[DRobinson]

Check out the market place here for recovery media.

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

If you want to sell it, list it here too. It appears to be a 15" flexview, you would likely get a buyer if in decent shape.

[BillMorrow]

welcome to the forum..

there are more than a few here who would be able to send you a recovery CD set..
just wait until wed. here in the USA..
it appears you have internet and a computer so we sure can find an iso copy..
i THINK there is one on my NAS i downloaded from the old dedicated server when IMWEBD support disappeared and i managed to get most of the stuff of that old server before it went [censored]-up..
so if you have the ability to burn a CD we can sure help you..

if it IS a 15 inch flexview thinkpad it has a following..
win 7 should work just fine on that thinkpad and then all you need to do is tweak the drivers.. go to the lenovo website and download system update and run it..
it'll gather up all the drivers and update them for you..

that T60p (if it IS a "p") is a very nice thinkpad.. a classic..

2007-F4G, the "G" part indicates an other than USA model.. maybe german..? still, a USA recovery should work..

[ship69]

Regarding "Recovery CD set" - is that something I would have to pay for? (I have effectively a zero budget for this!)
What about Windows 7? Given that even Windows 7 is now pretty long in the tooth, is there any way to get Win 7 for free (very nearly free?) legitimately?
AND how would I actually install Windows 7 in the first place - do I need to install Win 7 first and then get the correct drivers from Lenovo or does Lenovo offer a "big bang" update AND drivers?
(I am finding the Lenovo site impenetrable even on my fast Win 7 PC. What should I search for on Lenovo.com?)

I'm not sure about "flexview" but the screensize is 15 inches - 1400 x 1050 pixels.
(Btw, I must say that having been working on my new 13.5 inch (Full HD) Windows 8 Samsung, I now find the screen to be "huge"!)

Nope I don't think it was the P variant - just T60. I is a UK model

Many thank

J

[FryPpy]

I tried dowloading and burning a new Windows XP CD and booting off my CD drive, but that doesnt work

What happened? Any error in installation process (bad CD?) or it doesn't accept key from COA sticker?

there are more than a few here who would be able to send you a recovery CD set..

This is cheap and legitimate way.

Another way - download and install Linux (Ubuntu for example) - it can be used to web browsing, email and other things. AND it is legitimate too.

[ship69]

I tried dowloading and burning a new Windows XP CD and booting off my CD drive, but that doesnt work

What happened? Any error in installation process (bad CD?) or it doesn't accept key from COA sticker?

The PC can read the CD but it refuses to boot from it. It reads the CD for a while and then boots of the C: drive :^[

there are more than a few here who would be able to send you a recovery CD set..

This is cheap and legitimate way.

Can I down load a recovery set CD from somewhere for free?

> Another way - download and install Linux (Ubuntu for example) - it can be used to web browsing, email and other things. AND it is legitimate too.[/quote]
Nope it has to be Windows (XP or 7)

J

[Neil]

The PC can read the CD but it refuses to boot from it. It reads the CD for a while and then boots of the C: drive

Did you burn a data CD or ISO? It must be done in ISO mode to be bootable.

Can I down load a recovery set CD from somewhere for free?

Maybe...but there are no officially supported sources.

[ship69]

The PC can read the CD but it refuses to boot from it. It reads the CD for a while and then boots of the C: drive

Did you burn a data CD or ISO? It must be done in ISO mode to be bootable.

I'm not sure now. Windows 7 seemed to do it for me. How do I burn in ISO mode in Win 7 - do I need a special application or can it be done just using Win 7(x64)?