Thinkpads Forum

Me again,

although I have solved most (though not all) of my problems, I would still like to do a clean reload with an English version of XP and IBM software. If anyone has a recovery cd for the T60 2007 or the recovery CDs made by the R&R I would very much appreciate a copy.

For those unfamiliar with my request: I have a T60 with German software and cannot get IBM to change -- it is a long story and the details are in messages posted below.

Thanks for considering my requestion. Please email me if you can help and we can arrange how etc.

Steve

FWIW, you can purchase this from Lenovo for $45. In the past they would send you a copy for free in the first 30 days but I just called and was told that they don't do that any more. Still, call and give them a hard luck story and you might get a set for free.

-darren

BTW: Did you call German or American support?

-darren

I have asked, begged, threatened, offer to buy, offered to send my computer to anywhere in the world at my expense to have it relaoded... I have received NOTHING from them but official bla bla ... I have asked if they could talk me through reloading the IBM software, if they could send me a CD (which I would pay for) of just the IBM software, I have done everything but contact a lawyer and am thinking of that.

I stand by the Thinkpad as a cumputer. The people who designed it, build it did well. And I would buy it again. BUT the service is non existent, I paid extra for an international warranty, they are willing to do NOTHING. If anyone can get a recovery CD I will pay for it, if anyone can burn me a copy of the R&R I will pay for it, if anyone can HELP me I will be eternally in your debt ...

I have just realised that the R&R and package is still in German, even though I uninstalled the German version, download the English version, loaded and installed it ... but the dialogue boxes are obvious in another file and yes I have set XP as English defualt user ...

At this point I give up ... I only want one thing... to reload with an English copy for T60 2007 63G ... or at least give it a try

I have recieved a few emails of the following two please read and remember this could be you one day:

"Dear Valued IBM Customer,

Thank you for contacting IBM. The Windows operating system that came preloaded on this IBM unit is Germain version, thus the Windows Certificate Of Authenticity is for Germain version. Unfortunately we cannot issue a different Windows license for the same IBM machine which will involve a violation of licensing agreement. You will need to purchase a different Windows Certificate Of Authenticity for English version directly from Microsoft which means purchasing your own retail version of Windows."

"The error was not ours and so your warranty does not cover the situation and therefore we cannot provide you with any further assistence in this matter. You must talk with Microsoft. "

"Please contact the German office"
"We are sorry but you discuss this with our American Office"
"It is not possible to download and install English software off the English site. You must buy a new system or new machine."

It's obviously a trivial task for one of us to send you a reload disc that'll work, but are there any legal ramifications that we must be aware of?

Yeah, man, this isnt lenovo - its Microsoft. Theyre entirely correct when they say they cannot legally send you an english copy of the R&R CD's for a german XP license.

if you want an english copy of XP, youll have to buy it. OEM copies of XP are like $120 or something at newegg.

I don't think anyone can share their windows with you - it's licensed to their machine. Why don't you just return the system and get a new one? You have 30 days.

Cheers,
Tony

pundit wrote:It's obviously a trivial task for one of us to send you a reload disc that'll work, but are there any legal ramifications that we must be aware of?

The issue is whether the product key from his German copy of Windows works with an English copy of Windows. Obviously no one is going to send an install cd with their product key embedded in it.

the R&R CD's dont prompt for a CD key - but he is not *legally* allowed to have the English version of XP on that machine without the sticker affixed to it.

it *will* probably install just fine, its just not *legal*

lithium726 wrote:the R&R CD's dont prompt for a CD key - but he is not *legally* allowed to have the English version of XP on that machine without the sticker affixed to it.

it *will* probably install just fine, its just not *legal*

Ah, I thought we were talking about the XP cd you create when doing a clean install.

If the R&R cd doesn't prompt for a key, then it must be using the XP product key that belongs to the person who created the cd, correct?

In that case, you would be handing your key to someone by giving them the R&R cd. That's not a good idea especially now that MS validates your copy of XP when you go to download updates.

serpico wrote:If the R&R cd doesn't prompt for a key, then it must be using the XP product key that belongs to the person who created the cd, correct?

No, there's no product key involved, either embedded or not.

The OP can use someone else's recovery CD to install XP in English on his machine and be completely legal provided that is the ONLY copy of XP on it.

The COA on the bottom of the machine is his license to install and use one copy of XP, the language is irrelevant.

Regards,

James

Would Cassirer's German key work with the clean install method?

Outlined here:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=22225

Ahhh - I see the dilema. And I don't have a ready answer to it (legally).

FYI: The copy of XP that is preloaded on ThinkPads uses the same CD key on every ThinkPad produced with that version of XP. XP will only recognize that CD-KEY, however, if it idenitifies the machine as a ThinkPad (by BIOS I guess). The code that's printed on the sticker on the bottom of the machine is in case one needs to re-load XP from normal OEM (or perhaps retail full install) CD, but it's not used with the copy that R&R installs.

It's very possible that if you *did* have the English R&R CDs, that copy of Windows wouldn't recognize your machine as a qualifying product and would request activation. I doubt that the CD-KEY on the bottom would qualify.

What led to you getting the German version in the first place? Was it Lenovo's fault?

-darren

actually, the R&R CD's do not check the BIOS for a Key, it is not present. They simply will not boot without an IBM Thinkpad BIOS, with the type that the CD's were designed for. For example, if you are trying to install the 2373/2374 R&R CD's (i have some) on a 2379, it *shouldnt* work, but i am not entirely sure. The R&R CD's for my T40 (2373) will not boot on my T23 (2648)

as long as he gets the R&R CD's for the type 2007, it should boot and work just fine. and if what JHEM said about licensing is true, then it is legal, i just thought it was not. my bad.

the sticker is OEM license, not Retail.

lithium726 wrote:actually, the R&R CD's do not check the BIOS for a Key, it is not present. They simply will not boot without an IBM Thinkpad BIOS, with the type that the CD's were designed for.

That's what I said. I must have been unclear -- I'm sorry. The hard-coded activation key is the same for all T4x and T6x laptops that I've used, but I wondered if it checks for language in the BIOS. FWIW, the two CD-KEYS that IBM uses are:

DMY26-78CX9-Q89DP-Q8QK8-VF2B8 (XXXXX-119-0001076-XXXXX)
HCBR8-FGC2K-RY7BM-HM3KT-BKVRW (XXXXX-119-0001076-XXXXX)

I think it's safe to post them because they will only work on IBM (and Lenovo) ThinkPads and all are sold with XP pre-installed. This can be handy in a re-load if the label has been torn off.

Admins can delete the codes if there is any concern.

-darren

darrenf wrote:Admins can delete the codes if there is any concern.

No need, they're already widely available on the WWW.

Regards,

James

lithium726 wrote:For example, if you are trying to install the 2373/2374 R&R CD's (i have some) on a 2379, it *shouldnt* work, but i am not entirely sure.

They work just fine as it's the same "family" of T4X machines.

lithium726 wrote:The R&R CD's for my T40 (2373) will not boot on my T23 (2648)

Odd that! I've used T40 (2373) recovery CDs on a T21, T23 and a 600X, no problems. (Yes, the 600X was a legal install, I had an unused license from an X31 I sold sans OS.)

Regards,

James

What about the install cd one creates using UCI_MECH's Clean Install Guide? This cd asks for a key (i.e., one of the IBM cd keys that Darren posted). Will it only work on the same family of Thinkpads that the cd was created from?

Or is this the equivalent of the R&R created CD, just without all the add-on software?

JHEM wrote:

lithium726 wrote:For example, if you are trying to install the 2373/2374 R&R CD's (i have some) on a 2379, it *shouldnt* work, but i am not entirely sure.

They work just fine as it's the same "family" of T4X machines.

lithium726 wrote:The R&R CD's for my T40 (2373) will not boot on my T23 (2648)

Odd that! I've used T40 (2373) recovery CDs on a T21, T23 and a 600X, no problems. (Yes, the 600X was a legal install, I had an unused license from an X31 I sold sans OS.)

Regards,

James

Interesting! Ill have to try that again, maybe im thinking of something else!

a) thanks for considering this ...

b) the fault is in a misunderstanding ... I said English configuration (in German) and what was understood was not English system but English Keyboard ... the seller cannot change the machine because of legel reasons (the keyboard was changed) and IBM cannot (will not) do anything

c) if it will work ... and if it seems rather legel as it is true I am only putting back on the machine what is already there ... just in a language I can work with ... and what is more ... under the German is the English ... all the original software is in English (the XP and the IBM) the prolblem is that they have then put the German language unit over it ... and I cannot figure out how to take it off ... and Yes I have set the XP to English as default user langauge ... and reinstalling sometimes works, sometimes does not ... and what is more only increases % of HD used by program ... so in the end I am really putting back what is already there ...

I will thus again make a request for a copy ... if anyone is willing ... I could down load it if I had the link ...

thanks in advance ... today I am much more calm about this ... more hopeful ...

steve

Hi... Sorry for the late reply, but I am currently in a similar situation to you, except that my T60p is being purchased from China. I believe what James (JHEM) said is not correct, and you do not have the legal right to install English version if the one that you own is German (or Chinese, in my case).

That is just the licensing conditions of Microsoft.

However, one possible solution I was able to find is that you can somehow buy and install the MUI pack for Windows XP. This pack includes all of the language files (Help files, Interface elements, etc.) in the desired language. The only catch is that you can't buy it through retail:

http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/DrIn ... x#MUIques6

Unfortunately this is not an ideal solution. The best solution is still to go out and purchase Windows XP Pro at retail and install over the top of the preload.

Yes, I'm in a similar situation, I have a 2007-83J T60p that is in Japanese. I would like an English install of the OS, but it isn't really critical since I understand Japanese. It just is a pain to have to stop and think to read things instead of using my native language.

What is more annoying is the keyboard layout, but I have that problem with all Japanese keyboards.

Basically I don't think it is possible to do legally without buying another windows license.

FuguTabetai wrote:What is more annoying is the keyboard layout, but I have that problem with all Japanese keyboards.

Here is a reply I got in one of my other threads. This should be helpful to you:

astro wrote:I was suggesting that you buy a replacement T60 keyboard part from Lenovo, if you want. People on the forum have been talking about it and they are quite affordable.

From the T60 System Service Parts list:

US English keyboard:
Manufacturer, FRU part #, Price
ALPS , 39T7118 , $117.70
Chicony , 39T7178 , $93.82
NMB , 39T0958 , NOT AVAILABLE

To buy, plug one of these numbers into the Spare Parts page.

I bought my T60 from Germany and it came with preloaded German WinXP. After I received the notebook and got it's serial number I just called IBM's support in Finland where I live and asked for recovery CD's. The support guy was first sending me Finnish version but since I prefer English WinXP I asked him to send the English version and I said that also the original preload was English (I lied a bit ). No problems and I got the CD's free after a week.

When I ordered CD's for my previous T42 I slipped on the phone that the original WinXP was Finnish. After that the support wasn't willing to send the English version. Point is that I don't think they have any register what's the original language version of XP that came with the notebook.

OK... so if I go out and acquire a legitimate WinXP license to avoid questions of legality, how would I get my hands on the 200783U recovery image?

darrenf wrote:FWIW, you can purchase this from Lenovo for $45. In the past they would send you a copy for free in the first 30 days but I just called and was told that they don't do that any more. Still, call and give them a hard luck story and you might get a set for free.

-darren

Actually, how does one go abouts doing that? Does it have a specific part number that I can ask for?

I don't have the part number but if you call 800-IBM-SERV and ask I'm sure they can get it taken care of. That's how I requested the free copy under the old policy.

-darren

Still looking for the part numbers for the recovery discs from either 200783U or 200783M (not sure which region this one's from, since it's not available to buy from any country, but it seems to be Australia, since most models from there end with 'M')

I figure it would be easier just to know what I'm after, and bully the sales guy into selling it to me rather than having a long whinge about it. According to ThinkWiki, Australia is less than forthcoming when it comes to providing recovery CDs.

EDIT: not to worry, I ended up finding it here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... RU#Tseries

I'v just got my T60p and if you still need the recovery discs I wil send them to you.Keep in touch.

solan wrote:I'v just got my T60p and if you still need the recovery discs I wil send them to you.Keep in touch.

Thanks for the offer, mate. I'll let you know...

At the moment, I'm still trying to figure out how to get my TP to Australia with the battery (see my last post in the T60 order/shipping thread).

zzyss wrote:

solan wrote:I'v just got my T60p and if you still need the recovery discs I wil send them to you.Keep in touch.

Thanks for the offer, mate. I'll let you know...

Or, if you like, I can send you mine from my 2007-63U. I don't suppose there is much difference (only the V5200? ATI universal driver anyway) and I wouldn't have to send it as far as Solan.