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Windows XP Product Code valid?
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:20 am
by Pantek
Hi
I got my T60 last week and the first thing I did is erase the pre-loaded windows installation. Then I tried to install Windows XP (German) using the product code printed on the label on the backside of the Thinkpad. I was surprised to read that the code is invalid!
So I tried to do a recover the pre-loaded image (the partition remained untouched) but failed because it wouldn't boot up anymore when I press the "ThinkVantage" Button.
Does anybody else have an idea what to do apart from buying a recovery CD or another XP license? After all I already paid for an XP license by buying the thinkpad, didn't I?
Thanks
Jan
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:22 am
by jdhurst
Call IBM and purchase a set of recovery CD's. The license is for the OEM installation and cannot be used otherwise. ... JD Hurst
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:37 am
by Interpol
Doesn't your copy of German Windows XP come with its own product code/serial number? Why not just use that one?
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:13 am
by own6volvos
IBM Windows codes on the bottom of the laptops are for OEM installs only. If you want to have a nice clean fresh bare minimum install, you should start from a factory "fresh out the of box" state, and then look online for instructions on how to make a slipstreamed install disc. This way it will actually be the IBM oem install setup, but only the normal install... none of that extra crap.
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:15 am
by Pantek
Interpol wrote:Doesn't your copy of German Windows XP come with its own product code/serial number? Why not just use that one?
Well, of course it does. But I already used this produce code to register my desktop computer. Therefore it won't work on the thinkpad, will it?
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:16 am
by own6volvos
Pantek wrote:Interpol wrote:Doesn't your copy of German Windows XP come with its own product code/serial number? Why not just use that one?
Well, of course it does. But I already used this produce code to register my desktop computer. Therefore it won't work on the thinkpad, will it?
It probably will just not "morally legal". But you already have another code, so I wouldn't lose sleep.
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:19 am
by Pantek
jdhurst wrote:Call IBM and purchase a set of recovery CD's. The license is for the OEM installation and cannot be used otherwise. ... JD Hurst
I just called IBM and ordered the recovery CDs. It will take
2 weeks until I'll have them! Probabely they are sending them from India or God knows where ...
Is there no other way to access the recovery partition than pressing the "ThinkVantage" button? The partition is still there and since I didn't touch it I'm sure it's still functioning but somehow the recovery tool doesn't start up when I press the blue button.
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:23 am
by bigtiger
Your installation CD is probably a retail version. T60 has a OEM code. It will not match for sure. I have real time experience and know this.
You will have to order the recovery CD.
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:55 pm
by dbertoni5000
You can try the following to see if it restores the master boot record:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-54483
It should enable the ThinkVantage key