Starting from scratch

[brsnyder]

Hi -- Over the last couple of weeks, I've had one strange problem after another, from home network no longer working to youtube thinking I don't have javascript or flash when I in fact do.

Anyway, I decided it's time to back up, reinstall from scratch, and start over. I am currently doing an R&R backup (even though I don't fully trust it) as well as full backups from two other programs just to make sure. Then I plan to use the Create Migration Disk option on R&R and then do the reinstall.

My question is - what do I run to get back to square one? And any other words of wisdom will be most appreciated, including links to other threads.

TIA -- Barbara

[christopher_wolf]

Make all the backups you want, then you can either restore by going into the HPA and selecting a "Full Restore" or simply wipe the HDD and use the R&R disk set you made earlier to return everything to factory state.

I don't really think there is any reason to use the Migration tool unless you are transfering alot of that data and contextual settings to a new system that is no the Thinkpad.

[brsnyder]

Thanks. I am in the process of making Product Recovery set now. What is HPA?

-- Barb

[agarza]

Thanks. I am in the process of making Product Recovery set now. What is HPA?

-- Barb

Have a look here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-51248

HPA is a portion of disk space (a partition) that contains all the files to restore your system (factory state)

[christopher_wolf]

It basically is a little, secure OS on the HDD that has the ability to restore backups made by R&R as well as reformat the Thinkpad to its factory state. Quite useful if your Windows install becomes corrupted beyond repair and you need to restore to a backup within 15-30 minutes.

There should be an option there that lets you return to the factory image of the Thinkpad; that is probably the easiest way to do it after you make backups of your important data.

You could also make a R&R disk set, strongly recommended if the HPA is removed as these disks cost money if you order from IBM/Lenovo and it is best to have them available, and restore from that as well.