Thinkpads Forum

Just got my new T60 with Vista pre-installed. While the interface is definitely sharp and I like some of the new additions (gadgets are nice), I'm thinking I'd be more comfortable with XP at this point in time.

Now, whats the best way to about this? From what I understand, I have a Vista rescue and recovery partition on my drive. Does that mean I could just format the main boot drive (C:) and install XP in its place?

Then, in the future, when Vista is more mature just use the R&R partition to re-install Vista? Could this be done with the blue ThinkVantage button even if I'm running a self-installed XP installation?

The other option is to request the Vista R&R discs directly from Lenovo, format my current drive and install XP. I've heard mixed stories about getting the R&R discs from Lenovo.

The first thing I would do before doing anything else would be to burn a set of your vista recovery disks. That way no matter what you do, you can always restore the Vista operating system at a later date of your choosing.

XP is much faster fow now too
Thanks

I am not 100% but I believe an IBM rep told me that if you install XP on a Vista machine that it will destroy the factory installed R&R partition.

So if you do install XP make sure you back up your R&R partition to a set of discs.

Thanks for the replies guys, looks like I should definitely back up my R&R partition to some DVDs before I make any changes. Now, being a new Thinkpad owner, how exactly do I go about that?

Well on my T42p, it's: start>all programs>access IBM>create recovery disks

But it might be different on a T60.

Boot Vista, and choose the option to create a set of recovery discs. Do this before you do anything else. This way, you can always get back to "like new."

The XP install _will_ destroy the Vista R&R partition (which is why you want to do the above.)

Then, in BIOS, set the predesktop area to "normal" (as opposed to secure or disabled.)

Then, you should slipstream an XP install disc. There's a link to a faq for doing this somewhere on here. You can't use a normal winXP install disc, as it doesn't have drivers for the T60 HDD controller, and the "press F6 to install a driver" thing doesn't work during an XP install, as the T60 doesn't have a floppy...

Next, install WinXP as normal, and immediately do a 'windows update' to install .NET framework 1.1 and 2.0. Then install SystemUpdate 3. Use that tool to install everything else you want/need - INCLUDING Rescue&Recovery. When you install R&R, it'll do *something* (no idea what) to fix the R&R partition to start working again...

(This all from very recent experience.)

A machine that shipped with Vista does NOT have a license to run XP. You will have to already own (or buy) a license for XP because your R&R partition can only create install DVDs for the OS that shipped with the computer.

Now, if your machine shipped with XP and you got the "free" upgrade to Vista (offer ended on March 15, 2007) then your machine already as an XP COA (Certificate of Authenticity) attached to it and you can install XP. The COA for Vista was on the back of the sleeve that contained your upgrade DVD for Vista.

Lenovo will not send R&R disks that do not match the OS that shipped with your machine's serial number.

Just FYI, guys....not trying to be a license policeman. (grin)

I am also planning to reinstall WINXP and am wondering what is meant by "you should slipstream an XP install disc." and what you have to do to do this?

wallybear wrote:
Lenovo will not send R&R disks that do not match the OS that shipped with your machine's serial number.

I ordered a set of XP R&R discs for around 45USD since I was unhappy with Vista when I originally got my machine. The rep I spoke with at Lenovo actually suggested it to me. I'm not sure if this policy has changed in the last couple months though.

shalliday wrote:I am also planning to reinstall WINXP and am wondering what is meant by "you should slipstream an XP install disc." and what you have to do to do this?

See the following thread (and the FAQ pointed to by the first post)
for more information:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... slipstream

Thank you very much. That is a fantastic tutorial. Looking forward to using it to build a WinXP slipstream disc for my install.

hoplite wrote:

wallybear wrote:
Lenovo will not send R&R disks that do not match the OS that shipped with your machine's serial number.

I ordered a set of XP R&R discs for around 45USD since I was unhappy with Vista when I originally got my machine. The rep I spoke with at Lenovo actually suggested it to me. I'm not sure if this policy has changed in the last couple months though.

Was the switch to XP with the R&R disks pretty seamless? I'm considering the same thing (along with downgrading from Office 2007 to 2003).
When I spoke to a (bored) Lenovo rep - his only suggestion was to buy XP and install it.

I ordered the discs on a Friday. Then over the weekend I got VS2005 to run partially. Still not perfectly but that was the showstopper that was the driving force behind me wanting to rollback to XP.

I called back on Monday and cancelled my order so they never shipped me the discs.

When I called customer service originally I started out with the complaint that I can't run the software I need to run to use my laptop for work. I said I wanted to roll back to XP. I have a XP CD and a valid key. I stated my plan was to install XP then when Vista was more mature to use the R&R to upgrade to Vista.

The rep told me this was not possible since if I installed a new OS it'd wipe out the R&R partition. Then I said I really have no trouble installing XP I just don't want to have to spend the day hunting for drivers. At this point the rep suggested that I buy a set of XP R&R CDs.

hoplite wrote: I stated my plan was to install XP then when Vista was more mature to use the R&R to upgrade to Vista.

The rep told me this was not possible since if I installed a new OS it'd wipe out the R&R partition.

Of course it is possible! All you would have to do is first create recovery disks from within the original Vista installation before installing XP. After that is done you could install XP and let it wipe the Vista R&R partition. It wouldn't matter that the R&R partition would be wiped because you would already have Vista recovery disks which will enable you to restore the R&R partition along with the original Vista installation.

wallybear wrote:A machine that shipped with Vista does NOT have a license to run XP. You will have to already own (or buy) a license for XP because your R&R partition can only create install DVDs for the OS that shipped with the computer.

Not altogether true! Vista Business and Ultimate include downgrade rights. See http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu9uXPEdGD ... _chart.doc

The relevant quote is this:

Can I downgrade my OEM version of Windows Vista Business to Windows XP Professional?

Yes. OEM downgrade rights for desktop PC operating systems apply to Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate as stated in the License Terms. Please note, OEM downgrade versions of Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate are limited to Windows XP Professional (including Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP x64 Edition). End users can use the following media for their downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided the end user has a Volume Licensing agreement), retail (FPP), or system builder hologram CD (provided the software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder License). Use of the downgraded operating system is governed by the Windows Vista Business License Terms, and the end user cannot use both the downgrade operating system and Windows Vista Business. There are no downgrade rights granted for Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Home Premium.