Thinkpads Forum

Hi to all,
I do own a ThinkPad T60p 8742-A89.
It comes with a 100GB 7200rpm HD. It is way too small.
I want to buy a new hdd, fast one if possible, and much bigger one.
The problem is:
will I still have the active protection system on the newer
how do I keep the preinstalled or current windows AND its license
how do I know which models / brands are compatible

Please if someone can tell me how to proceed ?

Thank you !

will I still have the active protection system on the newer

Thinkpad APS is implemented at a hardware level on the systemboard of the laptop and not on the hard drive.

how do I keep the preinstalled or current windows AND its license

The license stays with the laptop, so that is not an issue. If you want to keep the current build, clone it to the new drive using an application like Acronis True Image. They released a new version today. 2011.

how do I know which models / brands are compatible

All 2.5" SATA laptop hard drives are compatible.

Harry, thank you for your prompt answer.
About the windows, can I just install a completely fresh new windows xp (even on a different language, the one I got was in spanish but I want to have it in english) and when prompted put my current license number ? I want to take rid of all the bloatware that came preinstalled here if possible. If so, how do I get my current license number and where can I borrow a copy of a fresh XP cdrom legally downloadable ?

Thank you again !

The license # on the COA sticker on the bottom of the laptop will activate an OEM copy of XP. We won't discuss where to get XP other than by legal means on this forum. Capischi? Comprende?

Harry,

sure but is there a way to get an us/english OEM instead of restoring the default thinkpad + bloatware version ? I mean is there something I can get directly from microsoft/download site or whatever ?

No. Purchase an OEM or Retail copy of XP.

Ok, I will restore from the restore partition of the disk.
So ! How do I put the restorer on the new harddisk ? How do I create those partitions ? How do I install the mbr or whatever to make the Thinkvantage stuff work when booting and trying to recover from a fresh install ?

I am a T30 owner (investigating the purchase of a used T61p), so this answer may not be correct...

Option 1:
1) Use Control Panel/Admin Tools/Computer Management/Disk Management
to determine whether you existing HD has hidden IBM_Service partition
(which contains Windows Recovery Setup Program)

2) Purchase and Use Acronis True Image Home to clone your existing HD

3) Start machine and use appropriate Function Key [F11]??? to Recover Windows


Option 2:
1) Phone IBM and order OEM Windows and Application Recovery CD's for the Operating System and Applications originally installed on your machine. Price is approximately $40.

2) Install Windows using Recovery CD's.

Harryc wrote:No. Purchase an OEM or Retail copy of XP.

As long as he still have the COA that came with the computer, he could theoretically borrow any XP OEM install media with english language from a friend, colleague, whatever, and use his own COA. I think that is what he's asking.

The problem by doing this will be that he needs to reinstall all Thinkpad specific drivers/applications on his own. That can be a slight hassle unless you have done it a couple of times and know what is needed. But personally I prefer doing it this way.

After installing ANY variety of non-IBM/Lenovo version of Windows, install M$ dotnetframework and Lenovo's SystemUpdate (V4.0 for Windows 7 and V3.14 for 'older' versions).
That will find/install all the necessary drivers etc. but not the IBM/Lenovo CD/DVD burning software and/or DVD-player.
Get free versions for those functions instead, like e.g. CDBurnerXP and VLC.

RealBlackStuff wrote:...install M$ dotnetframework ...
...Get free versions.. .. like e.g. CDBurnerXP and VLC.

Second that, I installed the above mentioned application/system software on a relative's T60 yesterday. I ran into issues with the lack of very basic drivers, because I couldn't find my XP SP2 disc, and had to use a SP1 disc. But that's a different story.

I found this link which describes exactly what I wanted to do:

http://kylefarnung.com/2007/02/22/think ... tom_oem_wi

Cool !