Thinkpads Forum

I won the ebay auction yesterday and I emailed the seller today asking if the unit has the XP CoA, and he replied that it does (It does not have a HD or caddy, but I have an extra HD and ordered a caddy). I presume that this means that if I can get a copy of XP Professional, I can install it on the machine and it will be authentic. A CoA includes a Windows S/N? Where can I obtain a copy of XP Professional? I suppose I can torrent it, right, and burn to a DVD-R?

Post a wtb in the Marketplace for a set of restore disks

dsvochak wrote:Post a wtb in the Marketplace for a set of restore disks

Uh, restore disks? I have to confess that I've never used any of the restore disks I've created on my laptops. Wouldn't restore disks be proprietary to a specific machine and its configuration? Why wouldn't a copy of XP Professional suffice? I suppose restore disks might contain the Lenovo software so I wouldn't have to go through the rigamarole of downloading it from Lenovo. I had no idea I could use someone else's restore disks. They could what? Copy the ones they have and I pay them and they send them to me?

You can obtain the complete set of disks from Lenovo for about $55, or at about half the price for copies from someone who has a set.

As long as the set matches the COA (XP Professional vs. XP Professional, not W7 disks and XP COA) you're in the clear. It will install fine, take updates, all nine yards.

ajkula66 wrote:You can obtain the complete set of disks from Lenovo for about $55, or at about half the price for copies from someone who has a set.

As long as the set matches the COA (XP Professional vs. XP Professional, not W7 disks and XP COA) you're in the clear. It will install fine, take updates, all nine yards.

I'm not clear on your distinction there. Could you explain that?

OK, so I can maybe get a set WTB for $30. What's the advantage over a free torrenting of XP Professional?

He means you cannot use W7 or Vista restore disks while having only XP-Pro COA.
In other words, restore disks and COA must match.
Restore disks also contain all the required drivers and IBM/Lenovo software for your specific model, torrents do not.
Big Brother is watching all those who download torrents.
And torrents do their [censored] to infect any machine they can with an exquisite selection of Trojans, Rootkits, Zombiestuff etc.

OK, yeah, I figured I have to run XP on it, but that's OK. It'll only have a 60GB HD on it for the time being anyway. I'm used to XP and actually prefer it to Vista. I haven't used Windows 7 yet, but will install it soon on my two other Thinkpads (yes, I'll have 3, or will when the last one arrives in a few days).

Well, the drivers and Lenovo/IBM software I can presumably download, right? Big Brother... well, in practical terms what does this mean? If I download XP Pro install disk that doesn't mean I'm going to do anything illegal with it. In fact the machine has a CoA, so AFAIK I'm legally (and ethically) entitled to use it to install XP on that machine.

Last point is the malware, trojans, weird junk you allude to. Well, I think some of the versions won't have that, assuming it's a clean rip, not some munged up and hacked version. I might be wrong, and please enlighten me if possible!

Muse wrote:

Last point is the malware, trojans, weird junk you allude to. Well, I think some of the versions won't have that, assuming it's a clean rip, not some munged up and hacked version. I might be wrong, and please enlighten me if possible!

This type of approach is the exact reason I'll never run out of customers requiring malware removal.,..

Your machine, your call.

ajkula66 wrote:
This type of approach is the exact reason I'll never run out of customers requiring malware removal.,..

Your machine, your call.

Yup. Well, I've fared pretty well so far. I do run AV (Avira free) and Superantispyware and occasional scans and frequent updates. I'll weigh my options, the machine isn't here yet, I have some time and plenty of other things to occupy me. That machine is not a priority. But I figure I will need to decide on an OS solution for it soon. Thanks.

There is absolutely nothing illegal or wrong with downloading or copying an existing Windows XP installation. The license is in the COA.

dr_st wrote:

There is absolutely nothing illegal or wrong with downloading or copying an existing Windows XP installation. The license is in the COA.

This is true as long as the copy that one is installing isn't pirated to begin with...and won't crush with the first batch of updates rendering the machine unusable...

You know, I've never seen it happen...

dr_st wrote:

You know, I've never seen it happen...

Count yourself lucky...

ajkula66 wrote: This is true as long as the copy that one is installing isn't pirated to begin with...and won't crush with the first batch of updates rendering the machine unusable...

What exactly is the difference between an XP Pro install disk and an OEM XP Pro install disk? You say I need an OEM one. I belong to an organization and can ask if someone has a disk (someone will, I'm pretty sure).

If I borrow a disk can I make my own restore disks after installation? Hints?

OEM disks (as in IBM/Lenovo rendition) will include utilities and drivers that the machine originally shipped with. They will not ask for the OS to be activated after a certain period of time when it comes to XP.

Install disks (as in retail) are fine, you'll just have to download all the extra stuff, and likely call MS if you want to activate such a copy with a COA that you have on the machine.

Corporate pre-loads are often very sensitive to updates. Be very careful if you end up installing such a version.

You can only create restore disks if you've used the OEM disks to install the OS in the first place. Retail and corporate - let alone pirated torrent versions - do not have this option available.

Good luck.

OK, thanks. What I'm deducing here is that when you refer to an OEM version of XP, you're talking about (in my case) a Lenovo Thinkpad specific OEM version, right? Possibly a T60 specific version? If that's what I need I figure I'll either have to buy it from someone or order from Lenovo. I might see if I can get ahold of a full version and just get the drivers and utilities from Lenovo. Is that hard to do?

Jeez, all this for a set of T60 recovery CD's? PM me your address and I'll mail you a set.

Harryc wrote:Jeez, all this for a set of T60 recovery CD's? PM me your address and I'll mail you a set.

Thanks!

Edit! I PMed you, but hold everything. I suddenly realized I have a set of 7 recovery CDs I made when I got my 1st Thinkpad, a T60 (I'm typing on it right now) direct from Lenovo in November 2006. This machine is a Core 2 Duo and the one I'm getting in a few days is a Core Duo. This runs XP Professional, and I suppose ( ? ) the CoA of the one I'm going to get is probably XP Professional (could be XP Home, I'll have to see). If they're both XP Pro, wouldn't the recovery disks from my current T60 work to install the OS on my "new" T60, assuming I can read the key on its CoA?

There's a "Rescue and Recovery Startup Disc" and there are 6 disks I labeled Recovery 1 through 6.

I am pretty sure you will be able to use your other T60's recovery disks to restore the new (to you) one, provided they both have a COA for the same operating system. In this scenario, you will not need to use the license key on the COA; Lenovo already included a group license in the pre-load and it should be read automatically. If that doesn't turn out to be the case, you may need to manually enter the COA key to activate, or do it by phone. Many people here also believe that you are within your rights by using a generic OEM Win XP disk (not a recovery disk or set for a specific manufacturer other than Lenovo), in conjunction with the COA key. You would then need to download drivers as noted above. A retail disk comes with its own key which I believe must be used. Hope that covers it.

BeeJayEmm wrote:A retail disk comes with its own key which I believe must be used. Hope that covers it.

To clarify a bit, a retail disk comes with a key and will not work with a non-retail key; specific keys are not tied to specific disks. Only specific types of keys are tied to specific types of disks (retail/OEM/volume license ['VLK']). The key you normally find on a sticker attached to hardware is an OEM key. A subset of the OEM key type is the pre-activated key (SLP - system-locked preinstall); these are used by large vendors when preinstalling Windows instead of using the key from the CoA sticker. They can only be used on a specific brand and possibly only specific models.

The machine arrived today. As I thought, I was able to fix the corrupt ROM problem it had, or at least work around it (disabled Internal network option ROM).

I can read the XP CoA easily enough. I'm right now restoring from my rescue and restore CDs I created immediately after receiving my new T60 in November 2006. The drive I put in the machine had 2 partitions but I don't know that I could keep it that way and I elected to format the whole drive using the startup disc from the R&R discs. What was on the 2nd partition I'd prefer to have kept, but it's no big deal, I have it backed up elsewhere. Hopefully, I'll be able to create a 2nd partition on the 250GB HD for data. If not, well, I have a Windows 7 32 bit upgrade disc I suppose I can install instead after partitioning the drive. The drive came out of my dead Acer laptop.

Muse wrote:The machine arrived today. As I thought, I was able to fix the corrupt ROM problem it had, or at least work around it (disabled Internal network option ROM).

I know how to fix that if you are interested.

Some differentiating information given in this thread:

ajkula66 wrote:Install disks (as in retail) are fine, you'll just have to download all the extra stuff, and likely call MS if you want to activate such a copy with a COA that you have on the machine.

jdrou wrote:To clarify a bit, a retail disk comes with a key and will not work with a non-retail key; s.

I believe the first quote to be the correct answer. I have used all sorts of disks to reinstall XP on my computers, and they have all worked with the COA from the label on the computer. (As long as we are talking about a XP Pro disk for a XP Pro COA, of course) Most times I have had to call MS to get it activated, not the end of the world. I also need to install all Lenovo specific drivers, but that is something I chose to do out of my own free will, and I have saved all the files I need for this.

Unless you have a funky disk with a special purpose OS or something that's modified/sold by a third-party, not MS, I can't see why it wouldn't work.

Well, the R&R CD disk set I made on my T60 in March 2007 doesn't seem to be working on the T60 I just acquired. R&R comes up when I put in the startup CD (the first of the 7 CDs), I chose to restore the backup, don't worry about anything done since, just wipe the HD and restore what's on the disks. The HD in there was in an Acer, so there's no sense in trying to keep anything on it. I have no idea if it still has 2 partitions on it because R&R said it was going to wipe the drive.

R&R says to remove the disk, remove power from the machine, restart it and insert the last disk of the set. When I do that it doesn't appear to see anything. The Next button is greyed out, nothing shows up in the Name/Date table, it's stuck. I don't see how I could have lost the last disk, it didn't happen. They are labeled Startup and 1,2,3,4,5,6. 6 has to be the last, but it's not working.

I suppose I can just skip XP on the machine and just install Windows 7 32 bit. I have the upgrade disk from the Acer that died. I never installed it on the Acer. The 250GB HD from the Acer is in the T60 right now. I have no idea what its condition is at present. R&R reports under System Information that the HD is ~600MB with ~135MB free. Now that's weird! It made me think that it was talking about the CD, but that's ridiculous.

Have you wiped the drive clean before attemtping the install from recovery disks?

Muse wrote:R&R says to remove the disk, remove power from the machine, restart it and insert the last disk of the set..

That doesn't sound right. When you restart R&R should load off of the hard drive and bring you back into the recovery program where it will prompt you for disc 1. It is a (7) CD set by the way. One startup disc and 6 recovery discs.

Harryc wrote: That doesn't sound right. When you restart R&R should load off of the hard drive and bring you back into the recovery program where it will prompt you for disc 1. It is a (7) CD set by the way. One startup disc and 6 recovery discs.

Yes, exactly, I have 7 CDs, exactly as you describe. R&R "3" at this point comes up automatically when I start the machine whether or not any media is in the optical drive. I'll try it now and report what happens...

1. Welcome to Rescue and Recovery (features a Do not show again checkbox, I've never checked it) and a Continue button, which I'm pressing now...

2. Nothing happens. There's a menu in the left pane, a menu at the top:

Left menu:
Introduction

Rescue and Restore
-> Recovery overview
-> Rescue files
-> Restore your system
-> Create migration file

Configure
-> Configuration overview

Communicate
-> Communication overview
-> Open Browser
-> Download files
-> Map network drive


-> Norton Antivirus


The top menu:

System Information

Event Viewer

Warranty Status

Help

Restart

-------------------------
Nothing happens, so what I have tried is clicking Restore your system. This always brings up a message:

________________________________________________

If you want to access a USB device but it does not show in the destination or source list, first make sure the device is fully connected with your PC, then restart your PC and return to the Rescue & Recovery workspace.

[OK]
________________________________________________

I click OK, of course. Then Step 1 comes up including two options, one being to restore the entire HD the other to restore only Windows and applications, and I leave it on the default, the first option and click Next.

Then it goes to Step 2, Choose the backup to restore from:

A drop down box appears that contains:

Local hard drive
Second hard drive
USB hard drive
CD/DVD
Network

I pick CD/DVD and this pops up:

________________________________________________
Restore your system
________________________________________________

To restore a backup made to CD/DVD, please insert the disc labeled "Final C". To restore from a backup copied to CD/DVD, insert the last disc of the backup set. After inserting the correct disc, reselect CD/DVD in the location dropdown box.

[OK]

________________________________________________

I click OK. CD/DVD remains the choice in the dropdown box. I figure the "last disc" has to be either the one I labeled "T60 Recovery 6" or the first one on the stack that I labeled "T60 Rescue & Recovery Startup disk". I certainly don't have one labeled "Final C". Whatever one I put in, I'm left holding my hands because nothing appears in the table below the dropdown box, the table with two columns labeled Name and Date, completely empty, and there are 4 buttons at the bottom of the screen:

[Back] [Next] [Cancel] [Help]


However, Next is grayed out. I'm stumped!

Edit: It might have something to do with the condition of the HD (System Information, which is in the top menu, said the HD is around 650MB, and it's actually 259GB. Now it says the capacity and free space are "Not Available"). I don't know what state it's in right now. I have a couple of Win7 install disks and I can use one of them to maybe find out something about that HD or maybe repartition it or create one big partition, if that's what R&R wants to see (and maybe partition it later). My T60 was one big partition, of course, when I made the R&R disks, 60GB. Now I wish I'd bought one of those 2nd HD caddies on ebay, or maybe an external USB enclosure for 2.5" drives, I almost bought one of those.

This sounds like you originally made a backup to CD's using rescue and recovery and not a recovery CD set. There is a difference ... if it was a recovery CD set, one of the options on the first screen would be to restore the HD to factory contents. I doubt it's the hard drive, but who knows. As George said, blank out the drive first. Use a utility like activekilldisk.
http://www.killdisk.com/

It probably is a Restore to present system status set, not a restore to factory defaults, which might have been the better idea. It may be very close to if not actually the default configuration. It's been a long time but IIRC I did virtually nothing with the machine for at least a couple of months, maybe longer. Actually, I have the machine now (I'm typing on it!) and AFAIK, there's still the factory default configuration in the hidden recovery partition. Could I make a set of CDs now that will work as a Restore_to_factory_defaults set?

When I go into R&R on this machine (my original T60 from late November 2006), I see only one backup and it's from 2/8/2007, about a month earlier than the backup to CDs that I've been trying to use to install XP on the T60 I just got. I evidently have the option to restore from the 2/8/2007 backup. There's no stored original factory backup available? Or did I have to create that myself?

Harryc wrote: I know how to fix that if you are interested.

Please, can you comment on this. I Googled the problem, the seller posted 2 photos of the two errors you see on the screen, which said:

ERROR
Expansion ROM not initialized - PCI on Motherboard

Bus:00, Device:00, Function:00
- - - -
Initializing Intel(R) Boot Agent CE v1.2.31P1
PXE-E05: The LAN adapter's configuration is corrupted or has not been initialized. The Boot Agent cannot continue.
- - - -

My Google hit had some posts in a thread and the first guy said just to disable Boot from the network in BIOS/CONFIG. The other guys had you downloading PREBOOT.exe from Intel, which contains Bootutil.exe, which runs from a DOS prompt and you enter A:\>BootUtil -DEFCFG

When I tried this reconfiguration to default configuration it didn't work because the guy had explained the process incorrectly and I stupidly just followed his instructions and had Preboot.exe on the bootable CD and not bootutil.exe, which extracts from preboot.exe. So, I did the first thing and made the change in the BIOS, disabling booting from a network device, and that stopped those error messages from popping up every time you boot the machine. My question is which is the smarter thing to do? If nobody is ever going to want that feature enabled, why not just disable it. I'm wondering whether restoring the ROM to defaults could have some negative implications. Do you know?

I put bootutil.exe on a bootable diskette, booted it, ran A:\>BootUtil -DEFCFG and it worked fine. You'll have to re-enable the feature in BIOS first though.
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_ ... ldID=19186