Blown System Recovery

Message

kevinc · #1 Post by **kevinc** » Tue May 17, 2005 12:15 pm

I couldn't access system restore on a recently purchsed X31 2673-C2U. I used the IBM recovery repair diskette and then was able to access the it. I ran it and it appeared to run properly, but all I have is a clean install of XP...no IBM drivers, features, etc. No F11 or Access IBM function.
Am I missing something??? Suggestions???
I called IBM to ask for a free set of restore disks but I can't get past a fast busy signal. Does anyone have a phone number that might work other than 800-772-2227?
Thanks

slagmi · #2 Post by **slagmi** » Tue May 24, 2005 9:35 am

so that was a recovery partiton made by a previous user, not by IBM.

the good news is all the needed utilities and drivers are available-
provided you are comfortable with using that copy of XP~
is it IBM branded XP? if you right click on My Computer and choose Properties, does it say IBM there?

#3 Post by **daeojkim** » Tue May 24, 2005 9:47 am

Try this number it has always worked for me

1-800-426-7378

If you have windows XP installed, and internet working just download the Thinkpad software installer and install it. It will download all the necessary softwares and drivers.

kevinc · #4 Post by **kevinc** » Tue May 24, 2005 10:31 am

Thanks...I downloaded everything from the IBM site.

You have to be careful on ebay. The machine is in perfect condition, but the prior owner was apparently a student at the University of Hong Kong who put a copy of XP Media Center edition on it. (The machine had dial up settings for the HKU network, but I can't afford the phone call.)

It arrived without an AC adapter, the home made restore disks wouldn't boot and the included "full Office XP" was on the HD but there were no disks and no MS Access.

The seller (probably not the HKU student...I don't know how she got the machine) said she would send the adapter but she didn't respond to the other issues. No adapter...no responses to my repeated emails...and then I get a note from ebay that they pulled her listings and if I hadn't paid her...don't.

Her ebay record? 100+ positive feedbacks in 3 months. Her first negative was on a transaction after her sale to me.

I checked with IBM before the sale. They confirmed the warranty. It wasn't reported as stolen. Actually, I'm probably lucky I got it...and that it speaks english!

The adapter? I ordered one on ebay...$14.

"Be careful out there"

slagmi · #5 Post by **slagmi** » Tue May 24, 2005 11:23 am

That is scary!

My feedbacks a little over 100 and is 100%, but that's over years not months. It's a lot of work for an individual to get those #'s! BTW I've sold a few Thinkpads on eBay, and done pretty well with them. I always specify what's imperfect (if anything) and what is/is not included, and provide hi-res photos from all sides. Beware the stock photos and one's that say 'photo is not of actual item', if you're not buying NIB!!

kevinc · #6 Post by **kevinc** » Tue May 24, 2005 11:40 am

Funny thing is that they were actual photos...and she had sold several laptops previously with positive feedback. Hindsight is very useful...I should have checked the feedback more closely...it's easy to build it up with purchases of inexpensive items... I looked at the most recent, saw a few laptop sales and went for it...

What would MacGyver do???

Buy new.