X60 - help with factory restore

[tnynyn]

I'm trying to do a complete factory restore on the x60, but it doesnt have the option when I press the blue ThinkAdvantage button on startup. I have a IBM desktop, so can I use it to create the product recovery disc and restore the laptop from there? ( the service partition is still on the laptop.) will it put the ibm desktop's file on the laptop?

[eng518]

This is a very useful thing to have:

http://www.cooldrives.com/saandidehadr.html

One question though.
If you still have the service partition, and can boot to the OS. Use Backup and Restore to load the factory install from your laptop's HDD?

[tnynyn]

actually, vista was install, but now the user change his mind so he wants xp back. i tried installing for a xp2 cd, but the cd key on the bottom of the laptop didnt work with the xp2 cd (kept asking for activation) so now i want ito restore it to factory using the service partition but dont know how to access it from here. i think if i created the product recovery disc on teh desktop, then it will use the backup files on the desktop instead of the service partition on the laptop...

[eng518]

You need to download Rescue and Recovery 4.0 from Lenovo and install that on the laptop.

If all goes well you'll be able to access the hidden predesktop partition on the laptop to reload the factory contents.

Unless you have a copy of XP Tablet Edition your regular XP Pro isn't going to install on your laptop.

Vista doesn't come with the IBM/Lenovo tools, so all that has to be downloaded from IBM/Lenovo directly to gain access to that functionality.

[proaudioguy]

Your best bet now is to call IBM service, tell them the service partition won't let you restore, and ask them for a set of recovery discs.

[ryengineer]

I have a IBM desktop, so can I use it to create the product recovery disc and restore the laptop from there? ( the service partition is still on the laptop.) will it put the ibm desktop's file on the laptop?

No.

i tried installing for a xp2 cd, but the cd key on the bottom of the laptop didnt work with the xp2 cd (kept asking for activation) so now i want ito restore it to factory using the service partition but dont know how to access it from here.

That's an oem license, you need an oem installation media to make use of it.

If you did not wipe out the service partition, then you can use Rescue and Recovery - Recovery repair diskette to repair the boot sector. If it works then you'll be able to use the Rescue and Recovery console by pressing F11 in the beginning of the boot-start up. Afterwards you can go back to factory state from there which will wipe out all the contents of the HDD and put on a fresh factory image including pre-desktop area, service partition and all the softwares that were preinstalled on your computer.

Last but not the least, one should always create Product Recovery discs before experimenting anything on the notebook. It's like doing yorself a favor.