Thinkpads Forum

Hi to all.
I have a new X60 tablet which was shipped with VISTA pre-loaded, however we're not ready for that yet so dug out a copy of windows Tablet edition 2005 for a clean install.

However, its clearly not as easy as I had hoped.. I got a base Windows XP SP2 installation from CD1 .. and looks like a regular Windows XP build - i.e. no tablet functions.. but I am yet to use CD2.. because I dont know how!
Has anyone else installed this from scratch?

CD 2 consists of one folder, Called CMPNENTS
In here are 3 more folders :
TABLETPC
MEDIACTR
NETFX

In each of those, is a .CAB file...

What do I do with that .cab file? How do I make this regular XP installation, a TABLET installation!?

Anything you got will be appreciated.
Thanks!

Have you actually installed the Windows from CD1 or are just looking at the files? The setup should have asked you during or after the installation at some point to insert the 2nd disk. Sorry I do not have any expertise in this area, since it's Microsoft's retail (I think) version of Windows so you can call them for any assistance.

For what it matters, if your machine qualifies you can take advantage of Downgrade rights from lenovo.

Hi - thanks for your reply

Im installing from a SELECT copy, and yeah I used the first CD to install Windows .. but it never asked for the 2nd CD?

Now it seems I just got a plain Windows XP install..hmm

You have to use a tablet pc edition key (specific to tablet pc edition) in order for the setup to ask you to insert the second disc. I work for a university, and we have tablet pc "disc 2" CD-ROMs as well, but if you use the regular XP volume license key it never asks for that disc.

ahhh that would explain everything! thanks v much, i did use the regular winxp product key from our select agreement!

Right. From what I can tell, the only way to get a product key is to buy a tablet pc with XP Tablet installed (or copy the key from a tablet). Or take advantage of Lenovo's downgrade program.

There was never an XP Tablet edition sold retail, it was only available as an OEM install. So you won't find keys/media at the local computer store.

I tried installing XPTablet from a friend's media (he has a Motion tablet). I had downgrade rights no, right? It went great, until I saw that I couldn't activate it and that it only had 30 days of useful life. I didn't steal the product key off my friend's tablet as that would in fact be stealing. I suppose one might argue (and Microsoft would disagree) that if you had a broken tablet you could transfer the license key to your x61t.

Microsoft wasn't interested in helping me on the phone. They agreed that I had downgrade rights through vista business, but said that I must get the XP Tablet media and key from my hardware vendor. They then routed me to Lenovo.

Lenovo charged me $50 for the media. It arrived in two days. Strangely, the first time I called about the downgrade the price was $55.

I'm now running XP Tablet on my X61t, and liking it MUCH better than vista. Not a single crash yet. With vista I was crashing once or more per day.

Spend the the $50, it's worth it. I don't think you'll ever get a "legit" copy of XP tablet except through lenovo's downgrade program.

Thanks again for the feedback.
I've done exactly as you suggested as I was unable to locate a XP tablet Edition product key.. so called Lenovo's software line and paid £39.99 for a XP recovery CD.

Thanks to all for your help.