Thinkpads Forum

Isn't there a way to do a complete system restore, to factory state, by pushing the THINKVANTAGE button at startup or something? I cannot seem to get it to do anything, when I startup, it goes to BIOS config?

I'd like to do a complete wipe of a system.

Yes there is, to do so:

a. Turn off your machine.
b. Power it up and carefully observe the display. Look for the logo screen. At any time, while the logo screen is onscreen, press Thinkvantage Blue Button or F11.
c. Once Rescue and Recovery Predesktop area fully initiates, you'll see many option on the top and left side of your screen.
d. Under "Rescue and Restore" press "Restore your system".

It only works on lenovo factory preload, if you installed a clean retail copy of an operating system and kept the hidden partition intact then you would need to fix your boot sector:

Rescue and Recovery - Recovery repair diskette.

You would require a floppy disk drive for this.

The following member claims he has made it work through a CD:

How to reenable the F11 function (Product Recovery Program). (try this on your own risk)

Thanks for the thorough guidance.

Not really sure why I couldn't get it working, I tried about four times at bootup, remembering that that was what triggered the R&R launch. But, it just didn't work, kept putting me into the BIOS bootup.

But, after FIVE times, it went to R&R, again, not sure what was different. I cannot imagine it was a difference of WHEN measured in single seconds.

But, the install took. Machine is now packaged up!