Thinkpads Forum

I posted in Marketplace asking if anyone had recovery disks (or images) but I had a few other questions that might be more X220-specific.

My X220 is a model 4286CTO and has the USB3.0 port. I'm pretty sure it came with Win 7 Pro 64-bit. But I can't find recovery media (probably did make it) and my SSD is acting up. I just went ahead and ordered a new SSD from Amazon but I won't have my hands on it for a few weeks. I'm hoping I can find the original HD that came with the machine and if necessary use that until I get a new SSD. And while it's possible the HD is intact, it's also possible it won't boot up, thus my attempt to get recovery disks in case I have to wait for the SSD to come.

If I can't get X220-specific recovery media, does MS have Win 7 downloads on their site, and if so can I use one of them? I tried that with a Toshiba with Win 8 that I was setting up for someone, and Windows installed from the MS site no problem but then it didn't have Toshiba utilities. Which doesn't sound like a big deal until they try to get help from Toshiba directly and don't have whatever utility is asked for. I'm less concerned about my ThinkPad because I'm not likely to be getting phone support from Lenovo.

BTW, should I consider installing Windows 10? I don't think it's listed by Lenovo for the X220, but might it work? I didn't find Win 8.1 on the Toshiba as awful as I expected (once I got used to it, and ignoring it was a <$300 Toshiba laptop).

Thanks!
=aw

This may be of interest.

Thanks! It looks like it's asking for a product key but I don't think I have one. When I did the friend's Toshiba I was told not to worry, the key wss in the BIOS. Is it different with Windows 7? Where would I look for product key for the X220, some piece of paper or electronic?

Thanks again!
=aw

awebber wrote:Thanks! It looks like it's asking for a product key but I don't think I have one. When I did the friend's Toshiba I was told not to worry, the key wss in the BIOS. Is it different with Windows 7? Where would I look for product key for the X220, some piece of paper or electronic?

Thanks again!
=aw

Remove the battery and look in that area .. you should see a CoA.

Thank you. I have since found the original HDD which is painfully sure but I might limp along with until a replacement SSD gets here.

I used it to burn recovery disks. Is 2 DVDs right? Send awfully few but I may be comparing to CDs on older machines.

Thanks!
=aw