Thinkpads Forum

I'm trying to install an SSD in place of the HDD that came with my T420. I've installed the SSD and can access the recovery software by booting from the recovery DVDs I made. At the screen that asks you to select either initiating the recovery on the C drive only or performing a complete factory recovery, the first option (C drive only) is greyed out. When I select the other option, it asks me to insert each DVD disc but doesn't actually install anything.

I suspect that my SSD may not be formatted properly and that's what's causing the issue. I've tried formatting it in Windows and by using the EaseUS Partition Master, but maybe I'm doing something wrong?

I should note that I am able to see the SSD in bios, and I've used it on another computer, so it shouldn't be the problem.

Any thoughts?

SSD have very limited capacity max being 220gb. since I never use cloud based crud I prefer 1tb HDD

@n2ri:
SSDs are already available in 1TB...

@snabjab:
the new HD/SSD needs to be initialized first.
Connect it to via USB to a PC or other laptop and call up diskmgmt.msc

Thank you for the replies. The SSD is 120GB so I'd hope the size wouldn't be an issue.

I had formatted the drive in Windows disk management. Right now it shows that the entire drive is formatted NTFS and has a single, healthy primary partition. Is there something else I can try with regard to formatting?

Have you installed that SSD in the T420 drivebay before trying to recover from DVD?
Is SATA in BIOS set to AHCI (and not to Compatibility)?

I'll check the bios settings.

What do you mean by "installed" the SSD in the drivebay? I can load it up on the machine in the drivebay and in an enclosure. I've formatted it again, this time on the T420 itself. For some reason the recovery software just does not want to recognize this drive.

Sounds like you have a dud SSD, what is its make/model?