Guys, what the heck questions relating to ThinkVantage n RCD

[Ahura-sama]

I want to a do a blank reformat and then use one of those XP Pro Recovery CD to start the build from scratch.

Questions:

I can get the XP Pro Recov CD from Lenovo right? Or do I burn it from something from the pre-installed partion??

Then, is there a preferred approach to wiping my current OS? Or do I just Dban then reinstall XP Pro??

If that is my preferred choice, then what can use the ThinkVantage feature (Blue button) for???????


Jesus, answer m'kay thanks!!!!

[ZaZ]

Which OS do you have now? The recovery discs will restore your machine to its factory state. They are not a Windows discs, nor will they do a clean install. For that, you'll need a Windows disc.

[Ahura-sama]

Current XP Pro but it was downgraded from Business Vista something. It came w/ Pro installed.

So could I request a Window Disc from Lenovo?? for free lol

Im just confused as too what to do w/ the whole recovery thing. Like what the heck does the thing that keep on asking me to burn out something that included in RR??
Then the reformat done via ThinkVantage (famous blue key), what is that? recovery or reinstall OS?? (I think it's recovery but I could be wrong)

Then if I can burn the recovery discs out, would it be redundant for me to keep a ghost partion of the recovery feature in my HD??

Things like that.

[ZaZ]

If you still have the original install, you should be able to burn off the recovery discs. It's in the ThinkVantage folder on the start menu. I'd make sure to burn them off before doing anything. Also make a copy of the SWTools folder. It contains all the applications and drivers installed on your ThinkPad.

Lenovo will not send you a Windows disc. You're on your own there. I might suggest eBay for picking up an install disc.

[Ahura-sama]

So once I burnt the recovery CDs, would the hidden partion be redundant??

Also, is there a way to edit the hidden partion?? Like in term of what to keep and what not.

I dont like the fact that when I need to reformat the system via ThinkVantage or recovery cd, I'll have to reinstall a bunch of Lenovo included nonsense that I dont need.