Thinkpads Forum

I received a W700ds for my birthday...(lucky to have a wife who really understands what I really really wanted!!!!).

As usual, when I get a ThinkPad, I create the recovery disk sets and do a fresh install of the OS. I created the R&R set for the W700. However, when I attempt to boot from the R&R disk, I do not see any options for installing Vista.

I researched some and found a couple of threads which hinted that the OS install requires a set of the OS CD/DVD from Lenovo. Is this true? IF not, what I am doing wrong, which is preventing me from reinstalling Vista?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Sashi

PS: Got to change my sig

I think if I were in your position (and I have been), I would purchase a proper set of recovery CD's from Lenovo. Your R&R should work, but I prefer the proper set, as Lenovo will support them in case of difficulty. ... JDH

I concur, there is nothing better than a set of disks from Lenovo. Years ago I would burn my own upon unpacking a new ThinkPad. Then after experiencing a problem like yours, I purchased my first set from (then IBM) and what a difference it made. Lesson learned. Now upon receiving a new ThinkPad, I pickup the phone and call for them.
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This will certainly take care of your problem.
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Finally, they are trained to tell you to expect your disks within approx two to four weeks. However I have yet to have it take any longer than four or five days. Hope this helps.
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Cheers...

Thanks for the replies...

I am going to get a set of R&R disks. Once I get them, I have to figure out how to have only the OS partition. I don't like the concept of a hidden partition.

why do you remove the OS and re-install the same thing? what is the purpose? I thought the partition has a back up of the OS anyway? why bother with Lenovo discs of the same thing, until the day your hard drive really dies?

It has been my experience that most of the times, standard installs of the OS have options I don't need. Uninstalling these never really gets rid of them.

I also do not need the bloatware (McAfee, all the ThinkVantage options, etc.,). I would prefer to start with a clean slate.

I also create partitions on my HDD.

All these would be facilitated with a fresh install.

archer6 wrote:I concur, there is nothing better than a set of disks from Lenovo. Years ago I would burn my own upon unpacking a new ThinkPad. Then after experiencing a problem like yours, I purchased my first set from (then IBM) and what a difference it made. Lesson learned. Now upon receiving a new ThinkPad, I pickup the phone and call for them.
Cheers...

Wow. I've always assumed that the set burned from the Create Restore Disc option would make a set identical to the ones from factory Lenovo (at least functionally identical).

How much does Lenovo charge for a set? Is there any way to get them at a discount, from either Lenovo or authorized third party?

GatorHawk wrote: 1) I've always assumed that the set burned from the Create Restore Disc option would make a set identical to the ones from factory Lenovo (at least functionally identical).
2) How much does Lenovo charge for a set?
3) Is there any way to get them at a discount, from either Lenovo or authorized third party?

1) True as long as they are burned at the correct speed as .iso images are a bit finicky and do not always "read correctly" when you go to use them. Many will argue otherwise, I'm simply relaying my experience.
2) Approx $45 (and worth every penny)
3) No they are illegal, and only once place I know of, which I believe procures them illegally.

The ones from Lenovo are professionally labeled and there is no mistake that they are legal factory disks, and for what machine they belong to. When and if you decide to sell your ThinkPad it will add to it's resale value.

Cheers...

archer6 wrote: 1) True as long as they are burned at the correct speed as .iso images are a bit finicky and do not always "read correctly" when you go to use them. Many will argue otherwise, I'm simply relaying my experience.

Thanks for the info.

Have had good success using a Samsung External Slim USB Tray Loading DVD burner. Was able to make a good set of discs and restore from them multiple times.

Will probably hold off on buying a factory set as this machine will be a keeper. But I do see the value it would add if it were to be sold.

GatorHawk wrote: Have had good success using a Samsung External Slim USB Tray Loading DVD burner. Was able to make a good set of discs and restore from them multiple times.

That's excellent news. What model of external burner is it, and what software do you use? Obviously you've got the right combination. My external burner must not run at an accurate steady speed as it records everything (except iso files) just fine. But my results when burning an OS have been mixed. I also know others that have had less than stellar results. I'm ready to buy a setup like yours as I like to burn a variety of Linux distros.
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Cheers...
posted via BlackBerry Bold

archer6 wrote:What model of external burner is it, and what software do you use?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827151178

The hardware unit itself seems high quality & well constructed, as portable slim drives go. Bundled software wise however, per the NewEgg reviews, I did not try the bundled Nero suite yet (see below).

So far it has been flawless for using factory Vista on an X61s to burn Recovery CDs, Recovery reloads, boot to XP clean installs, and to boot some small linux CD utility programs (Gparted & Clonezilla). It hasn't hiccuped once yet; I always used two USB ports to power it.

This burner was a brand new unit to go with an X61s (my first laptop w/o an optical).

I haven't tried an older version Nero Suite as yet; some NewEgg reviewers seem to suggest it works with some older versions of Nero (maybe they needed to update the firmware as I did first before trying the newer bundled Nero?)

GatorHawk wrote: Wow. I've always assumed that the set burned from the Create Restore Disc option would make a set identical to the ones from factory Lenovo (at least functionally identical).

How much does Lenovo charge for a set? Is there any way to get them at a discount, from either Lenovo or authorized third party?

I assume when you create your own recovery disks, you create basically the same image that came with your computer from Lenovo (which includes the bloatware). I wouldn't think the recovery disk that a user makes is the "clean" install of vista.

Are the recovery disks that you buy from Lenovo for $45 are "clean" verisions of the OS ?

The set from Lenovo or the set made from the create disc option are both no 'clean' as say, installing from an OEM XP/Vista MS cd. It will have lenovo programs and drivers.

if you use an MicroSoft CD to clean install, you would then have to D/L and install all of the Lenevo updates.

Sasha wrote:Thanks for the replies...

I am going to get a set of R&R disks. Once I get them, I have to figure out how to have only the OS partition. I don't like the concept of a hidden partition.

I do not think you can. When using the R&R disks it asks if you have OS disks which you have to answer no unless you have purchased your own copy of Vi$ta. When you say no, it will proceed to bring your computer back to the out of the box condition.

I have used both my self made R&R disks and the Lenovo made disks on many computers and have never found ANY difference. If there is a difference, I could not detect as they both did the exact same thing.

Just my $.02....hard drives are reasonably cheap. I bought a WD Scorpio on special at Newegg and started from scratch. I threw the original into the multibay adapter for the hard drive....and viola All the original software and drivers are for the taking with a little digging...and...you have an "image" drive. I even went so far as to get a 3rd drive and use that for playing with Windows 7 beta. All you do is F12 and you can boot from either drive.