R40 2681-HU1 ever come with XP Pro? i.e. recover CDs

[Chiana]

I'm thinking of ordering a set of IBM recovery cds with XP Pro for my R40 2681-HU1 because of suspend, hibertate, and secondary battery issues. However I want to be sure that this system was actually available with XP Pro prior to ordering. It orginally came with XP Home which I don't want. Was this machine available XP Pro? Also, will IBM send out a set of recovery CDs witha different operating system than what orginally came with the machine?

-Chris

[Big_Jim]

Good question.. I bought a set for my G40 last month and as soon as I gave them the serial number they told me it came with Xp Pro and didn't offer anything else.. I'm not saying you can't get them just letting you know my experience with IBM.

Ordered them around 2:30 CST and had them the next morning.

[bhtooefr]

Original description: Based on 2681-61U: Celeron 2GHz, 256MB RAM, 40GB 4200rpm HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 24x10x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11b Wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), UltraNav, IEEE 1394, Li-Ion battery, WinXP Home

That's the configuration according to IBM's site. So, it originally came with XP Home. I've never ordered restore CDs, so I wouldn't know whether they actually verify what system they're for.

HOWEVER, the restore CDs may attempt to verify what system they are loading on. If they detect that it's a model that came with XP Home, then no go.

I would get either an upgrade or OEM copy of XP Pro if you want to go that route.

[Chiana]

I already have a copy of XP Pro, but the system has two problems with this type of install. 1) hibernate and sleep don't work correctly, 2) it will not automatically switch to the second battery in the ultrabay (big problem). All the drivers and everything are up to date.

-Chris

[bhtooefr]

Do you happen to have a friend with an R40, type 2681, with XP Pro?

If so, order it for "their" laptop. If it doesn't work on yours, then they've got a backup copy of their restore CDs. If it does, you'll have XP Pro.

If you DON'T have such a friend, try ordering it anyway. I don't know how IBM's parts department in your country (note that the keyboard code is 1, not U) works, however.

[bojangles]

I have an R40 2681 KNU that i have had since new. It came with XP pro.
I had the system board fail and replaced it with a so called equivalent part.
I changed the board my self and the machine runs fine except the same issues you describe.

I have suspend/hibernate issues.. ( upon resume it resuspends/rehibernates) - then restart and all is well.
Also when i insert something into ultra bay it isnot recognised unless i restart.

Battery power does not switch from battery 1 to 2 either.

All this worked perfectly before.

I have reformatted the HDD installed everything from factory partition.
Had IBM service re-code the system board so that web can detect machine type. all Bios and drivers are latest from IBM.

I am quite stumped... wonder if i can fix the old motherboard. ( video issue screnn goes bezerk and then system crashes... ) if i push on one spot on the board it will still start, as long as i push there..


any solutions out there???

[Chiana]

You can fix the resume/hibernate issues by removing the Power Management (PM Device) from the system. Boot into safe mode, uninstall the driver via the add/remove hardware in the control, open up device manager and delete the device if still present. I forgot which order though, yuo may have to delete the device prior to removing the software.

-Chris