How to make A31p recovery CDs

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pianowizard · #1 Post by **pianowizard** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 1:01 am

I just bought an A31p with Windows XP Pro preloaded. It also has a 1.41GB hidden FAT32 partition that's named "IBM_SERVICE". However, unlike the T43 and the X40, the A31p doesn't seem to have a "Creat Recovery Discs" option in the Start menu. So does that mean I can't make recovery discs from the hidden partition? Has anyone successfully created recovery discs for the A31p?

pianowizard · #2 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 4:40 pm

Does the lack of response mean there isn't a way to make recovery discs from the hidden partition of an A31p? What other options do I have?

Website · #3 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:22 pm

Hmm, maybe someone already made a copy?

pianowizard · #4 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:39 pm

You think the "Create Recovery Discs" option disappears after a copy has been made? That didn't happen to my X40 or T43.

Website · #5 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:43 pm

I don't know. Just trying to offer a possible suggestion. I only have one of the newer Thinkpads, and it is a R40 running Vista and not the original software.

sakkara · #6 Post by **sakkara** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 2:30 pm

do you want to recover the drive to its original condition ? or ghost it as it is now ?

best way would be to try to get some original recovery cds or use the f12 option

pianowizard · #7 Post by **pianowizard** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 2:34 pm

sakkara wrote:do you want to recover the drive to its original condition ? or ghost it as it is now ?

best way would be to try to get some original recovery cds or use the f12 option

No, I want to make recovery CDs from the hidden partition, format the whole HDD (thus erasing that partition) and install a fresh copy of WinXP Pro that's licensed to my institution. So, I really don't need any recovery CDs at this point, but in the future, if I want to sell this laptop, I will need those CDs to put the original WinXP back. And I am too cheap to shell out $45 to buy the recovery CDs from Lenovo. I was just hoping that there is a trick to make recovery CDs from the hidden partition.

savarin · #8 Post by **savarin** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:04 am

I recommend you this solution. It is very simple:

http://www.4saad.com/WhatsNew/Fresh_XP_ ... /index.htm

It is written for Txx but I used it for A31p without problems.

You can use new XPP CD, you can back up your current system too.
If you create recovery CD from currrent system use installed i386 folder.
I made it some 2 years ago, I do not remember all, but I think you will not need windows codes from unattended.txt, installation will be fully automatic.

How to make A31p recovery CDs

How to make A31p recovery CDs

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