Restore and Recovery for Thinkpad R32

[shazzatpm]

Hi guys! My memory has gone completely blank and I have forgotten how to restore Windows XP to default settings without the CD. On start up I have tried pressing F11, F8, the Thinkpad button but none of these offer what I want. Is it, maybe, that I just need to actually format and the Windows XP installation files are contained in the BIOS?

Cheers!

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
see this on R&R: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=52133
Your restore partition seems to be missing, so a Recovery set is required.
Post a WTB (want to buy) ad in the Marketforum.

[shazzatpm]

Thanks for the quick reply. I don't understand why I would lose the recovery element of my laptop, when I have used it two times prior. I don't really intend on purchasing anything extra for this out of date laptop; I have just sold it on eBay and wanted to return it to factory settings for the buyer.

[RealBlackStuff]

It may have been missing already when you got it first...

[shazzatpm]

How can it be missing if I have used it twice previously?

EDIT: UPDATE: Okay, I have found out that I do have a partition called IBM_Services. If this is the case, if I format the other partition then IBM_Services will come into action, correct?

[RealBlackStuff]

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4W5QVB

[richk]

Try loading BIOS defaults (F9 in BIOS). Save settings, then try the blue button.

[shazzatpm]

Thanks guys. I tried the BIOS thing but to no avail, as well as installing/reinstalling the Hot Key Utility Driver but to no such luck. In addition, pressing F11 does nothing. Moreover, the 'Thinkpad' button is simply black and not the blue button at all -if this means anything. It is a pretty old laptop.