Windows 7 Clean install and R&R on X301

[hangtz]

Hi, I am Hang. Just registered on this forum but have been surfing it since i got my 1st thinkpad back on 2005.

OK, long story cut short, I have recently bought a X301 with SU9400, 64gb SSD, 4GB ram and Vista 32bit preinstalled for approx 1300USD from Ebay with 30 months onsite warranty left (quite a good deal eh?).

The first thing i do when I got the laptop, is to buy a windows 7 professional from the uni student webpage and do a clean install following several guides from the net.

However, I am wondering if I can get my R&R working with Windows 7? So that by the next time i want to reformat my new lappie, I just need to do one key recovery?

And, is it possible to go to Lenovo service center and ask them to help me preload a Windows 7 in my X301 with my own activation key (which means wipe off the Vista bit)?

Thanks!

[ausmike]

G'day Matey .....<always to see a fellow country-man on site>

X301 huh ! > sweeeet! ....

ok you have a few things to note:
a) Am pretty darn sure that Aussie Tech Support; would ONLY LOAD your X301 with "As Shipped" factory OS i.e. whatever that S/N left the factory with is what they would ONLY LOAD....as per WARRANTY PURCHASE 'terms and conditions' set to.... However , you can ask> all they can say is NO!!!

b) If you see under Thinkvantage Software section @ Lenovo site , you will see a nice R&R Package for Windows 7.........link below
http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/think/thinkvan ... pport.html

Note: download and read the "read-me" txt file as its accurate and very well written - step by step.
c) Way cheaper than your uni website is this place .....
http://www.<promotion of site not allowed>.com/home.html
(Your COA might an issue however ......as they noted in their website)

I have installed three CLEAN INSTALLS of Win7 Ultimate x64 on Tpds and loaded R&R and it works; it does !!!yia beauteee !!


Hope this helps

Cheers
Mike

[hangtz]

I can't seem to find windows 7 professional 64bit on the recoverycd website, they only have 32bit available.

I will try to install the R&R package according to the instructions given. Will let you know the results after that.

Cheers mate!

[hangtz]

Before i start my R&R project, just need to make sure a few things:
1) Since i am using a 64gb SSD, my SSD has already been partitioned into 3 sections. c: (where my windows7 is installed) d: (lenovo drive installed) z: (service drive). So if i continue with the R&R step on the readme file, will it automatically replace my d: and z:?

2) Are there any problems i need to be aware of?

3) Do i need to install thinkvantage before i install R&R?

Thanks, really worried that i will screw up my new X301.

[ausmike]

PM sent ...............

and goin to hang tenz!!


Mike