Problem: Clean installation of windows xp

[testadsl]

I bought a Lenovo 3000 C200 laptop a week ago. Upgraded BIOS and drivers including Windows updates to the latest version, then burned recovery disc (1CD+1DVD). Then I used PQ magic creat 3 partitions on the 'Preload partition', didn't touch 'services' partition as I know it might cause problems. After that the system boots OK and enter XP without problem.

Yesterday I tried to use Rescue and Recovery disc to see what will happen. I pressed 'lenovo care' button when the system booted up. After that the screen came to 'Thinkvantage loading' with a progress bar like it is loading windows (also 'press F6...' appear in seconds), the screen showed 'waiting', then a blue screen appear with following sentences:

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED

If this is the first time you’ve seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup options, and then select Safe Mode.
STOP: 0x0000006F (0xC0000034,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)

Then I tried to use recovery CD I made before I used PQ magic creat new partitions, still same problem occured

Next I did is I used a OEM windows XP installation disc boot up the system, after I press enter to install XP, it loaded lots of drivers, then a blue screen with white warning sentences appear again, but this time the error code is more like STOP: 0x0000007E and an error about PCI.sys

Apparently I could not do a clean installation or recovery the system althought there is no problem when I use XP normally. If so it seems I am always working with some risk...

The C200 BIOS does not have a set-up for user to change SATA harddrive to 'compatible' mode, I don't know if this is the problem that causes above error messages?
The other thing is the laptop does not come with a floopy to let user press F6 in the beginning to install Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver, so I really don't know what causes the problem and how to start a clean XP installation.

If you have any suggestion it will be welcome! Thanks!!!

[GomJabbar]

All possible solutions carry a degree of risk and I do not guarantee the following to work. I believe if you get your hard drive back to a clean state, the Product Recovery Discs or OEM Windows disc should work.

First, Disable security for the Predesktop Area in the BIOS, then unpartition the drive with PQ magic. I would remove all partitions. You might even need to low format or zero out the drive. Go back to the BIOS and set Predesktop Security back to Normal. Now try the Product Recovery Discs again or else the OEM Windows CD.

[testadsl]

GomJabbar, thanks for your reply.

I read some forum posts and somebody said the OEM XP installation was not working probabaly beause it's not a SP2 version. So I slipstreamed sp2 to XP then used the integrated disc boot the system. It seems that now I can move on to the XP installation screen after the system loaded all drivers.

I used recovery console under XP installation, just want to see if it can repair MBR, which might be broken by PQ magic. After that I tried to used the Lenovo recovery disc I burned but still same blue screen with same error messages .

Haven't tried install XP as I am not sure if it is safe (I am afraid if some errors happen during the installation then I might not be able to load normal windows). In Lenovo 3000 C2000 BIOS there is no setting about 'Predesktop Area', can I run XP installation without setting 'Predesktop Area'? Google the web but couldn't find any information about clean installation on a C200. Any suggestion is welcome!

[GomJabbar]

Sorry, I am not familiar with the Lenovo models. Virtually all modern ThinkPads have the Predesktop Area setting in the BIOS.

I have read that some partitioning software creates partitions that other partitioning software cannot change. It may also create a partition that some OS's cannot properly use, such as Rescue and Recovery - but I am speculating about this.

[andyP]

I've seen and sold a few 3000 series machines, (correctly said sold 1 C and 3 N series), however the tools are the same as TP tools but sometimes with reduced function. R&R works the same and I think you may have damaged the MBR.

You could try the following:
1. contact Lenovo and ask for recovery CDs. You should get them free if the machine has warranty. (Don't mention that you made some). It may take a week or so before they arrive.
2. You can use the same R&R repair disk as for TPs which you can find through the following link.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-54483
3. Before using it I cannot recommend strongly enough saving all files that you don't want to lose to another medium.
4. As you haven't got a floppy, beg or borrow a USB floppy or create / obtain an iso version.
5. Go for it - you should then be able to recover through the Lenovo care button.

If that doesn't work, I'm at a loss. All that remains is to kill the HDD with e.g. IBM SDD and try the recovery CDs you made, or the originals from Lenovo if they've arrived.
If all that doesn't work there must be a HW problem somewhere.

andyP

[testadsl]

Thanks andyP very much for your advice.

I might try R&R repair disk. It seems that the R&R repair disk is floppy version, any hints that I could convert it to an iso image to burn a bootable CD?

Just curious, if the problem is because of damaged MBR, will the Lenovo original recovery disc fix MBR?
If so I assume the R&R disc I burned before I used PQ magic should have the same function (but it doesn't work). If the R&R disc does not depend on MBR, then I'm a bit afraid it's a hardware problem..

[andyP]

Re making an iso from a floppy, sorry, I don't know - maybe somebody else does??

I have a gut feeling that you may have a HW problem, or maybe the recovery you burned is somehow corrupt it should work; that's why I suggested ordering originals.

[testadsl]

Thanks andyP.

I called Lenovo support today and their service told me they will send me a set of recovery disc within 10 working days. Hopefully it will solve the problem then!

[andyP]

Good Luck, and don't forget to let us know how it works out.

[ConchyJoe]

So I slipstreamed sp2 to XP then used the integrated disc boot the system. It seems that now I can move on to the XP installation screen after the system loaded all drivers.

Yep, gotta have SP2 for SAS/SATA and/or PCIE Video for some reason.

I slipstreamed mine, and no worries.

When you get done and can't track down the three remaining devices that don't load, it's the Ricoh SD memory slot stuff.....

[testadsl]

Received recovery CD today, after boot up with original CD a restore and ecovery screen finally appeared! No more blue screen and error messages!

So I guess the recovery CD I burned by myself before has some errors on it.

Haven't tried restoring the system since I did a clean installation of windows XP 2 weeks ago with slipstreamed XP2, and the system has already updated to all latest drivers. Don't want to do it again

Thanks again for all your feedbacks.