Problems with IBM Rescue and Recovery CDs on a T42P

[T42P_User]

Hi everybody!

I received today the 7 cds set from IBM to install Windows XP-Pro on my computer (there were not in the box when I bought it and I used it under Windows 2000).
I followed the instruction "Restore factory contents" from the program "Rescue and recovery with rapid restore", it lasted 1 hour to change all 7 cds ;-(
But now everything is finished but I can't start my computer under Windows XP. After the boot, I always return under the Rescue and recovery with rapid restore program even I selected to boot on the Hard Disk in the bios.
All restored files seemed to be compressed...
What I have to do now ?
I don't understand this problem!
May someone help me ?
Many thanks.

[pdudas]

The recovery process has 2 phase.

In the first phase the Restore progam make the HPA (hidden protected area). This time the system creates a partition on the end of the HDD.
Then the recovery program copyes the content of the 7 cd to the HPA.

In the second phase the recovery program recover the factory created Windows Xp partition to the beginning of the drive.

I think you are in the middle of the first and second phase.

Maybe you have to check the state of the predesktop area in the bios.
It has to be set to disable or normal. When it is secure, the system cannot write the content of the 7 cd to its location.

[T42P_User]

Thank for your advice Pdudas.
I checked the state of the predesktop in the bios ; it was on Normal, i changed it on Disable and reboot -> nothing has changed
I'am always in the restore program.
I will retry tomorrow...

[Zeitgeist]

The search function of this forum would have helped:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=4683

[pdudas]

Before you start the recovery: erase all partitions from the disk!

I've seen a problem when there was not only the system and the predesktop partition on the disk.

You have to try it with a totally empty disk!

[T42P_User]

Everything it's ok non!
In fact what you have to do it's to choose AGAIN the option "Restore factory contents" in the Rescue and recovery program.
I was always afraid to have to put again the 7 Cds but it's not the process : it installs Windowy XP on your partition and after some minutes, you can work under Windows.