Having an issue restoring two T61's

[msm0075]

Hello guys,

I was given two T61's
One is 7662-CTO and the other is a 7658-CTO. Both are running Windows 7 Pro but I believe originally they had Vista pre-loaded.

Im looking to bring both systems back to the way they were when they left the factory. When I press the ThinkVantage button on boot im only brought to a Startup Interrupt Menu.

Im unable to boot these in to windows because I dont have their login passwords.

I did check both HDD and both have their SERVICE001 partitions.

Im unsure of what to do from here. I do not have any recovery discs nor do I know where to obtain them.

Thanks so much.

[Brad]

I would try pressing F11 on start. If the recovery partitions are there this should begin the process.

Brad

[msm0075]

I would try pressing F11 on start. If the recovery partitions are there this should begin the process.

Brad

Thanks for your reply. I did try this as well with no luck..

[ajkula66]

Thanks for your reply. I did try this as well with no luck..

Then you'll have to wipe the drives and install your own OS.

[msm0075]

Thanks for your reply. I did try this as well with no luck..

Then you'll have to wipe the drives and install your own OS.

Bummer..where would be the best place to obtain the proper recovery discs? Also, would I be possible to get a Windows 7 Pro install set? Would it work on my system even know my Windows sticker on the bottom of the laptops code is for vista?? Just trying to figure out my options.

Thanks!

[ajkula66]

T61 was never sold with W7 so there are no recovery disks for it containing that OS.

With that said, there's nothing preventing you from installing W7 on it using retail media, it will run just fine.

[msm0075]

T61 was never sold with W7 so there are no recovery disks for it containing that OS.

With that said, there's nothing preventing you from installing W7 on it using retail media, it will run just fine.

Hmm..what if I wanted to go back to vista keeping all the recovery software from lenovo. Where could I get the discs?

[ajkula66]

Hmm..what if I wanted to go back to vista keeping all the recovery software from lenovo. Where could I get the discs?

You could post a WTB (want to buy) ad in the forum's marketplace, I'm certain that someone could help you out with the media in question.

[db130]

If you can do without the bloatware that Lenovo includes from the factory, you can do a clean install of Vista by downloading Vista for free from Microsoft's Digital River and use the Vista COA on the bottom of the T61s.

I've done this recently with an Ebay parts laptop that came with no hard drive, it now runs Vista Business 64-bit.

http://downloadsnfix.blogspot.com/2012/ ... l-iso.html

You'll have to additional programs from Lenovo afterwards, but it is free!

[theterminator93]

You can reset the password on the user account for Windows fairly easily. You need some way of accessing the files on the hard disk. One method is to use a Windows install DVD. You can also use freeware utlilites like Hiren's Boot CD with MiniXP.

https://www.daniweb.com/hardware-and-so ... t-password

Another way to change an account password from command prompt is to type net user accountname password with accountname being the account you are changing the password to, and password being the password you are setting.