Need to buy a Windows XP/Vista CD for a R51E Thinkpad

[gkx]

I'm looking to buy a Windows XP/Vista CD installation disks for a Lenovo R51E Thinkpad.

I have wiped the Lenovo Windows XP operating system on my Thinkkpad 1844-69U/R51E. Now It will not boot even into Bios with the standard copy i.e. non-Lenovo non-Thinkpad of Windows XP Professional I installed. I did this overwrite/new installation because I had a virus on the laptop. I had no idea that the Windows XP on my Thinkpad was specific to the Thinkpad.

Naturally, I cannot find any CDs that came with my Thinkpad or even remember if there were any (a friend who worked for IBM got it for me).

Hence I desperately need a copy of the Lenovo Thinkpad Windows XP CD for this Thinkpad or ones similar to it (I assume that any Thinkpad Windows XP CD for the 'R' or 'T' Thinkpad series would install on my 1844-69U/R51E Thinkpad - am I right in this assumption?).

So I would be grateful if anyone could send me or sell me a copy of a Lenovo Thinkpad Windows XP/VISTA CD (it is not the drivers I need, BUT the whole operating system)

Thanks,

Graham

[rkawakami]

Before we get ahead of ourselves... if your system cannot access BIOS, then obtaining a factory Windows recovery disk is not going to do you any good. Please clarify your BIOS situation: are you able to turn the system on, press the F1 key several times, get an "entering BIOS" message on the screen, and then see the main BIOS screen?

[TuuS]

I agree, if you cannot boot to bios the system won't work. There is nothing specific about the winXP that ships with the thinkpad other than the way it activates and you can install any windows XP disc on any thinkpad. The only exception to this is if your model is equipped with SATA in which case you'd need to either add the drivers to your install disc, or disable AHCI in your bios for the drive to be recognised.

I do have Win XP pro disc that I've added Service Pack 3, many critical updates and most important, the SATA drivers. I've been offering these to forum members for only $10 including COA and disc image, but if your thinkpad won't boot any ordinary setup disc, then you have a problem that must be resolved before you can install an OS. I also have Vista setup discs available.

[gkx]

Thanks so much for your help. I very much appreciate it.

You've really set me on the right track.

I didn't realize that for a Thinkpad, the Bios key was F1 and not, as for a computer, F2. Now knowing this, I was able to get into the Bios, made a a few changes (not quite sure what I did) and I was able to boot into windows.

My problem now is that I'm lacking the network drivers for an internet connection. I'd be grateful to anyone who could direct me to a reliable website where I could download these drivers for my R51E (and any other drivers that I may lack, but not know that I lack).

Thanks again for your help and thanks in advance for directions to a reliable download site.

Sincerely,

Graham

[Neil]

Click on the "drivers" link at the top of the forum page.