T40 Restore CD's needed (or inexpensive source?)

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brainpicker · #1 Post by **brainpicker** » Tue May 31, 2005 11:35 am

Hi,

I have a nice T40 2374 14" SXGA+ that I want to change out the hard drive on. It's an old 4200rpm and I got a bigger/faster option, but as you know this T can't make restore CD's like the others can. I called IBM Service Friday and again today (twice to be sure), and both times I was told that even though I'm still under onsite warranty I can't get them unless I pay $45 plus shipping. The "excuse" given was that they have a new vendor for these now so they can't be given for free anymore no matter what reason (of course if the drive was broken they both backed out of the "any reason" claim but I'm not going to do anything funny). I think that's not right but I'm not in any position to fight and I'm an easy going guy so I'll pay if I must. Yes, I was a sweet as Mom's apple pie on the phone the 1st time... a bit firmer the 2nd time (though still very nice)... still nothing. Can anyone help supply these or know of a less costly source? I'd rather pay someone here to make me copies than send IBM Service money now! I can give you my personal info and machine numbers so you know I'm legit.

Thanks,
Yak

#2 Post by **daeojkim** » Tue May 31, 2005 3:28 pm

If you do not have a Restore CD you can always clean install. I personally prefer it that way as you can choose to install only components you want.

Just install Windows (2000 or XP, which ever you have COA to), then download Thinkpad Software installer and it will install everything that you need for your TP. Except something from your IBMTOOLS folder.

Honestly you don't really need restore CD. I made them for my T42 and also have originals ones for A31p. But for all the TPs I decided to clean install and use Software installer. It worked like a charm.

brainpicker · #3 Post by **brainpicker** » Tue May 31, 2005 4:57 pm

I appreciate that, but the only reason I'm upgrading is to get this ready for it's new owner who gave me the drive to put in. She would like it with the IBM hidden partition, so I'm trying to meet her request. She is a college student who on occasion shares her laptop (thus on occasion it gets screwed up!), and she likes the comfort of the origianl setup. That's fine. For me, I agree your chioce is probably the best. If it turns out we can't find some old CD's to copy somewhere I guess she will have to take it as is or splurge on the CD's. Thanks for the advice.

Yak

Zeitgeist · #4 Post by **Zeitgeist** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:02 am

brainpicker wrote:she likes the comfort of the origianl setup.

Well, after following these instructions
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=3827
you can run R&R which allows you to back up and restore the os.

brainpicker · #5 Post by **brainpicker** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:46 am

Zeitgeist, I guess that will be the only low cost option I have for this lady if she wants it soon. I told her I'd try, but I don't have a lot of time to wait for someone to volunteer CD copies reasonably. She told me there were some sellers on that ebay place who were claiming to sell them for about half of what IBM wants and she may go that route. However, I'm leary of software purchased that way, and since it's still MY laptop I may refuse to install from those copies. If I can't get copies from a trusted source confirmed by today I will give her the options to either buy another laptop elsewhere, buy the CD's from IBM, or buy the laptop as is and do the work herself with ebay CD's. I guess these CD's must be hard to come by due to the laptop being about 2 years old and not having them originally supplied (or the ability to construct them) at purchase. Thanks for the help. If she balks I guess I'll have a former top-of-the-line "like new" T40 to sell here!

Yak

zabec · #6 Post by **zabec** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:11 pm

Wouldn't it be possible to copy your whole old disk to new with norton ghost or some other program. I was playing around one time with one linux based cd which booted and gave you oportunity to do these partition backup or copy, even over lan.

But then again, this is only possible to do, if you still have these hidden partitions on your old disk. Haven't try this tho, but have copied whole disks on few ocasions.

jkirch · #7 Post by **jkirch** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 12:23 pm

Hi brainpicker,

try to contact Bill (the host of this forum).
Maybe he can supply copies of the install cds.
He is in FL, too.

Jens

brainpicker · #8 Post by **brainpicker** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 1:19 pm

Thanks for all you replies but the buyer got tired of waiting and backed out. She would not accept a "clean" install nor would she pay for the CD's from IBM. Unfortunately I had already sold the original drive counting on the sale of the laptop to this lady using her own drive. Oh well.

I listed the laptop for sale (in the proper forum here) without a hard drive so if any of you are interested please take a look there and let me know. It is the nicest looking used T you are likely to see for sale anywhere. All I ask is that you follow through with the purchase should I accept you offer. Please don't expect me to accept a lesser offer after we already agreed to different terms! So far that has not been the case with one member, but I'm sure that was just an aberration.

Thanks, and go have a look.

Yak

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T40 Restore CD's needed (or inexpensive source?)

T40 Restore CD's needed (or inexpensive source?)

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