T21 - preinstalled Windows serial number, hidden partition, recovery CD

[ja-rek]

Dear Thinkpad Lovers,

I have deleted partitions of my T21, created new ones and formatted them.
Sadly, I didn't think long enough prior doing it , hence now I need to ask you guys!
Could you please help me?

1) Is it possible to determine serial number of preinstalled Windows XP?
Is it stored maybe in BIOS?
if so, how to display it?

2) what is the hidden partion for?
I suppose it contains "clean" copy of the preinstalled operating system with all drivers?
What software is using it?
I suppose only original Thinkpad recovery software?

3) how can I obtain the Windows 95 or 98 or XP recovery CDs for T21?

thank you so much for help!
Jarek

[ajkula66]

1) Is it possible to determine serial number of preinstalled Windows XP?
Is it stored maybe in BIOS?
if so, how to display it?

No.

2) what is the hidden partion for?
I suppose it contains "clean" copy of the preinstalled operating system with all drivers?
What software is using it?
I suppose only original Thinkpad recovery software?

A *lot* will depend on which OS is actually being discussed. IBM kept on adding features/bloatware as the time moved on. If your COA is for 98SE or W2K, these are still reasonably "lean" installs, but with all the features required included.

3) how can I obtain the Windows 95 or 98 or XP recovery CDs for T21?

Try posting a WTB (want to buy) ad in the forum's Marketplace, it's free.

Good luck.

[ja-rek]

thanks for answer ajkula66.
However, I still don't know what is the hidden partion for and what software is using it.
Could anyone please clarify?
thank you!
Jarek

[RealBlackStuff]

Only you can figure out what's in that partition, it should be accessible, even in DOS.
Try pressing F11 when you boot, if the hidden partition still "works", it would re-install the "old" OS from there.