Can I use Recovery CD set from different T42 model

[ludu35]

hi all,
Mine T42 is 15" LCD and Intel Wfi, other T42 is 14" LCD and IBM Wifi, other than those, everything is identical. Is it possible that I can use the Recovery CD set from other T42 for mine? Please reply, thanks
The reason I ask, cause I kept getting the error when trying to create a recovery cd from my laptop.
Thanks

[sugo]

I am curious about this as well. I think there's a good chance it will work, but with IBM you never know until it has been tried.

[treker]

Works great. I have done it. Of course, I was just lazy and didn't go looking for the second T42 disks...just used the first one that I found in my drawer.

[aamsel]

You can use a different set, but if the model has different wireless, different video card, DVD recordable instead of DVD/CD-RW,etc. the drivers are not going to match up.

The restore CD's restore a precise configuration for a particular model.

They should get you up and running, but then you would have to make driver corrections for perfect operation.

Andrew
Austin, TX

[brainpicker]

It has worked for me too. I've done it many times. In fact I've even swapped hard drives from a T42 to a T40 and back with no issues, and from an X31 to a T40 with no issues (and vice versa). The only way I can learn these things is to tinker with them so I do it when it's more convenient (when I want to use software or data that'not on a laptop and I'm too lazy to install or transfer it). Other than updating a few drivers it's a snap. IBM states a drive image created for a T42 is useable on any T42 or X32 (and the other way around), and the same goes for T40 and X31 models which are interchangeable with each other (I think a T40 and X31 even use pretty much the same motherboard). I've even used X31 restore disks to create a factory image on a T40 for example.

So YES you won't have issues but for some drivers if the models are very different, say, if the disks are from a non-Bluetooth model and the other T42 has Bluetooth (or a different wireless card). You may have to use a wired connection and use the software updater.

Yak

[ludu35]

It has worked for me too. I've done it many times. In fact I've even swapped hard drives from a T42 to a T40 and back with no issues, and from an X31 to a T40 with no issues (and vice versa). The only way I can learn these things is to tinker with them so I do it when it's more convenient (when I want to use software or data that'not on a laptop and I'm too lazy to install or transfer it). Other than updating a few drivers it's a snap. IBM states a drive image created for a T42 is useable on any T42 or X32 (and the other way around), and the same goes for T40 and X31 models which are interchangeable with each other (I think a T40 and X31 even use pretty much the same motherboard). I've even used X31 restore disks to create a factory image on a T40 for example.

So YES you won't have issues but for some drivers if the models are very different, say, if the disks are from a non-Bluetooth model and the other T42 has Bluetooth (or a different wireless card). You may have to use a wired connection and use the software updater.

Yak

[ewthompson]

the recovery disks work for a range of models, which are listed on the CD's themselves. If your model is listed, you are good to go.

[BillMorrow]

hi all,
Mine T42 is 15" LCD and Intel Wfi, other T42 is 14" LCD and IBM Wifi, other than those, everything is identical. Is it possible that I can use the Recovery CD set from other T42 for mine? Please reply, thanks
The reason I ask, cause I kept getting the error when trying to create a recovery cd from my laptop.
Thanks

YES..!!
and across a wide range of similar models..
for instance, i used a set from an earlier model T42 without fingerprint reader (but from a new shipment of thinkpads) on a fingerprint T42 model and it worked just fine..
and handed me the fingerprint drivers and all..!

YMMV and try this only as an experiment..

what i think happens, and i know i SHOULD know for sure, especially as they talked about this at a recent lenovo roadshow, is that the preload configuers itself for the hardware that it finds, as it loaded itself..

OBVIOUSLY, it won't work on wildly dis-similar models, but those from the same garage, so to speak, should work fine..

[MadeInJapan]

Wierd stuff...my T30 discs loaded XP right up as well as all the drivers and IBM utilities correctly on a T22 without issue as well.

[beeblebrox]

One of IBM's advertised strengths is the image compatibility of their notebook generations, means: a large organization with a central CIO dept. can use a corporate image for various Thinkpads, thus saving hassle and costs.

Same with HP and toshiba with their business lines.

Therefore images can be set up for any Thinkpad, only the missing drivers have to be updated for individual hardware derivations.

I, for instance, am still using a mirrored harddrive from a T20 in a T40 and a x32, allowing me to use special database and Lotus software without new installation.