no predesktop how to access restore partition? R40 2681

[JoolsM]

I bought Thinkpad as a refurb unit, and that's where most of the problems come from. Though I have checked that a large chunk of the 30GB drive is separately partitioned (using roughly 5GB) there is no pre desktop area. F11 does nothing, nor does the blue access button. F1 gets me into the the BIOS setup okay, but there's not a lot I can do from there -

I see the option to "disable" the recovery partition, and make those files visible, but not being familiar with Windows or DOS (I've been using Macs since '90 - and no I haven't 'switched' - OSX rocks!) I'm worried I'll lose the very thing I want to get hold of i.e. the ability to restore to factory install.

I should add that none of the security settings - like HDD protection and Boot protection are enabled in the BIOS, nor is there a UU number or a serial number.

I don't have any recovery CDs and it's of course well out of warranty.

The shop I bought it from are going to look at it in the next few days, however they seem to be implying that I've done something to "make" it lose it's serial number and the predesktop area - and to therefore charge me for fixing it. Since they were the ones that messed it up in the first place, I'd be interested to hear any comments on how this sort of thing can happen, so I go in armed with good arguments - equally, given they seem incompetent, I wouldn't mind trying to sort it out myself. Like I said I'm not familiar with DOS or Windows, but I know enough to know how little I know . .. and to be cautious and careful if any one can walk me through what to do.

cheers
J

PS all the relevent numbers are on stickers on the bottom of the machine including windows pro porduct key.

[cmra31p]

I was in the same boat with my a31p. I was able to download the software off of the IBM website. Try this site for rescue and recovery:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-62564


And this one for AccessThinkpad:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46070

you will also need to download the hotkey drivers and the ThinkPad Configuration utility so your thinkpad button will work. The links those downloads are listed under Instilation Notes about halfway down the second link above.

Hopes this helps