Windows XP CD

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smakdown61 · #1 Post by **smakdown61** » Sun May 07, 2006 6:15 pm

I would like to do a fresh reinstall of Windows XP on my t42p w/o all the ibm software crap on it. I still have that hidden 10gb restore partition but I think in order to get just plain XP i need the cds right? How do I get the installl cds from lenovo?

#2 Post by **bill bolton** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:29 pm

smakdown61 wrote:w/o all the ibm software crap on it.

It's your call, but don't complain when a bunch of stuff doesn't work.

smakdown61 wrote:I still have that hidden 10gb restore partition but I think in order to get just plain XP i need the cds right? How do I get the installl cds from lenovo?

You can't get a vanilla XP install CD from IBM/Levono, but you may be able to get one from Microsoft for $$ by calling them up and saying don't have an install CD for your laptop and giving them the XP Key information from the Microsoft label on the bottom of your ThinkPad.

You may also be able to build a set of IBM/Levono install CDS for XP from the hidden partition, but they will have "all the ibm software crap"! If you want to investigate that option, then there are plenty of messages on here that have information on how to do that, so use the search engine!

Cheers,

Bill

3to4 · #3 Post by **3to4** » Sun May 07, 2006 8:24 pm

smakdown61 wrote:I would like to do a fresh reinstall of Windows XP on my t42p w/o all the ibm software crap on it. I still have that hidden 10gb restore partition but I think in order to get just plain XP i need the cds right? How do I get the installl cds from lenovo?

I think you can follow the instructions given in the sticky in WINDOWS OS section.

Or, you can simply copy your i386 folder, which is somewhere in your C drive, and start the setup under DOS with the command winnt.exe, which is in the i386 folder.

To do this, there are several possible ways, but one of them can be, you copy the i386 folder to a CD, and boot with a Windows 98 boot dickette. (You have to format your C drive in FAT32 before starting the process. If you want NTFS, you can convert it into NTFS after the install.) I have done this many times.
For the serial number, you have to use the one which is explained in the above sticky, if you want to avoid activation.

christopher_wolf · #4 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sun May 07, 2006 8:33 pm

Just curious, but do you get full support for certain features with the Windows OS reinstall guide? In particular, the HDAPS and the SATA power management drivers. I am thinking you should, but I am not quite sure about that.

3to4 · #5 Post by **3to4** » Sun May 07, 2006 8:49 pm

christopher_wolf wrote:Just curious, but do you get full support for certain features with the Windows OS reinstall guide? In particular, the HDAPS and the SATA power management drivers. I am thinking you should, but I am not quite sure about that.

Actually, I was not thinking of these features (of T43?). I have tried only on T42, X32 and R40e. So, I have no idea. Maybe, someone who has tried can answer.

#6 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sun May 07, 2006 8:57 pm

christopher_wolf wrote:Just curious, but do you get full support for certain features with the Windows OS reinstall guide? In particular, the HDAPS and the SATA power management drivers. I am thinking you should, but I am not quite sure about that.

Depending upon your version of Windows (SP1 or SP2), you can always slipstream to the latest version. You can even apply all the security updates if you care to spend the time. There are ways to incorporate Raid and other drivers, so that they are on the CD and are automatically installed.

It kind of depends upon how much time and effort you want to spend on it. I made a slipstreamed XP CD for my desktop system where I had the SP2 upgrade and Raid drivers put on the CD. I set the install process to be completely automated, similar to using an OEM XP install CD. It took me several days to get all the wrinkles worked out, as the information I was working from was conflicting and incomplete. I primarily used articles from two sources for my information, PC Magazine and Maximum PC.

Roy_W · #7 Post by **Roy_W** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:45 am

smakdown61 wrote:I would like to do a fresh reinstall of Windows XP on my t42p w/o all the ibm software crap on it. I still have that hidden 10gb restore partition but I think in order to get just plain XP i need the cds right? How do I get the installl cds from lenovo?

First and foremost before you do anything go the the IBM software and drivers website and download all of the drivers/software necassary for your machine, then burn them to a CD or external drive. Whether or not you want the "ibm software crap" is up to you but you definately won't get far without their drivers.

Then all you need is to get a copy of any OEM XP Pro CD( Prefereably slipstreamed with SP2). Please someone correct me if this method is illegal or is in contradiction to legal rights.

You already have a valid licence, the XP sticker on the bottom of your TP contains a Valid OEM Serial Number which can be used with the OEM CD. Be carefull though that you dont get a CD which forces some other manafacturers software to be installed.

Personally this is the method I use, I like to choose what is installed on my machine, and I don't like having "hidden partitions" on my disk. I would prefer that IBM and others, supply a CD ( or a non hidden partition) containing "extra" software which could be installed as desired.

By the way IBM are under no obligation whatsover to give you the XP installation CD's as this is a OEM deal.

#8 Post by **Kyocera** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:40 pm

This might actually answer the question, it seems to have gone off topic.

Buy yourself a copy of XP, home or pro, install and use the key that came with the cd, it works fine. Connect to the internet and go to the ibm/lenovo web site and download the software installer and select only the drivers you want to run your machine. I don't think you mentioned a slipstreamed cd or raid or any of the other information given (convoluted information). Like bill bolton said there are some programs that add functionality and enhance some programs, but you really need to test it out for yourself and find what suits you. If you get install cd's from lenovo you'll get all the software that loads with a factory install.

HTH.

#9 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:57 pm

To avoid potential problems, and to give yourself an option later, this is the first thing you should do. Burn yourself the Product Recovery Disc set. Next burn yourself a Rescue Media CD.

For the Product Recovery Disc set, you can use (1) CD for the first disk, and (1) DVD for the remainder. Or you can use all CD's (takes about 7 of them).

Look in the following places to get to the program to burn the Product Recovery Disc set.
Start > All Programs > Access IBM > Create Recovery Discs or
Start > All Programs > ThinkVantage > Create Recovery Media > Product Recovery Discs.

Look in the following places to get to the program to burn the Rescue Media CD.
Start > All Programs > Access IBM > Create Rescue Media or
Start > All Programs > ThinkVantage > Create Recovery Media > Rescue Media.

Highwayman · #10 Post by **Highwayman** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:36 pm

Kyocera wrote:This might actually answer the question, it seems to have gone off topic.

Buy yourself a copy of XP, home or pro, install and use the key that came with the cd, it works fine. Connect to the internet and go to the ibm/lenovo web site and download the software installer and select only the drivers you want to run your machine. I don't think you mentioned a slipstreamed cd or raid or any of the other information given (convoluted information). Like bill bolton said there are some programs that add functionality and enhance some programs, but you really need to test it out for yourself and find what suits you. If you get install cd's from lenovo you'll get all the software that loads with a factory install.

HTH.

This is the technique I use, it is rather simple, painless and there is no hidden partition.

dino · #11 Post by **dino** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:43 pm

I don't know if this helps but it worked for my wife's sony. She has a Vaio and it comes with all kinds of "features" installed. I tried the method described at http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=3827 but it didn't work. It was not able to apply the SP2 slipstream to the i386 folder.

Lucky, I had an retail XP install disk that was slipstreamed with SP2(There are many sites on how to do this to an XP install cd) but I didn't have any extra licenses to use. I installed it and tried to use the serial on the bottom of the sony but no go. I then copied all the contents of the XPSP2 install to my desktop. I deleted the I386 folder and replaced it with the original c:/windows/i386 folder from the sony. I then created a boot install disk using Barts from the above link. When asked for the serial, I used the one on the bottom of the laptop and NOT the one from unattend.txt. It still asked to be activated but there was no problems when I did.

As for my T43, it didn't come with XP. After installing XP (legal license), I installed the ethernet driver and the software installer (3.21.0601). From there, the software installer installed the rest.

lalf · #12 Post by **lalf** » Tue May 09, 2006 12:48 pm

I think that this guide may be what you are looking for.

http://www.4saad.com/WhatsNew/Fresh_XP_ ... /index.htm

/Lalf

#13 Post by **Kyocera** » Tue May 09, 2006 1:05 pm

To avoid potential problems, and to give yourself an option later, this is the first thing you should do. Burn yourself the Product Recovery Disc set. Next burn yourself a Rescue Media CD.

What potential problems are you talking about? This is a very simple process that works. If you have a legit copy of xp, a hard disk drive, a thinkpad, an internet connection, this is a simple process.

cmarti · #14 Post by **cmarti** » Tue May 09, 2006 1:46 pm

My opinion and my choice at work is allways fresh install. and after that the software installer.

These two never fail.

#15 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue May 09, 2006 3:54 pm

Kyocera wrote:What potential problems are you talking about? This is a very simple process that works. If you have a legit copy of xp, a hard disk drive, a thinkpad, an internet connection, this is a simple process.

I wasn't replying to your post, but to the thread (more specifically to Roy_W's post). I am not trying to take away anything from what you said.

My comments are directed mainly at the NEWBIES that might be following this thread. All I meant was that most all of us have problems sooner or later that require a fresh start. It could be as simple as a hard drive failure. If one has made a copy of the Product Recovery Disc set early on, before a difficult problem arises, that one can start over without having to purchase a copy of Windows. In addition, it has been noted that it may be easier to sell the ThinkPad down the road with a fresh copy of the factory installed software sitting on the hard drive.

Of course your method works, and is probably the simplest. Yet note the following: "Buy yourself a copy of XP, home or pro, install and use the key that came with the cd, it works fine. Connect to the internet and go to the ibm/lenovo web site and download the software installer and select only the drivers you want to run your machine."

The words I bolded are key for many. XP is a large chunk of change for many of us. We will take the more convoluted route to keep our wallet a little fatter, and keep from fattening Bill Gates and Microsoft's shareholders wallets.

YMMV

w0qj · #16 Post by **w0qj** » Tue May 09, 2006 8:41 pm

It's similar to the upcoming Windows-Vista that I'm thinking of installing onto my T42s (2373-K5H).

Can I just buy a full Windows-Vista, install Thinkpad's Software Installer, and then just let the SW install the Thinkpad specific drivers?
(provided that Lenovo/IBM Thinkpad makers will give us Vista-compatable drivers for T42).

#17 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue May 09, 2006 9:04 pm

w0qj wrote:It's similar to the upcoming Windows-Vista that I'm thinking of installing onto my T42s (2373-K5H).

Can I just buy a full Windows-Vista, install Thinkpad's Software Installer, and then just let the SW install the Thinkpad specific drivers?
(provided that Lenovo/IBM Thinkpad makers will give us Vista-compatable drivers for T42).

Good question. Speculating; when Vista comes out, IBM/Lenovo will gradually begin updating their drivers to support Vista. It is likely that BIOS updates will be needed as well. Over time, Vista will probably be supported on most of the newer ThinkPads. I am basing this on past IBM practices.

If the above is true, then depending upon Microsoft's driver support included in Vista, you will have a degree of functionality, but all of the hardware and software features of your ThinkPad will probably not work as they did in XP. Also, unless you have the hardware required by Vista (such as the required graphics adapter and memory), you will not see all of the possible features that Vista has to offer.

#18 Post by **Kyocera** » Wed May 10, 2006 5:37 am

It will be the same as any other windows OS that has come out, no new information there. Vista runs on my t42 without any bios updates or ibm drivers, how is that possible

please inform me more. I didn't realize most people that buy thinkpads can't afford to buy an OS either, I'll have to curb my purchasing of stuff to fit in the group better.

#19 Post by **GomJabbar** » Wed May 10, 2006 6:31 am

Geez, I got on your bad side didn't I.

Your comment on Vista is noted. I have not tried Vista. I yield the chair to you on this matter.

On the other matter, many people that buy ThinkPads buy used. Perhaps they save a long time to get the money to afford a ThinkPad, or else they buy from that devil we call "credit". I can think of at least a couple of mods in this forum that have stated that they cannot afford one of the new ThinkPads at this time. I will not give their names out of consideration. Of course others here get a $50,000 car for graduation, or are managers or CEO's at their place of work. ThinkPad owners span the spectrum of incomes.

My first laptop that I bought about 3-1/2 years ago was a used ThinkPad 600E for $650. That's what my budget allowed at that time. Last year I was able to buy a new T42. Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition Full Retail Version is $299.99 at Bestbuy (and everywhere else I imagine). I am happy that this is an inconsequential purchase for you. Godspeed.

pae77 · #20 Post by **pae77** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:48 pm

I already paid for the OEM version of XP pro when I bought my T42p and I [censored] sure wouldn't want to pay again for a retail version for this machine.

I like most of the IBM/Lenovo software, but if I didn't and wanted a fresh install, I would just install from the product recovery disks and uninstall the software I didn't want. Then software installer and windows update (I would probably do windows update first) What could be simpler and no additional money required. If I didnt' want the hidden partition, I would delete that.

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