trying to restore factory install

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pearl0 · #1 Post by **pearl0** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 4:18 pm

I am trying to restore the factory OS install using the access IBM button on a T42p. This is my first time trying this so I am unfamiliar with the process.

My understanding is that you restart the pc and press the access IBM buttom before windows start and choose some sort of restore option.

However my problem is when I restart the PC and press the access IBM button the only options that I have are as follows:

ESC to resume normal startup
F1 to enter the IBM BIOS Setup Ultility
F12 to choose a temporary startup device

I have never deleted the partition or messed with it in any way. I have check in windows to make sure that it is there and it is and says that the partition is OK.

I do not have the recovery CDs.

Any and all help with this is appcreciated.

TIA,
Paul

#2 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 4:37 pm

You can try pressing F11 at the IBM logo screen and see if that starts Rescue and Recovery.

Your next best option is to get a Rescue Media CD from someone. I believe it is important that the Rescue Media CD was created with the same version of Rescue and Recovery that is installed on your ThinkPad. If you have not upgraded Rescue and Recovery, I'll hazard a guess that it is Rescue and Recovery version 1 with Rapid Restore Ultra 4.

You can also try using the: Rescue and Recovery - Recovery repair diskette

pearl0 · #3 Post by **pearl0** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:03 pm

It is strange. I pushed f11 at startup but all that it did was bring to the same table that I get if I use the access IBM button and still no option to restore my original install.

What should this screen look like?

Do I need to have something installed in windows. I do not see anything that hast to with rescue and recovery, but that shouldn't because everything should be on that hidden partition unchanged from when I originally received the laptop.

#4 Post by **Kyocera** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:09 pm

you have to shut the computer down wait a few seconds then start.

pearl0 · #5 Post by **pearl0** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:19 pm

Thanks for the quick replies guys, but I just tried shutting it down for a few minutes then turning on and using the access IBM button. No change same menu as above with no option for a restore.

What should I normally see here if everything was operating as expected?

TIA again,
Paul

#6 Post by **Kyocera** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:22 pm

after the ibm splash screen you should see a black screen with a line of text at the top that says (can't remember exactly and my t42 is at work) to restore your computer press f11.

If you go to disk management in windows do you see a 5gig partition, fat32?

pearl0 · #7 Post by **pearl0** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:32 pm

Yes I can see it in windows computer management.

it says that it is a healthy EISA configuration fat 32
partition that is 4.28 GB with 480 mb free.

#8 Post by **Kyocera** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:37 pm

Well then, you may have a damaged MBR, if you click on the HD Clone link in my sig, read towards the bottom of the document for the repair of the MBR. It is pretty simple really I have done it with my t30 and a usb floppy drive. The only thing this does is replace a damaged MBR with one that will allow you to boot to the recovery environment.

Make sure you can't see that f11 option at startup.

pearl0 · #9 Post by **pearl0** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:35 pm

Thank you very much for all of the help. Replacing the MBR finally did it.

Paul

trying to restore factory install

trying to restore factory install

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