Thinkpad T42, rescue CDs and windows serial number.

[tetienne]

Hello,

i'm a linux user, and when i've bought my laptop, i've just done an install CD from the current windows install. I was too lazy to burn the 7 rescue CDs of the hidden partition. In fact, i've burned this partition on a DVD as it was on the hard drive. Then i've deleted the hidden partition and installed Gentoo/Linux on the whole drive.

Now i'm going to change my laptop and i'd like to restore as it was for the next user.

I've tried to copy the DVD i've burned, it works properly when I press the Access IBM key. The restore process start for a few minutes, and then fails.

My father has exactly the same laptop (T42 2373-W6J) and has burned the 7 rescue CDs. It works, excepted that it uses my father's licence number for windows.

Is there a way to change the license number in the hidden partition (manually or using a file from my DVD backup) ?

I'll try to phone to IBM to know the price for Rescue CDs.

Thanks in advance ++

[NS]

I don\'t think it will use your father\'s window\'s unique key number. When you update, it will detect your own wins XP key number.

*I used to have a damaged Hdd for my R52 and i replaced my R52 with a new Hdd and IBM/Lenovo used their recovery CD on my thinkpad.*

As long as your own WinXP is the same version as your fathers will do. Make sure if your father\'s Win XP is Pro then your must be Pro. Do not use the Pro version on a Home version Wins XP. Microsoft will know about it if you run automatic updates.

[tetienne]

Thanks for replying.

I don't understand everything.

For the moment, i've used my father's Rescue CDs to restore the hidden partition. Then i've restored the windows preinstall with the hidden partition. I've used Aida32 to check the license number, it is not the same as the one at the back of my T42. But i've not checked if it's my father's license number yet.

I'll try to register the computer and see how it goes.

Of course, our 2 laptops have been sold with WinXP Pro.

++

[NS]

If during the update you ran into problems, do not hesitate to call Microsoft and tell them about your problem and they can do some adjustment for you.

But that time when my HDD failed completely, IBM/Lenovo just lend me their recovery disks and let me use their wins XP pro.

[carbon_unit]

The factory install uses a Volume License Key number, not the same as the number on the bottom of your machine.
You are OK.

[NS]

Thank you carbon_unit for helping me to explain this recovery thing. Stupid me for not knowing how to explain properly.

My sincere apology to the originator of this thread. Sorry

[tetienne]

The factory install uses a Volume License Key number, not the same as the number on the bottom of your machine.
You are OK.

You're right. I've checked my father's license number, and it does not correspond.

Thanks all.