X31 - strange result of using the Recovery CDs , help needed

[mazzinia]

Hi,

I'm a new member, and a very recent owner of a X31 2672-C6J.
Since the machine have a 40gb hd with a japanese version of windows, I've got a set (but I bet not the last revision available) of Recovery CDs (windows xp professional SP1 , 4 cds , PN 30R1212 or P30R1209 - one is on che first cd, the second on the plastic envelope - obviously english since a recovery for X31 2672-MA8).

Yesterday I've bought a new hd (seagate 80gb 5400rpm), taken out the original one, and used the Recovery CDs with the new one.
(Predesktop area set to enable in the bios)

After the boot, the recovery application offered only one choice... format + install.

Accepted everything, I've swapped the 4 cds when asked, and at the end I've removed the last media following the instructions on the video.

Then the machine has rebooted to the hd, and began assembling everything (rebooting a lot of times).
The final result is a working XP Pro english os without any problem BUT if I press the Access IBM button at the startup, instead of getting the Predesktop Area I obtain a simple menu asking if I want to access the bios, choose another boot device, or continue.

So.. I think I need help, since I would like to have the Predesktop Area.
Maybe those recovery cds are not standard... I have no idea.

If it's a problem of the recovery cds, I've understood that a newer version with 5 cds should be available (and maybe someone would be so kind to let me download the images).

Obviously any suggestion on how to add now the predesktop area is very appreciated.

The total space the system is able to see of the new hd is near 75GB. Considering the formatting, I've the feeling that NO space has been allocated for the hidden partition.

PS
Merry XMas

[Ken Fox]

Hi,

I'm a new member, and a very recent owner of a X31 2672-C6J.
Since the machine have a 40gb hd with a japanese version of windows, I've got a set (but I bet not the last revision available) of Recovery CDs (windows xp professional SP1 , 4 cds , PN 30R1212 or P30R1209 - one is on che first cd, the second on the plastic envelope - obviously english since a recovery for X31 2672-MA8).

Yesterday I've bought a new hd (seagate 80gb 5400rpm), taken out the original one, and used the Recovery CDs with the new one.
(Predesktop area set to enable in the bios)

After the boot, the recovery application offered only one choice... format + install.

Accepted everything, I've swapped the 4 cds when asked, and at the end I've removed the last media following the instructions on the video.

Then the machine has rebooted to the hd, and began assembling everything (rebooting a lot of times).
The final result is a working XP Pro english os without any problem BUT if I press the Access IBM button at the startup, instead of getting the Predesktop Area I obtain a simple menu asking if I want to access the bios, choose another boot device, or continue.

So.. I think I need help, since I would like to have the Predesktop Area.
Maybe those recovery cds are not standard... I have no idea.

If it's a problem of the recovery cds, I've understood that a newer version with 5 cds should be available (and maybe someone would be so kind to let me download the images).

Obviously any suggestion on how to add now the predesktop area is very appreciated.

The total space the system is able to see of the new hd is near 75GB. Considering the formatting, I've the feeling that NO space has been allocated for the hidden partition.

PS
Merry XMas

I have an X32 and recently changed the 60gb drive that I'd had in it for a while, for a 100gb Hitachi 7K100. I had a whole lot of problems which I've discussed in another thread that you can read if it interests you:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=35194

In the process of all of this I tried out some recovery CDs that I have that I think I obtained for my prior X31; it is a 4 CD set. They are up on a shelf I need a ladder for now, so let's just assume that they are the same part number as you have. After a very long process such as you describe, I ended up with exactly the same situation as you describe. My intention had been to do the recovery from those disks, which would include the "service partition" (what you are lacking), and then use Norton Ghost 2003 to replace my mature and well-working WinXP partition.

Unfortunately, there was no Service Partition installed, after this multi-hour process. The conclusion is that the set of recovery disks shipped with or available for the X31 series did not install the service partition.

I had a solution that worked well for me, which was that I knew from previous experimentation that the service partition on my T42 and my X32 (bought within a few months of each other) were exactly the same. This stands to reason because the components in these two systems are very similar (although not identical).

What I did was to make a ghost of my T42 hard disk, install it on my X32, then use a ghost 2003 copy of my WinXP partition from the drive I had in before to overwrite the WinXP partition from the other machine. Then, I had to use the thinkpad master boot record repair floppy (link given in the thread with the link, above) to repair the boot sector and get the laptop booting normally with the option of entering the service partition with the "Access IBM" key or F11.

I have a ghost image of the service partition, and I'm almost certain it would work on your machine, but unless you have Norton Ghost and know how to use it, I don't know how you would get it on your machine. If you can get a copy of a set of CDs that can install the service partition, then that would probably be easier for you.

Trying again with the set of CDs you have will not accomplish anything and I would advise you not to waste your time as the CDs don't have the code necessary to do this.

[mazzinia]

Thank you for your answer.
I have Norton Ghost (standard tool of Hiren Boot CD), so if you can share/give me the image of the predesktop area and the instructions, I guess I can do.

What about the saved recovery os inside the hidden partition?
Can it be substituted with the the installed one?

I guess I will have to look for new recovery cds...

[Ken Fox]

Thank you for your answer.
I have Norton Ghost (standard tool of Hiren Boot CD), so if you can share/give me the image of the predesktop area and the instructions, I guess I can do.

What about the saved recovery os inside the hidden partition?
Can it be substituted with the the installed one?

I guess I will have to look for new recovery cds...

PM sent