Extract software from Recovery Disks?

[burhan]

Is it possible to selectively install software from the recovery disc set instead of doing a complete re-image?

I created a set of recovery disks, because I wanted to have 64-bit vista; but now I would like to install the office 2007 trial which was on the original cds, plus the program (can't remember the name) that is used to burn iso images.

Sorry if this is the wrong section, I did try to search for this but didn't come up with anything.

[ryengineer]

You can get trial version of Microsoft Office 2007 from Microsoft's website.

As far as Roxio is concerned, there are many softwares, lenovo preloads on it's machines that are not retail versions. These are usually provided by 3rd party vendors that pay lenovo to bundle them (on the systems) under agreement, they're either oem/trial/corporate versions and can only be used with lenovo preloaded factory image and not on a clean install.

You can check Roxio website to check if they offer the product you're looking for.

Most people backup C:\IBMTOOLS\ or C:\SWTOOLS\ prior to doing an Operating System swap as that directory contains all these softwares.

[burhan]

Does this location have the install binaries?

[ryengineer]

.exe (executable file).

[GomJabbar]

AFAIK, no one has figured out how to extract anything useful from the Recovery Discs.

The only way I can figure out for you to get what you want is to use the Recovery Discs to bring your system back to the original factory state, then copy off the installation files for the programs that you want onto another medium (USB key, HDD, CD(s) or DVD). Then reinstall 64-bit Vista and copy the installation files back to your hard drive and run them or else run them from the media where you copied them to.

EDIT: Yes, the directories ryengineer refers to has the install binaries for all the programs except for Windows itself.

[burhan]

Great, I'll just find another thinkpad that has the same OS and get the install files from there -- since I am now formatting this one.

[snife]

The only thing that can extract from the Recovery CDs is ImageUltra Builder, but you still need to know the passwords for the compressed files.

[ryengineer]

And to get an access to full version of ImageUltra builder software one would need to spend some handful amount of money too. If one requires to access the files only then it can also be done by converting the image from .iso to files via any third party software but all files and date would be cryptic.

[burhan]

To my suprise, the roxio software, part of the 'multimedia center for thinkpad offerings' was available from lenovo support. So now I have roxio installed.