Acquired T43 which doesn't boot & can't install XP

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Marc_J · #1 Post by **Marc_J** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 9:33 am

I have managed to get my hands on a T43. The previous owner had someone else install Linux on it for him, however he changed his mind and wanted Windows XP put on it.

As he didn't have the original discs or anything that came with it (he kept it when his old employer went bust) he purchased a copy of Windows XP Pro and stuck the CD in the drive.

He says it seemed to install OK, but on the first reboot got an error "Error Loading Operating System" and it hangs.

Subsequent efforts to re-install XP from the CD result in a black screen after "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration".

It's a non-modified T43 with all the original parts. I'm on the verge of throwing it in the bin, any help would be much appreciated!

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 9:57 am

Make sure the hard drive is first in boot order in BIOS, and try turning on hard drive compatibility mode in BIOS as well.

mgo · #3 Post by **mgo** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 10:46 am

Marc_J wrote:I have managed to get my hands on a T43. The previous owner had someone else install Linux on it for him, however he changed his mind and wanted Windows XP put on it.

As he didn't have the original discs or anything that came with it (he kept it when his old employer went bust) he purchased a copy of Windows XP Pro and stuck the CD in the drive.

He says it seemed to install OK, but on the first reboot got an error "Error Loading Operating System" and it hangs.

Subsequent efforts to re-install XP from the CD result in a black screen after "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration".

It's a non-modified T43 with all the original parts. I'm on the verge of throwing it in the bin, any help would be much appreciated!

My personal experience is:
1: Linux changes the boot sector of the drive and it must be changed back to a Windows boot sector.
2: to do this:
a: boot over the XP install CD
b: select the Repair option
c: you will get a black menu. type /help
d: look for the choice, "fixmbr" and type that in at the prompt and hit enter
e: look for the choice "fixboot" type that in and click enter

you should get messages confirming successfully creating boot sector.

Now, when you boot over the drive (not the CD) you should get a message "NTDLR missing" That confirms that the drive will now boot when you install XP.

Then install XP and it should work fine.

Marc_J · #4 Post by **Marc_J** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 11:21 am

Thanks for the replies.

Harryc wrote:Make sure the hard drive is first in boot order in BIOS, and try turning on hard drive compatibility mode in BIOS as well.

There are two hard drives listed in boot order, HDD1 and HDD2. Neither works as 1st boot device.

mgo wrote: My personal experience is:
1: Linux changes the boot sector of the drive and it must be changed back to a Windows boot sector.
2: to do this:
a: boot over the XP install CD
b: select the Repair option

It doesn't get this far, it hangs at "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration..." and does nothing (I gave it 8 hours!!!)

???

pianowizard · #5 Post by **pianowizard** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 12:58 pm

Have you tried formatting the whole drive with Windows 98, i.e. FDISK followed by FORMAT? Then install XP.

#6 Post by **richk** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 1:19 pm

I would go back a step and run diagnostics. You can get a thinkpad version of pc doctor free as IMB download, but it's a 56 MB download and you need to have some sord of CD writer on your machine.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... ty46ww.exe

ajkula66 · #7 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 4:49 pm

I'd go with what richk about running diagnostics first...

I've seen this happen a couple of times. The HDD may be OK (that was the case with me) but the very size and format of the partitions just confuses the heck out of XP, and it gets nowhere.

My question is: has the machine run Linux properly?

If yes, you may want to get a set of recovery CDs for T43 here on the forum, run all diagnostics, then format the drive if the tests come back clean, which they probably will. And, on to brand new "from the scratch" install....

Good luck and let us know how this has turned out for you.

agarza · #8 Post by **agarza** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 11:39 pm

You probably should just format the whole drive using hitachi Drive Fitness tool, and clean the boot sector too.

I'm sure doing this ensure XP would boot properly

Marc_J · #9 Post by **Marc_J** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 5:44 am

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I won't be able to try anything until tomorrow though, and willl post results.

ajkula66 wrote:My question is: has the machine run Linux properly?

As far as I know, yes, Linux was running properly for some time.

ajkula66 wrote:you may want to get a set of recovery CDs for T43 here on the forum

Do you mean these are available to download somewhere? If so, I can't find them

xtr wrote:You probably should just format the whole drive using hitachi Drive Fitness tool, and clean the boot sector too.

Is that the same as the PC Doctor from IBM, or something different? Do you have a link?

#10 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 5:50 am

Hitahci Drive Fitness Test

Start a new thread in the Marketplace conference at this website and ask for the recovery CD's that you need. Someone may have them and offer them to you for a price...generally $25 or less.

NorrisCell · #11 Post by **NorrisCell** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:53 pm

You may also try using a partitioning tool to convert the drive to NTFS before attempting an XP install. GParted is a great tool and it's served me well when I've had to add or remove an OS. If you need more info or the files themselves, PM me. It's freeware, and works great

nejle · #12 Post by **nejle** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 3:36 am

download gparted , boot machine from that CD, delete all partitions (you don't need create any), then run windows XP setup again

Marc_J · #13 Post by **Marc_J** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:12 am

nejle wrote:download gparted , boot machine from that CD, delete all partitions (you don't need create any), then run windows XP setup again

I opted to try this first, as it seemed the simplest and most straightforward of the solutions offered!

Good news is, it worked great - XP Pro went on no problem, now I'm in the process of getting all the drivers from IBM Support for to fix all the yellow triangles!

I've got all but one which is still showing up as an "Unknown Device".....might it be a fingerprint reader? I keep seeing references to that, but I can't see one on the machine (unless it's the actual touchpad)?

losmeme · #14 Post by **losmeme** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:46 am

Under Device Manager, check the unknown device by right clicking it in the list and then choosing Properties.

In the Unknown Device Properties dialog box, select the Details tab. Under the details tab, select Hardware ID. If the resulting value is ACPI/NSC1100, the unknown device is the TPM (Trusted Platform Module)

I'm not really sure what this controls at the end of the day, but it has been an unknown device since my first re-build of my T43 with no adverse reactions. (You have to be using the ThinkVantageClient Security Solution to need a driver for the TPM.) There is a driver on the Lenovo site under Software for the TPM. Install that and the unknown device should go away.

Marc_J · #15 Post by **Marc_J** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:51 am

Windows Update got rid of the last triangle, although I cant say for certain what it was as there were 2 hardware updates - one for the ATI Graphics and the other wasn't able to say what it was for exactly, it seemed to have a system variable included in its description i.e. %device name% ??? I ticked it anyway

Acquired T43 which doesn't boot & can't install XP

Acquired T43 which doesn't boot & can't install XP

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