ThinkVantage button not working on bootup

[thorin_2]

I'm trying to restore my system to default by clicking on the blue ThinkVantage button during post (startup). Nothing happens. Instead I eventually see the F12 (boot options) menu with only options being ESC and normal boot (or CD if a CD is in the drive). My OS is pretty much hosed (don't ever try upgrading to XP Pro from Home, its a disaster waiting to happen), and now I can't seem to access the hidden partition to restore my system. Is there a utility I can download to restore the application that is launched by the blue button? Perhaps that utility got squashed on the windows upgrade? Help!

[andyP]

Your master boot record needs to be repaired, have a look at this post from arlab.

[thorin_2]

I am eternally gratefull, especially to the person who created the ISOs. I had found the diskette link and don't have a floppy drive any more (thank god). So the ISOs are perfect!

[thorin_2]

Oh no. THe ISO didn't work. I boot to the CD and get Starting PC DOS. THen I get a "Wite Protect error writing drive A" and the "Abort Retry Fail" message. I tried Fail and Retry to no avail. I then click Abort, and I see A: prompt. I typed DIR then ENTER and see a list of commands. I tried autoexec.bat but then go the abort rerty fail again. What should I do? Do I run repair.exe? Cleanmbr.exe? or?

[andyP]

As I understand arlab's instructions correctly, you need to keep pressing "F" and not "Abort".

[thorin_2]

OK. Each time I get further but now I'm stalled again. I press 'F' and eventually get to a blue screen titled "THinkVantage Technologies Boot Manager Repair Program" The only option I Have is to press ENTER to continue. I do so, and nothing happens. After some time the CD spins down but nothing else happens and the blue screen remains. I have to power of the laptop at that point. I even waited ~5 minutes to no avail. How do I get past this screen? Why is it failing to repair or give me the "Opiton1" as stated in the other post?

[thorin_2]

Finally got it. I never did see the "Abort, Retry, Fail" after I got to the blue screen. However I clicked 'F' a few times anyway and that did it. Note: I first tried with Option 1, REPAIR, but after that was completed I still couldn't see the F11 option. Next I troed Option 2, REPLACE, and that worked. Right now I'm in the middle of the restore process. Thanks for the CD ISO. I couldn't have done it without it.

THor