X200 - Vista / XP Pro & Restore Function

[ThoughtPad]

Hello All My First Post (So be gentle!)

I am considering buying the X200 (74542GU).

In the Tabook listing this model is shown as:
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
with Vista® COA

I would be grateful if someone could explain what this means.

My concern is whether only XP would be available as the OS re-installed if the ThinkVantage restore mode was used.

It appears to be XP that is preloaded. How do I get Vista on this machine and can Vista be made the OS on its recovery partition?

So once Vista is installed would the restore be to Vista or still be XP?

Would I need to reactivate either OS (with Microsoft) if I needed to restore the unit. Or would either OS be preactviated. My current ASUS for example is preactivated so restore happens without needing to contact Microsoft.

Finally Vista Business is mentioned by several on line dealers for this machine but it is unclear from the Tabook.
Which OS' would be included?


Many Thanks

[Harryc]

It comes loaded with XP Pro. I'm skeptical of the Vista COA thing, I'd be very surprised if the COA on the bottom of the machine is not XP.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... ry=74542GU

Edit: I also see that in the tabook, so I do not know what that means.
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitu ... tabook.pdf

[ajwells]

When you order an X200 with the XP downgrade, does the machine come with XP or does it come with Vista which needs to be removed?

Ajw