Thinkpad t42, T42P Recovery CD contains WinXp?

[scottmti]

Well called Lenovo and he was no help. Had no clue what I was talking about.

I bought a Recovery CD and it contains 8 cd. 7 cd for Product recovery and 1 disk for Rapid Recovery
Product P/N is 24R7684. (7CD) one is 19R9174.

Does 7 cd set contains Windows XP? I have Home version install on my Thinkpad right now and I like to do Clean Installation.
Seems like simpler the question, hard to find an answer from Lenovo.
I hope you guys/gals can answer this question for me.
Thanks
Scott

[beGi]

7 CD set contains XP Pro, drivers and apps, and single CD is Rapid restore (boot disc)...

CDs will build hidden partition (if missing), reimage your drive, install OS and all drivers needed for your unit, and apps that come with your unit (thinkvantage etc)...

Basically the set will return your unit (hard drive) to factory state...

Clean install (OS only) is not possible with that set...

[scottmti]

7 CD set contains XP Pro, drivers and apps, and single CD is Rapid restore (boot disc)...

CDs will build hidden partition (if missing), reimage your drive, install OS and all drivers needed for your unit, and apps that come with your unit (thinkvantage etc)...

Basically the set will return your unit (hard drive) to factory state...

Clean install (OS only) is not possible with that set...

Thank you!
Such a simple answer.
Also if you don't mind, one more question.
For the serial number on Window XP (if it asks) all I need to do is use the number from the bottom of the machine correct?

[RealBlackStuff]

If you first format the hard disk before starting the restore procedure, you should not even be asked for a S/N, and you will also not have any issues with activation.

[scottmti]

If you first format the hard disk before starting the restore procedure, you should not even be asked for a S/N, and you will also not have any issues with activation.

How do you format from the recovery disk?
I have installed WinXP Pro without using boot disk. Now I am having problem with most of the drivers.
I figure Thinkpad would ask me to insert next disk but it didn't. I have to install all the driver manually.
Also something weird is my drive was formatted fat32. I was never asked.
I am trying to reinstall everything over again using book disk first but still it does not ask me to insert or let me do anything.
That "Access IBM" button is not working as of now. Seems like I can install Windows but thats about it.
I like to format everything and start over but I have no option.

Scott

[rkawakami]

I've gone through several recovery operations and I don't believe that those disks actually do any formal "format" of the drive when the OS gets installed. Rather, in some cases if the recovery disk sees that there's already a Windows installation, you may get prompted to "activate" it when all is said and done. One of the last things that the recovery operation does (at least for WinXP on T2x systems) is that the file system gets converted from FAT32 to NTFS. Of course, this might only occur if you do what I do: wipe the drive before running the recovery operation. To do that, I use the PC Doctor for DOS diagnostic program. There's an "Full Erase" section under the Utility menu. You can get the PC Doctor program for the T4x from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 55386.html

Scroll down for the Diagnostics section and you can select from a CD version or a floppy version. Create the bootable media, boot the system with it, select the system you have (required in some cases if the version of PC Doctor covers various models; the T4x disk only has one option which handles many different systems), then look under the Utility section for Full Erase Hard Drive. I typically run the erase operation for about 5 to 10% completion. It's enough to make the disk look blank when you run the recovery operation.

[scottmti]

I've gone through several recovery operations and I don't believe that those disks actually do any formal "format" of the drive when the OS gets installed. Rather, in some cases if the recovery disk sees that there's already a Windows installation, you may get prompted to "activate" it when all is said and done. One of the last things that the recovery operation does (at least for WinXP on T2x systems) is that the file system gets converted from FAT32 to NTFS. Of course, this might only occur if you do what I do: wipe the drive before running the recovery operation. To do that, I use the PC Doctor for DOS diagnostic program. There's an "Full Erase" section under the Utility menu. You can get the PC Doctor program for the T4x from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 55386.html

Scroll down for the Diagnostics section and you can select from a CD version or a floppy version. Create the bootable media, boot the system with it, select the system you have (required in some cases if the version of PC Doctor covers various models; the T4x disk only has one option which handles many different systems), then look under the Utility section for Full Erase Hard Drive. I typically run the erase operation for about 5 to 10% completion. It's enough to make the disk look blank when you run the recovery operation.

Thank you
I guess it has worked. I format hdd like you said usin the boot cd from the link
Now after everything is done, I can not log in to window. It keep getting taking me back to "Rescue and Recovery" area. I did some search before I came here,Lenovo website said log into bios and set everything default and press restart. Still it takes me back to same screen.
So far I haven't seen any signs of windows yet.
So what have I done wrong? Am I missing something?
I need help. I need to take this back to work soon.~
Thanks

Scott

[91011]

Try this, it may fix your boot problem: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-54483
It worked for me on a similar problem. (Thanks to Harryc)

John

[scottmti]

I have resolve the problem.
It seems it's little different the way you use 7 disk set.
I follow the advice from above poster, used a drive untility to format the drive than start using the disk.
It seems to be working fine, it ask to put disk 1 thru 7. After all was done still it did not boot to window.
Keep headig back to RR site. After several attempts, I finally decide to take a chance and push the "restore back up" button. After it ran it self than it was done. Window was one and it started to install all the driver and upgrade it self to XP sp2. After all was done I updtae to Sp3 and it is working like a charm.
Before the installation, I had problem of HDD delays, but with clean install HDD is quick and responsive.
It took me many attempts and many mistake and finnaly with some help from this site I manage to finally learn how to use R-Disk for Thinkpad.
I am a first time Thinkpad user and I am having fun learning. I am getting many compliments.

Scott