Using Product Recovery CD for T2366

[Dave_s]

With my working T30 came a 3 CD set labeled Product Recovery CD for T2366, but no instructions about how to use the CD set with the 30MB 2 partition internal HDD Hard drive. This 3 CD set contains a working XP PRO operating system.

Once before, I used this CD set and it produced a good replica working XP PRO desktop with all of the IBM TOOLS. Today, after formatting the boot partition, I ran the same 3 CD set, and it only read one CD and then created an XP PRO lacking any IBM tools. Also, this new desktop says must be registered in next 30 days? Previous reinstalled XP PRO did not request registering.

One partition (bootable) is for the XP running applications. Miscellaneous programs are on 2nd (not boot) partition.

Resulting new desktop is different, without any IBM tools, totally different looking than the previous desktop that just went bad.

I am not exactly sure how I must prep the bootable HDD partition before I run the 3 CD Recovery set. Should I format the boot partition as NTFS or FAT32 before running the 3 CD set?
Running the recovery CDs with bootable partition active but not formatted, read all 3 CDs, tons of files, but system would not start, cannot find OS. Formatting bootable partition as FAT or NTFS causes a strange desktop to be created after only reading one CD of 3 CD set.


Sure can use some help. Thank you, Dave-s

[rkawakami]

Note that the following is my experience with T23 systems....

When (re)installing the OS from the factory recovery disks I first erase the hard drive. This is done either using the utility inside PC Doctor For DOS or by the drive manufacturer's disk diagnostic program (SeaTools, DFT, etc.). When I have failed to do so (i.e. attempt to run the recovery disk on a drive which already had a bootable system), I would sometimes get the activation/registration notification, in addition to not loading the second CD. I don't fully erase the drive either; I stop it after about 10%, as I imagine that this takes out the boot track and the existing file system's FAT so as to appear as a "clean" drive by the recovery disks.

I don't worry about FAT32 or NTFS formatting the drive prior to installation since Windows has always seemed to change the file system automatically to NTFS during the restore process.

Also note that I don't worry about installing the hidden recovery partition as it won't have any of the latest service packs or updates for systems as old as the T23 and T30. That's what disk imaging programs are for .

[sncdrvr]

I've had the same problem exactly as you very well describe it. Solution was to run Killdisk utility erasing all data. Google Killdisk and you'll find several links to free trial downloads. After erasing data and beginning disk 1 install, closely watch install progress and make appropriate manual selections for options. Disks 2+3 basicaly self install. If I have to do this procedure again I'm thinking I'll try going to My Computer, right clicking on the hard drive, and format is a option. I've never gotten a "factory install" on a T30 without erasing the hard disk first.

[sncdrvr]

Let me add, after turning on machine, press F1, go into Bios Boot Order, and bring the CD ROM to top of list. Now install Disk 1 thru 3. Using the F12 option of a temporary boot order change isn't going to work properly for a factory reinstall with the F1, F11, and F12 options being made available on the IBM splash screen. Using F12 to reload the factory disks results in XP with no IBM utilities and no way to update at Microsoft Update if using the key found on bottom of machine. Haven't tried using the IBM volume key that can be generated by Majic Jelly Bean Finder to validate the resulting "Lite" install. May well work, you'd have XP without the "BloatWare" some people object to. Disk 1 appears to install the XP and 2 and 3 IBM utilities.

[gery350]

i had a similiar problem. i ran partition magic and it would not recognize the t30 restore cds. i believe the t30 restore cds will not work on a partitioned drive(at least not with partition magic). i had to use a regular windows xp for it to work. my t30 does not recognize disc3 whenever i restore. it says to insert disc 3 but nothing happens. i turn it off using the power button. turn it it back on and the restore begins. you may want to read these post:


http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=74800