New T400s XP Downgrade Question

[mpcook]

Hello all, I received my new T400s today. It's a nice machine, so far, I only have a few minor annoyances, but I have one major question. I had my employer order this machine, it's a 2808-DJU, with XP installed as a downgrade from Windows 7.

I notice two oddities:
1. There are NO Windows COA stickers on this computer.
2. There is a sheet of paper with instructions for "Creating MS XP Recovery Media" and "Performing the Conversion Process". The recover media part I get, I have done this many times, and am in the process right now of creating the disks. However, the instructions refer to the "recovery disk set provided with your computer" and imply this other set is a Windows 7 set, hence the need to create the XP set from software. Of course, as always, there was no set of disks included with the laptop. The second paragraph, "Performing the Conversion Process", then refers to this set, to be used to update from XP to 7.

My real question is whether or how I can upgrade from XP to 7 when I decide to, if there are no recovery disks or install disks for 7. This "downgrade" and "upgrade" business to/from XP, with a new Thinkpad, is confusing to say the least.

Thanks for your advice,
Mike

[Harryc]

Mike, contact Lenovo and ask for the W7 recovery discs. You should have gotten a set (I think, but then again I have never ordered this downgrade stuff) with the laptop. Post back with their reply.

[mpcook]

Mike, contact Lenovo and ask for the W7 recovery discs. You should have gotten a set (I think, but then again I have never ordered this downgrade stuff) with the laptop. Post back with their reply.

I will give them a call and see what happens. I'll let you know.

In retrospect, I almost wish I had just ordered it with 7 preinstalled.

Mike

[epu]

When I tried to order X200 Tablet Windows Vista Ultimate Recovery CDs (or DVD, w/e), Lenovo told me in June that they STOPPED shipping units with Recovery CDs because that was their new policy. He told me to make a recovery CD using Vista itself. The person DID tell me that since I purchased my X200 Tablet in a certain time frame, I was eligible for XP Recovery CDs. ODD. Annoying too because my X200 Tablet was shipped with a W500 Manual and W500 Recovery CDs.

[jwall9y]

Follow-up experience would be useful. Best I have figured out, for t500, is to custom order with windows 7 professional. Then check option to get xp recovery discs for free. But for t400s appears to be different story -- windows 7 professional gets option for xp recovery discs for additional $179! Ouch!

[mpcook]

Regarding my original issue with the T400s downgraded W7 to XP, I had sent an email to the vendor (CDW) and they replied, I should call Lenovo at 800-426-7378 (which is I think IBM). I called, got Tech Support, and asked for software support. I explained the situation and the tech said I needed to get the upgrade disks from MS. I re-explained, and also said I had been on the upgrade website and it only allowed for disks to be sent for Vista downgrade/upgrade to 7 (this I found on the Lenovo site). He then took a minute (asked someone?) and said they would create and send a set of disks in 1 - 3 business days. I will post back and let you know what I receive. I also mentioned I did not have a license sticker on the machine, he was surprised to hear that, blamed CDW for leaving it off. I suppose once I get the disks, I may also need a key, unless they come with one.

Mike

[dr_st]

If the disk they are shipping to you are Lenovo recovery disks, then these should install without a key.

[mpcook]

If the disk they are shipping to you are Lenovo recovery disks, then these should install without a key.

That would be good news and I hope to get recovery disks anyway. I sent an email to the vendor about the sticker - that Lenovo says CDW applies them. The rep's reply was they are not a system builder so they don't apply the stickers, and I should return the laptop for exchange. Not going to happen at this point. Interesting that Lenovo says the vendor puts the sticker on, and vendor says Lenovo does. I would guess that CDW receives them from Lenovo complete and ships as is.

Mike

[archer6]

That would be good news and I hope to get recovery disks anyway. I sent an email to the vendor about the sticker - that Lenovo says CDW applies them. The rep's reply was they are not a system builder so they don't apply the stickers, and I should return the laptop for exchange. Not going to happen at this point. Interesting that Lenovo says the vendor puts the sticker on, and vendor says Lenovo does. I would guess that CDW receives them from Lenovo complete and ships as is.

Mike

Mike, your guess is correct. CDW receives the machines from Lenovo complete, and ready for resale. I've read all the various license documents from Microsoft and can assure you that theoretically it's illegal for Lenovo to ship a computer without that sticker. The person representing Lenovo that told you that may either have been new, or less that well trained to be kind.

While I've read, that you do not wish to return it to CDW they are doing the right thing (even though Lenovo is responsible) and I would encourage you to think seriously about taking advantage of their willingness to make it right. At some point in time when you decide to sell the machine that sticker is worth it's weight in gold, as most people will not buy a machine without one.

[mpcook]

Well the good news is that I received disks today from IBM as promised. PN 58Y3268 which is for T400/400s/500 R400/500 types 28XX. Two DVD disks: OS Recovery Disk for Win 7 Pro, and Applications and Drivers Recovery Disk.

As far as returning the machine due to "no sticker", since this is a company laptop, I won't ever need to sell it, so I don't worry about that. I might try and call support again, since I have onsite warranty, maybe they will send someone to stick on a new sticker. In fact, should it have come with two stickers XP and 7? Otherwise, I do not want to part with the machine, it is working perfectly.

[T400plus]

Keep it without the warning sticker. When ,if ever,it is resold it may get a better price then normal (in the USA ).Collecter's edition and all that.