Problem with create recovery discs from T43

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auk115 · #1 Post by **auk115** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 4:28 pm

First of all, thanks Bill Morrow and all the members for creating a valuable place for a ThinkPad newbie like me. I have gathered many useful info for my 2-days old T43 just by reading all the posts.

Anyway, here is my problem. I tried to create recovery discs for my T43 last night via the IBM recovery disc option using 700MB CDRs. The problem is that the program kept asking me to insert a new disc even it already used 18 CDs in total for the process(one for Rescue&Recovery and the rest for product recovery). I finally gave up creating the discs after it requested for the CD#18. Then, I opened those discs to check the recorded files. Strangely, the R&R disc and the first 5 product recovery disc contained about 500-600 MB of the recovery files, while the other discs (from 6-17) contained only one 500 kb file. I am pretty sure that almost all of the recovery files were already burned on to the first 6 first discs, but the program still requested more discs just to burn a 500 kb file on one disc. And, so it seems it will just take infinite numbers of CDs to complete the process.

I read in the other posts and they said that usually it requires a total of 7 CDR for this process. I wonder if there is any wrong with my IBM recovery program. I am afraid I will encounter the same problem when I try to make a backup CDs via the IBM access program.

Does anybody have the same problem as mine or have any suggestions? Thanks a lot.

JHEM · #2 Post by **JHEM** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:45 pm

I had a problem with a T42 burning the recovery set, although not the same as your problem.

I called IBM and they're sending me a set of CDs after admitting that there's a reported problem with the preload on some machines.

That's the good news.

The bad news is that the CDs are on back-order and will be coming from China in "two to three weeks".

Regards,

James

jjfcpa · #3 Post by **jjfcpa** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:46 pm

I am really disappointed in IBM. I created a set of recovery CD's (one CDR and one DVD) and tried to install them using a new 100 gig Seagate hard drive. (I needed the extra space.)

Needless to say, the recovery CD's failed big time.

So I just got off the phone with IBM and attempted to request a set of recovery CD's. (Keep in mind I just rec'd this new IBM laptop a week ago.) Well, guess what? IBM has changed their policy and you now have to pay $ 45 for a set of recovery CD's.

I explained the whole situation and the best they could come up with is to use the build in recovery to go back to the factory settings which will then let you create another set of recovery CD's. Obviously, these people don't know what time management is - it would only take me about 4 hours to re-install all the software I have on this laptop. Not to mention copying about 20 gig of data.

Well, all I can say is the Lenovo sale is already starting to affect IBM's support policy and I don't like it. This may very well be the last laptop I purchase from IBM.

I'm on my way to www.notebookforums.com to spread the word about this new policy.

dfumento · #4 Post by **dfumento** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:37 pm

For the recovery CDs, you might try calling IBM and escalating the issue. I had to escalate twice, but I got the CDs.

Marc_G · #5 Post by **Marc_G** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:53 pm

I called a few weeks ago. Told them that the built-in "create recovery CDs" function failed. Initially I got the "well, we'll sell you the CDs for $45" reply.

I then told him (politely, but firmly) that that was unacceptable. It was IBM's responsibility to provide me with means to get the CDs as part of the IBM/Microsoft license, and that I had acted in good faith by following IBM's instructions, which failed.

He then "checked with his manager" and came back on the line a minute later to get my address. CDs arrived next business day by DHL.

Marc

zgco · #6 Post by **zgco** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:42 am

Yes, just demand that you are entitled to the CDs because the program did not work and mention that this is the first set that you have requested. The first person I had on the phone also gave me the $45 spiel - stay strong and demand to speak with the supervisor - you will eventually get the CDs - I know, what a headache, but 10 minutes on the phone is worth $45 in my opinion.

Steve007 · #7 Post by **Steve007** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:55 am

jjfcpa wrote:Well, all I can say is the Lenovo sale is already starting to affect IBM's support policy and I don't like it.

Eh? It has nothing to do with it. Get your facts right before going off on a rant.

auk115 · #8 Post by **auk115** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:43 am

I called the cust serv to request the recovery cd set on the day (Apr 1) I failed to make the cds myself. They didn't mention about $45 for transaction but asking me if I knew that I could make the cds myself. I just told them that I knew about it but I would prefer to have the premium cds from IBM. So, they sent it via DHL and I just received it yesterday (Apr 4).

I guessed the reason they didn't charge me because my notebook is still under first 30 days return period. So, I would encourage everyone whose thinpads are still under first 30 days period to request the recovery cd set even though you don't need them right now.

Leon · #9 Post by **Leon** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:02 am

It varies with who you get on the phone. Sometimes the 30 day window make a difference, sometimes it doesn't. Support usually doesn't care if you return it.

jjfcpa · #10 Post by **jjfcpa** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:58 pm

Steve007 wrote:
jjfcpa wrote:Well, all I can say is the Lenovo sale is already starting to affect IBM's support policy and I don't like it.
Eh? It has nothing to do with it. Get your facts right before going off on a rant.

Steve:

I stand behind my statement, even though the tech stated that this policy change had nothing to do with the sale to Lenovo.

I ordered two T42's last November and ordered two sets of recovery CD's without anyone mentioning a cost for them. The laptops were ordered from a mail order company so I couldn't return them with paying a stocking fee. I did call within the 30 day period.

The tech that I talked to stated that the policy was changed last year "sometime". He wasn't sure when.

I did receive an email from him today stating that they were going to send me a free set of recovery CD's. The reason for this is because I sent him a link to this thread and after he and his manager read it, they felt I was entitled to a free set of CD's.

I guess it pays to rant once in a while...

Steve007 · #11 Post by **Steve007** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:35 am

Well done for getting the CD's but the Lenovo sale had nothing to do with this issue.....

karnesky · #12 Post by **karnesky** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:43 pm

auk115 wrote:I tried to create recovery discs for my T43 last night via the IBM recovery disc option using 700MB CDRs. The problem is that the program kept asking me to insert a new disc even it already used 18 CDs in total for the process(one for Rescue&Recovery and the rest for product recovery). I finally gave up creating the discs after it requested for the CD#18.

I lasted until CD#20 (before discovering this thread). I figured it was just a dumb program that did a 1:1 dump of the whole drive, whether or not there was actually data.

Then I called 800-IBM-SERV & described my experience. Will have the official discs tomorrow.

snife · #13 Post by **snife** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 4:16 pm

jjfcpa wrote:
Steve007 wrote: Eh? It has nothing to do with it. Get your facts right before going off on a rant.

Steve:

I stand behind my statement, even though the tech stated that this policy change had nothing to do with the sale to Lenovo.

You can stand behind it as long as you realise you are wrong.

In my experience there are a lot of idiots working in call centers and even bigger idiots leading them most of the time. This doesn't mean that there is a new policy. The people answering your phonecalls now are the same people that were doing it before the Lenovo takeover.

Basic fact is, if you are within your warranty period and something is wrong with your recovery partition then they must give you a means to recover your system - you shouldn't have to rant to get it but more and more that seems to be the case with everything these days.

Problem with create recovery discs from T43

Problem with create recovery discs from T43

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