IBM (Lenovo) ThinkPad Recovery CD
Most IBM (now Lenovo) ThinkPad laptops no longer come with recovery cds or even operating system installation cd-roms. Replacing the cds, on the expense of ThinkPad users, is a hidden service partition that contains all the recovery images and files, and provides interactive rescue and recovery predesktop workspace, which is an operating environment specifically designed for rescue and recovery operations independent of the Windows operating system.
The problems with the ThinkPad’s service partition are that it’s easily taking out some 4 to 5 GB of precious hard disk space. Beside, since it’s residing on the harddisk itself, when the harddisk is spoilt, the recovery partition will be gone too. If you change the hard drive, the Rescue and Recovery partition will not be available on the new harddisk too, so there is no way to restore the ThinkPad to the original factory state pre-load only just as when it was manufactured.
So it’s wise to create the ThinkPad product recovery cd. To get hold on the recovery cd, there are several ways:
1. Create Rescue Media or Product Recovery CD
Go to “All Programs > ThinkVantage > Create Rescue and Recovery Media. Then select your desirable type of rescue media. To create recovery CD, check the “Create a set of Product Recovery Discs now” and then click “OK” to start the creation process.
You will need about 7 cds or 1 cd and 1 dvd for the product recovery cd. And you also need to have CDRW or DVDRW drive. An external USB driver will do the job too as alternative.
2. Order Product Recovery CD from IBM
You can get a ThinkPad product recovery cd from IBM/Lenovo. However, you may not be able to do so if you’re out of warranty, and even if you’re in-warranty, you may need to pay for the cds.
To order, contact IBM/Lenovo support centre. You can find contact number of support centre here.
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Entries (RSS)
February 9th, 2010 02:02
it’s better to create your own installation cd/dvd with windows and use the provided serial number to activate. i have win XP (trial) / win 7 (licensed – i created OEM installation DVD) and Ubuntu 9.1. Lenovo’s system restoring methods are for dummies that don’t even know what’s a partition! It’s an insult to our intelligence!
January 28th, 2010 04:56
I ‘ve an IBM thinkpad r51e , it’s driving me crazy !!! it’s impossible to recover the system , it’s impossible to install a new copy of Windows xp , It’s impossible to change HD . I want to destroy it ! This recovery system is a bullshit ! I want my money back!!!!
January 17th, 2010 18:46
I can’t seem to restore my system to its original factory state. I use to be able to click on Thinkvantage and store, but now, it just gives me 3 options: F1 -BOS utility, F2 temporary startup, and Esc exit. How do I manually restore the system?
Thanks.