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Ordering Recovery CDs

2008-09-23T05:15:58Z

Zaphy: /* Country overview */

Information on getting Recovery CDs from IBM.

The information on this page is unofficial. It is gathered from personal experiences. It is here to raise your chances of success when you give it a try yourself.

==About Recovery CDs==
Recovery CDs enable you to reproduce the original software state on your ThinkPad. Until the beginning of 2001 IBM delivered recovery CDs with the ThinkPads, but starting with the A30/T23/X22 models ThinkPads have a [[Predesktop Area]], which's purpose is to make Recovery CDs obsolete. However, this is flawed logic, since you will lose both the installed OS AND the [[Predesktop Area]] upon failure of the hard drive. Also, if you buy a drive upgrade the [[Predesktop Area]] will not be on the new drive. Furthermore, spyware and viruses are lately being designed to infiltrate recovery partitions, so if you restore the system from such, you will restore the invading malware along with it. For the time being, Recovery CDs are available on request.

Recovery CDs are localized, meaning that there are specific versions for each language. The language you will get depends on the language of the OS that was shipped with your ThinkPad. There's usually no way to get CDs in a different language from IBM.

==How to get them==

===Creating Recovery CDs from the preinstalled O/S===
In some ThinkPads IBM supplies a utility to create the recovery CDs. You'll find a utility called "Create Recovery Discs" in the "ACCESS IBM" folder of the Start Menu. To create the Recovery discs, you'll need a CD/DVD writer and blank media. The Product Recovery discs set consist of one Rescue and Recovery disc (size of 1 CD-R) and one or more Product recovery discs (size of 1 DVD-R).

Others might want to read the appendix "Creating an image of the hard drive" in this [ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/access_ibm_en/hpa_aibm.pdf document] from IBM for instructions. It is also usefull when replacing the hard disk. If your Thinkpad does not have a floppy drive, you could try to create a FAT partition on the harddisk and copy the files "fwbackup.exe" and "fwrestor.exe" there.

===From IBM===
Should you fail to create a set of recovery discs before your harddrive fails, you may try to contact IBM service and request for a set.
This can be done by eMail or phone.
[http://www.ibm.com/planetwide/ Support phone numbers]
Site has moved with the Change to Lenovo to [http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-4M7HWZ]. Select there Purchase Recovery CD's. Then Select ThinkPad or Lenovo Notebook. You get the phone number list.

are available online.
They are officially called ''Recovery CD service parts.''
If you actually get them, or not, seems to be more a personal decision of the service person dealing with you than following fixed rules. Also it seems to depend on your country (see below).

They will usually expect you to tell them a good reason for your request (see below).
As with every service request, you'll also have to provide your model and serial number to verify the warranty state.
The warranty for your ThinkPad is usually quite long though (3 years in my case), and you can
[http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/ check online] if your warranty is still in force.
The model number is also used to determine which CDs you will get.

Orders placed during the first month after purchase have proven to be the most successful. Note some people needed to pay a $45.00 fee, plus shipping and tax, for the CDs, regardless of when ordering them. Again, this seems to depend on the mood of the service rep that handles your case.

Note that Recovery CDs are only available for Windows XP Professional for the X24, as per the Customer Service Center in Atlanta, GA. All other operating systems (Windows 2000, 98SE, OS/2, etc...) are no longer available. XP Home was apparently never available for the X24.

====Good reasons to tell====
*You replaced (or will be replacing) your hard drive.
*You upgraded to Vista and now the 'Create Recovery Media' software only offers to make 'Rescue Media', not 'Recovery Discs'. The [http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=VSTA-LENOVO#hp official guide] does not make it clear to create Recovery Discs before upgrading/installing.
*You installed Linux or some other OS and accidentally removed/destroyed the [[Predesktop Area]]. However, support may argue that installing an OS that corrupted the MBR is outside of the warranty, and thus the $45 surcharge still applies. Chances of receiving free recovery discs may be better by providing reasons other than this one.
*You bought a machine in one country (e.g Germany) and need to convert the OS to use a different language (e.g. English).** this is a very bad reason to use, IBM will (or should) tell you that the machine is only supported with the language it is delivered, this is a license requirement between Microsoft / IBM.
*Your computer was unable to run Windows XP and is temporarily running on Windows 2000 (or other O/S)
**in Europe IBM have to provide recovery means due to EU consumer laws but willfull damage are not covered by warranty as per IBMs Terms and Condition of warranty now whether installing linux and thus deleting / formatting the hard drive is "willfull damage" is open to the service reps interpretation so there is possibility of slightly variation here therefore the best way to recieve recovery CDs is to claim no knowledge of the recovery process "pressing the (access IBM / Lenovo care) button but nothing happens it will not start windows can you send me some CDs so i can reinstall?" this will near always work.

====What happens then====
The time of delivery varies. In some cases its very fast (times from 16h to 3 days have been reported), on the other hand it has been reported that the time of delivery is very high, three weeks for example. The shipping can happen without prior confirmation of your request, so don't be worried if you hear nothing within this time.

A IBM/Lenovo customer requested a Z60M recovery disc set at 1:00pm Thursday afternoon with Atlanta,Ga Tech Center and shipped from Morrisville,NC with Airborne Express and hand delived to Valparaiso,IN address Monday morning 9:00am,that's was fast! and it was on a weekend. Also the IBM/Lenovo Rep give a software order number and a telephone number to call,if the package doesn't arrived in three business days.The package has 1 R&R Startup CD,1 R&R Supplemental CD and 6 Recovery CD. and IBM/Lenovo is picking up the cost.

A Dutch IBM customer reported next-day delivery of recovery CDs, on three different occasions. A customer in Belgium had to wait 8 days, so sometimes delivery is not that fast.

Apparently recovery CDs to the UK are now shipped from Hungary, with an estimated delivery of 8-9 days. Experience shows they tend to come a little sooner. It seems likely that this is now the source for all of Europe.

====Country overview====
Please put an entry for your country into this table if it's missing and you made a try to get the Recovery CDs.
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
! style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#cfefcf;" | CDs received in
! style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffcfbc;" | CDs were denied in
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#e9f9e9;" |
*Argentina
*Austria
*Australia (depends on the service rep & reason)
*Brazil
*Belgium
*Canada (March 20, 2007, $49CDN + tax, T30 & T42)
*Denmark
*Estonia
*Finland
*France
*Germany (cost: 39,90 Euro (+VAT) if device is out of warranty), otherwise is free
*Italy
*The Netherlands
*New Zealand
*Norway
*Poland (60 PLN +VAT (on warranty) via IBM Poland business partner)
*Philippines (ordering requires Model & Serial #, nominal fee $25-40 depending on model), alternatively, they will re-image the hard drive for $22.
*Spain
*Sweden
*Switzerland
*UK
*USA ($45 if out of warranty [in one case, at least])$45 in warranty as well [I'll question this line,"$45 in warranty as well"]IBM/Lenovo pickup the cost for My software while in warranty.
*Turkey
*Malaysia, will cost you RM226 for a set of 6 to 7 recovery CDs + delivery. Alternatively, you can drop by at IBM Plaza (check IBM Malaysia page for contact) and borrow the recovery CD from them. However, the recovery process must be done at there and then by yourself, and the CD cannot be brought out from the office. This alternative method is free of charge.
| style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#fff0e0;" |
*Israel, but received after calling IBM Europe
*Australia, payment was requested ($82.50)
*India, just a plain "not possible"
*Russia, service reps claim that these CDs are not for end-users
*UK, denied using first reason (must be an IBM HDD), received using second reason.
*Hungary, service reps claim that these CDs are not for end-users
*USA, after revealing the problem's cause to be an installation of Linux
*Greece, service reps claim that these CDs are not for end-users.
|}

[[Category:Windows]] [[Category:A30]] [[Category:A30p]] [[Category:A31]] [[Category:A31p]] [[Category:G40]] [[Category:G41]] [[Category:R30]] [[Category:R31]] [[Category:R32]][[Category:R40]] [[Category:R40e]] [[Category:R50]] [[Category:R50e]] [[Category:R50p]] [[Category:R51]] [[Category:R52]] [[Category:T23]] [[Category:T30]] [[Category:T40]] [[Category:T40p]] [[Category:T41]] [[Category:T41p]] [[Category:T42]] [[Category:T42p]] [[Category:T43]] [[Category:T43p]] [[Category:X22]] [[Category:X23]] [[Category:X24]] [[Category:X30]] [[Category:X31]] [[Category:X32]] [[Category:X40]] [[Category:X41]]

Recovering without Recovery CDs

2008-09-23T05:13:52Z

Zaphy: /* Installing Drivers */

Information about recovering the preloaded OS without any Recovery CD.

==Coverage of this approach==
You can't download preinstalled commercial applications from the IBM website (only updates are provided). Commercial software known to be preinstalled is CD/DVD burning and DVD playback software and Norton AntiVirus. On the other hand, this approach doesn't restore the original setup, but gives you a system with the lates drivers and tools from IBM, that might work even better than the originally installed one.

==preinstalled Windows versions and their keys==
===Windows 98===
{{Todo|Windows 98 specific stuff}}

===Windows ME===
{{Todo|Windows ME specific stuff}}

===Windows 2000===
{{Todo|Windows 2000 specific stuff}}

===Windows XP===
Preinstalled Windows XP versions usually have an OEM key that does not work with a boxed Windows XP. You will have to use the key that comes with the box instead.
Note: The Windows XP install-cd doesn't include drivers for the AHCI-mode of the S-ATA drive. Therefore, on the models using this by default, you should set the SATA Controller Mode Option (in the BIOS setup) to "Compatibility" before installing windows, OR before beginning the install, download the "Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver" from Lenovo's support-site, copy these to a diskette to install by pressing F6 during the driver-loading of the windows install process (see the readme for more info).

==Downloading Drivers==
Get drivers by entering your model into the appropriate fields on IBMs [http://www.ibm.com/products/finder/us/en/finders?pg=ddfinder Downloads and drivers] page.
Another good place for drivers and software is: [http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/TPAD-MATRIX.html thinkpad software matrix].

==Installing Drivers==
The easiest way to install drivers after the system installation is through Thinkvantage System Update. It is available from the Lenovo support pages. To use it, you will need to connect your ThinkPad to the internet.

You'll need a modem or network adaptor driver installed before you can download Thinkvantage System Update. Download the appropriate driver using another machine and transfer via removable disk.

Once you installed Thinkvantage System Update, run it and follow the process. It might happen that the utility doesn't install all drivers available for your ThinkPad model. To make sure you have everything check IBMs [http://www.ibm.com/products/finder/us/en/finders?pg=ddfinder Downloads and drivers] page for your model.

==External Sources==
*[http://www.ibm.com/products/finder/us/en/finders?pg=ddfinder IBM Downloads and drivers]
*[http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/DRVR-MATRIX.html IBM Windows Driver Matrix]
*[http://www-07.ibm.com/lenovoinfo/au/innovation/sys_update.html Thinkvantage System Update 3.14]

[[Category:Windows]]

Recovering without Recovery CDs

2008-09-23T05:11:19Z

Zaphy: updated info re: Thinkvantage System Update

Information about recovering the preloaded OS without any Recovery CD.

==Coverage of this approach==
You can't download preinstalled commercial applications from the IBM website (only updates are provided). Commercial software known to be preinstalled is CD/DVD burning and DVD playback software and Norton AntiVirus. On the other hand, this approach doesn't restore the original setup, but gives you a system with the lates drivers and tools from IBM, that might work even better than the originally installed one.

==preinstalled Windows versions and their keys==
===Windows 98===
{{Todo|Windows 98 specific stuff}}

===Windows ME===
{{Todo|Windows ME specific stuff}}

===Windows 2000===
{{Todo|Windows 2000 specific stuff}}

===Windows XP===
Preinstalled Windows XP versions usually have an OEM key that does not work with a boxed Windows XP. You will have to use the key that comes with the box instead.
Note: The Windows XP install-cd doesn't include drivers for the AHCI-mode of the S-ATA drive. Therefore, on the models using this by default, you should set the SATA Controller Mode Option (in the BIOS setup) to "Compatibility" before installing windows, OR before beginning the install, download the "Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver" from Lenovo's support-site, copy these to a diskette to install by pressing F6 during the driver-loading of the windows install process (see the readme for more info).

==Downloading Drivers==
Get drivers by entering your model into the appropriate fields on IBMs [http://www.ibm.com/products/finder/us/en/finders?pg=ddfinder Downloads and drivers] page.
Another good place for drivers and software is: [http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/TPAD-MATRIX.html thinkpad software matrix].

==Installing Drivers==
The easiest way to install drivers after the system installation is through Thinkvantage System Update. It is available from the Lenovo support pages. To use it, you will need to connect your freshly setup ThinkPad to the internet.

So you should care about having any means of a network driver at hand for the Windows system you are installing on the ThinkPad. So, connect a second machine to the net and download the Software Installer and a network driver for your particular network card. Network drivers are available from the Lenovo support pages as well.

Once you installed Thinkvantage System Update, run it and follow the process. It might happen that the utility doesn't install all drivers available for your ThinkPad model. To make sure you have everything check IBMs [http://www.ibm.com/products/finder/us/en/finders?pg=ddfinder Downloads and drivers] page for your model.

==External Sources==
*[http://www.ibm.com/products/finder/us/en/finders?pg=ddfinder IBM Downloads and drivers]
*[http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/DRVR-MATRIX.html IBM Windows Driver Matrix]
*[http://www-07.ibm.com/lenovoinfo/au/innovation/sys_update.html Thinkvantage System Update 3.14]

[[Category:Windows]]