The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous page

    How to reenable the F11 function (Product Recovery Program)

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by arlab, Jan 28, 2008.

  1. cmk1523

    cmk1523 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Another big thank you here!

    A++ thread. Will view Again
     
    cmk1523, Nov 10, 2008
    #51
  2. LoonChild

    LoonChild Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hello. I've got the same problem after the clean installation of Vista x64 on my T61p. I made all steps described above (I've even chosen the second "Press ENTER and continue" option and installed RnR software). The F11 option has returned, but when I choose it nothing happens - computer continues to load installed Vista x64...

    Any guess?
    PS Im sorry for my english, it is not my native language.
     
    LoonChild, Jan 16, 2009
    #52
  3. arlab

    arlab Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    ...Werd. But x64 isn't the problem, as have I also performed this with Vista x64 (on a T61p).

    Have you installed Rescue and Recovery? Are you sure your service partition is still intact?

    Also, many people have reported that choosing "Option 1: Repair the current master boot record." didn't work. The process only worked when they chose the other option (REPLACE, I think). You could try this...
     
    arlab, Jan 16, 2009
    #53
  4. LoonChild

    LoonChild Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    arlab, thank you for the quick answer. There is no "Option 2: .." ... As for the Service partition - I believe it is still intact. I also forget to mention that I've installed Win XP x64 prior to installation of Vista x64. Maybe this XP made the problem? Also, It appeared that something wrong with my Rescue and Recovery software - it is installed but it does not want to start from Vista Start menue. I tried to re-install it - didnt help. I'll try to make the clean install of Vista x64 and Rescue and Recovery again. Maybe that would help...
     
    LoonChild, Jan 17, 2009
    #54
  5. arlab

    arlab Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    There is a recovery diskette (or CD, in this case) for Vista and one for XP/2000. Maybe you're using the wrong version... You don't loose anything in trying to repair the MBR with the diskette you still haven't tried.

    BTW, there msut be a REPLACE option somewhere... Don't know if it only appears with one of the CDs.
     
    arlab, Jan 17, 2009
    #55
  6. thinkpaddy

    thinkpaddy Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi everybody
    I've tried this guide but it still doesn't work
    I have:
    - Install Rescue & Recovery on my fresh Vista Ultimate (x64)
    - Boot with MBR repair disk & tr
    I have a question: is the order of above steps important?
     
    thinkpaddy, Jan 25, 2009
    #56
  7. arlab

    arlab Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes, the order is probably important.

    One thing, I'm not sure if this Recovery process works for the newer Thinkpads. But, since Lenovo hasn't updated their page with additional info, it probably does.
    What's the problem? Can you enter the R&R Pre-boot environment? Or you can't even get there?
     
    arlab, Jan 25, 2009
    #57
  8. thinkpaddy

    thinkpaddy Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks for ur quick ans!
    - Firstly, I installed RnR 4.21 & next, boot with repair disk. But when I reboot, I still cannot access RnR (press Blue Button & and then F11 or wait for redirecting)
    - Then, I reinstalled RnR (I heard that RnR can rewrite MBR itself). And when I reboot & press Blue Button, I can access RnR enviroment! I chose full restore & made sure factory state is checked then clicked Restore...But RnR gave a Msgbox that: "The Product Recovery on this machine is removed"!
    So I don't know what I should do now
    Can you help solve this problem, pls
    Thanks in advance
     
    thinkpaddy, Jan 25, 2009
    #58
  9. thinkpaddy

    thinkpaddy Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    My laptop's status:
    - 3 partitions: SERVICEV003 & LENOVO partitions are remain, my Vista Ultimate x64's partition
    Thks!
     
    thinkpaddy, Jan 25, 2009
    #59
  10. arlab

    arlab Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    If you can access the RnR pre-boot environment, this guide can't help you anymore. :(

    I have never heard of that error before... I don't know what is the name of the Lenovo service partition, but you are sure you didn't delete it, right?

    You seem no to be the only one with that problem, though. Check this thread.
    Also, check these Google results.
     
    arlab, Jan 25, 2009
    #60
  11. thinkpaddy

    thinkpaddy Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thks!
    I'm sure that both Lenovo service (named SERVICEV003) & recovery partition (named LENOVO) are remaining and I've not touched them yet.
    Now, I can access the RnR pre-boot environment, but it says "The Product Recovery Function has been removed from this system"
    So do you think that I can try this solution:
    - Start my x64 Vista Ultimate and Create Recovery Media
    - Reboot and access to RnR pre-boot environment and take a recovery from that recovery media disk
    (I don't know whether the recovery media disk create from x64 Vista Ultimate can work well?)
    Please give me some advices.
     
    thinkpaddy, Jan 25, 2009
    #61
  12. arlab

    arlab Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    That could work. Give it a shot.
    But, before, try this (maybe you've already read it): How to re-enable the "Factory Restore" option in the "Rescue and Recovery" Pre-Boot environment!!
     
    arlab, Jan 25, 2009
    #62
  13. jbova

    jbova Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Symptoms:
    • Gateway Recovery exists on D: partition, usually accessed by hitting F11 during boot.
    • F11 option is gone.
    • No Recovery Disks.

    Fix:

    Use Knoppix Live DVD to make D: partition bootable
    • Insert Knoppix DVD and boot.
    • Start konsole ( Terminal Session ) by clicking on icon in taskbar.
    • Switch to root by typing "su" and hitting enter.
    • Start gparted utility by typing "gparted" and hitting enter.
    • Select desired device in top right ( sda1 for me )
    • It will list all partitions on the drive.
    • Choose the recovery partition, right click and choose "Change Flags".
    • Check the "boot" flag.
    • Close the utility.
    • Reboot and remove DVD.

    Run utility on Recovery partition
    • The system should now boot up to the recovery partition.
    • Run whichever is on your system as you see fit. I did a fresh install.
    • Shut down.

    Use Knoppix Live DVD to make C: partition bootable
    • Insert Knoppix DVD and boot.
    • Follow the instructions from section 1, except now you will be making the C: partition bootable from within the gparted utility.
    • Log out and restart. ( Be sure to remove the DVD )

    Finish Windows setup
    • The system will now boot into MS Windows.
     
    jbova, Dec 31, 2009
    #63
  14. thinkpadt43

    thinkpadt43 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi arlab,

    I'm new to this forum and I'm not a member of rapidshare. So I'm not able to download the image you placed there. It constantly says that "Unfortunately right now our servers are overloaded and we have no more download slots left for non-members. Of course you can also try again later.".

    "Recovery repair CD for Windows 2000 and XP (rnr31_rrd.exe):
    http://rapidshare.com/files/89450678..._rrd_fixed.iso"

    Is it possible for you to upload the file to other free website?

    Thank you very much!
     
    thinkpadt43, Jan 23, 2010
    #64
  15. arlab

    arlab Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    arlab, Feb 6, 2010
    #65
  16. proppadoc

    proppadoc Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Will I delete my files if I install the software to my desktop? I received this pc without recovery discs and there were no f11 functions at all and I want to add that for future purposes. How do I save my pc files?
     
    proppadoc, Mar 7, 2010
    #66
  17. MiphG

    MiphG Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi, I strictly followed below instruction, and finally got the DOS prompt A:\>
    unfortunately, when reboot, I have this message "BOOTMGR is missing"

    please tell me what is wrong with my case? I am a newbie in computer,so, please help. thank you

    MiphG


     
    MiphG, Mar 28, 2010
    #67
  18. arlab

    arlab Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Your files won't be deleted.
     
    arlab, Mar 30, 2010
    #68
  19. arlab

    arlab Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Are you using on of the new laptops (400, 500, etc.)? I'm not sure if this procedure still works for the newer models.
     
    arlab, Mar 30, 2010
    #69
← Previous page