Official Lenovo Thinkpad Clean Install Guide

Thanks for the How To.

I created my disc, and I removed the crapware manually ... but am thinking about doing a clean install.

Just a noob question.: I want to use Option A (as it seems simple - are the crapware included in this install ? What will be included in this install ?

(ie diskeepr, office ...?)

Sebastien

PS: edit: I got it Thanks for teh neat how to. Unfortunately, with Option A, not all of the stuff can be removed ....
(i did not see office per example)

 

Thanks for the how to. Just brought a T61 and wanted to put XP on it.

 

If you want a really clean XP install with the latest drivers (system update doesn't always provide the latest), use the guide in my signature.

 

I have a Lenovo Thinkpad T61 which came pre-installed with Windows Vista.

I made full recovery CDs and completely wiped the HDD clean to install Mandriva Powerpack 2008 as always. I have been successfully running Windows XP inside VMWare Workstation virtual machine for several years and would now like to also run my licensed copy of Vista.

Is there anyway I can extract only Windows Vista from the recovery CDs to install into a VMWare virtual machine?

 

No, recovery discs are encrypted. It will be easier if you can obtain that Vista install media. Take a look at the clean install guide listed in my sig for ways to obtain it.

 

does the thinkvantage system update automatically install all drivers needed for your system whether it has upgraded or stock factory parts? the file size is 16 mb so what am i missing? do i need an internet connection?

 

System Update will scan your computer for outdated drivers or versions of programs and provide you with updates. You need an internet connection.

 

so the only driver ill need right after a clean install is the wireless lan driver correct?

 

Oh I see what you're doing now. You're going to use System Update rather than manually install the drivers after a clean install.

You can install the WLAN or LAN if you want, either way will work.

 

isn't that what the system update is for?

 

Only if you want to use it as that. Some people may install the first drivers manually and have Systsem Update update their system similar to what Windows Update would do. I personally don't even use System Update. I prefer to manually install my drivers.

 

i got a question to the following fact:

"Download and run this keyfinder and write down your OEM license key. Don't be lazy and use the one on the license sticker under your laptop - it's not the right one."

1:
So what is the key under my laptop for?

2:
Is it legal, to sell the Recovery CD? I won't need it anymore, because i will use another version of windows.

 

1: It's for reinstalling Windows. However, this key is not activated, so you will need to activate Vista if you install with this key. The better way to go about this is to see my Clean Install Guide (see my sig) and use the ABR tool. ABR will backup and restore your key, so there is no reason to use the keyfinder.

2: Absolutely Not. Your laptop came with an OEM version of windows. That means that it is not transferable to any other computer or any other person. That license must stay with that computer, period. Even if you install Linux or something and don't use Windows at all.

 

Thanks for the answer ... So does that mean that normally EVERY PC/Laptop is coming with 2 Keys? One which is already activated and the other Key on the Sticker?!?!

 

Sort of, but it doesn't matter. You only have one license, and you CANNOT use the "other" key on any other computer, period. Not only is it not legal, it will not work. The keys are locked to the OEM you bought the computer from.

 

So, if i have an own Vista-Key, there is no need to do the Rescue and Recovery Thing because i can get the Lenovo SW from their Homepage right?

Just in Case:
Should i create the CD for the case that, if i sell the computer, the new owner would still have a cd. or is it possible to us ANY Vista-CD with my OEM-Key?

 

what exactly is IN a recovery CD? what does it recover if you already have all software backed up and you reinstall from the hidden partition

 

Yes, you should create the recovery discs to supply to the buyer if you decide to sell your computer.

The recovery disc is basically the CD version of the hidden partition. As long as you have either one of those, you can delete the counterpart if you want. For example, if you created recovery discs, you can delete the hidden partition and vice versa.

 

A last question before i'm doing the clean install:

I just used the keyfinder to find my key. Do i need to download the Lenovo OEM License file (coz the link is not working anymore) or is it enough if i use the key with a Anytime Upgrade DVD?

 

You'll want to take a look at the clean install guide in my sig. It should answer most of your questions and also provide you with a tool that handles the activation and key for you (ABR).

You'll also want to see stallen's clean install guide for Lenovo laptops here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

 

I read all the installation guides...but it doesn't really help me with my (small) issue.

I just want to know if i can use the key (i read it with keyfinder) with any Vista CD.

Or let me put it another way.

I want to sell my laptop.
Would it be possible for the Buyer to install Vista with the key on the back of the laptop (the HDD of the Laptop is totally empty)?
Would it be possible for the Buyer to install Vista with the key which i find with the keyfinder (the HDD of the Laptop is totally empty)?

 

Hi all,

my first post on these boards. I'm trying to do Option A. So I burn the 3 recover discs (I have a T61, so I use 1 cd and 2 dvds in that order?). I use the BSA, create the manifest, hit deploy, and reboot as the instructions say. Now, when do I actually start the custom reinstall? Do I wait till the computer totally reboots, or do I hit the thinkvantage button right when the computer starts up (you have that 3 second window to do it), and run the recovery process from there?

Also, I moved some movies and music already onto my computer. By doing option A, will my new custom install not have these files? It's no big deal, I have them all on an external, just wondering. Thanks in advance.

 

1) Yes
2) No, because it will not activate

If you have the recovery discs or the recovery partition still intact, you should recover the system to the factory default before selling it, and also include those discs to the buyer.

Please do not use this guide as it is out of date and has not been updated in a while. Stallen's guide is up to date and easier to follow. Find it here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

 

Well I don't want to do a completely clean install. I don't think I can do it correctly, and don't want to deal w/ install drivers. I figure using BSA is a good alternative. Yes, I could just go to add/remove programs to get rid of the stuff I want, but I don't feel it's as clean as never installing it in the first place, hence using BSA. Orev, I assume you did a complete clean install, so you wouldn't know whether using the BSA will get rid of any music/movie files I already have on my HD?

 

By performing any kind of factory install, in this case a custom install, it will get rid of all your personal data including music and movie files.

 

thank you arkit3kt. Will I have to run any kind of updates after the custom reinstall? I assume at least some windows updates for vista..like SP1? what about drivers?

 

All the working drivers should be there, perhaps not updated drivers, but you can use ThinkVantage System Update for that or IMO the better way is to manually go to the Lenovo website and update your drivers yourself.

As for updates to the operating system, yes, you will have to go to Windows Update and download SP1 as well as the other Vista updates.

 

I have a question. I formatted and installed a clean OS using Option C. Then, I use thinkvantage system update to install the drivers. Everything works fine except the wireless does not blink at all even though I can connect to the internet. Any driver that I need to install to make the wireless blink during activities?
I have Lenovo R61i 7732-CTR. Thanks

 

I have a Thinkpad T400 came with Vista Business 64. I received the new 320GB hard drive that I will upgrade the T400. I made the 3 recovery disks from the T400 already. I would like to do a clean install of Vista 64. I been reading these guides for the past 1 month and still confused on this; do I use the recovery disks to make a clean install?

If not, then I assume I need to get hold of the Vista 64 disks and then use the key for Vista on the sticker not the key I can get from using the Key Finder that came with the original install.

If this true, does anyone know where I can get a Vista Business 64 DVD (download or pay for shipping). Do I call Lenovo or Microsoft? Do I download a copy of bittorrent.

 

You do NOT use the recovery discs to do the install, you need to get a DVD that's just for installing Vista.

This thread is really, REALLY old, and you should not use the instructions here. There is a guide in my signature, and also a Lenovo specific one here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

 

Thanks OREV, though how can I get a copy of Vista disc with out shelling our the full price on it. Since I have the product keys how do I get a disc of it. My thinkpad didn't come with actual Vista discs, just with XP recovery discs.

Anyone. Should I start calling Lenovo or Microsoft?

 

Please read through the other posts I suggested.

 

trying to search but I can not get the info I need. Anybody know how to make recovery disc from xp pro (xp pro preload). Trying to do it all morning but no luck

thanks for the help

 

Recover disc software is not built-in to windows. Your laptop might come with software to do it, or you would need to get it yourself. If you get it yourself, you're really looking for something like Acronis Trueimage that makes a complete image backup of your system.

For additional help with this, I suggest you post a new thread to the forum instead of replying here.

 

Hi, I received my T61 today and decided to do a fresh install of _Windows Business, my question is, what of the thinkvantage software should I install again?

 

User preference.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-61432

 

I wonder.. the procedure in this guide tells you to use the thinkvantage system update tool to install the drivers after having installed your OS.

But it needs an internet connection right? You don't have one, you even have chipset drivers to start with...

So you still have to do it manual untill you have your internet connection right?

Edit: test

 

I can't speak for Lenovo specifically, but in general the wired network connection still works without installing drivers, and these days maybe the wireless will work too. Your best bet is to download over the wire though.

 

Right. It's just a matter of creating an internet connection as soon as possible and than you're good to go.

Of course I'm going to use your key backup tool. It's good to be able to thank you for it this personal.

 

I don't have a cd/dvd burner on my laptop. Is it possible to copy the partition to another computer and burn from there?

 

I got some problems with my notebook.
My hard drive was damaged,so i replace it with a new hard drive.
So,in my new h/drive don't have a boot manager and back-up file system for my notebook...
i also try to install the fresh copy of windows,but also failed to install that OS.
still got message the boot manager is missing.

so,how can i recover my note book
My notebook model is Ideapad Y450.

Everybody that know how to solve this problem, please help me...

Thanks...

 

So I burned the recovery disks but they don't seem to allow me to do a clean install of strictly windows 7 without the bloatware? Do I have to press F12 at startup with the boot disk inserted in order to be able to do a clean install of windows 7?

I'm trying to wipe the HD and do a clean install of just win7 but it seems like using the boot disk I burned the only option I have is restoring to the factiory settings with all the bloatware...

Any advice would be appreciated.... Thanks in advance

 

You cannot install clean using the Recovery Discs, that is not what they are for. Also, please do not follow this guide, as it is very out of date. My sig contains a guide for Vista that still applies to Win7. Stallen has a similar guide that is more geared towards Lenovo systems: http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/144783-clean-install-guide-works-32-bit-64-bit.html

 

Thanks for the reply. I have another question though, I bought my T410 with a 64bit Win7 Home premium. I used the program on the first page of this sticky to extract the serial, would it be possible to do a clean install with a retail win7 home premium 64bit using the serial I extracted with the program?

 

No, you cannot activate Windows with that serial. The best thing to do is to reinstall with the Recovery Discs you made, then use my ABR program which backs up the key and activation. The key alone is useless and will not work without the activation.

Once you have the ABR backup, follow the instructions on my ABR page or my Clean install guide, and after you perform the clean install you can restore both the key and the activation.

 

Good stuff, thanks!