Problem with preload Win and CD Recovery.

Hi...
I am from Poland and have some problem with T40.
I hope you will be able to help me. I have notebook IBM T40 model: 2373-22G.
Usualy I use linux system on my notebook. But now I wanted to install preload Windows XP. But during the instalation were some problems. So ... I downloaded new bios and I upgraded it. After this blue AccessIBM is not working, and F11 is not working too. I can not start preload instalation.
I called to IBM tech support in Poland, but they told me that they WILL NOT send any CD Recovery for my notebook. They said that they doesn't have any.
What can I do now to start preload Installation and have WinXP?
Sorry for my english

 

Well where are all the CD's that came with your computer? One of them should be your Recovery or WinXP CD.

 

I didn't get any CD with Win XP Pro. I have only stick, at the bottom of my notebook, with Produck Key. A got only some books, and two other track points, AC charger and some other things. But no CD Recovery.

 

Yeah, IBM doesn't ship recovery CDs with their laptops; you're supposed to burn your own. It's a pretty simple process (if time consuming - it takes 6 CDs!), but I believe it only works if you're working off of the factory install. You're probably out of luck if you don't have the recovery disks or the restore partition.

I have a feeling that your best option, papaj, would be to get a Windows XP Professional disk - any disk should do; download one or get one from a friend - and do a standard Windows install using the Windows key on the bottom of your laptop. Then just download the ThinkPad software installer from Lenovo's website and that will install all of IBM's software.

It's strange that IBM won't send you a set of recovery disks, though, given the situation. Perhaps you should try again a few more times.

 

IBM doesn't include the OS or recovery CDs, of course. In the US, back when it was IBM (not Lenovo) you could generally call tech suppt and tell them you trashed your hard drive and they'd send some recovery CDs for free. Don't know if they still do that, but give it a try. That would put the disk back to where it was when it shipped.

 

I checked and I have hidden partition on HDD
I installed XP, at my brother computer, but my Win Key doesn't match. I called to MS support ant they told me that 1) I should try to install OEM XP 2) maybe my key is only for XP preload (IBM).
But I installed it (I used my brother key) and I downloaded all software by Lenovo Software installer. I used (uder XP) Rescue and Recovery and I tryed to install XP tro hidden partition. It started OK... by at the end I got Window with note that System CAN NOT save (write) with delayed activity (I don't know how translate it exacly). And the system crashed :/
Who has any idea how to fix it?

 

your HD may be defective - i would send it to service center for checking - of course only as long as your waranty is still ok.

 

I just got an e-mail from IBM US. This the part of this email:
"To obtain recovery cd's you need to call the Help Centre. We only provide recovery cds if the recovery partition is faulty and you are not able to create the cd's yourself. On our latest Thinkpads, you can burn once the recovery cds yourself using the blue Access IBM button in Windows.

If in warranty, the recovery cd's will be provided once for free. If you are out of warranty and the cd's are available, IBM charges £ 39,99 / € 59,91 Inc. Please note that IBM only supports Windows 2000 and Windows XP recovery cds."
It is terrible. In Poland IBM Support Center don't want to send any CD. They don't want to help in any way
I checked on web side and I have warranty to 2006-09. I hope I will fix this T40 without spend any money