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.

    Quickest Way For Clean Reinstall On X220?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by epu, Aug 21, 2012.

  1. epu

    epu Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I hate the way Lenovo Recovery works in this generation of laptops. I can't do entire factory reinstall from CD/DVD like I used to. Likewise, there is no Windows COA sticker on the bottom of my laptop with a legitimate key like they're used to.

    That said, I do happen to have a legitimate retail Windows 7 32/64 box. Would I have to start from scratch and then just go to the Lenovo site to download/reinstall the drivers? (this will take ALL day).

    Lesson learned, I should have used Acronis True Image to clone my drive before installing anything (some skype software is causing a conflict and the software causing the conflict refuses to uninstall).

    There is no quicker way right? I did use the Win utility to create a recovery disc as no discs came with my unit (which was brand new by the way), but even this homemade disc will only allow me to restore from a backup (which I don't have).

    Please advise.

    EDIT: I realized that the COA sticker is now placed under the battery rather than on the bottom of the unit.

    Can I use my Windows Professional 64 Disc and use my COA Key to activate Windows?
     
    epu, Aug 21, 2012
    #1
  2. PatchySan

    PatchySan Om Noms Kit Kat

    Reputations:
    3,971
    Messages:
    2,248
    Likes Received:
    221
    Trophy Points:
    81
    You can use your Windows 7 retail disc and put the OEM product key in place. Windows may require you to call Microsoft to fully activate the machine but it should take a few minutes to complete. But if you can still access the original OS even though it's not in perfect form then go to your Local C Drive, SWTOOLS folder and copy the DRIVERS folder to a USB key. This will cover all the drivers so you don't need to download them all. You could also use the ABR Backup and Restore application to copy the Windows Activation so you don't need to worry about the the product key and reactivating manually again.

    More info can be found on my guide if you need assistance.
     
    PatchySan, Aug 21, 2012
    #2
  3. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    744
    Messages:
    3,546
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    116
    If you ordered your X220 with Windows 7 Professional (instead of Home Premium), then yes.

    As Hearst indicated above, a convenient way to access all relevant device drivers (and selective Lenovo applications) is to use a copy of the SWTOOLS folder on the C: drive as originally shipped. However, has it been "a while" now since your purchased the X220? You may want to go to Lenovo support site and download the latest drivers.
     
    Kaso, Aug 21, 2012
    #3