R61: Unable to create rescue and recovery disks

I've just received my new R61 ThinkPad (OS: Windows XP Professional) a few days ago, and the first thing I have been trying to do is create rescue and recovery disks.

At first I could create the first two disks (one CD and one DVD), but the "create recovery media" program would exit before doing the third disk. I could call up "create recovery media" again, and it would start the process of creating the recovery disks, so this indicates that it agrees that the process was not finished previously (as it won't allow the creation of a second set of recovery disks).

Now, at the fourth and fifth tries, I can't get beyond the first disk.

In case it turns out to be relevant, I would note that the "create recovery media" program states that "DVD-RAM is not supported". I am using DVD-R disks, so I thought, "no problem". But the ThinkPad R61 identifies the name of the enhanced DVD drive as "Matsh*ta DVD-RAM UJ-850". So is the program refusing to complete making the disks because it doesn't like the DVD drive? Or would it help if I shifted to using DVD-RW disks? Do I have to find another DVD drive in order to get the recovery disks?

Help!

 

No you should not have to replace the stock optical drive to burn restore discs. This is what you should do. Restore your factory settings via the hidden partition by hitting the blue button at start up. Once you reach your fresh factory desktop. Perform the burning process again.

Good luck.

 

If its becoming too much of a nuisance, you cant contact lenovo and they might be able to send you copies of the recovery media.

 

Although it shouldn't be an issue, I once read somewhere when I was creating my own disks that you should use a CD as your first disk, and then DVDs/CDs from that point on. I used a CD for the first disk, and everything fit without an issue.

Or, as panteedropper said, you could order a set from Lenovo for $45, I believe.

 

Arkit3kt, I had actually already done a complete restore to factory settings. However, as you suggested, I tried this again. I was able to create rescue and restore media consisting of one CD and one DVD. Still no second DVD, but the program claimed that this was the successful creation of the recovery media. Also this time - attempt #7 - along the way I noticed that I had been misreading the original "Create Rescue and Recovery Media" program screen. If I restart "Create Rescue and Recovery Media", it will only go to "Rescue Media", thus claiming that I had already created the recovery disks.

I didn't notice this before mainly because of my preconceived idea that a successful result would be three disks -- I thought "everyone" said that the recovery discs were 1 CD and 2 DVDs. Is it possible that 1 CD and 1 DVD really do comprise the complete set of recovery disks?

After all, I didn't buy Microsoft Office-type programs from Lenovo, and I don't seem to have trial versions of them in my R61 either. (No loss there <g>!). So perhaps that's why the recovery media are only two disks not three?

If so, then the create recovery media program actually worked on my first try. Oh well.

 

1 CD and 1 DVD sounds right for Windows XP.

If you're not sure, pop those discs in and run a recovery from those. If it works, then you got it.

Good luck.

 

Arkit3kt, well, I'll probably wait a bit and see if anyone else reports that there are only two disks in their recovery disk set.

But one additional question. If I tried a recovery from the two-disk set, and that wasn't the complete recovery set, would that harm the hidden partition which allows ThinkVantage to do its own restore? Or does a restore from disks leave that partition alone? (But if so, then it wouldn't be a complete restore, would it, since checking that partition is part of restoring to original factory settings, no???)

Also, Arkit3kt (and others who replied), thanks for your patience in dealing with my question. It's looking like this problem was of my own making, but it really helps to have people who one can ask questions of. So thanks again for your help.

 

I just tried to create the Rescue & Recovery disk and it only created 1 CD (and told me to labe lit Rescue & Recovery Startup disk). It never prompted me for another disk (I was expecting to put a DVD in) and the application ended.

Doesn't seem right, does it?

T61 with XP.

 

Or you can do what I did: 1) obtain a copy of the Windows Anytime Upgrade and 2) wipe the hard drive clean and reinstall using Stallen's guide (forgetting about Lenovo recovery disks all together - its a total waste in my opinion) With the extreme increase in stability and performance, there is no way I would want to return my computer to the factory state.

But this is with Vista...not sure whats available for XP

 

I know that once you perform a recovery, they restore the hidden partition and you can even make more recovery CD's after that. If it screws up your recovery partition, then you'll have to call Tech Support (not Customer Service) and explain to them your problem. They should send you a set for free.

No, that does not seem right at all. Is it allowing you to make another recovery set?

If not, is it possible for you to restore your computer using the hidden partition and then attempting to burn the recovery set again or do you have too much data right now to perform such an action?

If it's the latter, then you'll have to call Tech Support (not Customer Service), explain your problem to them, and they should mail you out a free set of recovery discs.

Good luck all.

 

To try that again hadn't occurred to me, I guess it's worth another CD to do so. I was surprised how long it took for this stage too .. seemed like forever for it to expand some files.

Uhm .. yes, I've got the machine already nicely set up, too nicely to do that

Thanks .. I'll give it another try, if it doesn't work, then I'll ring Tech Support.

 

Ok, so I am now officially confused.

I go to Programs->ThinkVantage->Create Rescue and Recover Media.

There are two sections, one says Rescue Media, the other Recovery
Discs.

#1 The first time I selected Rescue Media and clicked on CDs/DVDs -- this
resulted on only one CD being created (and my original post).

#2 I went back and this time under Recovery Disk clicked on "Create a set
of Product Recovery Disks now" .. that too resulted in only one CD.

#3 So, I tried the first one again, same result. Each single CD that was
produced by these 3 different attemps was to be labelled Rescue and
Recovery startup disc.

What am I doing wrong? This can't be that tricky ....

 

this is kind of off topic but...

i ordered the r61 thinkpad that comes with SUSE linux on it. will that have a recovery disc thing for it? also how does the recovery disc work if you didnt get the dvd burner option in the laptop?

my plan is to probably completely reformat the laptop and either install a fresh copy of vista or xp on it and dualboot it with ubuntu. (i guess i can try suse for a few days and see if i like it first)

 

Confirming for everyone that XP recovery media should give you 1 CD and 1 DVD for a total of 2 discs. If you install CDs for the 2nd portion while creating the recovery media, you'll end up with 4 or 5 CDs plus the 1st one.

DD