Recent Thinkpad Convert . . . . recovery disk questions

Just received a Thinkpad R61. The build quality is amazing : )

I have some questions about recovery disks. I have read searched google for awhile and read many posts, but want to make sure I am correct before I make changes and play with stuff.

I ordered my computer with vista home basic. This is because I have a copy of vista ultimate I go through my school for $20.

I know how to make the recovery disks (not that it's hard . . . just click make recovery disk!).
1) Once they are made, can I reformat the whole hard drive to its original state?
2) I assume the recovery disks include the product key?
3) Could I wipe the hard drive clean, including the recovery partition, and install linux, and then return the system to its original state with windows vista home basic by using the recovery disk?
4) Is there any I need to do to make proper recovery disks other than follow these simple instructions ( http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-68317.html )?

Thanks

 

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
4. Nope. That's all you need to do.

 

check the clean install thread, it will answer most of your questions. if you have an external its easier to use a third party tool and make an image before you tinker. the key is indeed in the recovery disks and will be setup as part of the image. if you are using ultimate then i would make the recovery disks and get rid of the rest. you will have no need for basic and should just do a clean install anyway. i dont recommend just upgrading.

 

Thanks. Love the forum, thanks for the quick reply. Just didn't want to mess up since I only got one crack at it.

 

to techboydino:

I don't have ultimate yet but I own an ultimate disc now . . . so no real need to make a recovery set since I own an ultimate disc.

I am interested in making the home basic discs in the event that I want to sell the computer . . . . my MS license at one point be invalid and isn't technically to sell with the computer (unless the person is affiliated with the school)

I do have an external. What program would you recommend to make an image back up?

 

make the discs for that reason. the key on the bottom is not the key used on the initial image, so if someone bought it and needed to reinstall, they would at least have an unused key. the mfg uses an oem volume license. i like driveimagexml but also use acronis at work. its cheap and really easy. try acronis home.

 

> What program would you recommend to make an image back up?

My vote goes to Acronis TrueImage. I picked mine up retail for $39.99. You'll find others using Norton Ghost or others some freeware options.

I've had no problems with TI, but if you want to use some more advanced features like automatic scheduling, I've heard some grumbles on other boards.

 

ok, thanks for your help . . . . i'll try driveimagexml

 

its also easy to use. and its free.

 

If you have a Seagate drive you can get a free download of DiscWizard from Seagate's website. It's essentially Acronis True Image. I use it myself.

 

Follow up question.

Will the recovery CD also restore the "recovery partition" that came with the thinkpad computer?

 

Yes, it will restore the recovery partition.

 

where do i go to create the recovery discs?

 

Use ThinkVantage's Rescue & Recovery software.

 

I just did a practice restore to a new disk using Acronis 9.1 image recovery s/w. It did all the partitions including the thinkpad one successfully.

 

You can also check out this web page. They have detailed information on Ghost as well.

 

what is the difference of using lenovo rescue and recovery / driveimagexml ? I'll guess, you just say yes if I am right. rescue and recovery only creates a new boot disc for vista, driveimagexml makes an image of your current state and all the programs on it?

can driveimagexml create a vista boot disc as well (install vista on a blank HD using driveimagexml's image discs), or no it only restores your image once you have installed a clean copy of vista?