Reformatting T60..any OEM CD?

Hi all, I just got off the phone with an IBM Tech support member. I recently got a T60, and I love it, but I want to do a fresh reinstall--not using the recovery partition which also installs all of the IBM software.


The tech refused to send me the CD, saying that I would have to use the image included on the system.

After doing a little research, I have discovered that M$ doesn't require manufacturers to include media if there is a method to restore the machine to factory condition.


So to make a long story short--can I use any XP OEM CD if I use MY product key? I have a friend with a Dell OEM XP Pro cd..Will his CD work with my product key?


Sorry for the ignorant question.

=/

 

you can burn your own XP CD's from within XP IIRC

 

Theoretically you could use any OEM CD and your own product key to re-install the system, but for a DELL CD the chances are it may not work, because it'd recognize the T60 as not a DELL computer and refuse to go on.

 

It is most likely the Dell CD won't work. If you can get a XP CD, Microsoft should activate it as long as you have a valid COA. Make sure to burn off the recovery discs before you start.

 

you get the recovory CD for free if ur still under waranty and just tell then it had a reading error when u try to access the partition of the recovory section and CS will gladly send u a free one ..... i just called in a couple days ago and got a free cd

 

if i understand correctly, you want to do a clean windows install correct?
if this is the case you can go to your hard drive and burn the folders i386, valueadd, etc.(look it up). That should give you an oem cd.
If you just want to reset to factory settings(including all lenovo software) press the blue thinkvantage button during the boot-screen.