Reinstall from hidden partition doesn´t work

Hey guys,

Recently I bought a Lenovo x61. This notebook was provided with Windows Vista Business. I wanted to find out how it works with Windows XP and installed it on the notebook but left the hidden partition untouched.

After I tested XP, I wanted to have Vista back. So I tried to get into the “Rescue&Recovery” program over the Think-Vantage-Button to reinstall the notebook with Vista but I could’nt get back into the program. After that I installed the XP version of the Rescue&Recovery-program which I could start with the Think-Vantage-Button.

But when I wanted to start the function “System recovery” the following message appeared: “The data file for performing this function could not be found”

Unfortunately the shipping of the recovery-cd from Lenovo takes about three weeks, I actually don’t want to wait that long to use my new computer.

Do you have any ideas how to get my notebook work with Vista??
Thanks a lot in advance!!!!

 

i understand you turn on your laptop and you press the blue thinkvantage button before windows starts (when the thinkpad logo is on screen) and you do enter the r&r environment but when you click the recovery option that error pops up.am i right?or you get that message while you are in XP?

 

I get that message in both cases.

 

its weird that although u kept the partition untouched you still receive that message.
well,what i suggest is to make that hidden partition active.you can achieve so by using partition manager applications (like partition magic) or using the built in disk manager in vista or follow the procedures on this page.to mark that hidden partition as active
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315261
remember to set your hard disk to "compatibility" mode in the bios.

 

Try F11 upon bootup.

 

Try this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=213168

 

@arlab
Which version should I use (Vista or XP)?

@Professor Shred
When I push F11, the Rescue&Recovery starts, but when I wanted to start the function “System recovery” the following message appeared: “The data file for performing this function could not be found”

@satellite
I do not have a partition manager applications and using an the build in disk manager in XP, I was not able to activate the hidden partition. (But I can see it)


Thanks a lot for your help!

 

no there is not such an option in XP..just in vista.....
there is still another way to set that partition active in xp which is a bit advanced.but now that i look into your problem deeply i see you already start from that partition..you might have damaged that partition..if you are sure you havent,go on the link provided in post 6 of this thread..if it didnt help,post again so i would tell you how to activate that partiion as your last shot.you would have to work with diskpart commands to make that partition active.

 

hey, i have the same problem in that the full restore in R&R is not working, but unlike you, i dont even have access to the OS, all i can do is boot up using Slax in a usb

 

yes i cheked that link in post 6 and i did it for myself as a test.it is completely working.

 

Not sure. Maybe XP.

 

Today the recovery-cds arrived and the computer works again.

Thank you all a lot for your help!