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    Restore IBM Thinkpad to Factory!

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by tim5ny, Feb 22, 2008.

  1. tim5ny

    tim5ny Newbie

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    Hi Guys!

    I know there's a way to restore all IBM computers to factory settings without any discs. I have done it once before, but I forgot how it's done. Does anyonr know? I don't have any discs. None came with it I believe. Anyway.. someone talked me through it over the phone before, but I didn't write it down. Can anyone help?
     
    tim5ny, Feb 22, 2008
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  2. alacrityathome

    alacrityathome Notebook Consultant

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    Restore and Recovery 4.2
     
    alacrityathome, Feb 22, 2008
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  3. tim5ny

    tim5ny Newbie

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    I don't have any discs. I know there's a way to do it without them. Please explain if you know!
     
    tim5ny, Feb 22, 2008
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  4. Arki

    Arki Super Moderator

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    Hit the blue button when you boot up your computer at the ThinkPad splash screen. You'll know what to do from there.
     
    Arki, Feb 22, 2008
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  5. jaxxx

    jaxxx Notebook Consultant

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    ok heres a kinda dumb question, whats the difference between a clean install and this?
     
    jaxxx, Feb 22, 2008
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  6. eatbuckshot

    eatbuckshot Notebook Consultant

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    That's not a dumb question if you don't know! :eek:

    A clean install is when you install just the os. In other words if you just buy a retail windows xp cd, pop it in, reformat, and install. It has nothing else except all the regular stuff.

    Rescue and recovery will restore your laptop to factory state. It has an image of their default installation with all their software, settings, and drivers already on there.


    The reason why many people prefer to perform a clean install when they just received their laptop is because the factory state includes too much bloatware and it slows down the computer and fills up memory.
     
    eatbuckshot, Feb 22, 2008
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  7. jaxxx

    jaxxx Notebook Consultant

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    but during RandR does it give you the option to whether install these bloatware or not?
     
    jaxxx, Feb 22, 2008
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  8. bsodder

    bsodder Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, 4.2 gives you a selection menu for bloatware.
     
    bsodder, Feb 22, 2008
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  9. jaxxx

    jaxxx Notebook Consultant

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    ok and using the blue thinkvantage button when you boot up wont let you chose the option to install bloatware or not right?
     
    jaxxx, Feb 23, 2008
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  10. Arki

    Arki Super Moderator

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    Using the blue button on startup will give you the option to do a custom install, which will present you with a list of preinstalled software and you can decide which ones you want to keep.

    For some reason, this is not as good as a clean install per say; I think it may have to do with the fact that it is not a clean wipe of the HDD. That or background services.
     
    Arki, Feb 23, 2008
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  11. jaxxx

    jaxxx Notebook Consultant

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    ahh, i guess its almost the same as uninstalling programs when you get your new laptop?
     
    jaxxx, Feb 23, 2008
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  12. Arki

    Arki Super Moderator

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    Yes, almost the same, but better.
     
    Arki, Feb 23, 2008
    #12