Restore Lenovo T61 to factory settings

I have a Lenovo T61 that has been filled up with a lot of files I don't need. Instead of finding and deleting them individually, I want to do a clean restore to the factory settings. I want to keep Windows Vista Business and the ThinkVantage programs. I don't even mind if there is bloat ware. I have backed up all of my important data, so I want a clean installation.

 

Do you have any disks?

 

Did you wipe out the restore partition?

If not then press the blue button and I think that will lead you to a restore program.

 

The laptop came with a "Rescue and Recovery" CD that can be booted from to restore a backup from the recovery partition. This only recovers a backup, it doesn't do a clean installation. The laptop also comes with 6 Recovery disks do reinstall drivers and programs.

 

Well, if there is a recovery partition, try webdtc's suggestion.

 

When I press the blue button during start up, it takes me into the recovery program. The problem is that I only have the option to restore a backup, not do a clean installation.

 

You need a Windows disk to do a clean installation, but I would think the backup Lenovo provides is a clean installation but with the Lenovo software installed....

 

On a notebook that comes with Vista Business, the CDs that are included are for XP Pro, for those who prefer that to Vista. For Vista recovery CDs/DVDs you have to run the 'create recovery media' program from the start menu.

To recover to 'as delivered' condition, if the recovery partition is intact, you restart the laptop and hit the 'blue' button at the first part of the post process, which will guide the recovery to 'original' condition... or you can use the CD/DVD method if they've been made from the included program.

Quinn

 

I turn on the computer, press the blue button at startup.

1. "Windows is loading files"

2. Next, a Lenovo screen comes up that says "Rescue and Recovery 4"

3. A window shows up that says "Welcome to Rescue and Recovery". Underneath it lists all the features of rescue and recovery. I click "Continue".

4. Along the left side I see the following options:
Rescue and Restore:
-Recovery overview
-Rescue files
-Restore your system
-Create migration file

Configure:
-Configuration overview

-Access BIOS

Communicate:
-Communication overview
-Open browser
-Download files
-Map network drive

Troubleshoot:
-Diagnostic overview
-Diagnose hardware

-Boot from another device
-Norton AntiVirus

5. I choose "Restore your system"

6. Gives me two options:
-Restore my entire hard drive, including all personal data and settings from a backup

-Restore only the Windows operating system and applications from a backup

7. I choose the first option

8. It gives me a list of backups to restore from. But no option to restore to factory settings.

 

I found out how to do a restore to factory settings. But now I have a new problem. It loaded Windows XP onto the machine instead of Windows Vista Business.

 

ok for a twist on this request for help..... How about a T61 that has had a clean install done from a retail vista disc, but has the recovery partition intact... no recovery discs exist..

How can one get into the partition to do a restore?

 

hey man i was like you. i wanted everything my thinkpad came with. but my thinkpad just felt really slow and filled with alot of important things. so i just called IBM and told my computer crashed i could even us the [ThinkVantage] button. so they was nice to send me 4 recovery DVDs and it is working like a charm.

 

hi, buddy, why my new t61 came to me without any Rescue and recovery CD(i purchased online), and how did you get it, need to pay extra money? but i did not see any word mentioned during my online purchasing; or need to call Lenovo rep to order it? how much it cost, My OS is Vista home basic?
any one can tell me, thanks.

 

can anyone tell me, i am confused. should the R&R cd come with Laptop or purchase separately?
appreciate.

 

The R&R CD will come embedded in the laptop. You will have to burn them yourself.

 

is that to say, once i burn the R&R CD by using my CD rw recorder(i got cd rw/dvd rom), i can delete the hiden partion, and i can recovery my t61 to factory setting by these cds(7cds?).
this is my first time to use a T61.
appreciate.

 

That is correct.

 

If you hit F11 during the POST screen you should boot in to the thinkvantage recovery menu.

 

thanks man