T400 Partitions

I recently got a T400 with Windows Vista Basic. It has run really slow until after a few Microsoft updates. Now it's not so slow. I have 1 gb of ram but I am going to bring it up to 3gb really soon. Here's my question: Since I currently have Vista Basic, I'm going to change over to either XP Pro or Vista Business, I can get either for free from my school. I had a little trouble making recovery disks but Lenovo is shipping me some. Can I format my entire HD, wiping out all of the partitions, and still return my system to factory settings using the recovery disks? i don't expect I'll ever want to return to vista basic but if i have problems upgrading or downgrading I want to be able to return to factory settings. Thanks.

 

No. And here's why. The disk will make new disks exactly as it specified and therefore with the partitions on them. You'll do do better to save the Microsoft license in a safe off-computer place and then starting from scratch. The alternative is messy which is to remove the partitions and repartioning after installation.

Renee

 

What do you mean by saving the Microsoft license off computer and starting from scratch?

 

The recovery discs will return it to Vista Basic.

 

Thanks, that's what I was hoping for. So it will work even on a brand new HD?

 

Yes, as long as the drive is of adequate size (e.g. I tried using them on a 40GB drive and it ran out of space).

 

I said 'safe off-computer place' meaning safe place which is not on your computer. Mine was Visa professional (I had already put it on) to Vista Profesional. One was MSDN and the other wasn't. The installation had to be redone on my t61p.