URGENT x61 problem, please assist!

I was trying to install a clean copy of windows xp deleted the hidden partition because I didn't care to reinstall a factory version of Vista. So I hit a wall in the installation process and called the Windows tech. He said that my x61 cannot access my usb cdrom because the usb drivers are not installed. If this is true, then it seems like Im in quite a jam. What can be done?

 

i ran into this problem a couple years ago when i first reformated a hard drive, to clean instal windows. The cd drives were not recognized due to driver issues, so i had to create an xp boot sequence using 6 (yes six) floppy disks. It was a nightmare for sure. But, you might be able to get a new HD, or have that one formated in a different computer. Idk. i'm just guessing. I have no idea how that works in laptops. I'm new to em....mostly a desktop guy.

 

Your X61 should have no problem booting up via USB drive.

When you press the power button and the ThinkPad splash appears, press the blue ThinkVantage button, select boot from CD-ROM drive. Make sure your XP CD and the CD Drive is turned on.

 

The only thing I can think of is either buy a docking station where you don't need to use an external CD drive or buy a new HDD and format that with XP on another system then replace that with what you have now.

Did you put it into the correct Boot sequence? Hit F1 at the splash screen and enter Bios.

 

Well, using the usb cdrom, it goes through the long reformating process but when it gets to the installing windows page, it stalls and says the nessassary windows components could not be installed.
The Lenovo guy tells me that the usb is not supported and the comp is meant to use on docking station.
I hope thats incorrect but if it is right, what stores in California can I go to buy(and return) a docking station? Im in emergency need of a laptop now which makes this quite miserable.

 

Also, how does swapping a new HD have an effect since the original HD was already wiped clean during reformatting?

 

Are you using a good copy of XP? If it boots into the formatting page, then I don't think there's anything wrong with your CD drive.

 

you spoke to a windows tech? try speaking to someone from lenovo. You dont need drivers for a bios to recognize the drive.

 

Yeah its a genuine disk. The tech support guys seem to be almost sure this is the problem(usb not supported) although I dont understand why the disk and usb drive can be used fine during the reformatting phase.

 

True, you do not need a new hard drive, I don't know why I said that, sorry. I just meant maybe you can hook up the hard drive to a system where it uses an internal cd/dvd drive w/o USB connection where you can successfully install XP on it, then connect it back to you X61.

 

get the recovery cd's from lenovo.....If you are in so cal I can help you out with my recovery cd's

 

Hi I am from so cal and already have the recovery CDs. I tried putting in the first disk and it says that it needs the correct disk to continue.
The bios does regonize the usb in the reformatting but not the installing.

 

do you have LENOVO usb drive, the one with two usb ports?

 

I would love to see a pic of what you're referring to here.

 

Im referring to the LENOVO USB DVD-RW drive that has two usb ports one for power, and one for data transfer...here are some pics

 

lol, I was confused as to what he was talking about too.

 

Wow, I've never seen that drive before but the one I used was a similiar usb drive with one plug for power and one for connection(from LG). Where did you get that and did that work for you?

 

yea, maybe the drivers for the Lenovo DVD/RW drive is built in, if you are in the Orange County area I can let you borrow it and you can see if it works.

 

Thanks guys for all the help so far. It seems the situation is a bit different now.
I just used the same disc to install on a University desktop computer and it stalls at the same location with the same message. Does this indicate that it is for sure a problem with the disc? It is a full version that I got a good price on Ebay used so I guess I gambled a bit. The CD # and Licencse were already verifed to be genuine when I called windows.
So I have a good CD key but bad disc. I could go through the process of disputing it with the seller(it'll take awhile since he did not seem happy when I messaged him about a possible faulty disc) but I just want to know if you guys have any ideas on what I can do to resolve it much quicker and finally having it installed on my laptop? Also a replacement disc from windows is $23 plus $25 for shipping and I paid $55 for the XP....

potatomasher