new T61p - some problems, any ideas?

I have a new T61p and to date have done a full recovery (when I tried to do a custom recovery, it failed halfway through and left me with a wiped C drive), loaded a couple of Adobe software, an antivirus and MS Office. I also disabled some software (just a couple) in startup via system configuration utility. I also paired it with bluetooth headphones. The other night I configured my system for internet connection and connected. My antivirus responded quickly with wanting to do an update, which I did. Then shut it down and last nite started my laptop up. First thing I noticed - no sound. Got a message that said my hardware had been configured differently and that SoundMax needed to be reinstall. Next, I think during my time coming and going, the laptop went into sleep mode and wouldn't come back out. At one point when I had the desktop back up again, I did a shutdown/restart and once the laptop shutdown and wouldn't restart. Actually, I don't think it actually shutdown all the way. Just went black screen. Next, I noticed that my modem has disappeared. Doesn't show up in the device manager. Under modems in the control panel it says there is a Thinkpad modem which isn't attached to any port. I can't figure out how to turn it on or get it back on line. As far as the sound goes, I tried a reinstall accessing the software in the swtools folder. It starts up and then says I have no drivers. Anyone see any obvious fixes or do I need to call lenovo or do another recovery?

 

Those are a lot of missing drivers and software.

I suggest you do another recovery, but if you get an XP disc, you can use it to do a clean install which will be much much better than the recovery discs. Also, if you decide you want to do the recovery instead, do a custom install from it, that way you can select what the programs want on your computer and make sure the recovery process finishes all the way through.

But if you decide to do a clean install, which I highly recommend, please feel free to use the guide in my signature.

 

Yes, I would love to do a clean install. I have been reading your installation guide but I don't have an XP Pro disc. However, I think I got an old XP home edition disc from my desktop about 5 years ago come to think about it. Would that work?

I'm not sure how I lost all those drivers. It was working fine until I set up the internet connection and tested it. The recovery process kind of makes me worried since it didn't want to do it the first time with a custom reinstall and left me with a clean C drive. So I tried the full reinstall and it didn't want to work for a couple of times and then all of the sudden it worked and reinstalled. Weird.

 

I believe the XP Home Edition will work in the same manner. As long as your CD hasn't been activated or it's been deactivated from your desktop, then it should work just fine.

Good luck!

 

Ok, I found my disc. Its an XP hOme reinstallation CD. How do I know if its been activated or deactivated?

 

You can call Microsoft and ask.

 

Look, it's no big deal. Reinstall it on the laptop (put the disc in, change boot order). Format it, have it install. When it prompts for activation, say 'by telephone'. Call the number and that mysterious robot lady will take care of you from there.

 

thanks for all the advice

 

You're welcome and good luck with your system.