Can't Reinstall windows vista on R500

Hi guys,

I might be doing something completely stupid but I can't reinstall windows on my new Thinkpad R500. I bought if from ebay and it came with a fresh install as I had to go through all the registration. However after seeing how many started tasks (over 90) and the amount of rubbish on the desktop I started uninstalling programs. I have decided now that I just want to do a custom windows install where I pick the programs to install, namely all I want are the basic Windows operating system applications and the Thinkpad applications.

I have read a few threads, the first being orevs which suggested download; Thinkvantage Base Software Aministrator, which I can't seem to download. I save it and it doesn't appear in the folder, I open it and nothing happens.

The other thread I have read was a clean install of windows vista (stallens); But I would like to keep the Thinkpad applications.

In the end I got sick of searching and just thought I would reinstall windows myself and see what happens. I have tried the reinstall CDs that I created and nothing happens when I insert any of them. I have pressed Thinkvantage button and selected restore and when I select restore from a backup no files appear so I can't click next (I do have the backup partition).

Basically my question is how can I reinstall windows vista based on the information I have given above. And also how to perform the reinstall in such a way that I will get rid of all the bloatware (I understand that some people consider the Thinkpad software bloatware but I would still like it)

Sorry if that was hard work, I was trying to get as much info and background in the post as possible. Hopefully someone can understand what I am asking, thanks in advance

Lee

 

The recovery discs are not a windows disc, but will restore your ThinkPad to it's factory state. To do a clean install you'll need a Vista disc.

 

OK then,
How can I get a windows vista disk?
Can I download it?
Is this the windows vista anytime upgrade disk mentioned in other threads?
Also how can I do the install back to factory settings from either the disks or partition, I can't get anything to work?

Thanks for the reply zaz,

Any help greatly appreciated

 

All the software installed on your machine, which would include the drivers and applications, are located in the SWTools folder on the C:\ drive. Make sure make a copy of that to re-install your software when you do a clean install disc.

Finding a disc might be tough. Microsoft or Lenovo won't give you one. If you can find someone with an OEM disc of your version of Vista or if you can get an Anytime Upgrade disc, those would allow you to do a clean install. If you know someone who got a PC/Laptop around when Vista was released, they're much more likely to have gotten an upgrade disc. You can buy an Anytime Upgrade disc on the internet. They usually go for around $30.