Clean Install/Rescue & Recovery

When I get my T400, I intend to delete every partition and create just one C:/ partition. However, I am still interest in some of the ThinkVantage system recovery options, is there any way to reinstall and/or save these options when I install the new OS?

I've download the Rescue and Recovery program from Lenovo's website, but is that enough to get ThinkVantage working?

 

Yes, with Lenovo Recovery software, you can burn DVDs that will restore the notebook to factory condition, complete with recovery partition.

There isn't a need to download the software since it already is installed on the T400.

 

I think you misunderstood my question. I plan on wiping clean the hard drive once I get it and installing Vista x64 on the system, I will create only one partition during the setup process. I want to reinstall the Thinkpad Rescue and Recovery software afterward to have access to certain functions. I know that I will NOT be able to do a factory restore since my restore partition will be gone but other aspects and functions of the Rescue and Recovery software will be useful to me.

 

You should be able to install the software and use most of it's functions. The only thing you won't be able to do is boot into recovery from the Lenovo splash screen.

 

Yup, just download them at the Lenovo website, should be easy enough it is located under support/downloads and drivers. Just follow the steps for your model number (e.x. mine is 2764CTO) and you'll get a list of everything related to your system. I recommend following the Lenovo Clean Install guide somewhere in this forum. It has the correct order for driver installs (esp. if you got hybrid graphics) and seems to work well for people.

Good luck! and congrats on the purchase.

 

So I lose the ability to use Rescue and Recovery without first booting into my main OS?

I guess I'm screwed either way since the recovery partition probably has a 32-bit version of Vista and I will be installing the 64-bit version.

 

yes because recovery media cds are generated inside of the windows environment.

you can only do it once also so dont screw it up or else its the dreaded painful road to the tech support

so basically get your new thinkpad. goto windows. burn the dvds.

then do whatever you want.

 

Ok, so I think I've found a program that will emulate a DVD burner...but anyways, that leaves me question largely unanswered.

I would still like to use some of the features (like file recovery) through the Rescue and Recovery utility without booting into the OS. Is that possible if I nuke EVERYTHING off the hard drive when I get it and then reinstall the utility downloaded from Lenovo's website?

 

I think you meant, installing Vista 64 bit then you would like to use the recovery program from Thinkvantage to recover to Vista 64 bit directly when you have problems right? This should be interesting, anyone know the answer? :-D

 

Well, in a way yes, that would be nice, but I would just be happy if I could use some of the file recovery options without booting into the OS in case it becomes corrupted.