Creating Recovery Media

Since Lenovo does not included recovery media, how does one go about creating a recovery disk if you do not have a DVD-RW drive on your T400?

 

you can use an external DVD-RW via USB/Firewire

 

You make a lot of CDs.

 

Does the backup utility allow you to make an .ISO? It's just that I can't justify the extra $50 for a DVD+-RW, I would have no use for it on my school only computer.

EDIT: Maybe I can swap out my DVD+-RW drive on my S96J and the one that comes with the T400...

 

I think its 8 CDs so not too bad.

 

Is there any way to make a recovery file onto external hard drive? I get no options for this in the Select Recordable Drive menu.

thanks

 

So you can't create an ISO file and burn it to a DVD on another computer?

 

The licensing from Microsoft only allows you to burn ONE set of recovery disks. So the program will not allow anything but burning directly to an optical drive.

 

I do not like this, looks like I may just get an HP dv3t instead, it's cheaper and has a DVD burner and I can get a 9-cell battery all for less than the T400.

 

Can someone please let me know how to actually create this recovery disk? My T400s has a hidden Service partition (5.53GB). I looked everywhere to find utility or an option where to backup this Service partition. I thought Thinkvantage Rescue and Recovery will have it, but its not there. I do have DVDR drive, so its not an issue where to back it up, just an issue how. Thanks!

 

Start > All Programs > ThinkVantage > Create Rescue and Recovery Media

Or something similar

 

You gotta be kidding me. That easy? And I looked everywhere except for one obvious place LOL!!! Thanks!

 

Or, find the Lenovo partition in Windows Explorer, and double click on it. You'll be prompted to burn the recovery media.

 

Doing a simple Google search led me to this software, Virtual CD.

Quote from website:
Virtual Burner Included
The Virtual CD program not only lets you create virtual drives-you can create virtual CD burners, too. A VCD virtual burner can be used with any Windows application just like a physical CD/DVD burner. You can put together your choice of CD content, even video DVD material, and burn it on a virtual CD. This is a great way to test the results without wasting a physical blank. And that's just one example of the possibilities.
A virtual drive that has been configured as a burner can also be used as a virtual encrypted hard disk. All you have to do is insert a virtual DVD-RAM in the virtual burner, which has the same properties for reading and writing data as a hard drive, and activate the optional encryption feature. Absolute data security, easy as 1-2-3!
The extensive compatibility and high speed of the Virtual CD burner makes it ideal for a broad range of application scenarios.

I have never tried this, so I don't know what the format will be when a disc is created. Do some more research on your own.

 

I found it to be 13 CD's.

 

Screw recovery media! Why would you want to reinstall the bloated OS the computer came with!? I just clean installed Vista and didn't make any recovery disks.

 

*shrug* Up to you, I guess, but most people like to have the option of putting the system back to factory state if they should ever resell it. Seems to up the resale value a bit too.

Only takes a few minutes to do.

 

I highly doubt it.

 

i'm one of those people who like factory state buying a used laptop, but always end up removing the blog apps

 

I created Recovery media, just in case. No plans to use it, but I wanted to back everything up before deleting that Service partition. 1 Startup CDR (360MB) and 2 Recovery and Rescue DVDR (total 5.3GB).

Now, the big question: how to Erase this hidden partition? I go into Administrative Tools and Disk Management and can see that hidden SERVICE001 partition. Need to claim back those 5.52GB. Probably some utility in DOS?

 

... and also, read somewhere that hidden partition might contain OEM keycode for OS? Is this true? Do I need to back it up?

Pretty much, I have XPP and need to delete SERVICE001 partition while still keeping my XPP working. Appreciate the help!!!

 

Doubt it all you want, it doesn't change the reality. Maybe it doesn't matter if all you're dealing with are highschoolers; past that level though and people appreciate a clean slate with the opportunity to choose which of the preloads to keep and which to get rid of. Anyway, you're welcome to your opinion.

 

Somehow I doubt people would notice the difference if I clean install myself and then install all the Lenovo apps and drivers.

 

That probably pretty much true if you keep the SWTOOLS folder since not everything is downloadable. Still doesn't make sense to go to the trouble of all of those driver and software installs when its time to resell a laptop instead of a few minutes burning the recovery discs. If that's the way you want to waste your time though, that's certainly up to you.

We've both made our points. Time to let the thread get back on topic. Feel free to PM me if you feel you must continue.

 

Why would anyone want outdated preinstalled software? I'll just tack on a copy of AVG and a burning utility and boom. Looks just like factory.

This is my thread!

 

So you're saying that the patition somehow has the OS activation key code? I thought those were on a sticker on the bottom on the lappy? How do you do a clean install if recovery media isn't it? Can someone explain that to me or link me to a thread it's covered in already? Thanks!

 

It took me 16 CD's of 497 MB's each or so.

It is extremely simple though. It prompts you each time when to insert the next disc and what to label it.

 

Indeed it is, I erred in not going all the way back to the beginning. Now I'm glad you pointed this out.

No point in discussion when you can't be consistent; first you want recovery media then you vehemently argue against it. I'm done here, you're wasting people's time.