Custom Factory Re-install with T400 and Vista

I see lots of references in the forums to being able to use the recovery disks to do a custom reinstall (basically unchecking all the bloatware), but I can't find this option anywhere. I looked for it after booting from the recovery disks and also after hitting the Thinkvantage button after powering on.

Does any one know where that option is?

 

Previous models, apparently.

 

You're saying it doesn't exist on the T400? That would be unfortunate indeed.

 

Not with the recovery disks, no. You need a regular Vista DVD. You won't need another key, just a DVD. Borrow a friends/coworkers or download and burn a legit one.

 

Not that I could find and I've gone through the process a couple times.

*shrug* Not a big deal, there's not a lot of bloatware outside of the ThinkVantage packages. Not nearly like what I've seen elsewhere. Pretty easily cleaned up.

 

Yea, except I don't know anyone that has Vista Business. And I think I need the OEM version of the dvd right? Not retail?

 

Any version should work. Read Stallen's guide on it.

All Vista DVD's have every version of Vista. The only ones that don't will explicitly say 32bit only or 64 bit only.

 

Thanks, I actually did read that guide earlier, but I didn't see the FAQ at the end of it. Thanks!

 

I used a retail vista ultimate dvd to reinstall clean with, and it worked great, thanks!

One note:

I booted from the dvd, did not enter a product key, choose business edition (which is what my T400 came with), and then performed the install. When windows came up, it automatically prompted me to activate, which I did. I entered my key, and (after installing the wireless network driver so I could activate online) then activated successfully.

That would seem to conflict with this (from Stallens guide):

I just wanted to point out that for me, using that ABR utility to save my key from the previous install wasn't necessary. But I might be misunderstanding what he was trying to say.

Thanks again!