Deleted Hidden Partition: Had to buy recovery CDs

I don't know what I was thinking, but I got my T61 a few days ago and I was reading the clean install guide. For some reason, I just went ahead and deleted the hidden partition. I didn't realize I needed it to create the recovery CDs. I called IBM and just ordered the recovery discs from them. It cost me $45 plus an additional $6 for shipping. I feel so bad. If only I knew I needed the hidden partition for the recovery CDs, I could've saved 50 bucks...So for anyone else who just purchased a Thinkpad or are thinking of getting one, and want to do a clean install; remember NOT to delete the hidden partition before you create the recovery discs.

 

Which clean install guide were you reading?

 

Bummer, I'm not sure which clean install guide you are talking about. If it was mine it states very clearly to make recovery disks before deleting the hidden partition. Also, if you want to do a clean install I'm really not sure why you need them. I never made any and I've never regretted it. However, I do suggest for everyone else to make them. Cause someone is always gonna have some strange reason they want to revert to Vista Bloatware Edition.

Also, you should have considered making a post about this before you spent all that money. I have advised many times to people in the same boat to call TECH support (not Sales Support). If you tell tech support that you had trouble making recovery disks and you are unable to make them, they'll ship for free.

You can find out a lot of info here on NBR. I'd suggest trying NBR support before trying Lenovo customer support in most cases.

 

Thanks for the help. Stallen, I was actually reading your install guide. I must have missed the part where you said to make the recovery discs first before deleting the partition. I wasn't thinking correctly at the time.

 

Also, what is the number for Lenovo tech support? I will try to cancel my order of the recovery discs and order them through tech support, if that is possible.

 

I think this is the U.S. # 1-800-426-7378 If not, call that number and ask for the tech support number. Just tell that that you had trouble burning the disks and now it won't let you. If it is for "technical" reasons they won't charge you.

 

Worked for me yesterday.

 

I called that number to order my recovery discs. The options they have are either hardware support or software support.

 

Well... I don't know how to cancel the order, and then call back and get free recovery discs. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

I just called in to cancel the order. One of the reps said he sent in something to be confirmed for my cancellation of the recovery discs. Now how should I call tech support back and get the discs free of charge?

 

Sure if you want them. Just curious... why do you want them?

I guess I just have a hard time believing that anyone would PAY for those disks to re-install all that bloatware when you have the option of doing a clean install for free.

BTW, call ANY number for Lenovo and ASK for the tech support number. Any of them will give it to you.

 

They will not be able to cancel the order,but maybe the billing. Call 800-426-7378 then option 1 three times, then machine type, then option 1 again and select hardware support. Give them the case number for the recovery cd order and ask them to transfer you to entitlement. Once you get to them, ask if you can cancel the order.

 

Yeah, that's what I did. They said it would take a few days for them to put credit back on my credit card, since they already billed me.

 

Good news! I received my recovery DVDs in the mail a few days ago, and then I checked my bank account and they refunded me back the 51 bucks they had charged me from before. So I got them for free!

 

That's usually what happens.

 

How do you do a backup and a deletion of the hidden partition without a reformat? I do not have time to go through the trouble right now of a reformat/re-installing my programs/files.

 

I made Recovery CD's just because in case I ever needed them.

I did a clean install so I will never need them. Who wants to revert back to the bloatware edition anyways?

 

How if I did't delete the hidden partition, still unable to recovery? I call TECH Support, they asking me to pay for the recovery CD. I also try to download the Rescue and Recovery, also unable to locate the hidden partition.

 

Eh, I don't think the standard installation is to bloaty, yes it has alot of things to uninstall but right now I'm sitting with 70 services with alot of the Thinkpad software installed. We shall see how it goes down the line, if not I have a nice Vista 64 bit waiting for me to upgrade and finally put to use the 4GB's.

And ckTP, try calling again, explain to them that you had a problem with the imaging of the CD's and couldn't use R&R at that point in time. They should be decent enough to send you some CD's.