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    How to make recover discs for the T420?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by junior21, Aug 19, 2011.

  1. junior21

    junior21 Notebook Consultant

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    So I recieved my mSATA and I have no idea what to do really. I was told to create recovery discs and someone sent me this link How to Make a Lenovo Recovery CD | eHow.com
    I was able to locate the create recovery disc option using the thinkvantage tools but what do I need? A DVD, CD, both? and how many?
     
    junior21, Aug 19, 2011
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  2. AAA100

    AAA100 Newbie

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    User Hearst made a guide to clean installs which includes recovery disc instructions at the beginning. I'm about to try this myself.

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/7463333-post65.html

    The guide says 1 CD + 3 DVDs (or USB drive, but no guidelines on that)
     
    AAA100, Aug 19, 2011
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  3. toerne

    toerne Newbie

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    toerne, Aug 19, 2011
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  4. AAA100

    AAA100 Newbie

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    toerne, can you use a USB smaller than 16GB?
     
    AAA100, Aug 19, 2011
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  5. rkj__

    rkj__ Notebook Consultant

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    I just needed 1 CD and 2 DVDs for the recovery discs generated by my T520.
     
    rkj__, Aug 19, 2011
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  6. toerne

    toerne Newbie

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    I tried first with a 8gb stick. But the software said it was'nt enough. So I went with a 16gb stick laying around. The good thing is that if the creation of recovery media is aborted you can restart the procedure.
     
    toerne, Aug 20, 2011
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  7. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Just be careful with USB drive recovery media. It is ALOT easier losing a thumbdrive than 3-4 discs IMO. If you lose them, you cannot create any additional recovery media, and you need to order them from Lenovo.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Aug 20, 2011
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  8. junior21

    junior21 Notebook Consultant

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    So what's the best method? USB? CD? DVD? CD+DVD? How much CDS, DVD's or space do I need?

    Thanks.
     
    junior21, Aug 20, 2011
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  9. junior21

    junior21 Notebook Consultant

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    I just bought some DVD's and CD's, I'm about to start the backup process but there are two recommended backup solutions "Windows Backup" and "Thinkvantage Rescue And Recovery". Which one do i select? I want to be able to install my mSATA next if that has anything to do with this.

    Thanks.
     
    junior21, Aug 21, 2011
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  10. rkj__

    rkj__ Notebook Consultant

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    Open Lenovo ThinkVantage Tools. Then click on Factory Recovery Disks. Use a CD for the first disk, then DVDs for the next ones.

    It will take a fair bit of time, and don't panic if it seems like the process has hung up. Just let it do its thing.

    These discs will allow you to return your system to its from the factory state.
     
    rkj__, Aug 21, 2011
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  11. junior21

    junior21 Notebook Consultant

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    Okay I did that and now it's been saying files are extracted but I didn't even put a cd in the disc drive?

    Nevermind it's asking me to insert the discs now.
     
    junior21, Aug 21, 2011
    #11