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Anyone used Lenovo Recovery CDs to recover system?

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wahnula

wahnula

Technical User
Jun 26, 2005
4,158
US
Howdy folks

My wife's Lenovo laptop became disconnected while updating, now it won't even boot to desktop. This laptop was "downgraded" to XP Pro from Vista via Lenovo Recovery & Rescue disks, a series of 5-6 CDs.

Wanting to keep her data & programs on there, and not sure how the recovery CDs worked, I tried a repair install using another XPPro disc, it worked until it got to the point of updating XP, where it failed again and now won't boot to desktop.

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with the Lenovo Recovery CDS and what to expect when I go to recover...will there be an option to keep the files/programs? Should I boot to the Lenovo OS recovery CD first or do another in-place upgrade, only this time get all her data off before trying updates? There are several other issues with this relatively-new laptop, like a C++ Runtime error and other nasty red X's probably tied to her corporate software.

Thanks to her Citrix & corporate VPN there's a corporate McAfee app that can't be defeated, at least not through normal channels. She's not like me, a regular backup guy that can do a clean-install at any time, I would like to keep her stuff on there if possible. Any ideas will be appreciated.

Tony

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Sorry, I don't use or know your particular machine, but I wonder if your Recovery Disks will only scrub XP and restore Vista?

"Please be aware that restoring your system using the Windows XP recovery discs will reformat the hard drive, remove existing disk partitions, and erase any user data, settings, and applications".

How to create recovery media using ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery

 
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linney,

Thanks for the response. The recovery media was supplied by Lenovo (for a nominal fee) as a way to transform a Vista machine to XP, I could have sworn there was an option in there to retain settings & files...no worries, I have my Knoppix CD, I'll get in there and rescue her .pst files, her My Documents, bookmarks etc. and then wipe away. Unfortunately, all the bloatware returns too.

The original config had a Vista rescue partition, it got wiped when I did the XP install, so I'm not worried about Vista returning.

Tony

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Have you tried the usual recovery options such as running ChkDsk /r from Recovery Console?

Often a Repair Install tends to carry the current Registry corruption across systems so you may need to take additional repair options.

How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

An easy to follow recovery console description when unable to start computer due to corrupt registry.

This is a layman's version of Q307545 in simple language.
 
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Thanks again. My plan:

1. Boot to a spare XP SP2 CD ( the Lenovo disk does not have the recovery console option;
2. Run Chkdsk /r ;
3. Continue to Repair Windows if no improvement;
4. Get all data off PC;
5. See if the options available in Lenovo recovery disks include a "keep files & settings" option;
6. If not format & clean install from Lenovo Recovery CDs;
7. Update & install apps.

I'll post back with my progress. It's kinda humbling when the wife's PC ain't working. She did say the laptop has been slowing down recently and the old dog PC she used today at the office was faster, should make a clean install more palatable to her. Some of my research into the error messages indicated a virus might be involved, we shall see. Thanks again.

Tony

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Update:

CHKDSK no help, repair install got it running to get all the data off it, will try to clean install first (no bloatware), then install via Recovery Disk if there's any driver conflicts.

Tony

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Update Update

Thought I was out of the woods with an offering in in Lenovo recovery to save all files and data, just fix Windows...sounds like a repair installation me, but what the hey. Sure enough the C++ errors returned, along with the registry errors.

I scoured the lenovo site armed with a Belarc audit and a list of hardware I indexed from Dev. Mngr. Soom I had everything on a flash key ready to install to a clean XP install. I had it made...until...none of the drivers from the lenovo site worked! I was able to get online thanks to my trusty USB100TX and did find a LAN driver at Broadcom site but Intel is useless, as is lenovo, and there is still at least a dozen yellow ?'s in Device manager. I don't have it in me to spend my only Sunday hunting & pecking for a serious number of drivers.

I guess because this model was a Vista-converted-to-XP-via-factory-discs model that the drivers aren't commonly available. I sniffed around the recovery discs for them but did not have much luck. I know they are weird because XP uses AHCI node in BIOS. I am now on Disk 1 of 5 of restore, then reload the PC. At least it's automated!

Tony

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Update Udpate Update

At the unloading of the FIFTH system restore CD I was pleasantly greeted with "Lenovo Restore Can Not Restore this Computer".

I suppose it's because the Vista partition was no longer there? looks more & ,more like I'll be spending Sunday Hunting & pecking.

If anyone has any tips it's a Lenovo 068728u Lenovo 3000 N200, serial number LVA0228. Remember this model originally shipped with Vista, I bought an XP license and driver discs from Lenovo. It's still under warranty.

The things I need:
*Display adapter- Intel Mobile 965 Express Chipset Family
*Audio: Conextant High Definition Audio- Venice 5045
*Intel ICH8 Family USB Universal Host Controller 2830-2835
*Intel ICH8M 3 port SATA storage controller
* Ricoh Mem stick, SD/MMC xD Picture card controller.
*Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection

I'm going to give Lenovo a call too to see if they can help locate drivers, but I have a feeling they will not.

Tony

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Update Update Update Update...

The Lenovo drivers work FINE...they simply need you to RTFM...or at least the README before installing. All will be well....

Tony

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hi
iam loking for recevring to my maishion is lenovo 3000 N100
palese if any bady kwon htis tiel my >>>>>>>>
thak yuo for us........
salman79 by >>
 
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Not directly related to your post Tony but...

One of my users bought a brand new Lenovo ThinkCentre and passed it to me for installing his programmes, recovered data, etc. PC World sold him this machine saying it had XP Pro installed. WRONG! Vista was installed, and disks were provided for an "XP Conversion". Conversion disk initially failed to work and Lenovo technical appeared to have scant knowledge concerning this procedure. They also seem to be blissfully unaware that this process takes nearly 4 HOURS! However, once finally completed, XP seems to work fine...

ROGER - G0AOZ.
 
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