kreeyon
asked on
Restoring IBM thinkpad t42 back to factory settings
This IBM thinkpad t42 has been a complete nightmare, i had just closed a another question on here as i had messed up the system file which has now stopped the laptop from booting into windows. Safe mode doesn't work, last known configuration doesn't work, I've tried everything, i can't even do a system restore as there isn't any, so my only option now i think is to re-install.
This laptop was an ex work laptop that has been given to me so i was hoping not to have to re-install as there's software on there that i would like to use but after going through endless workarounds and tutorials nothing seems to work.
So what i'm hoping for is that there's a recovery folder on this laptop that will enable me to do a repair install, but i can't seem to access it.
Pressing the Access IBM button upon powering up only gives me the option to enter the bios, it doesn't give me access to any recovery options, pressing F8 at startup brings up the options to start in safe mode and other type startup options but no recovery.
There is a folder on the C: called minint that does contain a system32 folder and other things that look like windows files including a setup.exe, so not sure if this could be it and how would i get the installation going, or is there another way?
This laptop was an ex work laptop that has been given to me so i was hoping not to have to re-install as there's software on there that i would like to use but after going through endless workarounds and tutorials nothing seems to work.
So what i'm hoping for is that there's a recovery folder on this laptop that will enable me to do a repair install, but i can't seem to access it.
Pressing the Access IBM button upon powering up only gives me the option to enter the bios, it doesn't give me access to any recovery options, pressing F8 at startup brings up the options to start in safe mode and other type startup options but no recovery.
There is a folder on the C: called minint that does contain a system32 folder and other things that look like windows files including a setup.exe, so not sure if this could be it and how would i get the installation going, or is there another way?
ASKER
Thanks but F11 brings up the same screen as when i press the Access IBM button.
Startup interrupt menu
Press one of the following keys to continue :
ESC to resume normal startup
F1 to enter the IBM BIOS setup utility
F12 to choose a temporary startup device
Startup interrupt menu
Press one of the following keys to continue :
ESC to resume normal startup
F1 to enter the IBM BIOS setup utility
F12 to choose a temporary startup device
Here is the Lenovo support article concerning restoring to factory defaults using the pre-boot service partition on the hard drive.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4UFUYK
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4UFUYK
The restore facility depends on a special partition with the files needed for restore. It isn't too far-fetched to imagine this partition to have been removed by previous owner or just not exist because the hard drive has been exchanged at some point. If you can't boot to the restore option with the "Access IBM" button, check if this partition does exist. if not, you need an operating system CD.
/RID
/RID
To restore to Factory settings will mean wiping everything off your drive so be carefull.
If you have a windows CD licence then you can get a CD with that same version of windows and do a repair install.
If you have a windows CD licence then you can get a CD with that same version of windows and do a repair install.
ASKER
There doesn't seem to be a recovery partition, so looks as if it was deleted after install
f-king: I have a couple of Windows XP Professional CDs which is the same version as the on the laptop (though not sure about the service packs), but the 2 CDs i have don't give me the option of a repair install.
This is proving to be quite some challenge, but i'm not prepared to give up yet and do a clean install, so anymore suggestions would be most helpful.
f-king: I have a couple of Windows XP Professional CDs which is the same version as the on the laptop (though not sure about the service packs), but the 2 CDs i have don't give me the option of a repair install.
This is proving to be quite some challenge, but i'm not prepared to give up yet and do a clean install, so anymore suggestions would be most helpful.
did you try like this :
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx
ASKER
Yes that's how i did it, but the option of a repair install isn't there. There's only the option to do a clean install.
After doing this step :
http://webcast.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=8658-1
repair option should be available.
http://webcast.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=8658-1
repair option should be available.
ASKER
Thanks for the links f-king: but unfortunately i had tried that approach a while ago but couldn't do it as there wasn't a recovery folder to use.
As it stands at the moment i have managed to do a recovery install after all. It was a bit messy but it worked.
I installed my new CD of Windows XP Pro onto a different computer and then once installed i used the files in Config folder and used these to replaced the ones on my IBM t42, i also replaced the Boot.ini file. Now when i put the new Windows XP pro CD into the IBM t42 the new config files and boot.ini files had fooled it into thinking it had been installed with this CD which then gave me the option of doing a repair install.
So the repair install has finished but i am now presented with a new problem. not sure if this should be a new question or not but this is my new problem.
Just before the log on screen presents itself i'm getting this error message,
User interface Failure
The logon user interface DLL RtlGina2.dll failed to load
Contact your system administrator to replace the DLL, or restore the original DLL
As it stands at the moment i have managed to do a recovery install after all. It was a bit messy but it worked.
I installed my new CD of Windows XP Pro onto a different computer and then once installed i used the files in Config folder and used these to replaced the ones on my IBM t42, i also replaced the Boot.ini file. Now when i put the new Windows XP pro CD into the IBM t42 the new config files and boot.ini files had fooled it into thinking it had been installed with this CD which then gave me the option of doing a repair install.
So the repair install has finished but i am now presented with a new problem. not sure if this should be a new question or not but this is my new problem.
Just before the log on screen presents itself i'm getting this error message,
User interface Failure
The logon user interface DLL RtlGina2.dll failed to load
Contact your system administrator to replace the DLL, or restore the original DLL
can you log in safe mode?
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ASKER
Thanks f-king: that did the trick.
Well i never thought i would get these fixed but it's done and i didn't loose any programs.
Well i never thought i would get these fixed but it's done and i didn't loose any programs.
and we fixed two problems at once lol.
I am glad i could help.
I am glad i could help.
Hopefully this helps!