I need a new HD for IBM Thinkpad.

[diy101]

Hey GLC, PR, forum and all,

My wife has an IBM Thinkpad T23 with XP and DVD drive. It is an old work laptop and she has to return the encrypted HD. I have two questions: First, can I install an 80GB HD and second, the more important one, how do I reinstall XP without buying another copy???
Thanks guys, you've helped with my desktop, now it's the laptop's turn :)
Erik

Aspire X-Infinity case/400w PS/Intel 945PSNLK Mobo/Pentium D930/Western Digital 250GB HD/Kingston 2GB Memory/Sony DW-Q120A DVD-RW (x 2)/SIIG 9-in-1 Card Reader/Sapphire X550 Video Card.M-Audio Revolution 5.1 Sound Card/Windows XP Pro

[glc]

1. It appears that you can put an 80gb drive in it. Make sure you remove the drive from the caddy and return only the bare drive - you will need that caddy.

2. Is there a COA sticker on the bottom (and is it XP Home or Pro)? Do you have the IBM restore CD for it?

[tempus]

I wonder if it would be a good idea to wipe the encrypted drive clean before returning it? :)

[jamesrpm]

I wonder if it would be a good idea to wipe the encrypted drive clean before returning it? :)

Then how would they know it is the correct drive you were returning ?

[diy101]

GLC, it has XP Pro installed (as per COA). My wife is trying to locate the recovery disc. So, if she does find it, is this all I would need to reinstall XP and the other installed programs?
I've been to the IBM website and couldn't find an answer to this particular question, or it may have given it, but I just didn't perceive it correctly.:confused:

I wonder if it would be a good idea to wipe the encrypted drive clean before returning it? :)
Then how would they know it is the correct drive you were returning ?

Yeah, the Mrs. works for a big name bank, and the stagecoach security team takes care of all HD erasures!:cool:



Thanks guys.

[glc]

Correct - that's all you need. You MAY be able to install a generic OEM copy of XP Pro using that COA (this would be totally legal if you already own or can borrow a XP Pro CD), then you can download everything else you need from Lenovo's site. This will not restore any preinstalled applications though, just the notebook-specific drivers and utilities. You will have to provide your own applications such as Office, CD burning software, and DVD playing software.

[diy101]

Thanks GLC, I just built my desktop PC over a month ago with XP Pro, so I have a copy. I also have Win DVD and Roxio CD Creator. Thanks for the help. Once I get the new Hard Drive, I'll let you all know how it went. :) Erik

[diy101]

hey glc and forum members.

Just an update on my progress. I am waiting for the new hard drive, should be here in the next couple of days. I asked a custom computer shop tech about reinstalling xp pro, he told me i would have to re-register windows with Microsoft. He said to simply tell them that my hard drive crashed and i got a new hdd. He said, since i have a COA, it shouldn't be a problem Any thoughts? Thanks.

[glc]

It should activate online with no problem. If not, it should only take a phone call to India.

[diy101]

Hey glc and forum,

Sorry I haven't wrote back sooner. I got the hdd in, no problem. I was also able to load and re-register XP without hassle. Thanks for the help on that one. I'm borrowing Office 2003 from my sister. Now the next thing I'm trying to do is get the dvd-rom playing. I installed my copy of Roxio CD Creator 6 (only the player programs), but when I try to play a dvd, I get,
"must have OKB installed on the hard drive". What is this and is it something I can download? Hope everyone has a great weekend. Erik.

[glc]

You need DVD player software. Roxio 6 doesn't have that as far as I know. You need PowerDVD or WinDVD.

[diy101]

Thanks glc, I'll find one of those. Erik.