Chapter 1. Overview; Predesktop Area - Lenovo ThinkCentre A62 Deployment Manual

Chapter 1. Overview

The Rescue and Recovery program represents a unique combination of ThinkVantage Technologies. This
integrated application provides a suite of powerful tools that can be used even if the Microsoft Windows
operating system will not start.
The Rescue and Recovery program has the following features:
• The Rescue and Recovery Predesktop Area provides an environment to start your computer when you
fail to log in to the Windows operating system.
• The Rescue and Recovery Windows environment enables you to back up the operating system and files
and restore the operating system and files in familiar interfaces.
• The Rescue and Recovery program enables you to store backup files on external USB storage devices,
such as USB flash drives and USB hard disk drives.
• The Rescue and Recovery program enables you to store the backup data of multiple computers on one
storage device.
The Rescue and Recovery program includes the option to switch to a simplified user interface with a few
basic operations, or stay with the advanced user interface with extended options. For more information on
interface switching, see "Rescue and Recovery interface switching" on page 25.
Note: Some features of Rescue and Recovery run under the Windows operating system. In some instances,
the system information used in the Rescue and Recovery environment is gathered while Windows is
running. If the Windows operating system does not function correctly, this will not prevent the Rescue and
Recovery environment from operating normally. Windows functions are not configured in the Rescue and
Recovery environment.
The Rescue and Recovery 4.5 program supports both legacy and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
(UEFI) boot modes, which means it supports both Master Boot Record (MBR) systems and GUID Partition
Table (GPT) systems. You can select the desired boot mode in the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS).

Predesktop Area

The Rescue and Recovery Predesktop Area provides an emergency workspace for users who are unable
to start Windows on their computers. Running under Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment), the
environment offers the Windows look, feel, and function and helps users solve problems without consuming
IT staff time. Starting from the Rescue and Recovery 4.5 program, Windows PE that is used by all operating
systems has been upgraded to the 64–bit version and all programs under Windows PE are 64–bit versions.
Therefore, the microprocessor you use should support the 64–bit architecture.
The Rescue and Recovery Predesktop Area has four major categories of functions:
• Rescue and Restore
– Recovery overview: Links users to help topics about the various recovery options that are provided.
– Rescue files: Enables users to copy files created in Windows applications to removable media or to a
network and to continue to work even with a disabled workstation.
– Restore from backup: Enables users to restore files that have been backed up with the Rescue
and Recovery program.
• Configure
– Configuration overview: Links to Rescue and Recovery environment help topics about configuration.
– Recover password or passphrase: Provides a user or an administrator with the ability to recover a
password or passphrase in the Rescue and Recovery environment.
• Communicate
– Communication overview: Links to related help topics in the Rescue and Recovery environment.
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