Recovering Pre-Installed Software - IBM Thinkpad X30 Series Service And Troubleshooting Manual

Recovering pre-installed software

Your computer hard disk has a hidden, protected area for backups. Contained
within this area is a complete backup of the hard disk as it was shipped from
the factory and a program called the Access IBM Predesktop Area.
If you installed the IBM Rapid Restore PC program, the Access IBM
Predesktop Area also contains additional IBM Rapid Restore PC backups that
reflect the contents of the hard disk as it existed at various points in time.
You can use the Access IBM Predesktop Area to restore the contents of the
hard disk to an earlier state using any of the backup images stored in the
protected area. Access IBM Predesktop Area runs independently of the
Windows operating system. Therefore, you can start it by pressing the blue
Access IBM button when prompted during startup.
After the Access IBM Predesktop area opens you can perform a recovery
operation, even if you are unable to start Windows. For more information
about the IBM Rapid Restore PC program, see Backing up and restoring data.
For more information about the Access IBM Predesktop Area, see Interrupting
the normal startup sequence.
To recover the hard disk to its original contents, do the following:
Note: The recovery process might take up to 2 hours.
Attention: All of the files on the primary hard disk partition (usually drive C)
will be lost in the recovery process. If possible, be sure to back up copies of
the files you have saved on your drive C before you begin.
Note: You might need to use a diskette drive in the recovery process. Use a
1. If possible, save all your files and shut down your operating system.
2. Turn off your computer.
3. Turn on your computer. Watch the display carefully. When the following
message is displayed, press the blue Access IBM button to open the Access
IBM Predesktop Area: "To interrupt normal startup, press the blue Access
IBM button."
4. Double-click Recover to factory contents.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen.
6. When the recovery process finishes, press Enter key. Your computer will
restart with the pre-installed operating system, drivers, and software.
drive that is compatible with your ThinkPad computer.
Solving computer problems
Chapter 2. Solving computer problems
33