Talked to tech support this morning, hoping they could get me access to the recovery partition, or perhaps send out a Windows XP CD.
I was particularly dissapointed to hear that my only option was to get another recovery CD. Tech support suggested that I go out and buy another copy of Windows XP to get the install files. I could uninstall all the applications that are installed on the laptop but that will leave a bunch of artifacts behind in the registry, and it seems there is some software that won't uninstall.
Anyways, Lenovo Tech support position is that there is no way to do a base installation of Windows XP (without buying another copy). I'm off searching for the appropriate files to create my own install disc and will post if I find a way around this.
As a final note, I'm very dissapointed with this. With my x41 tablet I was able to do a clean install of windows XP, minus the bloatware, which turned it from a mediocre laptop to a stellar unit. I really wish that PC manufacturers would allow for the fact that some of it's customers do not want the super-bloated installs that seem to be so common.
