Singing the R51 reinstallation blues... Care to change my tune? [ Edited ]

[The_Kelvis]

Hi there, everyone!  First, just a shout out to your amazing boards here... you've been a great resource!

I wish to do a clean install on my XP running ThinkPad R51, just to keep everything neat and tidy after years of reliable use.  Before I start crying uncontrollably, here's what I've tried...

Okay... so loooong ago... I successfully created the Rescue & Recovery startup disc & the 6 product recovery discs.  I also attempted to use the ol' AccessIBM A/K/A ThinkVantage button to start the process.  It doesn't matter which path I take, I always end up at the same graveyard:  R&R asking me for a CSS password/passphrase that doesn't exist.  It also gives me an option to answer 3 questions to recover my password, but I've never answered those 3 questions before...   So it won't let me run R&R at all, and sends me kicking and screaming back to Windows startup.

I've tried uninstalling R&R and CSS... and then reinstalling them.  Etc... etc...

I've tried the whole battery thing. 

What I haven't tried is just wiping the whole drive, and then trying to use the recovery discs... but I fear I'll just end up in the same ol' loop with it asking for a passphrase/password I never even remember setting in the first place.

I can successfully enter and edit the BIOS startup.  I believe it's been flashed to the most current version.

Oh, and here's another prickly pear... the motherboard was replaced a few years ago under extended warranty after it went toes up.  Could this be part of my password/phrase issues?

Can you folks help a brother out?

Thanks in advance!

-The Kelvis

[andyP Community SuperMod]

Hi Kelvis,

sorry you didn't have any success with your post in the TVT board

Out of interest, have you tried booting from the R&R boot disc? Does it also ask for a password? Booting from the disc will not wipe the drive untill you tell it to, after you have clicked a few "yeses".

I've not been in the same situation, but have you tried the normal "no-password" - enter button or "admin"?

P.S. Your other post has dissapeared out of sight. Sometimes, but only sometimes! Wishes can be granted

[The_Kelvis]

Thanks for replying Andy!  And also for removing my old post!

When I boot from the R&R disc, here are the events I experience:

1. Black start screen
2. "ThinkVantage Technologies" status bar across bottom of screen.
3. "Please Wait..."
4. Light blue screen (not BSOD)
5. "ThinkVantage Rescue & Recovery 3" screen with photo of life preserver.
6. System Services Starting Window: "Waiting for services to finsh initializing."
7. Rescue & Recovery Workspace Logon Window: (that asks for the following)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

User:

Client Security passphrase:

Domain:

[   ]  I forgot my Passphrase or Windows Password

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

User name is autopopulated with my own...

Domain is autopopulated with my laptop name...

I have tried all the usual suspects for passwords.  [ENTER], "admin", all my old standbys... nothing seems to work.

It will then kick me over to the three passphrase questions (or when I check the "I forgot my passphrase box,") but again none of those seem to work either.

Eventually, after three unsuccessful tries, I am kicked out to ye ol' Windows boot.

That's where I'm at, at the moment.

-k.

[The_Kelvis]

I think I may have found a solution... I'm not going to do the happy dance yet, but I'll keep you posted.  I'll be sure to post my final resolution here when I know it has worked 100%.  I just wanted to give you a heads up, St. Andy!  I'm sure there are other poor souls drowning in Lake Lenovo that require your attention!

-k.