Factory Reset problem (x200)

[ctech]

Using Rescue and Recovery, I reset my Thinkpad x200 to its factory settings.  However, I left my external hard drive plugged in during the process.  As a result:

- I get error messages at start up: "Error loading C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\PWMTR32V.DLL

- In addition, many applications are unaccessible (Internet Explorer).  

- When I try to run Rescue and Recovery, nothing happens (it looks like it is loading initially but then no interface appears). 

- When I use the Thinkvantage button on boot I don't get an option to restore, just resume startup, and enter BIOS or boot from a temporary device. 

The letter of the HD have also changed: SW_Preload (D, Lenovo (Q, and SERVICEV003 (S.  Note, my external drive is labled as C:  

- When I try installing Rescue and Recovery 4.2 it says "There is not enough space on drive C:\ to extract this package."  Which makes sense, when my external hard drive isn't plugged into my laptop.  When I plug in my external hard drive, it continues to extract the files but then I get an error message just as the Install Shield Wizard is about to finish: "The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed.  This can occur if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed."

- When I try installing Windows Installer I get the error message: "Not enough storage is available to process this command"

My warrant is expired.  No idea what else I should try.  Windows Update doesn't work.  I have trouble installing programs (ex. Chrome).  Lenovo technical support says given that they cannot determine the issue unless I sent it in, they can only quote me the maximum repair cost of $500+ . . .  

[x220forMe]

There are several reasons of troubles IMHO.
1. Where did you recover the laptop to the factory stage from?
2. Since I don't know the volumes and letters of x200 partitions did you remeber them? I think one of the problem now are matted partition letters. I think the SERVICE partition should be S: or w/o letter in factory version, SW_Preload - C;, Lenovo - Q:.

Do you have external Lenovo Recovery media with WinPE environment? Do you have Factory Recovery media on bootable externel device? Do you have access to the partition with archives of images for Factory Recovery Disks creating (I think it's Q: )?

You can't install the second copy of R&R on one machine so you see the such strange error message: "There is not enough space on drive C:\ to extract this package."

Also, what does your external drive consists?