Vista recovery CDs not working

[ErikEngbrecht]

A virus completely hosed my X200 laptop.  I'm trying to do a bare metal restore from the Vista recovery disks that came with the laptop.  The disk boots a seems to be going ok, then it hits a screen a just sits there for a minute or so.  The DVD drive isn't doing anything and the HD isn't doing anything.  Then it just reboots.  If I leave the disk in it will repeat this cycle over and over again, so it's not that it's doing some sort of prep on the first round.

Is there a way to fix this or are my CDs bad?  I just removed them from their packaging and the look like they are in pristine condition.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

did you use the Rescue and Recovery disc 1 of 1 to start the process, or did you use the Vista Recovery Media?

[ErikEngbrecht]

I assumed the disk labeled "Start Recovery Disc" and with the #1 printed on it starts the recovery process.  But I also tried the disc labeled "Operating System Recovery Disc Windows Vista Business SP 1" with a #2  on it and it would not boot.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

did you change the boot order in the bios to boot from the optical drive first?

[andyP Community SuperMod]

ErikEngbrecht, welcome to the forum,

having read your posts you seem to have been doing everything correctly. As your system is hanging after booting from disc #1, I'd suggest copying that disc and trying to boot from the copy. If the same occurs contact support and ask them to send you another set.

Alertanitively, have you tried booting to the service partition? Press the blue ThinkVantage button when booting, when you see the message "To interrupt.....". This should then offer you the possibility of selecting F11 to diagnose or recover your system.

Yet another alternative would be to create your own recovery discs, assuming your system still works, these will be created from the service partition and should not be influenced by the virus infection.

Hope this helps