Here is what I did when I tried to recover XP on my X200 running 64bit Win7:
-I used the product recovery media and created a boot CD of Windows 7 before starting.
-Changed boot order to CD first and inserted XP Rescue & Recovery disk.
-Went through process until it requested a re-boot, so removed disk. The machine restarts by itself.
-The computer stuck at "Thinkpad, a product of lenovo" screen until I put in the Product Recovery disc (1 of 2), I assume to put the Product Recovery disc in because I read picture instruction on the lenovo website.
-After put Product recovery disk in, I select CD/DVD from dropdown. A box shows up asking to insert the disc "Final C". Which one is "Final C"? I tried each three dics, and nothing is recognised.
-......... Nothing shows up for many hours, probably forever, and I have to abort the downgrade. I put my Windows 7 boot CD in, and still nothing shows up.
-As soon as I restart, the computer launches into Rescue and Recover again. I changed the boot sequece HDD first, and still same thing happened again and again.
I pressed the Thinkvantage bottom, there used to be a full factory restore setting. And now mystically it's gone.
I cannot continue the XP downgrade, log into Windows environment, or restore Windows 7.
Could anyone help me make my computer either downgrade to Windows XP or restore to Windows 7?
Thanks.
Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
Downgrade to XP failed. I can't get into Win, help needed!!!
Re: Downgrade to XP failed. I can't get into Win, help needed!!!
Just some guesses here.
Check your BIOS that it is set to Compatibility mode and not ACHI when installing XP. You can change back to ACHI after XP is installed with the Intel Matrix Storage Manager (which should be on the Product Recovery Disks AFAIK).
See if this is your issue.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 37#p149737
Try pressing F11 at the boot splash screen to boot into Rescue and Recovery.
BTW, you have to choose to Restore Factory Contents twice. Once from the CD's and once from the hard drive.
Check your BIOS that it is set to Compatibility mode and not ACHI when installing XP. You can change back to ACHI after XP is installed with the Intel Matrix Storage Manager (which should be on the Product Recovery Disks AFAIK).
See if this is your issue.
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 37#p149737
Try pressing F11 at the boot splash screen to boot into Rescue and Recovery.
BTW, you have to choose to Restore Factory Contents twice. Once from the CD's and once from the hard drive.
DKB
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 3 Replies
- 3939 Views
-
Last post by panips
Sat Dec 20, 2025 3:15 pm
-
-
X200 Tablet Factory Restore - Help Needed
by Danny_Dorito » Sat Feb 21, 2026 9:49 pm » in ThinkPad X200/X201/X220 and X300/X301 Series - 1 Replies
- 2671 Views
-
Last post by teamde78
Wed Mar 25, 2026 8:29 pm
-
-
-
W11: Micro$haft are Moving your Files into the Cloud without you knowing!
by RealBlackStuff » Sat Jan 03, 2026 2:23 am » in Windows 10/11/etc. - 5 Replies
- 9001 Views
-
Last post by Saucey
Mon Jan 26, 2026 5:43 pm
-
-
-
T470s won't allow me to login into Linux -- only UEFI, boot screens and tty interfaces seem to work
by irock » Wed Mar 18, 2026 3:34 pm » in ThinkPad T430-T495 / T530-T590 Series - 4 Replies
- 2784 Views
-
Last post by farmall
Fri Mar 27, 2026 2:26 pm
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 82 guests




