Lenovo ThinkPad refurb/XP Install issues

[Romaniac]

I'm doing a refurbishment project for someone.

He has a few Lenovo ThinkPad X61 7767-02U

The HDDs have been removed, and the laptops were auctioned off as a lot. Now I have to get them set up. I know they are ancient, but he will sell them at a profit.

Popped in new HDD.
After having a HECK of a time finding a Windows XP Tablet PC Edition (I was told XP Pro would work if key was Tablet, but anyway....)
I can only assume that means XP Tablet 2005.
Checking Lenovo support drivers, it seems that's correct - Tablet 2005 is only tablet version for XP I see.

The install media has SP3 on it.

COA:
Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.
Lenovo Singapore

Key from COA will not work/activate.

Is the COA first release? As in, not even SP1? So do I have to find media with NO SP?
Does 'Singapore' version have anything to do with anything?

Yeah, I'm rusty on XP, specially dealing with COA stuff.

What are my options?

Thanks!

 

[Kitten Kong]

If your doing refurb machines, then in all honesty you would need to join the MS refurb program.

There are multiple threads on the refurb program found on the forum. Even a sticky, which will give you heaps of info.

 

[Blue]

If [you're] doing refurb machines, then in all honesty you would need to join the MS refurb program.

Absolutely. Merely installing Windows XP Tablet Edition and then selling the machine without a legitimate way of restoring the OS violates Microsoft's licensing terms.

The short version is this: if you're selling a refurbished machine with Windows on it, you MUST also provide the customer with either the OE restoration media, or the original system-restore partition on the OE HDD must be present. If you do not have either, your only option to keep each installation of Windows legal is to join the refurbisher program.

As far as having Lenovo Singapore on the CoA, I've run into this as well. IIRC, it needs an OEM edition.

 

[Kitten Kong]

I agree 100% with Blue. The refurb program is easy and free to join. There are multiple threads and ideas on the program. Never mind the additional income you can achieve.

Plus, it keeps you and your client legal and above board.

 

[Romaniac]

Arghh, I thought we could make our own restore partition - at least I was looking at that as an option.

I've hunted down info on the different MS programs, myself, but I'll check out the threads on TN.

If anyone has more info/suggestions/advise, go ahead and post.


Thanks for the replies Cadishead and Blue.

 

[jbartlett323]

XP Tablet was never released w/ SP3, so thats your first problem. Find a proper OEM disk 2, (labeled XP Pro Disc 2 or Tablet edition 2005, or Media Center 2005), install from XP Pro with SP2 (or whatever disc 1 comes with it) it will prompt for disc 2. Install SP3 standalone. Activate and your set. It will not activate before SP3 install.

Now be careful and read the label close, there is a Tablet Edition (circa 2003) and 2005 Tablet edition (just like Media Center, oh wait they are the same disc..), so use the right version.

Now all that being said, you technically need to buy a refurb license..........

 

[Kitten Kong]

If the op does as you suggest, a) it'll take a lot longer to install than usual. That's if the discs can be located.

B) what would happen if the drive fails during the warranty period? The seller wild be even more stuck, in attempting to do all of (a) again.

@op. check the sticky in the windows sub forum. Everything in there, is all you would need, and it is a damned sight easier than messing around with (a).

Just my thoughts

 

[jbartlett323]

If the op does as you suggest, a) it'll take a lot longer to install than usual. That's if the discs can be located.

B) what would happen if the drive fails during the warranty period? The seller wild be even more stuck, in attempting to do all of (a) again.

@op. check the sticky in the windows sub forum. Everything in there, is all you would need, and it is a damned sight easier than messing around with (a).

Just my thoughts

A) yes it will, but it will work! The discs are available, on technet as well as other places...
B) most refurb machines I have seen only come with a 30 day hardware warranty if your lucky. What this tells me is that if the drive fails in 30 days, I would be reinstalling for them. If it makes it more than that, the user would have lost the disks anyway. And if its a big deal, you can make an image restore disk pretty easily with Clonezilla anyway. extra step and disk, but can be done on the cheap.

oh and I joined the refurb program... A) is still way easier, still way cheaper... but refurb license does keep you legal, so that is still recommended...

 

[AndyM]

Also worth noting when refurbing a Lenovo, is the max HD size.

I have a couple of T61's (same era), and they are rated at 160GB Max. As an experiment, I have placed a 500GB Seagate hybrid drive into one of them, and it appears to work ok, but a standard 500GB drives gives "inconsistent" results. One day ok, the next it will crash and burn (both have the same image on them, and are used purely for testing purposes).

Definately get yourself legal with the Microsoft Refurb Program (http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/refurbisher_programs.aspx)

 

[Romaniac]

Thanks for the further discussion guys; and for the info.

I will be checking into that. I'm also looking at the system builder program.