Recovery information, Creating recovery media

Chapter 9. Recovery information

This chapter will help you get familiar with recovery solutions provided by Lenovo. This chapter explains when and how to use the following recovery methods:

•Creating and using recovery media

•Performing backup and recovery operations

•Using the Rescue and Recovery workspace

•Creating and using rescue media

•Installing or reinstalling device drivers

•Setting a rescue device in the startup sequence

•Solving recovery problems

Notes:

1.There are a variety of methods to choose from when considering how to recover in the event of a software- or hardware-related problem. Some methods vary depending on the type of your operating system.

2.The product on the recovery media may be used only for the following purposes:

•Restore the product preinstalled on your computer

•Reinstall the product

•Modify the product using the Additional Files

Creating and using recovery media

Recovery media enable you to restore the hard disk drive to the factory default settings. Recovery media are useful if you transfer the computer to another area, sell the computer, recycle the computer, or put the computer in an operational state after all other methods of recovery have failed. As a precautionary measure, it is important to create recovery media as soon as possible.

Note: The recovery operations you can perform using recovery media vary depending on the operating system from which they are created. Your Microsoft Windows license permits you to create only one data medium, so it is important that you store the created recovery medium in a safe place.

Creating recovery media

This section provides instructions on how to create recovery media on different operating systems.

Note: On Windows 7, you can create recovery media using discs or external USB storage devices. On Windows Vista and Windows XP, you can create recovery media using discs only.

•To create recovery media on Windows 7, click Start ➙ All Programs ➙ Lenovo ThinkVantage Tools ➙ Factory Recovery Disks. Then, follow the instructions on the screen.

•To create Product Recovery discs on Windows Vista, click Start ➙ All Programs ➙ ThinkVantage ➙ Create Product Recovery Media. Then, follow the instructions on the screen.

•To create Product Recovery discs on Windows XP, click Start ➙ All Programs ➙ ThinkVantage ➙ Create Recovery Media. Then, follow the instructions on the screen.

Using recovery media

This section provides instructions on how to use recovery media on different operating systems.