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CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 01:02 PM Apr 2013

Need help installing XP Pro on an old ThinkPad



I need some help please!

I recently bought an old A31 2652 ThinkPad on eBay.com. It seemed sort of ok at first but after running various scans, etc. on it, I found a lot of horrible crap on it.

System restore no longer works on it. I found a serious threat trojan embedded in system restore and one of the tools I used quarantined and removed it and that did not fix the problem (seems the idiot that had this machine liked his porn; oh yeah ...).

Also, you do not see the volume nor your online link to the internet nor the hardware removal icons on the bottom task bar.

I do have a copy of XP Pro service pack 3 in my possession.

I know how to wipe the HD clean and how to get into MS-DOS to do it.

However, what happens to the partitioned HD on this? Does it stay the same? Will I have a machine I can use after I do this or will it mess it up even more? This ThinkPad does not come with restore disks or anything like that as I believe it has a partition on it so -- ???

If I try to reformat the HD on this laptop (now using it and yes, it works well and was used not much for many years I can tell; hence I'd hate to dump it -- a computer that sold for abet. $2,000.00 new). Would be a damn shame to dump this laptop, that much I can tell you.

What advice to you have for me? I am not sure what to do. Local shop charges $85.00/hr. Ugh.

As for re-installing PX Pro, I suppose you shut down and start it up with the CD in the D:/ drive and it will do its thing (I hope). Please advise is this is not correct and if there is something that I should do otherwise. I haven't tried to reformat a computer like this ever being system restore usually works.

Virus scans for viruses, trojans, etc. are coming up clean after running several different programs on it.

Confused and do not know what to do.

As it now stand, said machine works just fine other than the problems that I describe above. Will re-formatting it do any good at all IF that trojan that was embedded in System Restore was there and it messed it up and it is in fact beyond repair?

Thanks for any help at all.

32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Need help installing XP Pro on an old ThinkPad (Original Post) CountAllVotes Apr 2013 OP
First off, this is all from memory... Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #1
I do have a floppy drive CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #2
OK that's good news and bad news Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #3
system repair? CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #4
System repair is not the same as restore Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #5
Also, does this laptop have another partition? Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #6
this was an identical laptop CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #8
Ah, that may change things Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #10
I have an AST 486 from 1992 (Windows 3.0) that still works..... lastlib Apr 2013 #23
Linux. It's the easiest, quickest way to get an old computer running. hunter Apr 2013 #7
I tried Ubuntu once CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #17
ThinkPads came with a hidden partition with the OS/software/driver installers... Make7 Apr 2013 #9
Does the laptop have an XP product key sticker? hobbit709 Apr 2013 #11
Yes it does CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #12
During setup it shows what partitions there are. hobbit709 Apr 2013 #13
I found the Dell rescue recovery disks CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #14
Nope. You don't need any DOS stuff in XP setup. hobbit709 Apr 2013 #15
I just ran system restore again CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #16
"I think the virus is deeply embedded into the partition as well." Denzil_DC Apr 2013 #26
Hi gvstn Apr 2013 #18
23.40 MB emty on c: CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #19
To clarify gvstn Apr 2013 #20
XP PRO disk CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #21
Magic Disc gvstn Apr 2013 #22
SuperAntiSpyware found it CountAllVotes May 2013 #31
I've never had a sticker fail, and I've done hundreds of reinstalls. hobbit709 Apr 2013 #24
Thanks for the info! gvstn Apr 2013 #25
you have to match the windows sticker XP version.. Phillip McCleod Apr 2013 #27
update on this situation CountAllVotes May 2013 #28
Laptops overheat easily since there is limited air circulation in them. hobbit709 May 2013 #29
back to reading only 512 RAM CountAllVotes May 2013 #30
Update on this for all that helped CountAllVotes May 2013 #32

Duer 157099

(17,742 posts)
1. First off, this is all from memory...
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 01:11 PM
Apr 2013

and it's been awhile.

1) your copy of XP Pro: do you have the activation code? Just having the disk isn't enough.
2) before doing a complete wipe and reinstall, you can try to fix the windows installation. I think you put the disk in and at some point it gives the option to do a repair.
3) do you know anything about disk partition?

I guess there's no floppy drive . Those always come in handy when you want to get down to low level stuff.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
2. I do have a floppy drive
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 01:21 PM
Apr 2013

As for the copy of XP Pro that I have, it was inside the D:/ drive of another laptop I'd bought that was about ready to die. I sent it back and kept the CD.

However, I do not have an activation code and I know nothing about the partition on it.



Duer 157099

(17,742 posts)
3. OK that's good news and bad news
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 01:34 PM
Apr 2013

The good news is that with a floppy, you have much more flexibility.

The bad news is that your copy of XP Pro won't work on another system besides the one you pulled it from.

I hope someone else will chime in here...

I think you might first want to try the system repair, using the XP disk you made.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
4. system repair?
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 01:54 PM
Apr 2013

How would I go about doing this? I can use disk check, etc. but as I stated, system restore does not seem to work.

I found the name of that trojan that showed up yesterday:

It is a very bad one it seems.

It was TR/Rogue.8995937

Ugh.

I never made a system restore floppy disk btw. I never knew about this option I must admit.





Duer 157099

(17,742 posts)
5. System repair is not the same as restore
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:00 PM
Apr 2013

And again, this is all from memory...

With system repair, you proceed as though you are going to do a reinstall of windows. So, you put the disk in the drive and follow the prompts and at some point, it will ask if it should try to repair your current installation rather than reinstalling it.

Duer 157099

(17,742 posts)
6. Also, does this laptop have another partition?
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:06 PM
Apr 2013

Same as with your old laptop, where you found the XP pro that you have. Does this laptop have one?

Google "activation key winxp pro" and find the location in your registry where that code is. I would do that before removing anything. WinXP comes in many flavors, and the activation key varies accordingly. Google about this.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
8. this was an identical laptop
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:14 PM
Apr 2013

Same model #, etc. I have three of these btw. Of these three, two of them work.

I kept buying old ones for a reason, the drives are swappable, etc.

I'll try what you suggest.

I just tried system restore again to yesterday (named LAST) after I'd run all the scans etc. and it seemed to be clean.

And, it worked! The icons are back but will they stay there when I reboot? I kind of doubt it (been there a few times and done that and no, when rebooted, the icons I mention in my first post are gone again).

I suppose I could live with it the way it is but ...

As for the partition, I have not a clue.

That is what the F8 key does, restores to the last working configuration whatever that means!

I had actually bought a new desktop with Windows 7 Pro on it and it was a piece of total JUNK and I sent it back (Lenovo ...).

How I long for the day of being able to buy a computer that will work for 10+ years again! I still have an old A21m ThinkPad from 1998 with Windows 2000 on it and it still works but it is very slow, but yes, it still works believe it or not!

Thanks for your help. Will google that and see what comes up!

Duer 157099

(17,742 posts)
10. Ah, that may change things
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:30 PM
Apr 2013

if the current laptop is identical to the one that you pulled the copy of XP pro from, then the same activation key may well work.

But you need to find the key. Any chance there is a sticker on the laptop?

lastlib

(22,981 posts)
23. I have an AST 486 from 1992 (Windows 3.0) that still works.....
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 11:41 PM
Apr 2013

except the internal battery is dead, so if it ever lost power, I would have to reload the BIOS data from scratch, and couldn't keep the system clock going.

hunter

(38,264 posts)
7. Linux. It's the easiest, quickest way to get an old computer running.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:10 PM
Apr 2013

I wouldn't use anything else on my home machines.

I'm a Debian user, but I hear good things about Ubuntu or Mint.

Linux Mint is currently at the top of the list at distrowatch.com

As with any computer rebuild, it's usually best to have access to another working computer connected to the internet in case you get stuck and have questions.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
17. I tried Ubuntu once
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 07:15 PM
Apr 2013

and oh what a huge mess that program created for me.

I've never tried the others.

Using Firefox right now and I had to go in an update IE to IE 8. There was no Java to be found on it so I had to download, install that first before I could get IE 8 to download and install. Maybe I should delete Java. I have it disabled at present.

I've been spending so damn much time on this thing.

I feel like I'm going crazy!

Make7

(8,543 posts)
9. ThinkPads came with a hidden partition with the OS/software/driver installers...
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:28 PM
Apr 2013

... that can be used to restore the laptop to "factory new" condition.

There are a few issues with doing this though: you will probably need to do a ton of Windows Updates (MicroSoft still supports that for XP, right?) and you might need to update some drivers (which you should be able to get at Lenovo's website). I'd make sure that the previous stuff is possible before using the built-in restore to basically overwrite the hard drive.

Anyway, Lenovo's website still has good documentation for old laptops (start here), so you should definitely go there to do some research on how best to solve any issues. Here is an example of what a service guide for a similar laptop says:

[div class="excerpt" style="margin-left:1em; border:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-radius:0.4615em; box-shadow:-1px -1px 3px #999999 inset;"]Recovering pre-installed software

If the data on your hard disk drive is damaged or accidentally erased, you can restore the software that was shipped with your computer. This software includes your pre-installed operating system, applications, and device drivers.

To restore your pre-installed software, you can use the Product Recovery program.

The Product Recovery program is in a section of your hard disk drive that is not displayed by Windows Explorer.

Note:
The recovery process might take up to 2 hours.

[font style="font-size:0.8462em;"]http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/46p4859.pdf#page=36[/font]

hobbit709

(41,694 posts)
11. Does the laptop have an XP product key sticker?
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 03:57 PM
Apr 2013

If it does, it can be reused. If you go online and find a Dell XP restore disk-they go for about $15-20, get it.
I've never had a Dell disk fail to authenticate on any brand OEM install. I've done Dell, IBM, HP-Compaq, Gateway, Toshiba, and Sony with no problem.
As far as getting rid of the virus, during the install, one of the options will be to remove/create partitions on the drive. Remove the existing partition(s) and create new one(s) and then format the C partition-whatever was on there will go to never never land.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
12. Yes it does
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 04:19 PM
Apr 2013

I tried the above idea and it did not work.

Thanks to all for helping me w/this mess, and yes that is what it is is a mess.

Thanks for the tip.

I would be willing to spend $15-20 to fix this computer. I believe it is worth it.

However, do not know how to be rid of a partition.

I am now on the other laptop (same model, etc.) and it says that you cannot create a recovery disk. Drat!

hobbit709

(41,694 posts)
13. During setup it shows what partitions there are.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 04:47 PM
Apr 2013

options are explained as to Delete or otherwise"D" will delete, "C" will create and then asks what size you want to make it. "F" does a format.

IF it's the same make and model,you can use Acronis True Image or other cloning software to clone that drive to the other one. All you need is a USB adapter that the drive from the other computer connects to(You have to remove it from the laptop). Once it finishes cloning the drive, just put it back in the laptop and it should boot right up.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
14. I found the Dell rescue recovery disks
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 06:22 PM
Apr 2013

I just bought them on ebay. Cost was only $6.99.

I will hope for the best.

It is too bad that this computer (I bought one just like it new) did not come with rescue/recovery disks, etc. Sad really.

Thanks for your help.

Will let you know what happens.

P.S. I think that C:/ needs to have the command c://format /u done on it. I think the virus is deeply embedded into the partition as well. That is why system restore is not working so hot, if at all. When I reboot, the icons are gone again. *sigh*



hobbit709

(41,694 posts)
15. Nope. You don't need any DOS stuff in XP setup.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 06:30 PM
Apr 2013

The problem with system restore is that if the virus gets into the restore point-guess what happens?

From XP on you don't need a DOS boot floppy.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
16. I just ran system restore again
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 06:53 PM
Apr 2013

Got everything back again now, icons, etc.

But, they'll be back when I reboot, that you CAN believe in.

I think the person that had this must have reloaded XP Pro at some point but I doubt that he knew that the system recovery was embedded with a very bad trojan (order me to shut down ASAP ... this with SuperANTISpyware that found it in there.

I wonder what the ramifications are of using it as is? Is it safe is my concern as I do some online banking.

It works fine really as long as I keep doing the system restore thing with it to get the icons back on the toolbar.

Battery is about shot, but that is not a big issue w/me.

Thanks again. Glad to know that would not help any.

I suppose MS-DOS is not used much any more (or no one knows wtf it is?).



Denzil_DC

(7,188 posts)
26. "I think the virus is deeply embedded into the partition as well."
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 05:40 PM
Apr 2013

How about buying a new hard disk to replace the one currently in the laptop?

From what I can understand, you now have the media necessary to do an install from scratch (pardon me if there's a wrinkle that I haven't seen that prevents that). Since it's an old machine, you don't know how long the exisiting hard disk's likely to last anyway. Given your abiding suspicions about that trojan, and goodness knows what else might be lurking on the old disk, it's probably the only safe way to do online banking etc. on it.

gvstn

(2,805 posts)
18. Hi
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 08:58 PM
Apr 2013

I think the $6.99 disc is some sort of emergency disc. I doubt it is a true recovery disc.

A couple of things: your Lenovo disc is XP PRO SP3 is the sticker on the bottom of the Thinkpad also XP PRO?

Let us know how big the HD is and what partitions are there. I'm thinking if the HD is large enough you could do some repartitioning and see if you can squeeze out 10gb for a new partition. Then you could try the XP install on that empty partition and if you have problems with the key you can still get back to the situation you are in now.

Go to Control Panel and then Administrative Tools then Computer Management and then Disk Management from the left hand side. That will give you a look at your HD partitions. In the Graph section you should see Disk 0 and then your partitions in the graph. How large is Disk 0 in GB and then how large are the partitions?

You can just go to Disk Management and then hit PrntScrn key and then open Paint and paste the picture into the program and save it as a JPG and upload it. If that is easier.

****
Also you can use this program to get your key from your current installation. http://www.majorgeeks.com/Magical_Jelly_Bean_Keyfinder_d2612.html
I'm not certain that that key will actually work but it is definitely worth getting it to have on hand to try. It won't match the key on the sticker which is what is confusing. But I can't remember exactly why that occurs and am not sure if it can be used during installation or if it was simply generated during the original installation by using the generic sticker code. But I'd get the key anyway.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
19. 23.40 MB emty on c:
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 09:20 PM
Apr 2013

Yes, the sticker on the bottom says XP PRO on it.

There is an extra partition at E: oddly and it is full is says with 386 mb on it.

The main HD (c: ) has 23.40 MB empty with 37.27 capacity, status is healthy as is the one on E:

Due to the copy of XP Pro installed on this, I cannot due a screen capture.

I see the number on the sticker ... is the the number I need? It is quite long with dashes between the numbers.

Does this help any at all?

Thanks for the link! I'll check it out!

Managed to get a screen shot of it.

Here it is:



I hope this helps add to the mystery!


Thank you so much!!!




gvstn

(2,805 posts)
20. To clarify
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 10:04 PM
Apr 2013

Your Disk 0 is 37.27 GB.
Your C: drive is also 37.27GB. NTFS file system. With about 23.40 GB (not MB--that it is GB is important!) free.
Your E: drive is 386 MB and is full. This is probably a diagnostic partition which won't solve your problem but it is normal for it to be full and very small hence it being only a few hundred MB.

***

A valid key is 25 characters, five groups of five.
I've never actually had the number from the sticker work for me. It is often touted as useful but it hasn't worked for me. I think the number on the sticker could be a generic number for Lenovo that can be used by many different computers and then it creates unique keys for each computer that it is installed on. Magic Jelly Bean would give the unique key. I am unsure if that key will be accepted either. It all has to do with it being an OEM key which I don't really understand. I have only had a few store bought computers. Compaq discs only worked on specific models. Dell gave actual XP discs which worked on any Dell. I think Lenovo is fairly model specific so IBM might be the same. I'm thinking your XP3 Pro disk may not work, not because you don't have a key but because it is linked to specific models.

But if you do indeed have 23 GB free on C: it is possible to shrink C: by 10Gb and create a new partition in that free space for a fresh installation. Then you should have two copies of XP if you have no problems with the keys/installation. **I just thought of something. How is that XP SP3 disc labeled? It may be a Lenovo Factory Restore disc which wouldn't work. Does it say Microsoft on the disc or OS installation?

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
21. XP PRO disk
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 10:12 PM
Apr 2013

It is obviously a copy and is labeled w/a felt tip marker. That is all.

Re: Product Key #: Yes, that is it alright. It is a different # on both of these laptops that are working.

I update the bios on both of them. This had never been done before.

It is running fast, real fast now -- both of them.

Am I safe to run this as it is or ... ?

As for the disks I bought on ebay, they may or may not work. I figured for $6.99 it is worth a try; not much to spend and/or lose.

Thanks again!!

On edit: the E: drive is an installation of something called "Magic Disk" whatever that is?

Perhaps a DVD player I think as I was able to watch a movie on this and I cannot do that on the other one I have.

gvstn

(2,805 posts)
22. Magic Disc
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 10:34 PM
Apr 2013

Is a disc emulation software. I noticed after my earlier reply that drive E: is listed as a CD/DVD drive. Unless that computer has two DVD drives then drive E: is probably a virtual drive.

You can check by going to All Programs and looking for an entry for Magic Disc. If you find it then run the program and Check under Tools and see if you find something about "Set number of Drives" and you want to set it to zero or none. Or alternatively look for drive Emulation and you want to unmount any drive.

On whether you are good with the current OS, I think I would be hesitant to use it for online banking. Which AntiVirus did you use to find your trojan? Was the threat removed?

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
31. SuperAntiSpyware found it
Wed May 1, 2013, 08:37 PM
May 2013

and yes, it was indeed removed by this program which I run on all computers that I have (and wow does it ever catch a load of stuff!).

I have Microsoft Security Essentials installed on this one here. It found nothing bad on it at all.

As for the other one with the Magic Disk on it, I see there is a way to remove it if I want to do that.

I believe the person that had it before must have reload XP Pro on it somehow. However, it is not right as you do not see the bottom toolbar when online.

hobbit709

(41,694 posts)
24. I've never had a sticker fail, and I've done hundreds of reinstalls.
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 08:26 AM
Apr 2013

sometimes the automatic system online doesn't but if you call the 800 number and read of the large product key number(9 sets of six digits) and it asks how many computers is it installed on, you say "ONE" and it gives you the numbers to fill in the blanks below and it authenticated every time.
\
Hell, I've even done new builds and reused a product key sticker from a scrapped computer and it's worked every time.

gvstn

(2,805 posts)
25. Thanks for the info!
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 10:47 AM
Apr 2013

I'm glad to know there is a help number.

I have only tried twice to use the sticker on an old Compaq and I couldn't get the key to work.

 

Phillip McCleod

(1,837 posts)
27. you have to match the windows sticker XP version..
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 09:52 PM
Apr 2013

..to the version you are installing if you want to use the sticker number. for instance it might be 'XP pro' or it might *not*. if it's not, then the sticker number won't work to install pro. gotta get another number somewhere. try the library computers. they might have pro.

or get disks to match the version you are installing.

this is windows. this is what commercial operating systems are.

..

personally on a machine that old, i'd install linux. you get much better performance than installing xp.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
28. update on this situation
Wed May 1, 2013, 11:10 AM
May 2013

The good the bad and the ugly I suppose.

Well, the night I last posted on the DU, I became highly frustrated trying to run this old laptop (with 1 GB of RAM installed in it mind you).

So, I have another I'd deemed useless (an A31p). It would not read both RAM chips ever. It was a nightmare and it constantly ran, grinding away all of the time. I had given up on it but was keeping it for parts (as they swap into the A31).

I decided upon managing to get it on line, to some how d/l Microsoft Security Suite as someone in an above link in the pinned topic to the top of this forum had suggested. It managed to download it some how (with only 1/4th of the RAM that was on the other one) and installed it and it began a complete disk check that took 15 hrs.! My god!

After that, it finally said to reboot (still grinding away) which I did, fearing the worst. It kept this up and updating Windows for another few hrs.

When I was finally able to shut it down, I snatched 1/2 GB RAM out of the one that I bought for $38.00 and installed that on it and rebooted again and it seemed to be running a lot better.

I decided to try again with the 1 GB installation and opened up the wrong panel on the back of it and found a rather large chunk of matted up dust inside of it. I blew this out with canned air (my secret weapon). It rebooted again and wow, its running fast and fine now and yep, I got myself a working laptop again with 1 GB of RAM running on it!! YEAH!

As for the other one, the reason it crashed out is because the battery is about gone on it and I had the AC adapter plugged into this one here (also a decrepit battery) and the alarms went off and I could not stop! It was plugged in again to another adapter that came w/it and the whole thing made a nasty sound and down she went and I saw that blue screen.

So, that is what happened -- seems the AC adapter the guy sold to me w/it was not the right one and it semi-fried that system board. I'll wait until I get the CDs I bought to reinstall XP Pro on it anyway and hope for these best.

This is a bad story turned worse that got better because of frugal me and the fact I hoard things admittedly. In this case, it paid off big time.

It is said that this particular laptop, the A31p is, "The best ThinkPad ever made". It is a good one alright when it is working right.

So, YES, I did it!!

Thanks for everyone's help and advice here. I really appreciate it so much I cannot tell you!!

CountAllVotes

hobbit709

(41,694 posts)
29. Laptops overheat easily since there is limited air circulation in them.
Wed May 1, 2013, 02:30 PM
May 2013

That's always the first thing I do is blow out the vents with a can of air.

1 Gb RAM is more than enough to run XP without a problem.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
30. back to reading only 512 RAM
Wed May 1, 2013, 07:51 PM
May 2013

That is ok really. I can take out the chip and put it in the other one that I may get going again someday hopefully.

This one here is running pretty good and never got hot in that 15++ hr. session yesterday believe it or not.

Will try the air on it first before I remove it however.

Runs much faster with the 1 GB of RAM installed.

*sigh*

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
32. Update on this for all that helped
Thu May 9, 2013, 01:19 AM
May 2013

I got it going again and managed to clean it up good and ... I got the other one going good now too so now I have three of them!

My god ...

And that doesn't include yet another A21m made in 1998 (she still goes, oh yes she does ... Windows 2000 on it) as well as yet another A30 older one I bought used with a 14" screen on it as well.

I think I'm set for now and just hope that XP doesn't completely disappear after next year.

Thanks again to all that helped and please, don't ask me how I fixed them both because ... I'm really not sure!

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