I HAVE A IBM THINKPAD T42, IT HAS WINDOWS PRODUCT KEY AT THE BACK, I FORMATED IT AND I WANT TO REINSTALL THE OS BUT I DONT HAVE THE ORIGINAL CD AND ALSO I DONT KNOW WHICH SERVICE PACK WAS IT. CAN I USE ANY CD TO REINSTALL THE SOFTWARE. PLEASE ASSIST ME.

Here's a site to cross reference: http://www.thinkpad-parts.com/listing.asp?pl=ThinkPad&cl=LCD

The refurb key that they supplied must have been a error, I suggest you contact them to get the correct information because you cannot bypass the product key number to get into windows.

try finding it here : http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?doctypeind=9&template=%2Fproductselection%2Flandingpages%2FdownloadsDriversLandingPage.vm&sitestyle=lenovo

reinstall your drivers for wireless connection. try finding it online if you don't have the cd

Before formatting the drive ....
you will need to save your drivers on a cd/dvd disk if you dont have the original disks

Formatting the drive should be straight forward,
remove it from your machine and take it to another computer,
your IBM Thinkpad should be staight forward to reinstall even without taking your drive to another computer,I found this step easier tho....
after formatting this drive you could just insert to your machine and then reload your software from the beginning providing you have your disks,

You might have a password locked hard drive and or your bios may be locked also ,in this case replace the drive after which your new os install should give you access and functionality,
update your drivers on the internet and SP2 updates will give you hi speed usb 2.0 functionalilty.....

Good luck with the formatting,if you need help let me know,
have a great day

MISTERDJ

fist you have start ypu laptop in safe mode you laptop is reboot time press F8 key and select the safemode and after use normal mode and your problem is still pressnet pls reinstall windows xp.................100% ..........

Assuming you have no data to lose,,,, you could always try to download copy of Windows 2000 Professional and burn it to a CD. Before you do this,,, you have to make sure you have a sticker somwhere on your laptop with your original product key. If you do decide to download Windows 2000 Professional,,, make sure its an OEM copy,,, and of course there is no guarantee that it will be a full copy, or a copy without virus's in it. DO NOT try to download Windows 2000 Professional if you dont have the original product key, as it is illegal. Also,,, do not try and find a product key online,,, that is also illegal. I have to be perfectly clear that the only legal way to download somethign like Windows 2000 Professional is if u have the original product code or key. You can than use this newly burned copy to format and reinstall windows, and than from IBM's web site u can download all the drivers needed for your model

hi im josh in cebu phils. friend when it happens when you cannot burn your cd the problem centers on the software and device it self. the first thing to do is try to reinstall or install other burning program such as alcohol, nero, etc.try different programs.when it stilll occurs then the problem is you device.just replace it. Good luck

yes you need to also install the drivers cd. it came with the windows cd when you bought your lappy. it should be called drivers and utilities or something along those lines :)

You may want to run ComboFix.exe.download and follow instructions.RICHARDM69..IF YOU STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM FORMAT AND REINSTALL OS.