Lenovo ThinkPad W Series :: W540 / Windows 8 - Unable To Create Recovery Media
Apr 23, 2014
Today I received my new worklaptop, a W540 with Windows 8 installed.
The first think I wanted to do was to create recovery media (I'm going to re-install on a SSD). However, trying to run the Windows 8 "Create recovery media" tool, as sugested by Lenovo, results in the following:
The option "Copy the recovery partition ..." is grayed out, and I can not select it. Pressing Next results in the following:
I have a brand new T440 which I am populating and customising.I created a new partition on the HDD using MiniTool Partition Wizzard. That may have created the problem - I can't create the recovery media. I get a message that the files are not there. I should have done it before partitioning - too late now.
However, using the Partition Wizzard, I can assign a drive letter to the Recovery partition, and it becomes visible in Windows Explorer (File manager). I can copy the content on an external HD drive.
Using Defender Offline "Beta" as instructed on MS website for Windows8.1. Created the media on a USB drive, then on a CD. Manually selected boot device on the boot sequence page. Followed all the instructions to the letter, but the Defender Offline media won't boot on this new W540, either on USB flash drive, or on the CD drive.
After upgrading to Win 8.1 and trying to create the usb recovery drive, I get this error:"We can't create a reccovery drive on this PC. Some required files are missing.To trouble shoot problems when your PC starts,use your window installation disk or media".
I recently bought a T530 with Windows 8 pre-installed. I want to create recovery disc(s). However, in the "Create a recovery media" wizard, I don't have the option of selecting DVDs if tick the option "Copy the recovery partition to the media". I have a bunch of DVDs lying around and I would like to use them. Not to mention that I don't intend to buy USB drive just for this purpose.
Where Can I download or order a Boot Disc for my Z580? It came with Windows 7, and PC World were offering a free upgrade to Windows 8.
I am currently unable to create a Factory Default Recovery Disc. There is an error with the Onekey Recovery software in burning onto the DVD / Disc. I have tried two different DVDs (4.7GB), and have tried a CD (740MB). And I receive the same error about one fifth of the way through.
The reason I am having to do a factory reset, is because my Wirless Network driver is not working, and the laptop no longer accepts external wireless USB dongles. I can't get internet even with a wired connection. It isn't to do with whether the wireless is switched on or not. I've tried this.
What is Lenovos policy about providing customers with the means to restore their Laptops? In the past computer manufacturers / suppliers provided all the software and bootdiscs.
i have a Dell M5040 when i launch Dell Datasafe 2.0 the section to create Recovery Media has both the USB and CD/DVD grayed out. How do I reset Datasafe in case there was a limit to create only 1 copy of the recovery cds (which are no where to be found)?
I recently acquired a new Thinkpad W530 with Windows 7 Pro.
I want to immediately replace the 500gb main drive with a larger one. I plan to do this by imaging the system partition of the current drive to an external USB hdd, and then then writing the image to the larger one after it's installed in the W530.
My question: Can I then just store the original drive away as is, to use for recovery (should the need arise), in lieu of creating recovery media now?
It seems pretty clear the answer should be "yes," but since I've always used XP up until now I'm wondering if there are any kinds of Win 7-specific watchouts (maybe licensing-rleated?) that would keep things from being as simple as popping the original drive back in the main hdd slot to get things back to exactly where they are today?
I have made a Recovery disk on a USB Flash Drive using the Lenovo “create a recovery disk” in the Lenovo Solution Centre software.
The USB Drive seems to have been created successfully. It shows in Windows Disk Management as cbd_drive (D 14.48GB NTFS Healthy (Active, Primary Partition).
When I interrupt the boot with F12, The USB Drive comes up as an option (USB HDD: Sandisk Ultra), but when this option is selected, the screen flashes briefly, then returns back to the boot options again, so the USB drive will not boot properly – the boot fails and reverts back to the boot options screen.
The root directory of the USB contains the following -
I have read other threads on here, and think I have covered the issues raised there. This is the first time I have used a USB flash drive as a recovery disk, so I may be missing something very basic.
I recently ordered a new Carbon X1 20A7 for a VP here and noticed that it, as well as all the other sets we receive for the T430's, W530, etc all contain 4 things - 3 discs and a small pamphlet. The Pamphlet explains that the discs should be labeled 1 2 3 and all (Ive checked an order of 100 T430s and the first 17 boxes are all wrong) contain 2 x #1 and a #2 - I have looked in the old lab and found older shipments that all contain similar 1 1 2 instead of 1 2 3 .
I got my W540 recently with windows 8.1 pro on it. but as all engineers worst nightmare windows 8 has hard time with engineering softwares (for my case TIA Portal for PLC programming software which only support windows 7). so i need to have a windows 7. i prefer to keep my windows 8 and have dual boot system with windows 7 added. But i can't install windows 7. initially due to disk type (GPT), then i changed it to MBR without losing my files (which only was possible if i had deleted the recovery partition- now my recovery is on my flash drive). But there are already 4 partitions on the system (1 for C: drive and 3 for recovery and system files which came originally with the product) , how can i install a windows 7? i can't add another partition because that makes my disk a Dynamic disk. i really need windows 7 on my system ASAP.
I have reinstalled my thinkpad W540. For display driver I have downloaded latest version from Nvidia. All other drivers are installed from Lenovo website.
OS: Win8.1 pro When I push the F5 or F6, display brightness bar is shown, but nothing happens.
Already tried - reinstall drivers after delete device in device manager - reinstall programs after delete all drivers from nvidia and intel in program and features
I have a brand new W540 with Windows 8.1 running. Some Fn-Keys are working, for example Fn+F2 for the volume. But I have some keys which are not working: Fn+F5 or Fn+F6 should change the LCD brightness.
Why these keys are not working? All updates are applied (Lenovo and Windows)...
After updating to brand new BIOS from Jan. 19th I cannot boot anymore into Windows 8.1 - always get INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE. Tried to repair using a Windows 8.1 USB Stick, no success. Even downgrading to 1.08 did not work as well!
The W540 has an onboard video card in addition to the NVidia video card. We use AutoCAD and Revit, and will never care for the onboard video card driver. We cannot seem to get the 170 watt Ultra Docking Stations (plural) to work with our W540 Laptops (plural) when selecting the NVIDIA card and using an external monitor. We have updated all the drivers Lenovo has asked us to including the firmware on the docking station. We have followed the instructions to make the change in the BIOS so that the NVIDIA card is only used. We have called Lenovo support twice on two separate occasions. On one occasion, they said we are not the only people to call in about the problem, and that our only course of action is to get another docking station or return the dock to our vendor. Using Windows 8.1, W540 on an ultra dock and using HDMI? Even though I mention HDMI, (because I think it is the main suspect), DVI seems to blue screen the laptop too.
I just accepted the delivery of my 5 brand new notebooks for my company's new workers.
3 of those notebooks are HP Probook 450 G2's (PN: J4R69EA) (These are the models with the 128GB SSD drives) The other two are Lenovo E540’s with similar specs.
So first things first, create recovery media. So that is done before I hand them to the end users in question. While trying to create the windows disc, the "HP Recovery Disc Creator" program demands Dual layer DVD's: "Please insert a Dual-Layer DVD to proceed" The DVD's in question I’m using are "Sony DVD+R 120min/4.7GB" discs that in the past have always worked. (and at this moment are working for the Lenovo portables)
[URL] Unfortunately this is not the same interface I have. I can only choose a drive to create a backup to (in this case it is Drive F: for internal drive) I also tried an external DVD writer with the same results.
I have not tried a USB stick, but this is not what I want and since you can only create one set of backups…
Link to a screenshot: (you need to copy paste it into your browser apparently)
[URL]
This would not be that big of a problem if there was an actual windows 7 key printed on the portable. If I had a key, I would just reinstall the machine straight away with a clean windows 7 image so I dont have to clean out all the HP software. but unfortunatly this is not the case. so i need a Windows 7 Recovery disc to be created.
I've just replaced HDD by SSD and tried to make a recovery USB media by means of 8.1 recovery utility. The process takes suspiciously short time, but finishes normally reporting that media is created. The size of all files on the flash is about 200 MB. When I did the same media with HDD the size was 12GB. I tried to boot with that flash and it failed with a message about corrupted media or the like. I always believed that windows does not take into account the physical structure of the drive and cannot understand what's going on and what to do.
I am going to install a SSD in my G510 and would like to know if it is possible to create a recovery DVD as my usb has only 100gb remaining and a full system back-up takes 288gb
My new W540 has the latest bios & software updates. It won't wake up from sleep...or rather the display won't come on. When I push the power button (pulsing green), it goes to solid green and the fingerprint scanner light turns on, but no screen. I scan my fingerprint and the scanner light turns off, but still no screen. The only way to bring it back to life is a long press on the power button and a reboot.
Nothing plugged into any of the ports. It does this regardless of whether it's plugged in or on battery.
I have just ordered a w540 and I'm wondering if I can add a second hard drive (actually what I want to install is an SSD) to it. In which case I failed to find the appropriate message...
I have tested the following on 2 identical W540 machines.After installing Windows 8.1, the internal camera is not working. I dont remember if the camera worked before we installed 8.1. I have installed all relevant drivers and updated all windows updates. I have installed all drivers from System update.
I waited a long time for this new W540. Downlkoad all the newest drivers and did all the updates and now this POS will not shut down. Just goes to a black screen and have to hold the power button to force a shut down.
When I try to reboot the screen goes to black right after the home screen with a twirling cursor. Had to send my new W530 back for hard drive failure and now this W540 is screwed, too!
When I put my laptop to sleep or it sits idle for a period of time and goes to sleep on it's own it stops recognizing the laptop monitor. It will still display on other monitors connected through the docking station, but not the laptop. It doesn't matter if I put it to sleep while on the dock or off the dock, it never recognizes the monitor.
I have an Intel HD Grpahics 4600, and an NVIDIA Quadro K1100M video cards. I've checked drivers for both and they both say they are up to date (9/29/14 for Intel, and 09/12/2014 for NVIDIA). I have also updated every possible thing in the Lenovo System Update.
This problem occured after switching from windows 7 to windows 8.1.I have also lost the ability to control the brightness of my laptop monitor through my computer at any point in time. The function keys don't work, and the setting is not shown on my power manager.
I recieved the W540 a few days ago, and I see there is a slot behind the battery for a SIM card, I tried using my SIM card and I still can't use mobile broadband. Can I use mobile broadband on the W540? do I need any drivers? and if I can't use it, can I buy something like this for the expresscard slot and insert the SIM in the slot behind the battery?
I got my w540 in about 2 weeks ago, and finally had a chance to start migrating everything to it last week. I bring my laptop(s) to and from work everyday and right now I'm bringing a w520 and my new w540. But everyday since I started bringing my w540 home with me when I get home the laptop is running when I take it out of my bag.
So yesterday and this morning, I made 100% sure the laptop was in sleep mode and nothing was running before I put the laptop in the bag. I get to work 15 minutes later and the laptop bag is about 150 degrees because the w540 is running even through the lid is closed.
