Need help installing XP Pro on an old ThinkPad

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8. this was an identical laptop

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!