Backing up the preloaded OS
On recent ThinkPads even if you don't get the Recovery CDs and want to remove your PreDesktop Area, you still have a good chance to get a means of restoring the original state of your ThinkPad later. The only prerequisite is that you still have the preloaded system. (If not, please look at: Recovering without Recovery CDs.)
The original installation includes all the necessary setup files needed to install the system in its original state.
There are [| comprehensive instructions] on where to find these files and how to back them up to CD-R/DVD-R media hosted at 4saad.com.