How to wipe disk on a new T42p to install Linux ?

[Master One]

If everything works out, my T42p will arrive in two days. I never had a ThinkPad before, so I'd like to have some advice in advance.

When the T42p arrives, I immediately want to wipe the disk, to perform a Gentoo Linux installation (which will be the only OS on that machine).

Can anyone explain to me, what partitions are present on a new T42p?

As I understand, there should be a WinXP partition, and a hidden recovery partition?

I already have read, that there should be a recovery boot-CD enclosed, and that it somehow should be possible to make a complete backup of this hidden partition, so that it's possible, to "reset" the whole harddisk to factory default (with hidden partition and WinXP with all that IBM stuff preinstalled properly).

Can someone explain in detail, what to do, so that I can perform that "backup" right on arrival of the notebook, to be able to wipe the disk without fiddling arround with the WinXP installation in any way, so that I can start the Linux installation on an empty disk?

I just want to be sure, that nothing gets lost, so that I can "reset" to factory default, should I decide to sell that notebook with the preinstalled software some day.

I also don't really understand, what this "pre-desktop-area" should be, and if it is depending on that hidden partition?

So is it save to erase the whole disk including that hidden partition, if I want to install Linux, or should I keep that hidden partition for any reason?

[darkhelmet03]

I am also using Gentoo Linux in my T41 (dual boot).

Since you want only Linux, NO XP, but the hidden partition intact, the process is very simple.

The hidden partition is invisible to fdisk unless you make it visible only from within the bios. Hence unless you do the hidden partition will remain safe and working no matter how you "abuse" the rest of the disk.

You will simply boot with the gentoo LiveCD and follow the installation instructions (print them or have another pc with the pdf nearby).

Use fdisk to completely erase all partitions and create the new ext3 and swap partitions. In theory the hidden one will not be visible (even if it is stay away from it) and you will ebd up with a Linux-only machine, WITH the hidden partition.

Do not forget to ask for the recovery CDs from IBM support, thoug hthey now say that they charge $35...When I did it last year they sent them for free.

[Master One]

I not necessarely want to keep the hidden partition, if the base system (this "pre-desktop-area" or the bios?) does not need it to run properly, and if I can restore it using that backup/recovery-disks.

As I want to use all disk space, I'd prefer to erase that hidden partition.

I do not think, that the hidden partition does not show up in fdisk, since hiding a partition usually only works by setting the specific partition type.

As far as I have read, I do not need IBM to send me those recovery CDs, because I should be able to burn them by myself?

I think I really need a step-to-step explaination, how that whole process should work out (never had any computer until now with anything preinstalled, that I had to backup/restore, but it even seems to be more "special" what IBM did with that pre-installation, that hidden stuff and that "pre-desktop-area").

Hopefully someone can describe all that in a detailed way.

[darkhelmet03]

I think you can burn them through one of the pre-installed IBM programs. I guess it is IBM Access. After you've done this then you can unhide the partition and install Gentoo.

[Master One]

I think, it must have something to do with this "pre-desktop-area". I did a little more reading, but the gathered information still does not show a clear picture.

I guess, if noone is willing to clearify that matter, I'll have to wait until my T42p arrives, to play arround with it for myself (also I would have liked to know how to proceed, so that I do not have to waste that much time just for this backup issue).

[n3il]

Your machine will come with Windows (and apps) preloaded on the HDD. You'll have a "c:" partition with windows on it and also a hidden partition which allows you to "recover" the machine back to factory conditions.

Within Windows, Start ->All programs-> Access IBM, there is an option "Create Recovery CDs". These CD will then do the same job as the "hidden partition" - put the machine back to the state it was when you took it out of the box.

For YOUR purposes (if I have understood correctly - Not using the preloaded Windows and wanting to use the whole of the HDD but having the oprion to put the machine back to factory condition to sell it in the future) you should create the recovery cds using the procedure above (onto 6 or 7 CRs - or a number of DVDs) and keep them in a very safe place.

Then, when you are "done" with windows - and wish to install Linux, start the machine and press <F1> to enter the BIOS. In the BIOS choose "Security" and then "IBM Predesktop Area" - use the <F5>/<F6> keys to change the value to "Disabled".

After doing that you can format/partition the HDD to your heart's content and install whatever OS you require. You will have access to the whole disk and there will be no hidden partition - only the partitions that you create.

If in the future you decide to sell the machine (or just for kicks you want to restore it to factory conditions ) Re-enter the BIOS and set the "IBM Predesktop Area" to "Normal", set the BIOS to boot from CD first and boot off the first CD/DVD you created. In the "Rescue and Recovery" environment, choose the option "Recover to factory contents" and follow the instructions on screen - it will then ask you to feed it the rest of the cds/dvds you created - and copy the necessary files (to recreate the Hidden Partition) onto the HDD. After it is done the machine will reboot and you will be presented with the "Rescue and Recovery" environment again. Choose the "Recover to factory contents" option again, agree to the agreement, and it will then boot from the HDD and reinstall the preloaded Windows OS onto the "C:".

In short - if you don't want the preload and you want all of your HDD space - then you don't need to keep the "hidden partition" at all - just as long as you keep the recovery cds you created safe!!

Hopefully this should go some way to explaining what u wanted to know!

[Master One]

Thank's a lot, n3il, that was exectly the explaination that I was looking for.

As I have read somewhere else, the first recovery CD will be needed for booting the machine, but the rest of the CD set can also be burned onto a DVDR.

Is there any way to test, if the recovery CDs/DVDs were correctly created, before I wipe the harddrive?

This step is a little scary, so maybe I will burn two sets of recovery CDs/DVDs, just in case.

[n3il]

As I have read somewhere else, the first recovery CD will be needed for booting the machine, but the rest of the CD set can also be burned onto a DVDR.

Correct. Just use a CD-R for the first cd (to be labelled something like "IBM Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore") and a DVD-R for the next one - which will hold the next 6/7 "cdsfull".

This step is a little scary, so maybe I will burn two sets of recovery CDs/DVDs, just in case.

You can only create one set - once you have burned a set, the program will not allow you to burn another - citing the M$ licence agreement. On the other hand, there is nothing to stop you copying the ones you have created - for "backup" purposes! The crazy thing is that if you burn a set of CDs and then restore your machine USING those CDs - you will then be able to burn another set!

As for being sure that they work - I would burn them, and then wipe the drive ("Disable" the predesktop area, format the drive, and then set the predesktop area back to "Normal") and then try them out. When (if) they work - great - now you keep them safe. IF (on the slim chance) they DON'T work - call IBM, explain the situation - tell them that you burned the CDs but they don't work - they should send you out a set. I would do the testing sooner rather than later - just so you know for sure!

HTH

[Master One]

Thank's again, for that detailed answer. I think I know now how to proceed

[Zeitgeist]

You can only create one set - once you have burned a set, the program will not allow you to burn another - citing the M$ licence agreement. On the other hand, there is nothing to stop you copying the ones you have created - for "backup" purposes! The crazy thing is that if you burn a set of CDs and then restore your machine USING those CDs - you will then be able to burn another set!

As for being sure that they work - I would burn them, and then wipe the drive ("Disable" the predesktop area, format the drive, and then set the predesktop area back to "Normal") and then try them out. When (if) they work - great - now you keep them safe. IF (on the slim chance) they DON'T work - call IBM, explain the situation - tell them that you burned the CDs but they don't work - they should send you out a set. I would do the testing sooner rather than later - just so you know for sure!

HTH

Neil, just two remarks:

The T42 models don´t have anymore the bios protected HPA in contrast to the T40/T41 models.

Is it possible to burn another set after you have restored the hdd to the factory settings with F11/access IBM and not with the recovery CDs?

[rjm1135]

If in the future you decide to sell the machine (or just for kicks you want to restore it to factory conditions ) Re-enter the BIOS and set the "IBM Predesktop Area" to "Normal", set the BIOS to boot from CD first and boot off the first CD/DVD you created. In the "Rescue and Recovery" environment, choose the option "Recover to factory contents" and follow the instructions on screen - it will then ask you to feed it the rest of the cds/dvds you created - and copy the necessary files (to recreate the Hidden Partition) onto the HDD. After it is done the machine will reboot and you will be presented with the "Rescue and Recovery" environment again. Choose the "Recover to factory contents" option again, agree to the agreement, and it will then boot from the HDD and reinstall the preloaded Windows OS onto the "C:".

Hi Neil,

Quick question - on the second reboot, do you boot from the 1st recovery CD again or the hard drive?

Cheers,
Rob.

[n3il]

The T42 models don´t have anymore the bios protected HPA in contrast to the T40/T41 models.

AFAIK it is still protected on the T42 - just in a different way to the T40/T41.

Is it possible to burn another set after you have restored the hdd to the factory settings with F11/access IBM and not with the recovery CDs?

Yes - I believe it is.

[n3il]

on the second reboot, do you boot from the 1st recovery CD again or the hard drive?

As far as I remember, the machine reboots itself with the 6th or 7th (whatever is the last cd) still in the drive. It then boots off the HDD (cos the cd in the drive is not bootable) into the "Rescue and Recovery" environment. When you choose "Recover to factory contents" and agree to the agreement, it then copies some final files off that CD and then goes along its merry way to doing the recovery. (The first time I did this I had removed the last cd - even though it didn't tell me to do so! The process seemed to hang up - until I reinserted that cd - so I think it needs that cd to be there!)

[rjm1135]

Thanks Neil.

Cheers,
Rob.

[Zeitgeist]

The T42 models don´t have anymore the bios protected HPA in contrast to the T40/T41 models.

AFAIK it is still protected on the T42 - just in a different way to the T40/T41.

Is it possible to burn another set after you have restored the hdd to the factory settings with F11/access IBM and not with the recovery CDs?

Yes - I believe it is.

Thanks for your reply. Concerning the bios protected HPA I found this

"New for the T42 is the replacement of the protected pre-desktop "partition" with the IBM_SERVICE partition. The former was not actually a partition per se, but an unpartitioned part of the hard drive that was protected by the BIOS. With the T42, the recovery area is now stored in a genuine vfat partition 4.28GB in size and named IBM_SERVICE. PartitionMagic 7 had no problem deleting this partition, and no BIOS flags needed to be messed with. Also new with the T42 is the ability to burn your own recovery CDs! You no longer have to call IBM and beg them to send them to you (and admit to them that you are...GASP!...installing another operating system on their hardware). Just start the Access IBM program, look under Rescue and Recovery (or something similar) and there will be an option to make recovery CDs. I strongly suggest that you do this. It takes 7 CDs. Note that it seems to burn them rather slowly...much more slowly than burning and ISO image with the included RecordNow software."

from
http://pmw.org/~gardnerj/Thinkpad/Insta ... BM_SERVICE

[Master One]

Ok, just wanted to report my success story:

After I got my new T42p, at first I tested the rapid restore function from the predesktop area (just to be sure it's working with the hidden partition still installed as it came).

Then I burned the first set of Rescue & Recovery CD's (7 pcs. CD-R) using the software in WinXP under Access IBM, set the predesktop area to "disable" in bios, wiped the disk including the hidden partition, set back the predesktop area option in bios to "normal", booted from the first of the recovery CDs, and installed everything back to default. Worked out flawlessly.

Then with the new installation, at first I updated the IBM Rescue & Recovery software to the lastest version (there was an update from January on the IBM support site, it was a ~400 MB file), and then I burned another set of Rescue & Recovery CD's (this time onto one CD-R + one DVD-R). Also the guy from IBM technical support said something else on the phone, the updated Rescue & Recovery software is now also on the CDs (since the update software updated the hidden partition).

That's it, everything just went fine, so I am finally ready to wipe my harddisk for the upcoming Gentoo Linux installation.

[Zeitgeist]

Also the guy from IBM technical support said something else on the phone, the updated Rescue & Recovery software is now also on the CDs (since the update software updated the hidden partition).

Sorry, I don´t understand what the IBM guy said, could you please explain what he meant?

[Master One]

Also the guy from IBM technical support said something else on the phone, the updated Rescue & Recovery software is now also on the CDs (since the update software updated the hidden partition).

Sorry, I don´t understand what the IBM guy said, could you please explain what he meant?

That poor boy from the IBM support was a typical "callcenter" guy, had no idea about the questions I asked him, had to look up every details I said to him, kept me in the line for more than half an hour, and even had to call be back due to no info found on the matters I called...

The clue is, the ~400MB update of the IBM Rescue & Recovery software updates the predesktop area in the hidden partition as well, but the guy on the phone told me, it makes no sense for me to download that file, since it will not have any effect on the Rescue & Recovery CD-set made afterwards.

That phonecall was all in all a total waste of time, and I really think, you only can call technical support in case of a hardware issue.

[gen2doggy]

Hehe

Let us know how you get on with your install - and maybe a HOWTO could be on the cards?!