Recovering the MBR partition (for factory install)

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arlab · #1 Post by **arlab** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:13 pm

The hidden partition is still there. The problem's that it isn't recognized anymore.
According to Lenovo, this should do the trick: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 54483.html.
I'm using Vista, so the right file for me is the "rnr40_rrd.exe".

First of all, I can't run this file with Vista. I get the following error: "Win32 isn't a valid application".
But I have Win XP in my desktop (and also a floppy disk). I make a floppy disk using the rnr40_rrd.exe and create a bootable USB drive from the diskette (using this neat, free and user-friendly program).

Unfortunately when I put it in my T61p I get the following error: "Write protect error writing drive A / Abort, retry, fail?". Got the same result using a bootable CD (using these steps with MagicISO).

Anyone knows why this happens?
Also, anyone has (or can make) a bootable ISO of the rnr40_rrd.exe? A tested version that doesn't make the above errors appear would be nice.

Searched all over the internet and couldn't find a well explained guide (and already read the guides of this forum). Thanks.

#2 Post by **ryengineer** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:37 pm

The reason is the package is programmed to be used with a FDD only and not with a USB drive or bootable CD.

The previous thread of yours where I quoted a member who made it work through USB drive had a different issue.

arlab · #3 Post by **arlab** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:46 pm

ryengineer wrote:The reason is the package is programmed to be used with a FDD and not USB drive.

But here in the forum there's a thread on how people have successfully recovered from an USB... There's probably a way to solve this...

Can anyone, please, create an ISO of a bootable CD from the Floppy? Maybe I'm doing something wrong...

#4 Post by **ryengineer** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:48 pm

See above.

Danyael · #5 Post by **Danyael** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:56 pm

There might be a way, but not sure how easy it would be to do in Vista. If you renamed your floppy (even if you don't physically have one installed to T: drive, then name your USB drive to drive A:, it might work. Maybe. I may not have understood your question entirely, so excuse me if I am just blurting out a random answer.

If you were using that recovery inside of VISTA, then it should work. If you're booting into a recovery console, then it will not work.

arlab · #6 Post by **arlab** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:23 pm

Anyone knows if an USB Floppy disk will work? Or it has to be the Lenovo ultrabay floppy reader?

#7 Post by **carbon_unit** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:29 pm

I have done it using a USB floppy drive.

arlab · #8 Post by **arlab** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:55 pm

carbon_unit wrote:I have done it using a USB floppy drive.

Glad to hear it. But in the end, reinstalling Rescue & Recovery solved the problem... But only after a few (3?) reboots... Weird.

Ideasmiths · #9 Post by **Ideasmiths** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:48 am

arlab wrote:The hidden partition is still there. The problem's that it isn't recognized anymore.

Searched all over the internet and couldn't find a well explained guide (and already read the guides of this forum). Thanks.

Try my solution written somewhere in this forum.

If you want to retry RnR on your Vista, turn off UAC on vista, it should let you run the RnR program

arlab · #10 Post by **arlab** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:05 am

Ideasmiths wrote:Try my solution written somewhere in this forum.
If you want to retry RnR on your Vista, turn off UAC on vista, it should let you run the RnR program

Nice guide. But with the install diskette, you have more options (at the start-up), like run the anti-virus at the start-up, restore the system form a previous backup, etc.

But I've created a CD with the content of the recovery diskette (my old desktop has a floppy reader). I'll post the ISO here later. I thought the CD/flash disk method wasn't working due to errors, but even with the errors, the partition is repaired

ducky2802 · #11 Post by **ducky2802** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:53 pm

I have the original rr31 iso from lenovo before they took it down. But I dont know if it can repair your MBR.

thormdac · #12 Post by **thormdac** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:53 pm

simple, have done it a million times the following way:

if you have a complete hidden recovery partition,

-boot from acronis disk director cd, or alternative, set the hidden partition "active" ( so to have it as a boot partition),

-delete all other existing partitions to your liking,

-move partition to a position you like on the hdd, or leave as is,

-reboot straight into rescue and recovery,

-proceed as normal,

-when asked to reboot, boot from cd again in order to change hidden partition status by setting partition C: active,

-reboot and proceed as usual.

finished

this way you can set up any hdd from just a hidden partition saved on any backup medium once mirrored back by acronis true image, as well.

p.s.: no need for an ibm mbr!

arlab · #13 Post by **arlab** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:42 pm

thormdac wrote:simple, have done it a million times the following way.

That seems a simple effective way to do it... Might be useful when I (try to) install Linux.

Recovering the MBR partition (for factory install)

Recovering the MBR partition (for factory install)

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Re: Recovering the MBR partition (for factory install)

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