X31 HPA: Is this true?

[ychandrani]

To make a long story short, the harddisk on my new X31 failed and IBM sent out a replacement drive with a set of recovery CDs. Fortunately, I did not lose any data, because I had done a backup of data files as soon as I detected disk problems. Followed their instructions for using recovery CDs to load the OS on the new drive. However, the recovery CDs did not create the HPA. Instead they just loaded the OS (Win XP SP2) on a single partition. The recovery process also loaded all IBM drivers, preloaded software, etc. I called IBM tech support to find out if I was doing anything wrong because there was no HPA.

The tech I spoke with said that recovery CDs will not create an HPA. He suggested that in order to create an HPA and have the recovery CD files available from the harddrive itself, I should download the Service partition repair diskette for IBM Thinkpad A22, T22, T23, X2* at http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.ws ... IGR-4QDSS5.

Is this the only way to create a service partition (HPA)? Or can I create it using the recovery CDs? If yes, then what are the steps after booting the system with the first recovery CD?

I do like the idea of having the factory installed software available on the harddisk in the HPA. It will spare me the hassle of carrying the five recovery CDs everytime I travel.

[jdhurst]

I don't know about the X's, but the IBM Recovery CD's surely do recreate the Hidden Partition or PreDesktop area on T machines. Been there, done that. I don't think IBM gave you the correct info. ... JDHurst

[ychandrani]

Exactly my suspicion. I think I will call IBM tech support again and ask what the story is. Maybe a different technician will have a different (hopefully correct) answer.

Y

[n3il]

Recovery CDs will recreate the HPA only if used in a completely bare drive - ie no partitions. It isn't possible to add the hidden partition without removing your windows partition.

If you start the recovery with a drive that is without partitions you should get an option on boot asking if you want to recreate the hidden partition.

The Service partition repair diskette story is a load of rubbish....

[ychandrani]

Yes, I know the diskette business is a load of rubbish. As I said in my original post, I used the recovery CDs to set up a brand new harddrive that IBM sent out to replace my defective one. I took the new drive out of its anti-static bag and installed it. Next, I followed the instructions that IBM sent with the CDs; and I was presented two options (I can't remember the exact words): 1) Install factory software and 2) Utilities. I selected option 1. There was no indication of any sort that I could create an HPA or that selecting option 1 would not create an HPA.

Since my original post, I called IBM back to find out what the story is. Got a different tech person. Not surprisinly, he gave me different information.

He told me to hit F3 when presented with the two options above. Then at the command prompt (X:\recover) type FWDELETE /ALL and hit enter. This to delete all partitions on the harddrive. Next, I was asked to reboot the machine and run the recovery process all over again. This time around there is a hidden partition.

What remains a mystery though is how a partition got onto the allegedly new drive that IBM sent me.