Can't restore my A31 with F11 (original A31 config) anymore

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eddies66 · #1 Post by **eddies66** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:39 pm

I re-partitioned my A31 with PartitionMagic 8 and installed a new WinXP Pro. Now there is no F11 option available anymore when the machine starts to boot. Enter the bios, the F11 option is in shadow (cannot be selected). I can see two hideen partitions under PartitionMagic: one IBM reserved (about 1.4G) and another unknown one (about 4G). I didn't created a backup CD when I did the re-partition. Does anyone know how can I get back to the original A31 configuration? Thanks.

#2 Post by **Kyocera** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 9:29 pm

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-54969

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-56091

Check out these links and see if they help or get you in the right direction.

eddies66 · #3 Post by **eddies66** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:48 pm

Thanks, Kyocera, for your quick response. For the first solution, the IBMtool is now in the hidden partition, but not in my C partition. I don't know how to access the hidden partition. For the second solution, I don't have a floppy driver in my A31 and my desktop. Is there any way to create a bootable CD with that program? I really appreciate your help.

#4 Post by **Kyocera** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:59 am

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... t=f11+work

check out the above link. Did you reload a retail version of XP, you may have change the master boot record, there is a link to the IBM redbook explaining in detail about the partitions and MBR in this thread by K-A-M-A-Z-U

cbcb3 · #5 Post by **cbcb3** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:53 am

you can access IBM_SERVICE patition by using partition magic to set the partition to ACTIVE. Use a 98 cd too boot your pc then C:\ is IBM_SERVICE now.

you can use IBM RNR repair disk to restore F11 feature if you have a Floppy dirve.

For ppl who don't have a FD: access the IBM_Service Partition and locate BMGR.exe file in one of sub-directory in C:\ (IBM_SERVICE). then at command line type bmgr.exe /Fboot.bin /Mbmgr%US%.scr
then reboot.

To have F11 feature with a new HD, you'll need to use GHOST.exe to backup your partition 1st.

cbcb3 · #6 Post by **cbcb3** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:56 am

****after excute the bmgr.exe file and reboot, need to use 98 cd and partition magic to change the IBM_SERVICE partition to hidden... reboot again.

Can't restore my A31 with F11 (original A31 config) anymore

Can't restore my A31 with F11 (original A31 config) anymore

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