Missing option to create recovery discs in Rescue & Reco

[pvaneden]

I have two questions (clearly marked below the introduction), one regarding the potential cause of an issue and the other regarding a potential solution to the issue.

Today I was investigating something in ThinkVantage Rescue & Recovery since one of my attempts to create a set of recovery discs had gone wrong - I created a Rescue Disc (boot disk) instead of a set of Recovery Disks.

Basically, what I discovered is that according to this IBM page http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 68317.html I am supposed to see two options when clicking "Create Recovery Media" in the ThinkVantage start menu group: (1) Rescue Media and (2) Recovery Discs. In the event that a set of Recovery Discs (option 2) has already been created, this option will become gray and can't be selected, however it will still be visible, displaying the text that you've already created a set of Recovery Discs and that your license doesn't allow you to make any more.

The strange thing here is that I don't at all have option 2: Recovery Discs, whether active or inactive (gray)! Please find attached the three relevant screenshots: the last one is of my computer (and is in Dutch but shows you that I have only option 1 to select), the bottom two are from the link I provided above and show the distinction between having option 2 active or inactive (gray text).

(QUESTION 1: ISSUE) Does anyone know what is going on here?

http://i38.tinypic.com/2r3w1ts.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/nxnudg.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/33563o1.jpg

Alternatively I could make an image/copy/backup of the 3.23 GB hidden service partition.

(QUESTION 2: SOLUTION) How could I turn such a backup into something that has the same functionality as a set of Recovery Discs?


Thanks for your help!

Note from Admin: No warning in the subject line = no images. Links only.

[Harryc]

Does your recovery partition work? Hold the Thinkvantage button down at boot on later models...F11 key at boot on earlier models. The reason I ask is because the ability to create recovery discs is directly tied to a valid maintenance partition that exists and is functional on the drive.

[pvaneden]

I understand the relationship between the validity of the partition and the ability to create recovery discs, and have never had the option to create a set, not even immediately after having wiped clean the system and having done a full re-install using the ThinkVantage button.

Perhaps it's better to focus on how I could use an image of the service partition in the same way as a set of recovery discs.

[carbon_unit]

I'm sure Harry has a good reason for having you verify the condition of your recovery partition. Perhaps it would be in your best interest to follow suggestions if you wish to receive help.
If you will not follow the steps a proper diagnosis cannot be performed.

[pvaneden]

My apologies for the ambiguous tone in my previous post. I should have re-read my post and see how it could be interpreted in a not-so-friendly way. Guess it has a bit to do with me being a non-native speaker. Again, my sincere apologies. I definitely appreciate your time and effort.

My reason for taking the "short-cut" approach was to avoid a long and complicating story (and see if there was a quick and standard solution to my problem), but I guess I'd better clear up things now.


A few months ago I bought a second-hand R50p which I've been enjoying to the fullest. However, I only had 20GB on a C: drive, which after investigation was due to the fact that not only the maintenance partition of a few GB was hidden, but a full 55 GB.

The system had been wiped and installed using the fully working maintenance partition (in effect by using the blue IBM/ThinkVantage button), and fully updated using ThinkVantage System Update. In order to access some of that lovely 55 GB waiting for me, I first had to format this full 55 GB partition, meaning that I would lose the maintenance partition (I had no option to separate the maintenance partition and only wipe the non-maintenance part).

Before I went ahead with the formatting, I first wanted to make a set of recovery discs. Being a beginner to the nuances of recovery disc/rescue disc, I didn't realize that the option I had in Rescue & Recovery was in fact merely a one-disc rescue disc. Unfortunately, I only realized this distinction between Rescue Disc and "set of Recovery discs" after I had disabled the IBM Predesktop Area in the Bios and formatted the 55 GB partition. I do specifically remember the option to create a set of recovery discs not being there, since I had clearly been looking to create a set of discs rather than one only. Not seeing any other option, I went ahead to create a rescue disc, thinking this was exactly what I needed.

Feeling that something wasn't right (indeed stupid, I should have been patient and investigated further before formatting), I went out and started to investigate what may had gone wrong and realized I did not have a set of recovery discs.

Not having used the 55 GB much in the mean time (only a mere couple hundred MBs), I had hoped the data would still be there. In fact, using the program "Partition Find & Mount" I saw that the 3.23 GB partition was still there and I had the option to create a backup or image of the partition, hence my question if I can use such a backup to create some sort of recovery medium in any way.

Now, I wouldn't mind going into the BIOS to re-activate the IBM Predesktop Area, but am afraid my data on the 55 GB will be gone or, even worse, that something else would happen that corrupts my system, in which case I'd be without any way to restore it (no recovery discs, no maintenance partition access). In addition, I am 100% certain I never had the option to create the recovery discs in the first place and therefore re-activating the Predesktop Area will not "bring back" such an option in the Rescue & Recovery program.


I hope this explanation makes any sense. I've tried my best to be as clear as possible, hence repeating certain facts at relevant segments. I am most willing to try anything, and I hope you understand my (after-the-fact) carefulness in order not to corrupt my system.

[Harryc]

Well, regardless of what you've posted as to what you have seen on R&R screens, since the unit is second hand there is a very good (call it almost likely) chance that the original owner created a set of backup discs. Due to licensing issues, only one set is allowed to be created. So, lets assume that that set was created. Now your best option (IMHO) is to procure a set of proper recovery Discs. There are many ways to do this. There are several menbers with Ads in the marketplace forum charging less than Lenovo might charge for a new full set. Heck, I personally have a full set up R50P discs. If you don't want to fork over the $$ to buy discs, then maybe you want to pay for cloning software to make the right backup of the maintenance partition. I recommend Acronis true image.

[pvaneden]

Thanks a million for giving me some new insights and your helpful suggestions.

Would you recommend cloning the entire system (including current setup and installed software/files) or just the hidden partition? If only the partition, then how do I use this clone to wipe & re-install my R50p? (I do know how to replace a clone of the entire system).

[carbon_unit]

pvaneden, Sorry if I took your post the wrong way.