Install Linux, Will i loose Access Ibm -- recovery mode?

[axishift]

Guys, help!

I want to install a Debian Linux on my IBM X31.

Currently, it is running windows xp (sp1). And, i can access the recovery mode or "Access Ibm" button upon boot.

Now, my plan is. Just install linux only and remove the partition for c: and create my own linux (native) and swap partition.

But, retain the partition for the recovery mode. Because, someday i will need to reformat it back to Windows using the "Recover to factory contents".

Will i be successful on this? Or, this is not possible at all - and try other approach?

[axishift]

BTW, i dont have a recovery CD. It is a used laptop already that i bought.

[michaaa62]

Hi
may be the easiest would be to get yourself a new hard disk and preserve the old one (Personally i would go for that).

You will be warned to have a backup if you possibly try these as they might work or just might not!!!

1.Dual Boot: You could just install multiboot and let the linux boot loader be installed in the partition not the mbr, then dd the first block of your linuxpartition into a file copy this to your windows drive and change boot.ini to also boot from this file and make windows familiar with the new settings. There are couple of howto in the www for that.

2. Replace Windows: Or you could just clone your current hard drive to an external drive but make sure not to just copy the content, you neeed the full clone. That also gives you an excellent backup.

There might be some more ways to screw things up. Have a Backup!

Good luck
Micha

[rm]

There are two partitions currently on your hard drive, the Windows partition and a small recovery partition (about 10 GB) at the end of the drive. What I recommend is making a set of recovery CDs and then you can delete the recovery partition without worries. You can create those CDs from one of the Thinkvantage utilities (I don't remember which right now).

You can then use Partition Magic, or GParted to delete the recovery partition and shrink your Windows partition. Make sure you defrag the Windows partition as much as possible before doing this. Personally, I have never had problems doing this, but no guaranties can be given.

[Troels]

Yes, you'll be sucessful at that, as long as you don't delete the service partition or overwrite the first few byts of the MBR with Lilo (as what will normally happen) - if that happens, the Access IBM key will not work during boot-up.
Use Grub instead.

[madcow]

I don't think you will. I remove Vista, installed XP. Installed Solaris, and Linux. The grub has a menu where I can boot into the service partition which then can restore Vista if I want.

[axishift]

Well, this is good news. And yes, i will use Grub instead.

Now, does the recovery partition also contains a Windows XP installer?

When i checked on my hard drive
c:\

It contains folders for:
- I386
- DRIVERS
- IBMTOOLS
- VALUEADD
- SUPPORT

I believe this are needed in the installation. I am wondering, if this is also compressed on the recovery partition?

OR ################################

1. Backup, those folders.
2. Install linux, retain the Recovery partition
3. Install Grub boot loader

Now, if i go back to Windows.

1. Delete linux native and swap
2. Boot to a Windows 98 floppy or something
3. Create a new partition for C:\ and format it
4. Copy the listed folders above (drivers, etc)
5. Boot, the laptop and press "Access IBM" key and do "Recover to factory contents"

Its a long process, but this is how i see it.

[axishift]

Tried to follow this to create recovery cd's
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/01/1 ... covery-cd/

1. Create Rescue Media or Product Recovery CD

Go to “All Programs > ThinkVantage > Create Rescue and Recovery Media. Then select your desirable type of rescue media. To create recovery CD, check the “Create a set of Product Recovery Discs now” and then click “OK” to start the creation process.

You will need about 7 cds or 1 cd and 1 dvd for the product recovery cd. And you also need to have CDRW or DVDRW drive. An external USB driver will do the job too as alternative.

But my X31, does not have a ThinkVantage menu. I think, i have the old one.