partitioning HD, need to keep recovery partion - tips?

[dc_slim]

Hi all,

I've got a new x30 and want to partition the HD using Partition Magic. Is there a trick to keeping the mbr and the hidden recovery partition intact? I know this issue has come up a few times, but I did a search and couldn't find a thread that addressed this problem directly.

Here's my situation:

I want to leave the recovery (hidden) partition intact -- I travel A LOT. All I want to do is add a D: partition to use as my data drive (for easy backup). I am not trying to build a dual-boot system. Is this as simple to do as it seems with Partition Magic? Becuase of some of the discussions that have come up in the past, I'm thinking that there may be a trick to creating the new partition so that the hidden partition stays in place (so it can be accessed with the special Thinkpad button. Is this correct? Where is it best to put the new partition? Before or after the C: drive? Or does it matter?

Also, once I create the new drive, how can I check to make sure the Thinkpad button will access the hidden partition?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Dan

[selvan777]

I can't honestly say cause I haven't done it but there's no harm trying. Create the new partition, reboot, and try the thinkpad button. I do believe it is as simple as it seems and no, there are no tricks to it.

If it fails, reinstall IBM's Rapid Restore or what ever it is you have that created the hidden partition.

[dc_slim]

Let me reforumate the question a bit differently, now that I've given it a little further thought.

In Partition Magic, the C: drive shows up at the beginning of the drive. The hidden partition is at the end.

So, am I correct in assuming that the way to leave the hidden partition alone, and to leave the MBR able to access the hidden partition, is to create a new drive between C: and the hidden partition? That is, the new drive would come from space taken from the C: drive. The hidden partition would be left entirey alone (i.e., would remain at the end of the drive, without being resized).

[skuehne]

I've been in a similar situation when I got my T42. I used PartitionMagic cut the single C: partition into two smaller chunks. The actual partitioning was easy and safe, but I had problems getting the blue IBM access to work at boot time. Here's the thread that shows you how to solve it ...

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=7661

Sven

[skuehne]

So, am I correct in assuming that the way to leave the hidden partition alone, and to leave the MBR able to access the hidden partition, is to create a new drive between C: and the hidden partition?

Yep, that's the right thing to do. The new partition will go between between them.

Sven

[dc_slim]

Thanks. I knew somebody would find that thread for me!

Dan

[selvan777]

You could even put D before C if you like, but I wouldn't.

I'd leave some unformatted space (growing room) after C then add D also with growing room before the hidden.