Recovery cd set didn't recreate the hidden partition (T30)

[Manuel]

Hi, I have a 2003 ThinkPad T30 with Windows XP Pro. It's not my primary computer, but, despite its age, the machine is very fast and reliable.

A year ago I installed Ubuntu alongside Windows XP (dual boot) and I deleted the hidden partition.

Yesterday I decided to perform a factory recovery of the machine. Of course the hidden partition was gone, but I had the recovery cd's. Before using the cd's I deleted all partitions (using a Windows XP cd) and created just one partition whitout format it. Then I used the recovery cd's to reinstall the os, the drivers and other software.

After the procedure ended, there was a surprise. Normally the recovery cd's recreate the hidden partition, but this time there was no hidden partition, there was only one partition with Windows XP. As a consequence in the welcom screen there was not the option to recovery the syste using the hidden partition (F11).

How do you explain this? How did I manage to avoid the creation of the hidden partition?

Thanks

[RealBlackStuff]

Start again, and before that, delete all partition(s).
Then let the recovery CDs partition/format the HD and all should be well.

[pianowizard]

If I recall correctly, older Thinkpads' recovery discs did not reinstall the hidden partition. My T23's XP discs definitely did not.

[Manuel]

I'm sure that my recovery cds are able to reinstall the hidden partition (it happened in the past).

So my hypotesis is:

1. If I delete all partition without creating any new partition, the cds will create the hidden partition along the IBM_PPRELOAD partition;

2. If I delete all partition and create a new single partition, the cds will install the IBM_PRELOAD stuff in that single partition without creating the hidden partition.

Am I right?

[robert213]

Been There. Done That.

Just follow RBS's advice -- as I did way back then.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=62150

RBS advised...

AFAIK you should let R&R do the partitioning/formatting.

I reported back...

Just a few moments ago, I used FDISK to delete the C:Primary Partition.

Guess what?

The message asking to install hidden partition came back...

Step-by-step process of installing Windows XP using T30 Recovery CD...
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=94994

How I configured my T30 after fresh Windows XP install...
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=94148

[robert213]

I'm sure that my recovery cds are able to reinstall the hidden partition (it happened in the past).

So my hypotesis is:

1. If I delete all partition without creating any new partition, the cds will create the hidden partition along the IBM_PPRELOAD partition;

2. If I delete all partition and create a new single partition, the cds will install the IBM_PRELOAD stuff in that single partition without creating the hidden partition.

Am I right?

Partially correct. Not sure about step 2. This is how I remember step 2...

2. If I delete all partitions and create a new single partition, the cds will delete new single partition and create IBM_PRELOAD partition without creating the hidden partition.


---------------------------

One thing that I do know for sure. Using FDISK, I created two partitions on my 92GB HDD -- a primary partition (C:) for Windows XP and application install programs and a secondary partition (E:) for my application data.

After I ran the Windows XP T30 Recovery CDs, (besides not creating a hidden system partition) my beautiful secondary partition was GONE.

I purchased Norton Partition Magic and used DOS bootable version to create a secondary partition.

(When you move on to Windows 7, Do NOT use Norton Partition Magic with Windows 7, use Windows 7's Disk Management instead).

[Manuel]

Been There. Done That.

Just follow RBS's advice -- as I did way back then.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=62150

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Just another question regarding BIOS.

Currently "IBM Product Recovery Program Prompt (F11 key message)" appears in light grey and I am not able to change the setting to [Enabled]. When I will recreate the hidden partition (following your procedure), what will happen to BIOS? Will it fix itself? Or will I need to reload BIOS default settings?

[RealBlackStuff]

Once it's there, the BIOS option will be enabled.