A31: Help with Recovering/Reinstalling Windows XP

[crg7]

Hello:

for A31 (2652-D3U)
After almost 5 years of no problems, got hit with a rootkit. I can login and then everything freezes. Advised to reformat and reinstall OS.

1. Have the recovery partition in the primary HDD and also a backup in another HDD.
2. No recovery CDs.
3. Have access to a OEM (non-IBM) Windows XP but would rather not use it. Prefer to stay legal and stick to IBM s/w.

Questions:

1. Can I reformat the primary HDD, reintall the recovery partition and then reinstall Windows XP? Will this work without OS on the HDD?

2. Is it preferable to reinstall from recovery CDs or XP DVD?

3. Getting recovery CDs is not an attractive option---not available in India and has to be obtained --- will take a few weeks. Can try from US but cost will be $50 + international shipping---budget buster.
Can some kind soul upload recovery CDs or IBM OEM Windows XP? (PM me) Promise not to share.

4. IBM's suppor page
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-41731
states "Software applications C:\IBMTOOLS\APPS No alternate location available"

Are these in the recovery partition or IBM OEM disks?

5. Issues to watch out for?

After this experience, I am imaging the primary HDD before installing any applications.

Best
Reddy

[mgo]

snipped

1: re-formatting the hard drive will not affect the IBM recovery partition. It is hidden and not affected by a format done to other partitions.

2: better to use recovery CDs, but you mentioned that you do not have them. Also, that process is very lengthy (over two hours) and then you must get all the Microsoft updates & patches which amounts to over 140 files (last time I counted)

If you still have Rescue & Recovery intact on your machine, it might be possible to create a set of rescue CDs now. Rescue & recovery will then be loaded to the Cds from the hidden recovery partition, not from your damaged drive. This will at least give you a "virgin" factory install. It is time consuming, but might be worth it. Expect to spend over four hours total time for creation and then restore.

3: I have no answer for 3 thru 5

You mentioned having a backup on another drive, why not use it? Is it an image done with Acronis or Ghost or similar imaging program? If so, you're looking at just a 20 minute or less task for restoring from the image.

If the XP DVD you mentioned is indeed an OEM version (from another machine), it will not install on any other machine, and will tell you that only after you've gone to the trouble of trying!

[crg7]

You mentioned having a backup on another drive, why not use it?

Thanks mgo.
Clarification: the backup on another HDD is of just the recovery partition. This backup was made after the rootkit infection---is there any chance that it might be infected?

Reddy

[crg7]

Update:

Using the HDD with the recovery partition, restored the OS. Answering my question, this does install all IBM applications.

Seem to have the same problems---maybe the infection needs a complete reformat. Will recover and try again.

Appreciate any help with the recovery CDs.

Best

[crg7]

Reformatted HDD and recovered again. After a couple of hours, found system to be infected again. Googl'ing shows that apparently the recovery partition can be penetrated by viruses and trojans.

Best