.mrimg image file and Linux - how to proceed?

[hiver]

Hi forum,

I experimented with Ubuntu on my T41, resulting in a formatted HDD without service partition (Messed it up trying to resize the NTFS partition) Although happy with Ubuntu, I want to reinstall a small Windows partion for those rare games and apps I cannot get to run under Wine.

I have a .mrimg (Macrium) image of the old T41 Windows C drive - (9 GB so I will need to install from USB drive) - can you help point me in the direction of how to proceed? I am assuming I will need to create a boot CD, that will somehow support both a USB hdd, as well as a basic Macrium tool to open and roll out the image?

Thanks, Mads

[RealBlackStuff]

If you haven't got it already, D/L the Macrium pgm here: http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

It says: "Image to Network, USB, FireWire drives and DVD."
So that USB functionality is already built in.
If you can make a bootable CD from the Macrium pgm, you're good to go.

[hiver]

Thanks for the suggestion, RBS - but that software is for windows, sadly - so I am not able to install it on my Linux system

Thx anyway, M

[RealBlackStuff]

http://www.macrium.com/blog/2009/07/19/ ... Image.aspx

[hiver]

So, I finally managed to get a Macrium rescue CD produced, and was able to roll out the image. However, it did not work for some reason, when rebooting the cursor would just stand in the left corner, and no splash screen etc.

I did it once more, and made sure to verify etc. The first time I chose to keep MBR as it was on restored image (recommended) - the second time I chose the option of defaul XP MBR.

On the second run, after successful restore (according to Macrium rescue CD) after reboot it says 'Intel Boot agent blablabla - PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable - operating system not found?

PS: I should add that I formatted the HDD into two NTSF partitions, and placed the image on the Second D partition - that way I figured it would be easier to restore rather than use an USB hdd. However, could that be the problem? Probably, the image I made from the T41 originally was where it had one big C drive?

Any other ideas except make one big partition and roll out from USB drive?

Thanks, M

[hiver]

OK, having done some research on the Macrium site, I have found a reference to this very problem on Lenovos site:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 963#396899

However, with my T41 not having this option in the Bios setup, it is instead called some thing like Pre-Desktop area - where it can be set with 3 options: Disabled, Secure and something else..active?

I will try them all to see if I am successful - I guess it would be optimal if I could somehow restore both the original C drive but also the hidden service partition?

Thanks, M

[RealBlackStuff]

The PreDesktop area is the hidden 'restore-partition'. The 3rd setting is 'Enabled' IIRC.

The IBM-article you refer to, does not apply to a T41, since it does not have SATA.

Restoring to a different partition is not a good idea, all your registry settings will point to the wrong drive!
The boot sector is now located at the wrong position, that's why it is not working.
Restore again, but than to the beginning of your HD.
Instead of the restore partition, you could consider using an Image program such as Acronis TrueImage, and take an image from your fresh (re-)install.

[hiver]

Restoring to a different partition is not a good idea, all your registry settings will point to the wrong drive!
The boot sector is now located at the wrong position, that's why it is not working.
Restore again, but than to the beginning of your HD.

Thanks for the response!

I have done what you suggest, wiped the HDD clean and so am restoring to the beginning of the drive. Since there is still no succes, I am wondering if I need to recreate the hidden partition as well? But kind of hard as I do not know its original size?

TIA, Mads

[RealBlackStuff]

You may be better off obtaining a set of Recovery CDs.
Check in the Market Forum or ask your friends.