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

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

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

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?

Been There. Done That.

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

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=62150

RBS advised...


I reported back...



Step-by-step process of installing Windows XP using T30 Recovery CD...
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=94994

How I configured my T30 after fresh Windows XP install...
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=94148

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.


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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).

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?

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