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ahmad2080

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Posts posted by ahmad2080

    Problems in installing windows XP

    in nLite

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    Hello,

    I have a problem in installing windows XP on my notebook.

    Using a regular bootable XP CD the system boots and begin the setup process, it loads the kernel and other stuff until it reaches the part "Setup is loading windows" at the bottom of the screen, then it shows the blue death screen.

    As I heared from other people, this happens because the XP cd doesn't contain the SATA drivers!!! :blink:

    Searching for a solution all over the web, I used the nLite program to add the SATA drivers to the XP cd...........BUT, the problem is still there.

    So why does the blue death screen show up?and is it related to the Sata drivers?

    Thanks in advance.

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted

    @Snack

    It's sad to hear that the recovery disks you made cannot restore your system to factory.

    I still didn't burn my recovery disks to tell if they work or not.

    Why didn't I burn them?!! Actually, I wanted to be sure that everything is OK, then burn the disks.

    And this is the problem......"EVERYTHING IS OK"!!! :ph34r:

    After restoring my Vista OS, I wanted to make a full recovery to see if the F11 function works after recovery or not.

    To make a full recovery there are three ways:

    1. F8 boot menu and then choose Repair my computer
    2. Set the recovery partition as Active and reboot
    3. Using the F11 function

    NONE of the three methods were capable of doing a full recovery.

    Both options 1 & 2 give me the error message 

    A disk read error occured 
    Press  Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart

    and sometimes by altering the recovery partition boot sectors I get an error saying that the boot manager has failed because of a missing or corrupted device and give an erro code something like : 0x00000212

    Somehow, I was able to run BCDEDIT.exe and capture the results :

    post-237972-1239822049_thumb.jpg

    NOTE: The recovery partition in the attachment is C.

    So, is there a way to do a full recovery? can I access the recovery partition using the Bootable USBStick by adding some codes like those for vista1 and vista2??

    0

    HP Recovery not working.

    in Software Hangout

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    Ok I found out that if you partition the hard drive that has the HP Recovery partition on it, it will do something to the MBR causing the F11 to not work when starting the computer.

    Ideally I'd want F11 to work again, but i just read that 7 page thread about it and I didn't understand a thing.

    Greetings,

    Sorry for this late reply. I had several problems with my notebook that -at last- have been solved.

    The mentioned thread was dedicated only to solve the "Recovery partition could not be found" error message. Do you have the same problem?

    I still didn't fix my F11 function but that's not a problem where you can repair your comp. anytime using the F8 Bootloader option.

    Could I somehow set the Recovery partition to be one of my boot options? I am currently dual booting between vista and windows 7. Can I make it a triple boot between HP recovery, vista and windows 7?

    IMHO, it's possible, but I didn't try to do something similar, and I'm not familier with vista and never used windows 7 before........So, I guess that I can't help you. Sorry.

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    Of course, I did not understand anything from jaclaz's previous post AND I actually don't need to :thumbup

    @Snack

    After some little MBR experiments, my computer became unbootable. :realmad:

    I did SUFFER to make it bootable again. [EDIT: Using something that I can't mention here!! -_- ]

    However, I do not attend to participate in other MBR and boot sectors experiments....so if you are seeking more about MBRs and boot sectors and HP recovery partitions, you'll be on your own, sorry. :}

    @ALL

    THANKS AGAIN :hello:

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted

    see it's absolutely of no use participating to this game. :(

    It has been fun while it lasted. :)

    So long and thanks for all the sectors.... ;)

    :hello:

    jaclaz

    May be it can last......

    I still didn't restore the F11 function....

    AND I offer my assistant to make some experiments that may reveal the mystery of this partition.

    Also, I seem to be missing two things:

    • the bootsector form your Recovery partition (16 sectors)
    • the bootsector from the recovery partition of your friend (the first one) also 16 sectors.

    Here you are : http://rapidshare.com/files/220509011/Reco...ctorsr.rar.html

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted

    SUCCESS SUCCESS SUCCESS

    PROBLEM SOLVED

    :thumbup:thumbup:thumbup

    Finally, I am able to create the recovery discs for my notebook.

    I just re-wrote Ahmed's friend's D drive bootsector on my D drive(recovery drive) using HDhack.

    Here is the link to download the D drive bootsector http://ultrashare.net/hosting/fl/dcd3f5f89...riend_s_sectors

    I did not change anything in C drive bootsector or any mbr files. And please take a backup before rewriting.

    I got rid of that error ("This computer does not have a drive capable of creating CDs or DVDs. Contact HP support.") by re installing Cyberlink DVD Suit.

    Note : My notebook is Compaq V3780TU

    I'm glad you solved the problem Niru. I'm surprised that my friend's recovery disk bootsector could fix your recovery partition in a completely different notebook. :rolleyes:

    I hope it works with Snacks as well, although I beleive that his problem is some different.

    @Niro

    Does the F11 function at booting up work??

    As Tripredacus and jaclaz said, the problem hasn't been solved yet.

    @Tripredacus

    1. The Boot Sector contains the MBR and other stuff.

    Great. Now everything is obvious.

    5. Don't get us wrong, we are glad you were able to make your recovery media. Helping out other users is our number 1 priority (other than keeping out the spam lol). The point that Jaclaz was trying to make earlier (I agree as well) is that while you have somewhat solved your problem, you used a workaround and not a real fix. So our initial issue, how to properly resolve a broken recovery partition is still unsolved. The main reason is that you are fortunate to know someone else with a similar computer to you. Many people are not so fortunate, so we still wish to know the true answer, so that we may help others who do not have access to the same model computer.

    I agree totally. :sneaky:

    ahmad2080 had taken the proper precautions prior to doing any fiddling, and (correct me if I am wrong) was willing to accept the fact that this process could render his computer unusable without purchasing the recovery media from HP.

    Actually, I thought that the baching up my MBR and boot sectors + the bootable USBStick can return everything to normal whenever I need to. :ph34r:

    7. The F11 problem is caused by the fact that the MBR.INI does not have the code in it that tells it what to do with the partitions. This may be something that is added into the Boot Sector at the time of recovery partition creation.

    mmmmm,I'll try writing the whole 16 boot sectors from my friend's recoverydisk on mine. If it didn't work I'll try another Full recovery and see what wil happen.

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    Hi Ahmad .... I have the same problem as u faced.

    Is there any way out to get rid of that "recovery partition could not be found" error and create the recovery discs?

    I don't have any friend here who has HP+Vista :(

    Please let me know if can be done from my own machine......by changing any files.

    Thanks in advance.

    Actually I am (was) a PATIENT not a DOCTOR here :blushing: ......However, I'll do my best to help.

    Greetings Ahmad!

    Sleel nerves. I am tired from mentioned service and "patches" trying resolve the similar problem :wacko:

    Think may be helpfull attach those ridiculos MBRs from HP to this forum.

    Comparing take to find this "special" code. No choice find solution in a usual way :(

    Recovery can't be created...

    OK,..... http://ultrashare.net/hosting/fl/dcd3f5f89...riend_s_sectors

    I don't recommend applying these MBR and boot sectors on your notebook without having a bootable USBStick from which you can restore your original MBR. Read post #73.

    If you want to try the "silly" solution here are the steps:

    1. Create a bootable USBStick using ALL instructions in POST#73.[and make sure that you can boot from it]
    2. Save your current MBR and boot sectors (using HDhacker) on your Stick and computer.
    3. Try applying my friend's D: drive boot sector on yours.
    4. Launch the CD creator software. It should (as in my case) see the partition now. If not, Undo step 3 by restoring your saved D: drive boot sector.

    In my case, Applying the attached MBR or C: boot sector made the system unbootable. TAKE CARE.

    If you messed up with your MBR you can restore it using the bootable USBStick:

    1. Boot into the FreeDOS
    2. Type: 
      MBRWIZ /disk=1 /Restore=C:\your_original_MBR.dat


    I thought the whole point was to find the way to run the original app to re-install a working MBR as in factory. :unsure:

    Using the way Tripredacus suggested before (using the MBR.EXE from Terabyte) or using grub4dos, you could have done the same.

    So, I am happy :) that your initial problem was solved, but still we haven't found the solution :( .

    Once you have done the recovery disks, try applying the attached MBR and post results.

    Also, I seem to be missing two things:

    • the bootsector form your Recovery partition (16 sectors)
    • the bootsector from the recovery partition of your friend (the first one) also 16 sectors.

    I need them, when you have time, in order to try and understand which mods (if any) are made to them.

    jaclaz

    So you need all 16 sectors.......I'll upload my CURRENT 16 sectors and my first friend's soon.

    NOTE: My first friend's notebook is not as similar as the second where his recovery partition size differs from mine. The second friend had the exact partition size as mine.

    I'll try applying the attached MBR and post the results soon.

    <LI>from factory there is a "special" MBR on HP/Compaq laptops that allows when booting to press F11 to access 2nd partition (Recovery) and from it start ..... (please fill the gap, what is supposed to do when F11 is pressed? Should the option to Recover the drive or create the disk start?

    When F11 is pressed, the option that should start is " Recovering your system to factory settings". You can burn the Recovery disks ONLY from the SofThinks application inside Windows.

    I have some questions here:

    1. Can modifying MBR change the boot sectors of the partitions?
    2. Are these statements accurate:

    • The "Recovery partition could not be found" problem is caused by modifications in the recovery partiton boot sectors and can't be solved by modifying MBR. [if true then why are you -jaclaz- doing MBR experiments, what's your point of view?]
    • The F11 problem is caused from either a modified MBR or modified recovery partiton boot sectors.

    IMHO, by answering those questions we should be able to put our hands on what we should fix and how to fix it.....

    Ahmad

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    Hello everybody.....

    It has been only one day since I last checked this thread and you say "abandoned"!!!!

    I had alot of postponded work to do. This "recovery partition" was the reason of course.....

    It seems like there are some other people "SUFFERING" from this stupid HP partition....

    I would like to reply to each post....But I'm really running out of time..

    BTW, I didn't pay my ISP bills.....so I don't have an internet connection at home..!!!! So please have patience!!! :whistle:

    I'll upload everything you all need as soon as I have time to do it.....

    @jaclaz

    Tripredacus said that his method solved the F11 function (which I need to do now), but he didn't say that it'll make me able to make the recovery disks from the SofThinks application.

    AND, I've already sent you my friend's C & D bootsectors and his MBR.....

    I don't think that I can send them again, because during my experiments trying to return the F11 function I had to format my USBStick which had all of bootSectors and MBRs on it.

    But let me tell you this...

    Action: Applying his MBR on mine

    Result: System did not boot

    Action: Applying his C boot sector on mine

    Result: system did not boot

    I wanted to try applying BOTH.....but as I said..the USBStick was formatted.

    I'm a little confused here.....I think that I'll restate the whole problem again to make everything clear...

    I have a request: Please define the difference between bootsectors and MBR.....

    See you in (1 or 2 days)...

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    Ok.....I'm calm now..

    @Tripredacus:

    Changing smallMBR did make the error message dissapear, but the problem of not finding

    the recovery partition was not resolved. Thanks for your help.

    NOW:

    This is how I made the recovery manager see the recovery partition:

    Requirements:

    1) A friend that has a similar HP laptop. ;)

    2) HDhacker from HERE.

    3) A hexeditor from HERE.

    Simply, I used the bootsector of the recovery partition (D:) that I captured (using HDhacker) from a friend that has a similar laptop. I captured mine too. Then using (HEX EDITOR NEO) I compared between both, small differences were found. So I took a deep breath and wrote the D: boot sector of my friend on mine(You can load a the captured boot sector then write it on yours using HDhacker).

    Surprisingly, it worked. When I launched the CD creator, it opened the DVD drive asking me to insert the DVD to begin burning the Recovery disks.

    Easy, isn't it??

    CONCLUSION:

    The Infinite monkey theorem that jaclaz mentioned should be modified to Finite monkey theorem !!! and it seems that it needs LESS time to reach the desired result. :P

    However, the result is not PERFECT.

    Yes, I can make my recovery disks now – although I didn't……TROUBLE SEEKER?? Yes, I am - but the F11 still doesn't work, when pressed while booting it says "Disk error press ctrl+Alt+del to restart".

    So in order to restore that function I tried some MBR modifications using MBRINST.exe, none succeeded. AFTER burning the recovery disks, I'll try to write the C: boot sector as well and post the results. Now with HDhacker and the bootable USBStick that I created using jaclaz instructions, I fear nothing.

    NOTE: Both vista1 and vista2 options in the booting

    menu using the bootable USBStick directs me to the recovery manager to make a full recovery.

    I'm satisfied….I'll edit POST NO.1 to note that this problem has been solved.

    So to ALL who have the same problem, I hope that this helps……

    And to ALL who tried to help solving this problem, THANK YOU. B) :D

    And SPECIAL THANKS to jaclaz….. :thumbup:w00t:

    Regards,

    Ahmad

    :hello:

    EDIT: If you don't have a friend with a similar HP notebook have a look at POST #111 and TAKE CARE.

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted

    HURRAY,HURRAY,HURRAY.........

    At last this topic reached the post that says:

    PROBLEM SOLVED

    I'll say it again:

    PROBLEM SOLVED

    and

    PROBLEM SOLVED

    :thumbup:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup

    AND TO EVERYONE WHO SHARED IN THIS THREAD : THANKS VERY MUCH..... :hello:

    I GUESS THAT YOU ALL WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAVE I DONE....HA? :yes:

    FOR NOW.....THIS IS ALL WHAT I CAN SAY......

    I'M PREPARING A FULL FEEDBACK THAT COMES WITH A PRIZE FOR ALL OF YOU......

    AHMAD.

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted

    As said, now that you have alternate ways to boot, you can try everything you wish to (within limits ).

    Try everything I wish? I don't know what should I try! :wacko:

    For example installing the "upgrade" you may well have messed up things in such a way that there is NO way back anymore, one thing is to replace a MBR (for which you have a sure way back, and another thing is to apply an "upgrade" dated BEFORE the files you have, I like to define this behaviour "asking for troubles" )

    Of course it is perfectly possible that the install of the "upgrade" carried no consequences at all....

    Actually I didn't have a choice; I wanted all of this hassle to end as fast as it can. So the " You need patience" advice did not come in time. As a conclusion we can say that (this time) it's your fault not mine :P .

    However, I've learned from my previous mistakes; there is no need to freak out from a small upgrade :whistle: , I can say that it didn't affect anything. If that is not true, I can simply restore the previous (or should I say NEXT) version of the recovery manager software using either: Microsoft system restore or A full system recovery which of course reinstalls the software.

    Rest assured the MBR is ALWAYS 512 bytes long, the SPACE (number of bytes) available in it for "Master Boot Record Strings" can change depending on the type of MBR (i.e. if the MBR code is longer, there remains LESS available space for the text connected to messages).

    Try counting the characters in the messages in MBR.INI:

    ; TRANSLATE

    STR_START="\nPress F11 for Emergency Recovery "

    ;STR_ERROR="\nMBR Error\n"

    STR_ERROR=\nErr1

    ;STR_BS_ERROR="\nOS Missing\n"

    STR_BS_ERROR=Err2

    ;STR_PRESSAKEY="\nPress a key.\n"

    STR_PRESSAKEY=Err3

    12345678901234567890123456789012345678901

    Press F11 for Emergency Recovery Err1 Err2 Err3

    And subtract from it the "fixed part"?

    12345678901

    Press Fxx for

    That would make 30.

    1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678

    Press F11 for Emergency Recovery MBR Error OS Missing Press a key.

    That would make 47.

    It is possible that without a MBR.INI the "embedded" values lead to 53....

    There are a couple of bytes in the MBR you re-created following my instructions that differ from those on your friend's (working) MBR, that may be the key, but I need some time to do some tests....., you need some patience.

    jaclaz

    Ok, I'll try Tripredacus idea changing the smallMBR usage value and see if anything changes.

    @jaclaz

    Do you need anything from the NEW hp laptop? I think that I'll have one more chance (today)to take what I want from it......then :no: .

    And do you need anything else from my laptop?? [No, that one is available all the time, just

    asking.. :) ]

    And at last... my question: Your previous instructions, do they actually replace my MBR with the other in MBR.ini ? Is that the only way to do so? Does MBR.ini contain the partition table?

    I'm asking that because I beleive that the WHOLE problem lies in the position of the recovery position in MBR. IS that accurate?

    Hope you reply soon (just following your advice to be patient...you can't blame me :w00t: ....)

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    Should I try the previous using MBRInst.exe in my X:\ partition with its associated MBR.INI ??

    Why not, NOW ;) you have way backs (at least up to this day trial). :)

    Worst that can happen, it won't boot, and you can restore the last working MBR.

    jaclaz

    Should I use it with the same options as before?

    If it didn't work should I try using other options?

    EDIT:

    This time running MBRINST.exe gave me the error message " Masterboot record strings too long! Your strings are 53 Bytes but the Master Boot Record has only 18 Bytes for strings" + the "Recovery partition could not be found " result.

    NOTE: Before jaclaz idea the error message was: "Master Boot Record Strings too long! Your strings are 30 Bytes but the Master Boot Record has only 18 Bytes for strings"

    MBR grew up from 30Bytes to 53Bytes........Does that make any sense?

    Should I try MBRINST.exe from X:\ and MBR.INI of my friend's laptop?

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    Try sending me the new resulting MBR.

    Even if you won't believe me a small step in the right (supposedly) direction has been made.

    You should now be able to see "Press F11 for recovery partition" when booting.

    I also need the bootsector (16 sectors) taken with HDhacker of both your and your friends "Recovery partition" (choose logical drive and the appropriate drive letter).

    jaclaz

    I'll send you the new MBR...

    I do believe that it's a right step....It's just driving me crazy!!!

    At startup, pressing ESC gives a list of all F's poosible....So the "Press F11 for recovery partition" was there before and after the MBR modification that we made.

    NET result --> NOTHING CHANGED

    I'll send you :

    -MY new MBR.

    -My friend's first 63 sectors & boot sectors of both the C & D partition. [Form the other friend with the new HP laptop]

    Should I try the previous using MBRInst.exe in my X:\ partition with its associated MBR.INI ??

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    Than another line, either :( :

    or (hopefully ;) ) a message of success.

    Let me know how it goes....

    jaclaz

    SECOND STEP : FAILURE....... :no:

    I've done what you've told me to do exactly......

    BUT the :

    ! WARNING:Recovery partition could not be located

    was the result....... :(

    and both F11 & Recovery manager still cannot see the partition..

    @ALL HP TECHNICANS:

    WHAT DOES MBRINST.EXE NEED TO SEE THAT STUPID RECOVERY PARTITION???? :realmad:

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    Try booting from the stick, choose Vista1 choice, it should boot normally to your Vista.

    Try booting from the stick, choose Vista2 choice, it should boot normally to your Vista.

    Try booting from the stick, choose FreeDOS, you should boot to the C:\ prompt (remember than now C: is the USB stick).

    Try running:

    MBRWIZ /disk=1 /Save=C:\my_mbr_DOS.dat

    Reboot normally and compare (with FC /B or a hex editor) the file my_mbr_DOS.dat to the copy of the MBR you previously made with HDhacker, they should be identical.

    Post if anything of the above does not work or doesn't produce the wanted file my_mbr_DOS.dat or whatever doubts you have.

    jaclaz

    Everything is OK.. There is only one step which is optional as I guess that I can't accomplish.

    When I log into DOS and try to excute MBRWIZ.EXE it says: "This program canot be run in DOS mode."

    Another problem with that step is typing!! Z becomes Y and Y becomes Z.......etc.!!!!

    I've managed to "find" all required letters and symbols except the " \" used in C:\......

    EDIT:

    FORGET about the above...I should have downloaded MBRWIZ for DOS not WINXP.....

    Now it works, but the typing problem is still there.

    Anyway, I did make a copy of MBR, but the two .dat files (one from HDhacker and the other from DOS) are NOT identical!!!

    I've sent jaclaz both for further investigation... :(

    EDIT: NEW: A friend of mine [another one] bought a HP laptop yesterday ( also similar not identical to mine)....I'll see if I can capture his first 63 sectors too.

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    It's great to hear from you again Tripredacus. I thought that you choosed to quit from a topic that will never reach a solution [which of course made me feel bad], but jaclaz was there saving me from a certain deadlock situation.

    I really trust you both...

    So what do you suggest??

    Try the

    changing "UseSmallMBR" to 0
    or directly applying jaclaz idea???

    EDIT: I'm done with steps till the dsfi step.....waiting for the LINK....

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted · Edited by ahmad2080

    Thanks jaclaz.....

    I hope that all of this effort (from you more than me)leads to a success.

    If it didn't you still deserve a prize ... :thumbup

    I am assuming that ahmad2080 has a bootable CD or USB stick containing a program able to restore if needed the current MBR and hidden sectors that he saved.

    If not, DON'T DO anything of the following!

    We need before that to make sure you have a way back, should disaster strike. :ph34r:

    I think that you already know my comment here!!!! :whistle:

    I need to know how to create a bootable USB stick containing a program able to restore MBR & hidden sectors that I saved.

    If you can helpfully give me a link to do that, I'd be grateful.... :yes:

    Thanks...

    EDIT:

    I have two notes:

    1-I don't have MBRINST.exe in C:\system.sav\Util

    should I copy the one from X:\windows\system32 ?

    or the one from my friends laptop in C:\system.sav\Util?

    2-The MBR.INI in C:\system.sav\Util is some different from the one you posted:

    [MasterBootRecord]

    ; DO NOT TRANSLATE

    UseSmallMBR=1

    SwapPart=0

    ;TimeOut for "\nPress F11 to start recovery "

    TimeOut=1

    QuietCountDown=0

    AutoHideRecovery=0

    ShowRecoveryPart=1

    ScanCode=133

    ;DoRecoverRP=0

    SafebootCompatibleMBR=0

    CountMode=7

    ; TRANSLATE

    STR_START=

    ;STR_ERROR="\nMBR Error\n"

    STR_ERROR=

    ;STR_BS_ERROR="\nOS Missing\n"

    STR_BS_ERROR=

    ;STR_PRESSAKEY="\nPress a key.\n"

    STR_PRESSAKEY=

    RecoveryInUserPart=0

    EDIT:

    Oops.....My apologies jaclaz...When I read my last post I felt like it was........rude. :blushing:

    sorry.

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted

    Doing so, Ahmad2080 forfaited some of his privacy ;) , see this:

    http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...21049&st=17

    LOL....I did't know that you had this HUGE sense of humer....[Right?? :blink: ]
    The new turn of the plot is that Ahmad2080 actually LIED to me! :w00t:

    There are evident traces that on that HD also, and at least:

    • either Legacy GRUB 0.97 or grub4dos pre-0.4.2 version
    • BM2005 (Paragon's Boot Manager)

    were installed! :realmad:

    So, we have now another two possible culprits......, I know, I know it's always the butler B) , but here we have several butlers!

    :P

    jaclaz

    First let me state this :

    """" I NEVER LIE """"""...... <true story> :angry:

    Second: I did install LINUX on my desktop comp. but I honestly don't remember installing it on my notebook.

    Let's assume that I installed it on my notebook, here comes the next question: How did I do that?

    My DVD ROM can't load any CD/DVD without the SATA drivers.

    Installing from a USBStick?? I figured out that lately...

    So the only reasonable assumption is that I figured a way to begin LINUX installation on my notebook, but it didn't complete; leaving the GRUB loader traces on my MBR.

    AGAIN, I can't remember anything about this.

    And jaclaz, I came here for a solution not to play with you around.....

    ABOUT THE (Paragon's Boot Manager).... Yes that's possible. As I said, I was desperate trying to return the recovery partition back, I don't remember what programs I used to do so.

    Only all of them failed except the HP one [The last on of course].

    So when I said " TRIED" I ment that several softwares were installed on my system, only the last one was the HP file....

    So ,Again, It was my fault assuming that the HP tool & partition magic (only) were the cause of the problem.

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted

    Submix8,

    don't take this the wrong way :) , but do you really think that it is needed/helps from time to time to post some wild guesses and doubts? :unsure:

    The 1024 offset is something that is said to be "better", see here:

    http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=131023

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929491/en-us

    evidently that partition has been created with:

    create partition primary align=1024

    About partition0, have you ever looked with Diskpart to a drive with an Extended partition under Vista or Server 2008?

    http://www.techotopia.com/index.php/Extend...ons_and_Volumes

    After all, Partition Magic, (this time ;) ) is NOT the culprit, Ahmad used (improperly) another tool downloaded from HP, and that probably caused the problem, by replacing the MBR code.

    As well, if a partition has 1024 as offset is NOT "kosher" as seen by Partition Magic or by ANY other "good" software, as it breaks the Cylynder boundary, which was a requirement (and still is for some OS).

    The whole problem was born by "trusting" an app ( actually two of them) without actually knowing what they would do and without preparing a way back, see my posts here:

    http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showto...807&st=1137

    http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showto...807&st=1148

    Kids shouldn't play with matches, and the box of matches should be kept out of their reach, it's not the kid's fault if the house get's on fire.

    (and again, no offence intended :) to anyone)

    jaclaz

    I wonder jaclz, from where did you get all of this time & information??

    Well, about the "kids"......Nobody learns without some sacrifices :wacko: .

    But let me return to the 1024 offset part.....Maybe it was 32 and the HP tool made it 1024???

    [ I feel it like a stupid question, but I've LEARNED to think about all possibilities.]

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    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted

    (another FYI post)

    FWIW, I noted (kind of related?) that your C-drive offset is at 1024kb as opposed to a "normal" 32kb (? at least mine and your friend's is). By looking at that SP's VBS file, I see that (not being real good at VBScript) it may have "shrunk" at that offset and never "put it back" (?). The link given to the HP article says you can do this in Disk Management (on Vista) as well.

    I didn't notice the 1024kb offset part in C. From your reply it appears that this is really the root of the problem. Maybe that's why the too long string in MBR error message shows up....?

    Should I Shrink and extend C:\ as mentioned in the HP page? Can that fix the offset value??

    I think (?) jaclaz is looking at the other topic's MBR code because it apparently has ye-olde F11 Function in it. This may be potentially the "key" to fixing that and (IMHO) potentially "fixing" the other (as I note in my last stmt in this post).

    Is it the ONLY key?? I feel that you have another solution.....>?

    Side note - looks like your friend "Shrunk" his Main Partition (to the front), Recovery Partition (different Vol Label than yours; to the back), then inserted an Extended Partition (0 + 3/4 Logicals; in the middle). Don't really know how a Partition-0 appeared though(?)...
    Yes, it's confusing....I agree.
    Still, seems like after a Complete Restore (from the Recovery Partition) that the Create Disks should work (not a simple Recovery, but Complete Restore - Back To Factory/Sales). Perhaps the MBR Code is what's being looked for and not a Partition Type?

    What's the difference between both mentioned recovery types? I have only one available. So you are saying that I made a simple recovery?

    (edit - And even more confusing, to me anyway, is Diskpart Shrink gives size in MByte, not KByte; still looks to me like PM is a culprit too. Installing would not have caused the problem but Using it would - re the "Fix my MBR" as you originally stated.
    I didn't know that partition magic is uncompatible with vista, so when i ran the program it asked me to FIX the partition table....'YES' was my answer, then the recovery partition disappeared.
    Leads me to believe something "special" was in the PTable.)

    Yes, only using Partition magic made the question of FIXing the partition table appear.

    I want to note other tiny details that I really don't know why I forgot to mention:

    -After'Fixing' the Ptable using partition magic the blue death screen appeared (Probably because of Antiarp software which I installed befor partition magic)

    -On the booting screen it says (at the bottom left corner) Press ESC to choose options ( or something like that)

    If I pressed F11 it does respond and it says "F11......system recovery" but then it proceeds to loading the OS.

    I don't know if these notes may make any difference......]

    Thanks.

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted

    From what I have gathered in the meantime, and from some experiments I am carrying, I would say that restoring the F11 feeature should be possible.

    I need to make a few more checks before posting a possible solution, but I am confident that it will work allright. :)

    I am not so sure about the CD burning, though :( , it seems like it is an alltogether (and unconnected) matter.

    I'll hopefully be back to you anytime from late tonight (CET) to tomorrow morning, hopefully with a working solution.

    jaclaz

    WOW.....That's just great.

    I hope it works.....take your time jaclaz, you've been extremely helpful.

    :thumbup

    Thanks alot.

    0

    HP Notebook: The recovery partition could not be found

    in Software Hangout

    Posted

    This is the HP tool that (probably) destroyed my original MBR.

    http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/fastFaq...;encodeUrl=true&

    Don't be amazed please. I was desperate trying to make the partition appear again.

    Anyway, it worked.

    I'd like to note that the F11 function was working properly after installing partition magic and before using the HP tool.

    So obviously it was sp34748.exe which caused all of this ( .....yes, I know. It's my fault from the beggining :blushing: )

    0
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