n3wb13

I would try some boot CDs to backup that partition in case something happens. Also, on Sony website they have a tutorial on "How to Create a Set of VAIO Recovery Discs" but my laptop doesn't have optical drive to burn a recovery disc and it's way too fun when the Vaio Care application constantly crashes and turns to be not responding. Now I will leave the notebook as it until the warranty is over and till Sony has XP drivers for it (haven't noticed it until I saw cannie's post but IMO they won't release the XP drivers since it's an old OS). Anyway thank you all very much for your help

I have restarted the computer to try : - It doesn't need to be on to use this button. When the notebook really turned off (Windows is shut-down, the green light in the picture above is off too), if the "Assist" button is pressed, then the notebook starts as normal (the green light is now on) except that it go to the recovery mode (Vaio Care Rescue) - When I press this button in BIOS, nothing happened. - When I press "F8" while loading Windows, there is an option "Repair Your Computer", however it won't come to the recovery mode (Vaio Care Rescue). - When I'm in Windows and press the button, an application shows up. I want to backup the recovery partition but is it OK to use a software to do it or I have to burn it to a disc (if so I don't know how to make it bootable to )?

It was my mistypo. My model number is YA15FG and here is the link : http://www.sony-asia.com/product/vpcya15fg I think it's a function key and I took a picture of it there : http://i.imgur.com/W6MEi.jpg On the side of the laptop is the power button which has green light.

BTW I think booting to Recovery Partition on my laptop is from an internal BIOS provision because when the computer is stopped and I press the "Assist" key on the keyboard (not the power button), the computer automatically turns on and boot to that partition

Thank you so much for your detailed explanation. Actually my laptop doesn't have an optical drive and even no "recovery" CD's or DVD's therefore I rely all on this Recovery Partition. To play with the hard disk for experimenting now is definitely not a good idea for such a newbie to me I have backed up my Windows 7 license so even deleting this Recovery Partition (Sony surely gets a lot of bloatwares on this partition) and "System Reserved" partition is not a problem as I can re-installed Windows 7 any time and restore the license back, but I think this will void (or affect) my warranty

I am not sure I get it. The actual problem in your setup is preserving (if needed) the "recovery partition" (AND the whatever way it is used to access it if needed). Is it a laptop? (usually desktop don't have "recovery partitions") Which EXACT make/model? Are you sure you want to delete Windows 7? Basically on some setups Windows 7 uses two partitions (the "system reserved" and a "normal" one) instead of a single one. There is no problem (if you REALLY want to get rid of Windows 7) to delete both partitions and install XP. jaclaz I'm sorry for confusing. It's a laptop (Sony Vaio YB15FG). I want to keep the Recovery Partition in case I want to revert the computer back to Windows 7. My current Windows 7 (Home Premium 64-bit) uses two partitions (yes the "System Reserved" and a "normal" one). Some sites say deleting the "System Reserved" partition will make the computer unable to boot to the installed Windows 7 but I'm not sure if this action will affect the Recovery Partition or not? And If I deleted both of those partitions and install XP, will I ever be able to use the Recovery Partition to re-install Windows 7 again? I have took a screenshot of my Disk Management there : http://i.imgur.com/L41ve.png

My computer has Windows 7 pre-installed and it comes with 3 normal partitions plus a Recovery Partition and a "System Reserved" partition. I want to delete Windows 7 and install Windows XP but I don't know how to deal with this "System Reserved" partition (which is assigned with drive letter "C") and it seems to be dangerous to remove it. Can anybody help me please