Dell Latitude D620

I have this kind of Laptop and I want to know if there is possible to re-install Windows XP, using the hidden partition existing on his the hard disk. How to access this partition ?

 

This site indicates that you can access the recovery mode by pressing F8 at the initial boot-up.

John

 

Thank you very much !

 

My hard disk is partitioned. I hope the only partiton formatted in this process of "repairing" will be the main partition, so my data existing on the rest of partitions not to be affected. It's true ?

 

I've tried with F8 - doesn't work. It's another possibility ?

 

When you are talking about this hidden partition are you sure this is a recovery partition? Did it come with this or something that you created.

Also you hope not to lose data on another partition, how many do you have?

 

The other partition on a D620 is the diagnostics, not a recovery partition.

 

I concur, recovery partitions are commonly found on systems that don't come with reinstall disks. Most Dells come with disks, and thus, don't have recovery partitions.

 

I have installed Partition Magic on my laptop.
OK, you are right, the hidden partition (factory created) is too small to contain XP - preinstall files; it's a diagnostics partition.
I'll try to install fromm disks.
Thank you all for the sugestions !