eRecovery & Recovery CDs - How to Make Those CDs and Regain The Hidden Partition

Got a New Acer Laptop? Most likely you have a Hidden Partition (in mine, it's 4 GB) that is used to store your default Windows XP image for quick recovery if disaster strikes. Well, if you're like me, I would like to use that space for something else, while you can create a set of CDs / DVDs that does the same thing.

Acknowledgement:
To all of you who have posted questions and solutions in the Acer forum.

1. Burn the Recovery DVDs / CDs.

First and foremost is to backup your original Windows XP partition. Do this by starting the eRecovery program (Start -> Empowering Technology -> eRecovery Management),

In my notebook, you can choose to burn either the Factory Default Image or the Application Image. What the Factory Default Image does is that it only reinstall the Main Partition (ie: C drive ONLY) back to the Hard Disk, while the Application image stores the main Acer applications and driver, so if you have a clean Windows XP and want all the Acer software and drivers, this image is for you.

I suggest you burn both on DVD and CD (The Factory Default Image needs 4 CDs or 1 DVD, and the Application Image needs 2 CDs or 1 DVD), just in case your HD goes haywire and you need the original partition back.

2. Re-Partition Hard Drive

I went through a lot in the last 24 hours to make sure the HD has the exact Partitions that I want, so I’m hoping this guide can help others so they don’t have to suffer too much . Mine is around 95 Gb.

Default Partitions:
Partition 0
Hidden, No Label, FAT32
Function: Image Partitions (Stores your Factory Default Image and Application Image), Don’t delete this if you want to use eRecovery to restore its original Windows XP drive C Drive). Usually around 4 Gb.

Partition 1 (C Drive)
Label: ACER, FAT32
Function: Here is the Acer Windows XP partition, usually half of the size left ( in my case 45 Gb)

Partition 2 (D Drive)
Label: ACERDATA, FAT32
Function: Empty, for your Data, usually half of the size left ( in my case 45 Gb)

My goal is to remove the Hidden Partition so I can maximize the HD, use 3 Partitions (C drive for Windows XP (Around 25 Gb), D and E drive for Data), and Convert all the drives to NTFS.

There is 2 option depending on the result you want:
Option A: Start with the Acer Windows XP (with all the Acer Software installed, Recommended for Novice Users)
Option B: Start with a Clean Windows XP (without the Acer Software, so you can choose the software and drivers, for Advance Users)

I’ll try to make things as simple as possible. PLEASE make sure you have burned the eRecovery DVDs / CDs (and test them to see if they’re working) that I mentioned above. If you DON’T have those DVDs / CDs, DON’T CONTINUE.

Things you might need to have before starting:
- Partitioning software, such as Partition Magic Rescue CD. I will use Partition Magic in this section.

Option A: Step-by-step
- Delete all the Existing Partition, including the Hidden Partition. Don’t create any new partition.
- Boot to your Factory Default DVD / CDs.
- Follow the instructions, and press Recover when prompted. This will result in a C Drive (90 Gb and FAT32). When done, reboot.
- Go through the setting up Windows XP process that you did the first time.
- Once you’re done, use Partition Magic (either Install the Software first or Boot to the Rescue CD) to Resize the C drive to 25 Gb (or anything you wish). Then create the secondary logical partitions using the Free space available (put your Labels and set the File System to NTFS). Click Apply.
- Once its done, all you need to do left is to convert the C drive to NTFS. Don’t use the Partition Magic software, because I did that once and it can’t even boot to Windows, missing some file error. Boot back to Windows, click on:
Start => Run => Type in “cmd”
- On the Command prompt, Type in:
convert C: /fs:ntfs
- Type in yes on the next prompt. It would say it needs to run this on the next start-up, so type in “yes” again. Restart.
- Watch as it converts the FAT32 to NTFS (mine took like 10 minutes).
- Once done, boot back to Windows. You’re done.

Option B: Step-by-step (I have not tested this, just a recap of what I know and read in the Forums)
- I have not heard from anyone that bought an Acer Laptop recently and received a Windows XP CD with the original package. The Factory Default DVD / CDs is NOT a Windows XP CD, it is a Image Recovery CD, so you can’t tell it to NOT install Acer softwares.
- What you need is a Windows XP OEM Edition CD (you don’t need a Product Key, since you have it sticked to the bottom of your Laptop). In my opinion, you own a Windows XP by buying this, so there’s no harm done by getting just the CD (just so you can install to this Laptop). You can get a copy from your friendly computer store near you.
- Once you got it, Install using that CD and type in the Product Key that is on the bottom of your Laptop.
- When done installing Windows XP, put in your Application DVD / CDs. Here, you can choose which drivers and utilities that you want to install.
- You’re done.

FAQ (Based on My Experience):
What does the Factory Default DVD / CDs do?
It does 2 things, first: Repartition the HD. Second: Format the 1st (non hidden) partition to FAT32 and restore the Acer Windows XP files. If the HD has Partitions in it, it skips the first step.

What does the Application DVD / CDs do?
It stores the original Drivers and Applications the Acer laptop has, so by using this, you can choose which ones you want or not.

All this is based on my 48 hour experience with my Acer Travelmate 3284WXMi. Let me know if there's some mistake in my post, and if there's a better way to do this, please discuss

 

i had used partition magic and i had only one drive c: with ntfs... but erecovery function of my notebook broken and did'nt run..

because erecovery function needs a D: drive with fat32...

so i used my backup dvd's that i had prepared by erecovery before changing my partition.. then, my alone c: drive changed fat32.. my erecovery user backup dvd's didn't change my partition .. only changed file format system to fat32..

and then, i created new partitions, one is d: with fat32, primary... and the other one is e: with ntfs, logical... erecovery function of system is runing perfect..

now i will convert c: partition to ntfs (70 gb).. and i will delete the hidden partition. because i have created new user backup dvds. user backup dvds are enough to guarantee my "last good system configuration".. without hidden part.

and i know erecovery will run without problems (but without restore function from hidden part) and will not run without using backup discs..

if you want to use erecovery function to recover your configuration later, you can do like me. because i can't delete or uninstall erecovery and decide to keep..

your backup discs will install erecovery perfectly, if you have a partition d: with fat32. if you need later..

as a conclusion , backup your discs , your configuration discs, application disc, and factory default restore discs, and then do what you want to your HD.

 

KOOLAJE this is great post,this should be put as a sticky!!!
Although this is all well known to me you explained it very well and simple and this is a "must read" for first time buyers of ACER notebook.

P.S. I wish I read similar topic when I bought my Aspire 6 months ago,maybe then I wouldn't delete my hidden partition and be stuck with broken backup image DVD .

 

Great guide,

But I have a question:

Will you be able to recover your system again after you did the conversion for C and D to NTFS. Will you be able to save your system again with those disks or not?

(D*mn Acer: next time just provide disks and use NTFS)

 

Great guide, thank you for taking the time to write this for those who will need help with this.

One suggestion is that you add a "needed software" section to your faq. As far as free software to partition your hdd look into gparted - http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

--ssx--

 

Very good question, and I think this needs to be added too, how to use your Recovery disks (in case of disaster) once you have converted to NTFS and re-partitioned.

Personally, I have done it (once a while ago, and right now I'd rather not do it again) what I found was that the recovery disks worked fine if I removed every partition from the drive and then used the recovery disks (so using GParted I wiped every partition from the drive, then I used recovery disk and it worked just fine, using recovery disk when the drive had "unexpected" partitions on it recovery seemed to go okay, but the drive was left with garbage on it (I never tried with NTFS)).

Only other thing I would also seriously suggest is using NERO or something that can create ISO images (DVD Decryptor seems to be able to from any disk, not just DVD's) and create an ISO image of your recovery disk(s) that way if the disk gets scratched or broken or lost or... you have an ISO backup stored somewhere.

 

I've did everything in the guide (making the disks) and I tested it off course, but I have a big problem.

I made the 2 recovery disks (one with the OS,..., the one who is about 4 gieg) and the application disk (with drivers, the one is about 1 gieg).

I booted with the first recovery disk. Works fine.
I have to select the language and I choose Dutch (since I'm Belgian). Then the thing asks for another CD. It says: "Please insert BackUp disk 2 or Recovery disk". Strange because the DVD is inside the tray. I've also tried with the application DVD, but didn't work. I had to turn my computer off by pressing the off button 6 seconds.

Do I miss a CD? Or should i use 6 CD's in stead of 1 DVD.

I have the Acer Aspire 9810

Thanks

 

Great tips! However, I have a couple of questions ...

1) How can I "re-create" the Hidden Partition (PQSERVICE) on my hard-drive AFTER it has been deleted? (I have heard that some people have done it themselves by using the "restore" CDs that they made, whereas others have had to send their laptop to Acer).

2) What are the "flags" of the original C: and D: when you get the laptop right out of the box? (I ask this because I deleted the D: but not the PQSERVICE and now want to know how to "re-enable" the eRecovery options when using the default Windows install from Acer; essentially, when I used Gparted to make a D:, eRecovery saw that it was there and allowed me to create my own image file to store there, but it would crash/stop because -- I think -- the D: had the wrong "flag."

3) Is it possible to upgrade the bios so that the D2D option isn't even available? (Although I have my own version of XP installed on my Acer 5040 now, it seems "broken" because I can see options within my computer that I can't use).

Once again, thanks for the good tips; I agree that this should be stickied!

 

if you have your "user configuration backup discs" or "default factory bacup disc(s)" which are made by erecovery, and if you didn't delete "hidden partition": you always regain erecovery function, just by create a "FAT32 formatted primary D: partition". i tested.. and erecovery options are runing. other partitions are formatted with ntfs except of D: partition.

but i unfortunately deleted "hidden part" and returned a manic-depression.. i confided in me and my "acronis bootable rescue media" and "acronis full HD bacup image dvds".. TAKE CARE! DON'T! DON't DELETE "HIDDEN PARTITION".

i deleted it.. and windows couldn't start because of lack of a file "HALL.LL".. and hard disk backup images did'nt run.. erecovery backups also didn't run..

i mandatorily! copied the "acronis backup images to my another e arttion and from there i restore c: and hidden partitions.

that's mean, acer's installed orijinal windows needs to "hidden part" to be able to run. and erecovery options also needs "hidden part" to be able to operate rescue process.

i will write Acer in order to ask how i can delete "hidden partition" without problems and "at least 4 GB hidden files in my c: partition depending on erecovery". i want to use my computer alone.. i don't want to share my notebook with hidden parts and files of erecovery or acer. i will!..

 

My notebook (Aspire 3000) won't give me the option of creating the back up application CD's in eRecovery, only the Factory Default Image.

Also, my notebook came with 4 Acer recovery CD's (one of which says Windows XP operating system). So do I need to actually do either of these steps?

 

I have ASPIRE 5100,and I dont even have eRecovery installed on the system,only a Uninstall_eRecovery.exe,when I did a search.I have made the 2 recoverydisks at startup thow.Is there any where I can get the e recovery(download).Or else can I use for example acronis True image to backup?

 

This might be a longshot, but Acer has just released a new version of its Empowering tools ( http://websupport.acer.com.tw/et2/support/et.asp), and I do believe that you can download/install the eRecovery option.

There is a thread about this. And you can probably find out more there; tell us how you did!

I hope this works!

 

No, this is not going to work because his lappy is not listed for this empowering update.

 

Wow, I didn't know that you had to be on the guest list!

 

Sorry for the long wait. I haven't checked back to these forums for months ! Let me hope I can update the guide. My Acer has worked great, just this Mat****a UJ-850S (Fw1.50) keeps giving me burning errors.

 

Is this procedure different for a Vista install. I just got an Acer 4520 (staples deal) for my kid and want to make a backup disk since it didn't come with one.

 

My Acer Aspire 3003 WLCi was borrowed and had Ubuntu installed. After I got it back, I tried to uninstall Ubuntu, but only succeeded in messing up the Windows. Unfortunately, I had lost the recovery CDs.

Acer has run out of its stock of these CDs even though the computer is less than 3 years old. Can someone help me rescue my notebook from becoming an expensive doorstop? I would really appreciate if anyone can give me a copy of these CDs. Or, maybe direct me to a site where I can purchase them? Thank you very much.

 

your best bet is buying a DISK from the IT departmant of the local college $10 to $20.... or buying the OS cd for the version of windows that you have a KEY for printed on the bottom of the laptop.

if you have an XP HOME KEY buy an XP HOME disk w/o a key from a legit site,
and install using the KEY from your notebook...

better than using thier CDs it results in a nice clean install,, and the drivers and software should be avavilable for your system...

 

Can you recommend a legit site to purchase the disk without the key? I do have the key still on the back of the notebook, and I could not find anything on ebay.