Hidden parttion questions - confused...

Hi there!
I’ve just bought a G53SW.
I would like to do a clean install of windows to get rid of all bloatware which I don’t like at all.
I’ve read tons of threads in here on notebookreview regarding this & it has helped me a lot.
My questions though are regarding the hidden partition on the HD.

I’ve made recovery DVDs using AI recovery thinking that doing a recovery from them would get rid of all bloatware. But that was of course not the case.
I was surprised to discover that it seems like when doing a recovery from the DVDs the recovery process still require you to have the hidden partition in place since it seems to be using the partion during the process. For me this defeats the purpose of burning recovery DVDs in the first place… By the way I have not deleted the partition.

So I called the ASUS support here in Sweden at two occations & got two very strange answers.

1. I was told that doing the recovery from the hidden partition & doing it from the DVDs are exactly the same thing but you still need the hidden partition to be able to do a recovery no matter what. If the hidden partition is deleted recovery is impossible. So I asked him why you would burn recovery DVDs in the first place if they during the recovery process is using the partition anyway & also what was now on my 5 recovery DVDs – he couldn’t give me an answer – he didn’t seam to understand the question.

2. Second time I called & asked the same question I also added that I want to do a clean install of windows on the machine and preferably delete the hidden partition. She then replied that removing the hidden partition would break the warranty. I then asked what would happen if I still keep the hidden partition but install an OEM-windows from DVDs – she then replied that installing another OS then the one installed from factory would also break the warranty. QUE!!??

I’m really confused regarding this & also are these answers I received really correct – it just sounds very strange to me…

Best, Niklas

 

I can't answer #1 since i don't know but my guess would be that you don't need the hidden recovery partition.

#2 Removing the hidden recovery partition shouldn't void your warranty don't listen to that guy.

 

No, deleting the partition will not void your warranty. This is why they sell Recovery DVD sets.

I highly recommend you not use the AI Recovery system, and use either Windows Backup, or another backup system and just make images of your system partitions. I myself use Acronis, and highly recommend it. There are also some free ones, like Clonezilla.

 

After I deleted my hidden partition, I wrote to the ASUS, that I need installation disc of Windows. On the next day they sent me a link to the server where I could download it, and it burn to a DVD. I was one DVD version. So don't worry about voiding warranty by formating disc.

There is no need to take seriously all what asus support wrote back. For example, a few weeks ago I asked how much should I pay for CPU upgrade to 940XM. They wrote me back that this CPU hasn't been tested and it's not supported by G73Jh. According to them, the maximum supported CPU is 840QM although this model is normally sold in versions with 920/940XM processors.

 

This link where you downloaded the file only took one disc? I'ma have to call Asus then and ask for something similar, I'm trying to make a clean install of windows in my laptop but mine didn't come with the recovery disc.

 

I have the JH Recovery disc posted on my Driver page already.

 

Hi!
Thanks everyone for showing interest in this thread & providing me with answers.
I also contacted Asus support thru e-mail & I got a written answer saying this.

"Please be kindly advised that the software is not covered by warranty so your warranty have not been voided and your recovery dvds only works if you have the hidden partition on your HDD."

Interesting how strange answers you can get by calling the support.

So there is no problem for sure to erase the hidden partition. Actually I have done so now & installed a clean windows using this method:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/windows-os-software/428068-legal-windows-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html
Works very well!

Niklas

 

Asus became like every other company, they hire people to answer the phone who have little tech knowledge (or seem to at least) and give them a procedure to follow so things like that happen. Of course, they still have techs but getting to talk to those can take more time. They used to be better at this if you ask me. These guys can still solve common problems, but mine tend to be of the more complicated sort when i get problems.

 

same problem here!! ASUS, whats the point of making that recovery DVD ?

 

Yea, I formatted my drive and removed my hidden partition. I didn't care. I just reinstalled windows using Chastity's link. Well, I didn't care at first. I ran into a problem with a certain sucky software from asus that seems to only work with the factory windows.

Well, I am assuming this however. Its just It worked before and now it doesn't. I've tried hundreds of times to get it working. I'm sure some people know what I'm referring too.