Is hidden partition recovered after using Recovery DVD?

Hi All,

I am going to install Win7 RC on my Vaio TT21XN. Have made Recovery DVD. If I remove hidden partition and install new system (for example Win7) and after some time will want have hidden partition back will it be recovered after using Recovery DVD?

 

I am not sure, but my first thought is no.

To be sure, I would use a backup tool to backup the whole disk.

 

Could You recommend some free tool to make backup the whole disc? If I good understand after recovery copy of whole disc it is ready to use like before creating backup. For example I can make backup of whole disc -> Install Windows 7 -> If something goes wrong I can in short time recovery whole disc from backup and back to work - is it correct?

 

The restore disks will give the option to restore the recovery partition when you install from them. I can't say for sure with every version of them, but when I reinstalled my Z690 after totally wiping the HD it gave me the option to create a recovery partition during the process.

For backups Acronis is pretty good, lets you make a boot disk and then you can backup your comp to external and restore later. You can also import the backup into VMWare pretty easily. Its not free though, but you can always "rent" it.

 

If you think you will want the Recovery partition back latter, why get rid of it in the first place? You do not have to get rid of it to install Win7. It can remain in place with no issues.

Gary

 

Yes but I have SSD disc. It is good (for this type of disc) to have as much as possible free space on disk. Installing Win 7 RC (I have plan use it as my main OS, and change to RTM when it will be available) is good time to remove hidden partition, but if Win 7 RC will be not stable on my Vaio it is better have possibility to back to Vista with no problem, and have Recovery partition. Maby I will some time sell my computer and new owner will prefer have Recovery Partition (not only Recovery DVD's). Of course I can remove hidden partition after installing and testing Win 7 and after that resize main partition but it is not the safest method. So, all in all it will be the best if I can restore my Hidden Partition frm Recovery DVD's. For example when I will sell my computer.

 

It is perfectly safe to remove the hidden partition after Win7 has been loaded IF you know how to do it. (The point there is that you have to remove the partition, slide the main partition to the space just made available, then repair the boot loaders pointers to the OS. All perfectly SAFE to do and relatively easy, but a bit of a hassle nonetheless.)

Regarding restoring the hidden partition, that option is available on MOST recovery DVD sets. You can easily find out if it is on yours by booting from the first DVD of the set. It will present a menu of options one of which may or may not be to recover the ENTIRE drive INCLUDING the hidden partition.

Gary

 

Most "disk backup" programs will not work with EFI boot partitions, but rely on master boot records that are 512 bytes in size. That means that you'll lose the recovery partition (as well as the ability to start memtest from the boot menu) if using one.

My advice is to stay far away from any "disk backup" program that doesn't run from a different boot media (like a boot CD) and thus can make a bit-perfect copy of the disk without looking at partitions. Ghost is good. Acronis, not so.
For backup purposes, use a backup program instead. (Don't confuse the two.)

 

FYI: My AW 290 Recovery DVDs restored the recovery partition to a brand new hard drive, so at least the AW and Z series do allow complete restoration.

 

OK, I was boot my computer from first Recovery DVD. Between others there are two options corresponding to recovery:
- Restore C: Drive
- Restore Complete System
Under notes to first option it is written "Recovery only disc C to its factory installed software". Under notes to second options is written something like "Restore disc C: and removes all other partitions" so I suppose it will recovery Hidden Partition too. What You think?

 

That's correct. If you would like to restore all partitions incl. Hidden Partion you have to choose the second option.

 

Thank You,

now all is clear.

 

I would think that is correct. But there is no way to know for sure unless you try it out or can find someone with the same model who has. Sony support MIGHT be able to tell you, but I'd try to get the call escalated to tier two to get it answered. I would NOT trust the answer from tier one support. Tel them you are putting in a different hard drive and need to know if it will do what you expect. Oh wait a second! If you can beg, borrow or steal (just kidding) a drive from someone, you could try this out yourself.

Gary

 

Are you sure that is the case on that particular model??? I am not saying you are wrong, only asking if you know it does do this on THAT model.

Gary

 

Let me ask you a question . Do you know of even 1 model of vaio that does not include the option to restore the recovery partition?

I have owned probably 40 diffrent vaios over the last 12 yrs & have never come across a model that doesnt include that option on the recovery disks .

Im not saying thier isnt one , just would like to know why you think it wouldnt include it .

If you have a set of recovery disks made , its perfectly safe to nuke the hidden recovery partition since the recovery disks will restore the system reguardless if you previously wiped the recovery partition or formatted the entire drive .

The recovery partition is only needed to restore the pc without using the recovery disks .

The disks are designed to restore the entire system in case of say a hard drive failure . In that case all you need to do is replace the drive , boot from the recovery disks & restore the system .

Wiping the recovery partition is common practice & has no unreversable consequences . Although sony makes it kinda hard to nuke thier recovery drive when installing vista or windows 7 since neither OS can see the recovery partition .

I usually boot from a windows xp disk just to nuke the recovery partition then exit the install & proceed to install whichever OS i choose , without wasting 7 or more GB's on a recovery partition i will never use .

 

Nope I don't. But there have been anecdotal reports of folks not being able to get the recovery partition back on to a new hard drive. (I have a feeling those were where folks tried to use an image of the partition rather than the recovery disk.)

I too have had Sony laptops for about 12 years but only three models, this FZ is the first one that even had a hidden recovery partition. All the rest came with media.

Like I said in my initial reply, I wasn't saying Visoneer was wrong. I was just trying to find out if he knew about the model that arek1 had, as arek1 seemed to be pretty nervous about being able to get the recovery partition back on the drive for whatever reason.

Gary

 

Yes I'm very sure. I've made the complete system recovery on that model using the second option a few weeks ago.

 

Great that should assuage any fears that arek1 had!

Gary