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
eRecovery & Recovery CDs - How to Make Those CDs and Regain The Hidden Partition
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arttion and from there i restore c: and hidden partitions. 
