MikenandezNST

Hi I have a Acer 2304 LCi and I was wanting to know if anyone had instructions on using that hidden 2.93 GB PQSERVICE Partition to restore my laptop back to factory default.

Thank you.

Mcninjaguy

usually when you bb=oot up the computer you have the system restore disk in the DVD drive and you press F10 continually til you can use restore factory defaults

MikenandezNST

Thank you Mcninjaguy for the reply I am aware of the above method you have mentioned but I have two issues with that the first and foremost is I do not have recovery disks and second which is mostly where my curiosity kicks in is that I have been researching already and it appears that my 2.93 GB PQSERVICE is suppose to be what Acer had decided to go with for my model in the place of recovery disks and is supposedly accessible by invoking the Alt+F10 keys at boot up but I also read that this feature for some weird reason or a multitude of reasons may not work which is where I am obviously at.

Just to give a little more info this hidden partition I refer to is not visible in my computer although I can view the partition in disk management and when I right click it the only option I have is help instead of your normal explore,convert to dynamic disk, change drive letter etc. etc.

Thanks for any assistance I really appreciate it and am really frustrated that Acer makes things so hard or perhaps it may even be the person I got the laptop from possibly somehow corrupted that partition causing the Alt+F10 feature to not work.

In any case I am really trying to reload my factory defaults because the little thing actually came with what is desirable to me and not the normal bloatware.

I hope someone has either had this same experience as myself or perhaps has assisted someone with a issue like mine.

Thanks guys I wait anxiously await a detailed response.

TriggerFinger

Hi,

Can you still boot Windows? Was this downgraded from Vista to XP? If so, or in any occasion was there a time that the MBR was 'fixed'?

If your ALT+F10 does not work anymore it could indicate that may be the MBR somehow was changed or the drive formatted. However if the partition still exists and you can still boot into Windows, try eRecovery to create recovery discs.

About Recovery Discs... usually encouraged (if not required) to create them as soon as you first got the laptop out of the box... although this can be created any time.

MikenandezNST

I believe my issue would match that of the 2nd scenario where I am definitely able to boot Windows and also see the "hidden partition" within XP's Disk Management utility.

And to touch on the possible downgrade from Vista back to XP I know this one came loaded from the factory around 2002 so I feel comfortable about this notebook not being one that was reverted back to XP from Vista.

Another just question just arose and it is pertaining to the e Recovery software.

Will just any available version of the Recovery software work with my notebook, I would like to add that while searching the Acer support site none of the recovery software matched my model for supported models.

Thanks for the help.

TriggerFinger

Check this guide..

ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/note...management.pdf

And try to install this:
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/note...201.2.15.1.zip

MikenandezNST

O.K. I thought try to install this sounded kinda unsure.

Anyhow I went through with the install but it does not show up in add/remove or start>all programs and no folder in C:\Program Files.

After a reboot the above is still accurate.

What now?

Thanks for all the help!!!!!

TriggerFinger

I did a quick check on your model and it seems eRecovery is NOT standard for a Travelmate 2300 series laptop. Acer website says something about incompatibilities here: http://support.acer-euro.com/empower.../utility2.html

Having said that, the only option I can think of is to request a recovery CD from ACER.

So going back to your original question on how to use the 2.93 GB PQSERVICE Partition to restore the laptop back to factory default... the answer is ONLY thru ALT+F10.

Another option (but this sounds far fetched) is to boot into Recovery Console and do a fixmbr but I doubt if it will even work.

MikenandezNST

Thanks for the quick response see if you cannot dig up any other info I really need it.

Also what are the possibilities of making a bootable disk from it?

I have a couple of tools like Acronis Disk doctor and Image home.

Just need some more help though.

TriggerFinger

Boot into BIOS first... check for any parameter on Disk to Disk (or D2D) if it is DISABLED. If it is, then ENABLE it. Reboot and try ALT+F10 again. Post back what happens.

MikenandezNST

O.K. I did recall seeing the D2D option and since have booted into BIOS and tried keystroke combination Alt+F10 during POST and nothing at all happens.

TriggerFinger

D2D is enabled? Press ALT+F10 when logo appears.

MikenandezNST

I tried when the Acer logo appeared nothing happened.

TriggerFinger

Next steps would be very delicate/dangerous and may end up with a format of hard drive. You may lose all your files. I suggest you back them up now if you have not done so yet. So proceed at your own risk.

1. Disable D2D in BIOS and reboot into Windows as Administrator or with Administrator rights.
   
2. Download ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/englis...s/PTEDIT32.zip and extract on your desktop.
   
3. Run PTEDIT32.EXE and select the PQService partition (if you have 2 partitions this one is smaller in size and usually is a Type=12)
   
4. Change the TYPE to 07 <that is zero and seven. Click on SAVE CHANGES button to save.
   
5. Reboot.

If you have done the above steps, post back any results. DO NOT DO ANYTHNG YET... MORE STEPS to come.

MikenandezNST

Followed the above instructions and to my surprise I only see one Hard Drive there and yes I checked the drop down box and I only show one drive.

Wonderful OEM tactics gotta love em.

Await further instructions.

Thanks!

TriggerFinger

Just to confirm... so did you see 2 partitions (attach a screen shot in your reply if you are not sure). I expect you to see one drive but under TYPE column you should see at least 2 entries (one for each partition). Best if you post a screen shot.

Next set of instructions below...

1. Boot into XP and login as administrator or with Administrator rights
2. Check in My Computer and see if it shows the PQService partition
3. Note down the drive letter of the PQService partition
4. Look for the following files in each of the folders in the PQService partition
   mbrwrdos.exe and rtmbr.bin. Note down the name of the folder or subfolder.

Post back what you find... next set of instructions to follow.

MikenandezNST

Attached is a screenshot of my results.

My PQSERVICE Partition is visible when looking within disk management located in administrative tools and there is no drive letter for it but you only see it marked PQSERVICE 2.93 GB and a right click on it only brings up a help menu.


The files you mentioned above I have a copy of the PQSERVICE on my desktop in the .tib format and exploring[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Me\Desktop\partition screnshot.bmp[/IMG] it I have see those files.

Thanks.

TriggerFinger

Please use ATTACH (the paper clip icon) to attach the file.

Second part of instructions should be done if you have done the first part. That is the reason why I gave them in parts ... sorry about that.

MikenandezNST

I tried but the site may have a lot of traffic currently because my image would not upload.

I have a 6 Mbps connection so I can upload a file of that size normally in less than three seconds.
mbrwrdos.exe file is located in the tools folder and rtmbr.bin is just located directly on what my copy is seeing itself as drive C: ie:C"\rtmbr.bin

But going down the four columns within part32 this is what I have again going down the type columns 1=12 2=0C 3=0F 4=00

Thanks for all the help.
The

TriggerFinger

Kindly follow the instructions here:
http://www.techsupportforum.com/cont...icles/151.html