Windows 7: Rescue & Recovery Creating System_DRV Drive

Hi Guys,

Been a while since I last did my backup and thought of using the ThinkVantage Rescue & Recovery function to backup all my data to my external HDD.

Followed the instructions given and the whole process took about an hour. After that, it showed another new drive "System_DRV" on My Compuer.

I rebooted and it was not displayed anymore but it still shows up under the Disk Management taking up 1.17 GB. Equally surprising is under Disk 1 there is an 1.37 GB Healthy Partition which I don't know when it was created or what is its purpose.

Disk Management screenshot below
http://www.sevenforums.com/attachmen...1&d=1275464505

Can I delete the System_DRV and merge it back to my C drive? Also, the backup which I've done to my external HDD is not showing (i.e. is it supposed to be hidden from view or is there anyway to see it?)

Appreciate some expert advice and thanks in advance!

That 1.17gb System_drv partition is the Lenovo factory recovery partition. It allows you to restore the computer to the factory default state (like when you unboxed it) should something go wrong with your Windows 7 install. Its a great way, IMO, to be back in working state if the OS starts acting up. Normally, this can be launched via pressing F11 at boot or your thinvantage may have a special keyboard button for it.

You can burn your own recovery dvds. Look under Start menu, there would be an option to do that. After that you can delete the recovery partition and reclaim the space. But make sure you test your recovery dvds before doing that. Once you delete the recovery partition, you cannot use the F11 button to revert to factory state. You would then have to use recovery dvds.

I would suggest you retain that partition, its just over a gig. If you dont want to, then make your recovery dvds and periodically, image the Windows 7 partition using an app like Macrium. Use a freeware partition manager like Partition Wizard to merge it with C: drive.

Hi BIll,

Thanks for the clarification.

In fact, when I first bought it, there is this Q drive for Lenovo Recovery that shows up under my Computer. I remembered it says something like you can reclaim that space once you've created the recovery file using DVDs.

I did that using about 3-4 DVDs in total and it says was successful after the entire process. I then used Partition Wizard to merge the space on Q back to C. That was about the last time I used the Disk Management function.

Now using Rescue & Recovery (as in my 1st post) led to the creation of yet another System_DRV drive even thought I pointed to create the backup to my external HDD. A couple of questions:

1) Is it advisable to delete the System_DRV as I've already burned the whole Q recovery drive to DVDs before?

2) Any way to "prevent" System_DRV from self-creating again as I will backup about once every 1-2 months?

3) What is the Disk 1 (1.37 GB Healthy Primary Partition)? Can that be safely deleted or merge into my C?

4) As mentioned, I've pointed the backup to my external HDD and I could not find it at all using My Computer? Is there a more technical to view all the contents on my external HDD (i.e. using DOS commands?)

Appreciate some sharing and thanks in advance!

The system_drv partition contains the boot files required for Windows 7 to boot. If you delete it, Windows 7 will not be able to boot. The solution is:

1) Make a system repair disk (not the R&R disk). I think you can make it from the Backup restore console.

System Repair Disc - Create

Alternatively, you can download a copy from Download Windows 7 System Recovery Discs — The NeoSmart Files.

2) In Disk Management, mark the Windows 7 partition active by right clicking on it. Reboot.

3) On reboot, you'll get an error. Insert your repair disk and do a startup repair.

Startup Repair

You may need to run Startup repair upto 3 times.

That should fix the boot and make windows boot up properly.

After that, you should be able to delete the system_drv partition. When you go back to Disk managemrnt, system_drv partition would no longer be labelled SYSTEM or ACTIVE.

I dont know about Disk 1. Its a separate disk, usb or inbuilt card? You cant merge 2 separate disks.

Hi, thanks for the info. I'll follow the detailed steps these weekend as I need the ThinkPad to work during weekdays. Thanks again...