Advice on fixing deleted recovery partition [Toshiba]

Hi all,

I deleted my recovery partition before realising it was the recovery partition.


That 11.26GB unallocated was the recovery partition.

I was installing Ubuntu as a dual boot, and wanted to install it on its own partition. But I already had 4 primary partitions (the 1.46GB bootable recovery partition, C:, E: and the 11.26GB partition with the recovery files). So i shrunk C:, deleted the 11.26GB partiton and created the new primary partition. I later discovered it had the recovery files.

Ubuntu installation needed some other partitions and it must've converted E: to a logical drive.

I have installed the MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition v7.5
The results of a full quick scan:


Double clicking the HHDRECOVERY partition (unallocated space) shows the recovery files:


However, doing a full scan of the unallocated space also shows a small partition labeled "Boot":


Double clicking that drive shows the following:


However, that folder does not appear to contain any files. There was a [+] to the left of the folder, but clicking it just made it disappear since there was nothing to show. I'm not sure if I can just ignore this tiny section or not.

I am just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on how I should proceed. I have not ever attempted partition recovery or used this program before and feel like I only have one shot at this and don't want to screw it up, if it is even possible.

Also, yes I did create recovery discs, I think I've done it twice, but I'm not sure where they are. I've had a good search but haven't found them. Although I've other places yet to search but so far not the opportunity. I know using these discs, if I find them, will reinstall recovery partitions.

My laptop is a Qosmio F60 running Windows 7 Home Premium SP1.

Thanks
Tim

Thanks for reply.

It wasnt originally such a mess. Originally there was only the 1.46GB and 11.26GB recovery partitions, C:, and E: which i used for storage. Ubuntu wanted a SWAP partition so I gave it one. The 8MB free space is due to installation of Ubuntu.

Here is maximized disk manager:


I'm still running the Factory Preinstall.

Sorry my post was so long, as such I can understand that you may have missed there part where I stated:

Also, yes I did create recovery discs, I think I've done it twice, but I'm not sure where they are. I've had a good search but haven't found them. Although I've other places yet to search but so far not the opportunity. I know using these discs, if I find them, will reinstall recovery partitions.

I would prefer to run a clean install as I usually tend to uninstall a heap of stuff upon reinstallation of Windows 7, however downloading a 3GB iso hasn't really been an option till recently. Thanks for those links. And yes, I have backed up all my stuff to an external HDD. I just updated it yesterday.

I currently have no problems booting Ubuntu or 7.

I'll let you know how it goes.

If you want to keep what you've got you can resize C into any of the other adjacent partitions since there seems to be no content on them until the Logical, and/or create new partitions in all or part of the space.

These systems with no System partition always bother me because if the System boot files are correctly written to the Active partition then there should be a System flag signifying this. We have to assume the System boot files are on the 1.46 Active partition, so before deleting it I'd move System boot files to C by marking C Active then running Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until it is marked System Active.

None of this will restore the hotlink to Recovery Partition although it might still be intact once you restore it - you can test it to see.

You can use free Partition Wizard bootable CD to mark Active, Rebuild MBR, delete, resize as you wish. Partition Wizard Move/Resize Partition - Video Help.

I've never seen PW CD fail to restore a lost partition so it should also be able to put it back into the Unallocated space.

I don't want to intrude, but a little update :)

I tried further partitioning. I shrunk C drive, created a logical partition containing two extended partitions. Deleted HDDRECOVERY and booted into the Partition Wizard. Converted extended partitions into primary partitions for added complications (I don't really know anything about partitioning so am just trying different stuff). Deleted one so I had room for a fourth primary position, ran partition recovery wizard to get HDDRECOVERY back and set it to hidden.

Was still able to boot into recovery.

This leads me to think that either creation and changing of partitions for Ubuntu or the changes to GRUB during Ubuntu installation that were responsible for the inability to access HDDRECOVERY for recovery purposes.

I'll be installing Ubuntu again soon so I'll try to see where it goes bad.

So since you've demonstrated that you are an eager Tech Enthusiast, why would you want to run the factory pre-install which most enthusiasts consider a corrupted install larded with sponsored bloatware and useless factory utilities that duplicate Win7's superior features?

You should save your factory backup image and Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 following the steps to get a perfect,vastly superior install.

After setup when it's running best make another backup image to use in place of future reinstalls.

The factory image will probably never be needed again unless you want to sell the machine to someone who wants the crapware. There are such people, who have yet to become Tech Enthusiasts.

Yeah, i've been planning on doing the clean install the last few days, just been really busy. I still want the factory install because it will have all the drivers specific to all my hardware like USB Ports, wireless, HDMI, etc.

I did just do the clean install and not even the wireless was working. I didn't even bother checking anything else, I just immediately put the Macrium image of the factory install back on and will be backing up drivers etc. As far as I understand 32 bit drivers won't work in a 64 bit environment so I'll be backing them up from both 32 and 64 bit versions.

Ubuntu seemed to work fine when I initially installed it, both when installed to hdd as a dual boot and when installed on a flash drive via virtualbox. Bit disappointing for Windows that it can't even get wireless working.

Can you recommend any programs for driver backup and installation? I've used DriverMax but not in this context.