how to create a bootable hidden service/restore partition in HD ?

[jimmyhaha]

so I want to create a bootable hidden service/restore partition containing ghost, HD image, and NDIS dos network driver.

which u can press a Hotkey at bootup and select restore option.

I don't have much luck finding information on the internet.

Does any one has expererience with such thing or know any resource ?

Pls advise, thanks in advance.

 

[jimmyhaha]

no one ?

 

[neuralfx]

You could use ghost and put the image file on a seperate partition that you previously made bootable (by using "sys c:" or some other method). You would also need a boot manager, if your using 2k or XP you can add an entry to your "boot.ini" file, whereby at each boot you would have the option to select the "restore partition." This is one way to solve the problem..
-neural

 

[jimmyhaha]

I know about how to use ghost to create and restore image, but I hate using floppy and CD to bootup.

So your suggestion is to put the bootloader program i.e. ghost.exe into different partition other than the OS,

and edit the boot.ini to have the option ?

 

[Buz2b]

If you can get around the problem you have using a bootable floppy or CD, you can use Drive Image (by Powerquest) to create and hide a partition that will contain an image of your hard drive. Easily accessible and easy to use for a restore. I did this on two different family member's systems I built and was able to easily restore a system that was fubar'd by an overzealous preteen. Did this over the phone with his mother who barely knows how to turn on a computer, so it can't get any easier. That wouldn't take care of all you mentioned on your wish list but it is a start. The hidden partition is nice cause it keeps unauthorized fingers out of it. That's also what folks like Dell do on their systems.
Not to sound like a Powerquest commercial but another program they make, Partiton Magic can also allow you to create, hide and manage a hidden partition. Either program would work well but again, you'd need either the program CD to boot from or the set of 2 boot floppies the program creates for you. You can also put images of the 2 floppies on a CD to boot from. Once you boot to them all you have to do is probably 3 clicks to start the restore; which will finish unattended except for the roboot.

 

[jimmyhaha]

thanks for the advice.

I want to completely elimiate the use of bootable floppy or CD to bootup the system for HD image restore, ideally have the dos bootloader & ghost.exe integrated into a hidden partition.

I guess my option is to to put the bootloader program i.e. ghost.exe into the hidden partition, and edit the boot.ini to allow user to select that option during bootup....

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: jimmyhaha
thanks for the advice.

I want to completely elimiate the use of bootable floppy or CD to bootup the system for HD image restore, ideally have the dos bootloader & ghost.exe integrated into a hidden partition.

I guess my option is to to put the bootloader program i.e. ghost.exe into the hidden partition, and edit the boot.ini to allow user to select that option during bootup....

Trust me, I understood your meaning. I was just exploring other possibilities. The "problem" I have with you solution to this is that it I am not sure if it would be secure. Will you be able to password protect it or something along that line?
Otherwise, anyone could boot to that partition and possibly compromise it, if it is given as a boot option. I'm assuming you are doing this for a system that will not be yours.

 

[CQuinn]

I'm not sure it would work.

The information in the boot.ini file is based on partitions that are visible to the ntldr and ntdetect.com
programs at boot time. A hidden partition would be treated the same way as if it had been deleted,
as far as boot.ini is concerned, the drive is no longer there to boot from.

You would need a seperate boot manager that could recognize and reset a hidden partition to active
to allow you to boot from it.