Program that "remembers" exact HD layout?

[Barfo]

I want to repartition my HD to allow a Linux installation, but the Lenovo OS recovery thingy will stop working if the original partitioning is altered in any way.

So I'm looking for a way to restore this original partitioning should I ever need to reinstall Windows or sell the laptop.

Any ideas?

 

[corkyg]

Clone the drive. Then switch drives to verify. Then put one away.

 

[FishAk]

1. Create o new partition at the end of your disk that can hold a few images.

2. Create an image of your current OS, in the new partition.

3. Restore the Lenovo OS from the recovery thingy.

4. Create an image of the restored OS in your Image Partition.

5. Recover your OS (the one you are using now) from your Image Partition.

The stock recovery partition can now be deleted, and the space reclaimed. If you ever need to restore the factory settings, you have an image in your special partition that doesn't have the original restrictions.

 

[Diogenes2]

If you have Win7 - Use the imaging tool..

 

[lxskllr]

1. Create o new partition at the end of your disk that can hold a few images.

2. Create an image of your current OS, in the new partition.

3. Restore the Lenovo OS from the recovery thingy.

4. Create an image of the restored OS in your Image Partition.

5. Recover your OS (the one you are using now) from your Image Partition.

The stock recovery partition can now be deleted, and the space reclaimed. If you ever need to restore the factory settings, you have an image in your special partition that doesn't have the original restrictions.

I like this idea if you have the room to spare.

 

[Nothinman]

Or do a WUBI install which puts Linux into a file on your Windows partition.

 

[gsaldivar]

Do you have a Lenovo laptop? Take your CD drive out, replace it with a cheap generic Ultrabay hard disk caddy from eBay for like $10, drop a secondary drive in there and install Linux on it.

No need to bother with cloning, partitioning, backing up, etc...

Hard drives are CHEAP, why waste time with all that?