Activate hidden VISTA partition - most laptops
Monday, October 12, 2009, 07:50 PM -
Windows VISTAPosted by Administrator
If you need to reset your latop to factory defaults but the partition is hidden and Alt+F10 does not work then this method in my opinion is much simpler than messing with partition managers.
I'm assuming here you just want it like it was when you bought it, You will loose all data.
Step1:
Download the latest version of Ubuntu desktop from
Ubuntu DesktopStep2:
Burn the iso to disk with Magic ISO, Alchohol120%, Nero or similar software that can burn an ISO to a bootable disk
Step3:
Boot up with the Ubuntu disk and follow the instructions for installing Ubuntu.
**** Don't choose Use entire disk, it will delete your hidden partition, use either the free space option or advanced then go in and shrink your Windows partition, the options are obvious when you see them. Basically use any option other than 'Use Entire Disk'.
Step4:
Reboot and when the GRUB boot loader screen appears there is an 'Other Operating Systems' entry and one of the options will be Vista loader. Choose it and it will boot from your hidden partition where you can restore back into Vista.
Job Done