Hidden Partition
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Hi, I need sme help regarding HIDDEN PARTITIONS.like:: What exactly it is? What is its use? Can we access it via any programming language(MFC/Win32 API)? When we format whole Hard disk,hidden partition is also gets formatted or not? Help Help Help
Hidden partitions are used by some disreputable manufacturers in place of Recovery CDs, also used by disreputable manufacturers but more expensive. Reputable manufacturers distribute real OS CDs with the operating system you paid for intact and licensed. Hidden partitions usually contain a system image of the original setup so that it can be easily restored by the press of a key on bootup. You may be able to access it using a custom program, depending upon the protections assigned to it, and the user permissions of the account that you use to run the program - it wouldn't hurt to try. The FORMAT command works on logical drives, not partitions, so FORMAT C: will destroy the C: drive, but not the D: drive contained in the same extended partition. Of course, that will rarely happen, as the C: drive is usually created in a Primary partition, which can only contain one logical drive, and the rest of the logical drives on the same hard drive are created in an Extended partition (which can hold 4 logical drives). My server is a bit weird, as it has C on Drive 0, D and E on a second physical drive (Drive 1), and boots from J (on Drive 0), but that's not the norm.:-O The usual procedure is to use FDISK to create a Primary partition on physical Drive 0, then allocate the rest of the drive to an Extended partition. Primary partitions are bootable, so a logical drive C is created on the Primary partition. Additional logical drives are created in the Extended partition. Each logical drive is then formatted using FORMAT, and the OS is installed on the logical drive in the Primary partition. Running FORMAT on one logical drive will not affect the other logical drives on the same physical drive, or within the same partition. "If it's Snowbird season, why can't we shoot them?" - Overheard in a bar in Bullhead City
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Hidden partitions are used by some disreputable manufacturers in place of Recovery CDs, also used by disreputable manufacturers but more expensive. Reputable manufacturers distribute real OS CDs with the operating system you paid for intact and licensed. Hidden partitions usually contain a system image of the original setup so that it can be easily restored by the press of a key on bootup. You may be able to access it using a custom program, depending upon the protections assigned to it, and the user permissions of the account that you use to run the program - it wouldn't hurt to try. The FORMAT command works on logical drives, not partitions, so FORMAT C: will destroy the C: drive, but not the D: drive contained in the same extended partition. Of course, that will rarely happen, as the C: drive is usually created in a Primary partition, which can only contain one logical drive, and the rest of the logical drives on the same hard drive are created in an Extended partition (which can hold 4 logical drives). My server is a bit weird, as it has C on Drive 0, D and E on a second physical drive (Drive 1), and boots from J (on Drive 0), but that's not the norm.:-O The usual procedure is to use FDISK to create a Primary partition on physical Drive 0, then allocate the rest of the drive to an Extended partition. Primary partitions are bootable, so a logical drive C is created on the Primary partition. Additional logical drives are created in the Extended partition. Each logical drive is then formatted using FORMAT, and the OS is installed on the logical drive in the Primary partition. Running FORMAT on one logical drive will not affect the other logical drives on the same physical drive, or within the same partition. "If it's Snowbird season, why can't we shoot them?" - Overheard in a bar in Bullhead City
Hi Roger, But what actually i would like to know is: (1) How I can attain a situation in which system at boot time will ask for "press h to boot from hidden partition" (2) How I can transfer the control to hidden partiton booting. (3) Is it possible to program BIOS?...so that at boot time it will automatically transfers control to hidden partition address. "Everything that glitters is not GOLD"
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Hi Roger, But what actually i would like to know is: (1) How I can attain a situation in which system at boot time will ask for "press h to boot from hidden partition" (2) How I can transfer the control to hidden partiton booting. (3) Is it possible to program BIOS?...so that at boot time it will automatically transfers control to hidden partition address. "Everything that glitters is not GOLD"
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hi , i am interested to join u r discussion.I am also dont know how os actually stores the details about hidden folder .Is it some what related to window registry & if u both are knowing anything about win registry pls reply me