acer laptop partition

I tried to install RC1 on my Acer notebook.

On the first attempt all was fine and my HD was detected.

But I didn't want the Acer restore hidden partition (3GB), so I deleted it
(I have a Ghost backup btw)

So I rebooted, and now I can't create a partition, no 'controller
detected'?

Odd!

I've switched off the PC and rebooted - still the same.

I have a feeling this is a BIOS issue.

The hidden partition was not seen first time round, and I deleted it with a
3rd party app.