need to remove reference to 2nd partition

[Guest]

Compaq Presario SR1020NX
Desktop
Windows XP Home SP2 NTFS
C: is the user partition
D: is the "system recovery" partition

Pointsec, an encryption program needs to be installed. However, Pointsec
detects the presence of a 2nd bootable partition & stops. Pointsec tech
support said: "It is not our problem. Get rid of the non-user partition or
buy a new computer."

I deleted the partition from "disk management", then copied the C: partition
to a 2nd, identical drive. Ran Pointsec, same error.

I booted with a Win XP Home SP2 CD, ran fixmbr. I was informed of a
non-standard or corrupt mbr, & asked if I wanted to proceed. I proceeded &
was informed that the MBR had been fixed. Ran Pointsec, same error.

Compaq told me to use their "recovery tool cd", to remove the system
recovery partition. I ran the recovery toold cd, but the option to " remove
the system recovery partition" was greyed out / inactive.

Compaq told me to fdisk, format, re-install, using their recovery disks.
Unfortunately, not only would that re-create the recovery partition, the
user's programs would have to be re-installed & the data re-stored, with no
guarantee that we will be able to get rid of the reference to the 2nd
partition.

Disk manager identifies only 1 partition, which is utilizing the entire HDD.

I tried fdisk from a Win 98 boot disk, but it saw only the C: partition.

I installed Partition Magic, but, again, only a single partition is visible.

contents of boot.ini
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

Further steps I have considered:
1. buy a new computer;
2. upgrade to XP Pro, for encryption;
3. use a different 3rd party encryption program, but run the risk of the
same problem happening.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

WC

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Compaq Presario SR1020NX
Desktop
Windows XP Home SP2 NTFS
C: is the user partition
D: is the "system recovery" partition

Pointsec, an encryption program needs to be installed. However, Pointsec
detects the presence of a 2nd bootable partition & stops. Pointsec tech
support said: "It is not our problem. Get rid of the non-user partition or
buy a new computer."

I deleted the partition from "disk management", then copied the C: partition
to a 2nd, identical drive. Ran Pointsec, same error.

I booted with a Win XP Home SP2 CD, ran fixmbr. I was informed of a
non-standard or corrupt mbr, & asked if I wanted to proceed. I proceeded &
was informed that the MBR had been fixed. Ran Pointsec, same error.

Compaq told me to use their "recovery tool cd", to remove the system
recovery partition. I ran the recovery toold cd, but the option to " remove
the system recovery partition" was greyed out / inactive.

Compaq told me to fdisk, format, re-install, using their recovery disks.
Unfortunately, not only would that re-create the recovery partition, the
user's programs would have to be re-installed & the data re-stored, with no
guarantee that we will be able to get rid of the reference to the 2nd
partition.

Disk manager identifies only 1 partition, which is utilizing the entire HDD.

I tried fdisk from a Win 98 boot disk, but it saw only the C: partition.

I installed Partition Magic, but, again, only a single partition is visible.

contents of boot.ini
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

Further steps I have considered:
1. buy a new computer;
2. upgrade to XP Pro, for encryption;
3. use a different 3rd party encryption program, but run the risk of the
same problem happening.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

WC

I'm trying to work out what your actual question is. Do
you want to know how to convert your current disk so
that you have a single partition with a clean MBR and
no recovery partition?

 

[Guest]

I need to delete the reference to the 2nd partition that Pointsec is
detecting.

It would be helpful, of course, if I knew where Pointsec was looking, but I
don't have that information.

I hav ASSUMED that the information is in the MBR. It doesn't appear to be
in the boot.ini file, which I included in my initial post.

WC

Compaq Presario SR1020NX
Desktop
Windows XP Home SP2 NTFS
C: is the user partition
D: is the "system recovery" partition

Pointsec, an encryption program needs to be installed. However, Pointsec
detects the presence of a 2nd bootable partition & stops. Pointsec tech
support said: "It is not our problem. Get rid of the non-user partition or
buy a new computer."

I deleted the partition from "disk management", then copied the C: partition
to a 2nd, identical drive. Ran Pointsec, same error.

I booted with a Win XP Home SP2 CD, ran fixmbr. I was informed of a
non-standard or corrupt mbr, & asked if I wanted to proceed. I proceeded &
was informed that the MBR had been fixed. Ran Pointsec, same error.

Compaq told me to use their "recovery tool cd", to remove the system
recovery partition. I ran the recovery toold cd, but the option to " remove
the system recovery partition" was greyed out / inactive.

Compaq told me to fdisk, format, re-install, using their recovery disks.
Unfortunately, not only would that re-create the recovery partition, the
user's programs would have to be re-installed & the data re-stored, with no
guarantee that we will be able to get rid of the reference to the 2nd
partition.

Disk manager identifies only 1 partition, which is utilizing the entire HDD.

I tried fdisk from a Win 98 boot disk, but it saw only the C: partition.

I installed Partition Magic, but, again, only a single partition is visible.

contents of boot.ini
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

Further steps I have considered:
1. buy a new computer;
2. upgrade to XP Pro, for encryption;
3. use a different 3rd party encryption program, but run the risk of the
same problem happening.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

WC

I'm trying to work out what your actual question is. Do
you want to know how to convert your current disk so
that you have a single partition with a clean MBR and
no recovery partition?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Each MBR contains information about its own disk. It
has no information about other disks.

The registry is likely to contain information about a second
disk in lots of places. One obvious place is here:

HKLM\SYSTEM\MountedDevices

Delete all lines that refer to drive letters other than those
you still have, then reboot the machine. This is a safe
operation - even if you delete DriveC:\ (for example),
Windows will regenerate it at the next boot.

I find Pointsec's attitude unacceptable. If this is how they
support (or fail to support) their product then I wouldn't
touch it. What you now have is a minor issue. Imagine how
you would fare if you had a major issue, e.g. a problem
decrypting a file!

I need to delete the reference to the 2nd partition that Pointsec is
detecting.

It would be helpful, of course, if I knew where Pointsec was looking, but I
don't have that information.

I hav ASSUMED that the information is in the MBR. It doesn't appear to be
in the boot.ini file, which I included in my initial post.

WC

Compaq Presario SR1020NX
Desktop
Windows XP Home SP2 NTFS
C: is the user partition
D: is the "system recovery" partition

Pointsec, an encryption program needs to be installed. However, Pointsec
detects the presence of a 2nd bootable partition & stops. Pointsec tech
support said: "It is not our problem. Get rid of the non-user partition or
buy a new computer."

I deleted the partition from "disk management", then copied the C: partition
to a 2nd, identical drive. Ran Pointsec, same error.

I booted with a Win XP Home SP2 CD, ran fixmbr. I was informed of a
non-standard or corrupt mbr, & asked if I wanted to proceed. I proceeded &
was informed that the MBR had been fixed. Ran Pointsec, same error.

Compaq told me to use their "recovery tool cd", to remove the system
recovery partition. I ran the recovery toold cd, but the option to " remove
the system recovery partition" was greyed out / inactive.

Compaq told me to fdisk, format, re-install, using their recovery disks.
Unfortunately, not only would that re-create the recovery partition, the
user's programs would have to be re-installed & the data re-stored,

with
no

guarantee that we will be able to get rid of the reference to the 2nd
partition.

Disk manager identifies only 1 partition, which is utilizing the

entire
HDD.

I tried fdisk from a Win 98 boot disk, but it saw only the C: partition.

I installed Partition Magic, but, again, only a single partition is visible.

contents of boot.ini
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

Further steps I have considered:
1. buy a new computer;
2. upgrade to XP Pro, for encryption;
3. use a different 3rd party encryption program, but run the risk of the
same problem happening.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

WC

I'm trying to work out what your actual question is. Do
you want to know how to convert your current disk so
that you have a single partition with a clean MBR and
no recovery partition?

 

[Guest]

Pegasus:
Thanks for your suggestion.

I hope I have not confused the issue. There is only ONE HDD in the
computer.

I agree with you regarding Pointsec's tech support. I have sent a letter to
the company requiring the use of Pointsec to the company's compliance
officer.

WC

Each MBR contains information about its own disk. It
has no information about other disks.

The registry is likely to contain information about a second
disk in lots of places. One obvious place is here:

HKLM\SYSTEM\MountedDevices

Delete all lines that refer to drive letters other than those
you still have, then reboot the machine. This is a safe
operation - even if you delete DriveC:\ (for example),
Windows will regenerate it at the next boot.

I find Pointsec's attitude unacceptable. If this is how they
support (or fail to support) their product then I wouldn't
touch it. What you now have is a minor issue. Imagine how
you would fare if you had a major issue, e.g. a problem
decrypting a file!

I need to delete the reference to the 2nd partition that Pointsec is
detecting.

It would be helpful, of course, if I knew where Pointsec was looking, but I
don't have that information.

I hav ASSUMED that the information is in the MBR. It doesn't appear to be
in the boot.ini file, which I included in my initial post.

WC

Compaq Presario SR1020NX
Desktop
Windows XP Home SP2 NTFS
C: is the user partition
D: is the "system recovery" partition

Pointsec, an encryption program needs to be installed. However, Pointsec
detects the presence of a 2nd bootable partition & stops. Pointsec tech
support said: "It is not our problem. Get rid of the non-user partition or
buy a new computer."

I deleted the partition from "disk management", then copied the C:
partition
to a 2nd, identical drive. Ran Pointsec, same error.

I booted with a Win XP Home SP2 CD, ran fixmbr. I was informed of a
non-standard or corrupt mbr, & asked if I wanted to proceed. I proceeded &
was informed that the MBR had been fixed. Ran Pointsec, same error.

Compaq told me to use their "recovery tool cd", to remove the system
recovery partition. I ran the recovery toold cd, but the option to "
remove
the system recovery partition" was greyed out / inactive.

Compaq told me to fdisk, format, re-install, using their recovery disks.
Unfortunately, not only would that re-create the recovery partition, the
user's programs would have to be re-installed & the data re-stored, with
no
guarantee that we will be able to get rid of the reference to the 2nd
partition.

Disk manager identifies only 1 partition, which is utilizing the entire
HDD.

I tried fdisk from a Win 98 boot disk, but it saw only the C: partition.

I installed Partition Magic, but, again, only a single partition is
visible.

contents of boot.ini
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

Further steps I have considered:
1. buy a new computer;
2. upgrade to XP Pro, for encryption;
3. use a different 3rd party encryption program, but run the risk of the
same problem happening.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

WC

I'm trying to work out what your actual question is. Do
you want to know how to convert your current disk so
that you have a single partition with a clean MBR and
no recovery partition?

 

[Guest]

If "Pointsec" is reading boot.ini for multiple "Entries" [i.e. "systems",
therefore "partitions"], then maybe it sees Recovery Console as a "partition".
After all, a single partition system usually doesn't have these lines
[*....* (below)]

* default=*

*[operating systems]*

*="Microsoft Windows*

If it gets THAT wrong, I agree with Pegasus:

"Imagine how you would fare if you had a major issue, e.g. a problem
decrypting a file!"

Compaq Presario SR1020NX
Desktop
Windows XP Home SP2 NTFS
C: is the user partition
D: is the "system recovery" partition

Pointsec, an encryption program needs to be installed. However, Pointsec
detects the presence of a 2nd bootable partition & stops. Pointsec tech
support said: "It is not our problem. Get rid of the non-user partition or
buy a new computer."

I deleted the partition from "disk management", then copied the C: partition
to a 2nd, identical drive. Ran Pointsec, same error.

I booted with a Win XP Home SP2 CD, ran fixmbr. I was informed of a
non-standard or corrupt mbr, & asked if I wanted to proceed. I proceeded &
was informed that the MBR had been fixed. Ran Pointsec, same error.

Compaq told me to use their "recovery tool cd", to remove the system
recovery partition. I ran the recovery toold cd, but the option to " remove
the system recovery partition" was greyed out / inactive.

Compaq told me to fdisk, format, re-install, using their recovery disks.
Unfortunately, not only would that re-create the recovery partition, the
user's programs would have to be re-installed & the data re-stored, with no
guarantee that we will be able to get rid of the reference to the 2nd
partition.

Disk manager identifies only 1 partition, which is utilizing the entire HDD.

I tried fdisk from a Win 98 boot disk, but it saw only the C: partition.

I installed Partition Magic, but, again, only a single partition is visible.

contents of boot.ini
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

Further steps I have considered:
1. buy a new computer;
2. upgrade to XP Pro, for encryption;
3. use a different 3rd party encryption program, but run the risk of the
same problem happening.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

WC

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I'm aware that you currently have only one disk. The
registry hack I suggested will remove an important
reference to the second disk you may have had before.
It is likely that there are other references to it.

Pegasus:
Thanks for your suggestion.

I hope I have not confused the issue. There is only ONE HDD in the
computer.

I agree with you regarding Pointsec's tech support. I have sent a letter to
the company requiring the use of Pointsec to the company's compliance
officer.

WC

Each MBR contains information about its own disk. It
has no information about other disks.

The registry is likely to contain information about a second
disk in lots of places. One obvious place is here:

HKLM\SYSTEM\MountedDevices

Delete all lines that refer to drive letters other than those
you still have, then reboot the machine. This is a safe
operation - even if you delete DriveC:\ (for example),
Windows will regenerate it at the next boot.

I find Pointsec's attitude unacceptable. If this is how they
support (or fail to support) their product then I wouldn't
touch it. What you now have is a minor issue. Imagine how
you would fare if you had a major issue, e.g. a problem
decrypting a file!

I need to delete the reference to the 2nd partition that Pointsec is
detecting.

It would be helpful, of course, if I knew where Pointsec was looking,

but
I

don't have that information.

I hav ASSUMED that the information is in the MBR. It doesn't appear to be
in the boot.ini file, which I included in my initial post.

WC

:


Compaq Presario SR1020NX
Desktop
Windows XP Home SP2 NTFS
C: is the user partition
D: is the "system recovery" partition

Pointsec, an encryption program needs to be installed. However, Pointsec
detects the presence of a 2nd bootable partition & stops. Pointsec tech
support said: "It is not our problem. Get rid of the non-user partition or
buy a new computer."

I deleted the partition from "disk management", then copied the C:
partition
to a 2nd, identical drive. Ran Pointsec, same error.

I booted with a Win XP Home SP2 CD, ran fixmbr. I was informed of a
non-standard or corrupt mbr, & asked if I wanted to proceed. I proceeded &
was informed that the MBR had been fixed. Ran Pointsec, same error.

Compaq told me to use their "recovery tool cd", to remove the system
recovery partition. I ran the recovery toold cd, but the option to "
remove
the system recovery partition" was greyed out / inactive.

Compaq told me to fdisk, format, re-install, using their recovery disks.
Unfortunately, not only would that re-create the recovery

partition,
the

user's programs would have to be re-installed & the data

re-stored,
with

no
guarantee that we will be able to get rid of the reference to the 2nd
partition.

Disk manager identifies only 1 partition, which is utilizing the entire
HDD.

I tried fdisk from a Win 98 boot disk, but it saw only the C: partition.

I installed Partition Magic, but, again, only a single partition is
visible.

contents of boot.ini
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

Further steps I have considered:
1. buy a new computer;
2. upgrade to XP Pro, for encryption;
3. use a different 3rd party encryption program, but run the risk

of
the

same problem happening.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

WC

I'm trying to work out what your actual question is. Do
you want to know how to convert your current disk so
that you have a single partition with a clean MBR and
no recovery partition?

 

[Guest]

St D:
Thanks for the suggestion.
It can't hurt to remove the recovery console.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654#XSLTH3183121125120121120120

WC

If "Pointsec" is reading boot.ini for multiple "Entries" [i.e. "systems",
therefore "partitions"], then maybe it sees Recovery Console as a "partition".
After all, a single partition system usually doesn't have these lines
[*....* (below)]

* default=*

*[operating systems]*

*="Microsoft Windows*

If it gets THAT wrong, I agree with Pegasus:

"Imagine how you would fare if you had a major issue, e.g. a problem
decrypting a file!"

Compaq Presario SR1020NX
Desktop
Windows XP Home SP2 NTFS
C: is the user partition
D: is the "system recovery" partition

Pointsec, an encryption program needs to be installed. However, Pointsec
detects the presence of a 2nd bootable partition & stops. Pointsec tech
support said: "It is not our problem. Get rid of the non-user partition or
buy a new computer."

I deleted the partition from "disk management", then copied the C: partition
to a 2nd, identical drive. Ran Pointsec, same error.

I booted with a Win XP Home SP2 CD, ran fixmbr. I was informed of a
non-standard or corrupt mbr, & asked if I wanted to proceed. I proceeded &
was informed that the MBR had been fixed. Ran Pointsec, same error.

Compaq told me to use their "recovery tool cd", to remove the system
recovery partition. I ran the recovery toold cd, but the option to " remove
the system recovery partition" was greyed out / inactive.

Compaq told me to fdisk, format, re-install, using their recovery disks.
Unfortunately, not only would that re-create the recovery partition, the
user's programs would have to be re-installed & the data re-stored, with no
guarantee that we will be able to get rid of the reference to the 2nd
partition.

Disk manager identifies only 1 partition, which is utilizing the entire HDD.

I tried fdisk from a Win 98 boot disk, but it saw only the C: partition.

I installed Partition Magic, but, again, only a single partition is visible.

contents of boot.ini
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons

Further steps I have considered:
1. buy a new computer;
2. upgrade to XP Pro, for encryption;
3. use a different 3rd party encryption program, but run the risk of the
same problem happening.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

WC

 

[Guest]

The computer has only had ONE HDD, but I will do as you suggest. I apologize
for not being clearer in my postings.

WC



I'm aware that you currently have only one disk. The
registry hack I suggested will remove an important
reference to the second disk you may have had before.
It is likely that there are other references to it.

 

[Guest]

Resolved.
start > run > msconfig > boot.ini > check all boot paths
An error was noted in C:\CMDCONS\BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows Recovery
Console" /cmdcons

Upon re-boot, this issue was resolved.

We also tried to fix the issue by deleting the temp files. I used CCleaner
[ www.ccleaner.com ].

Thanks to all who responded.

WC