Alternate use of D2D and PQSERVICE?

Good morning,

Im interested in an alternate use of PQSERVICE and the ALT-F11 D2D Trigger. I would like to put something else other than recovery software on the PQSERVICE partition, specifically a secondary OS. One that can be launched secretly by holding the D2D key combo on startup.

As far as i know, the only limitations are that PQSERVICE has to be named that, be the first partition on disk, be smaller than 5 gigs, be of partition type, be FAT32, and has to have Acer's special mbr.

So, knowing those facts, how can i get something else other than the winPE recovery software to boot when holding down alt-f11? What file does the BIOS D2D functionality look for, is it just NTLDR?

If this is the case, i should just be able to install windows on that partition, restore acer's mbr, reset the partition type to 12, and have it work as long as i keep the other parameters the same. Hypothetically, windows would boot

Opinions/comments/insults/suggestions/bewildered looks all welcomed.

 

Before you start making modifications to your hard drive partition table PLEASE go pick up a copy of acronis and do a full 1:1 image of your entire HDD. This way if something doesn't go as planned you still have your backup.

Acronis has some built in features to not only write files off to DVD but also have a recovery location built into the HDD (using a bootloader and or special MBR) As far as using the alt+F11 I belive that is tied directly into the bios if you look at the ACPI feature(s). The phoenix bios is directly controlling that HDD partition, similar to if you had hit F12 to access the one time boot menu.

The best "solution" I can offer you is one of two options.

Option A. Use Acronis True Image or similar software to do a 1:1 image of your HDD. Then when you have a full backup go ahead and wipe the HDD and reinstall windows XP and leave some unallocated space left on the HDD (say... 10-15 gig or so).

From here you can install a second OS via a bootloader (there are lots out there just google it)

Option B. Same as the 1st option (do a full hdd backup) only use Acronis to store the images locally on the HDD so you have a 3rd option for backing up your os.

A boot loader is really your best option for selecting multiple operating system's on the same HDD.



--ssx--

 

Thanks for the warning, i already have a complete backup of my MBR and both partitions for safety.

What im looking for most specifically is the use of the ALT-F11 functionality, and not have to use a modified bootloader or other dualboot mechanism. I want the host OS (the one not on the PQSERVICE partition) to have no idea that theres a second OS there at a cursory glance

I know theres far easier ways to dualboot and i thank you for the recommendation, but im looking to use this specific method to kind of isolate the visibility, and to keep using the stock Acer MBR/bootloader

What exactly im trying to figure out, is what the bios (mine is actually insyde, which unfortunately is hard to unpack/ disassemble) is looking for to bootstrap that pqservice partition

 

Hmmmm

forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=315943

^^ Some guy here claims he just made a 50gig partition at the beginning of the disk and labeled it 12, and can boot normal windows from it. If this is true, itll be far easier than i thought

 

Hmmmm...use the computer for work more than play. Thats all I can say.

 

You know, sometimes trying to figure out how to do things they arent supposed to can be both work and play . Ive received far too many of those "you dont need to do this" answers . I may not need to, but i want to figure it out, its more of a challenge.

 

Hello my friend , your idea are prototype i have to admit that .

Now , the D2D its a simple MBR boot loader ... not easily to control.

If you wish to experiment with other boot loaders , there are many out there (but not Free) .

And by the use of the others MBR boot loaders , the hidden partition does not need to be hidden any more .

In my scenario , i upgraded the HD in to a large one , and kept everything operational , D2D and hidden files etc etc , by duplicating the HD structure,
and simply enlarged the partitions.

 

Good day
Sorry I took so long to answer, I was unavailable.
First off, Backup everything!
Repartition your drive (create a partition that you want to use as your recovery partition, leave the rest unpartitioned)
Install the OS of your choise (I installed WinXP on NTFS)
Once you have the OS to your liking, using a partition table editor
(I used the bootable miniPE CD {miniPE.org, Password: thecavern}
Change the partition type from in my case ["07" Windows NT NTFS] to ["12" Configuration/diagnostics partition] save changes, reboot, Install Windows or another OS on the remaining unpartitioned space as per a normal install.
On my Acer Aspire I press Alt+F10 the BIOS looks for for the bootloader on the Diagnostics partition, and if I do not press the keys the BIOS looks for the bootloader on the next available partition.
I am using MS imagex as my recovery software it is freely available with Windows Automated Install Kit (WAIK) and is file based not sector based.
read up on it and you will see why it is a beter system.