How to access "Healthy (EISA Configuration)" on Windows Vista

I downloaded a free partition manager called Partition Wizard.  It is very similar to Partition Magic I use on my XP machine and allowed me to delete the "new" partition that I couldn't access.

I then created another Primary partition by selecting the new partition and assigned it the next drive letter in the sequence (H: in this case).

The partition was created and I could access it through Windows Explorer.  Job done.  Or so I thought until I rebooted and this partition, just like the original one that I had labelled B: lost its drive letter and reverted to an EISA partition, which I couldn't access through Windows Explorer.

As the Windows Vista Disk Management tool doesn't appear to be able to do anything with an EISA partition I continued to use Partition Wizard and tried "merging" the new, inaccessible partition back into the main primary partition on C:.  This worked okay, so I was back to where I started.

I have attach three screen dumps which show my attempts to create a new Primary partition on Disk 0 again:

Before.bmp - The start point.  Notice that Disk 0 has three partitions, but only C: is accessible through Windows Explorer.  This is how Disk 0 was supplied when I purchased the laptop.

Setting Up.bmp - The Partition Wizard configuration prior to applying the actions.  As you can see I have requested to resize (shrink) the existing C: partition and then create a new Primary partition on Disk 0, with a drive letter of H: and a label of New.

After.bmp - Partition Wizard had to reboot the laptop to perform the actions and when booting up, Disk Manager shows the new partition, but it is shown as an EISA partition, with no label, and it cannot be seen by Windows Explorer.

I can use the create option to "convert" this EISA partition into a primary partition and allocate it a drive letter and this then gives me a partition that I can use in Windows Explorer.  However, when I reboot this partition reverts to an EISA partition and I can no longer access it.

Please, somebody tell me what I'm doing wrong and why all attempts to create a new Primary partition result in an EISA partition that Explorer cannot see, and therefore I cannot use.

Two possible reasons of this strange behavior:
a)The partition becomes hidden
b)Vista backup\restore is setup to backup to the partition next after C: and thus Vista makes it EISA - service partition.
To check this please download and install Drive Backup trial from here: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-professional/
Then run it and in main window right click on partition that just turned to EISA and use properties. Then take a screen shots of each tab and post them here. BTW .png extension would be better than BMP.
Also, see if you right click on it - is HIDE option available?

noxcho, I'll do that today.

I realise I should have used something other than BMP files, but being new to Vista I wasn't sure until after I'd uploaded the screen dumps that an application was bundled to convert bmp to jpeg or another format.  I then realised paint would do this and created the jpeg files but was unable to modify my post to replace the bmp's with jpeg's ;-)

Tried to install the Drive Backup software but got errors so will have to try downloading again tonight ;-(

What exact errors did you get?

I'm at work now so I can't try re-running the installer, but I seem to recall they were related to a cad file not being found, something like data1.cad.

I tried chosing to ignore the error but it then gave me other errors.  The message suggested my network was at fault!  I'll try re-downloading just in case the file became corrupt, but my internet connection is very reliable and I haven't had this problem before.

Ok, this error indicates normally that MSI installer is not complete. So you need to redownload it.
When you download it tell me the size of msi file. I'll download it too and compare the sizes.

Okay, will do, but it won't be until tonight at around 18:30 London time.
Thanks noxcho.
I'll also ask the administrators if they can replace the bmp files I uploaded with the much smaller jpeg files as I'm aware this question takes a long time to load.

No need to replace the bmp files, my note reference was  for future screen shots =)

Hi noxcho, successfully installed Paragon software and able to set the new partition to Unhide.  Then assigned a drive letter and I could see it and use it through Windows Explorer.  Rebooted PC and same result, the partition is hidden again.  I've attached the requested screen dumps.

Restart PC - run Drive Backup - right click on OEM marked Partition - select Change Partition ID - what is written there?

Also, try to delete the partition and recreate it with Paragon. Then restart PC and see if it changes to OEM again.

The Partition ID is 0x 12 Compaq.

I deleted the partition and recreated it with Paragon.  Vista wanted to format it so I allowed this to happen.  The partition was now 0x 07 NTFS, the same as C: and those on the other disk.  Windows Explorer was able to see it so I created a file.  The laptop was rebooted and the partition disappeared again, reverting back to 0x 12 Compaq, which incidentally is the same as the small 3.4 gb partition that appears at the end of the disk.

I have uploaded some screen images showing what I did.

Having created the new partition, it simply disappeared after rebooting and everything reverted back to how it was!

Very strange.

I tried splitting the new 100gb partition into 2 partitions; H: and I:.  As usual this worked (although I had to make them logical partitions) until rebooting at which point they "both" disappeared and were replaced by the original single EISA Configuration partition.

I've raised a call with Acer in the hope that they can explain what is doing this and why.

....just noticed, that after creating the 2 partitions and rebooting, it didn't create an EISA Configuration partition, the 2 partitions appear to have been "merged" back into one and it is marked as Unallocated.

Create the partition with Paragon and do not let Vista format it. Vista always asks for formatting new partition but it is not wise to let the "child" do what it wants always. Yes, in this case it behaves like a child.
So create, format with Paragon, restart and see if it becomes Compaq again.
Actually it must be 0x07 NTFS.

I will try your suggestion about not allowing Vista to format the new partition but I don't believe this will make any difference.
Clearly there is something happening on this laptop at bootup that is manipulating the partitions, or is it possible that information stored on the hard drive describing the partitions (MBR?) isn't being saved properly and so doesn't have the correct information when rebooting, or maybe it is being overwritten during the boot process.

Good idea. What is the exact model of your laptop?

It is an Acer Aspire 8935G 904G1TBwn.  The manufacturers code is LX.PD30X.002.

http://www.acerdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_8935G-904G1TBwn__LX.PD30X.002/version.asp?PID=412

This morning before leaving for work I briefly tried searching for a manual, which might describe the configuration and explain what happens at boot up.  I didn't come up with anything.  The laptop comes with a setup guide and a brief overview of the functionality included, but that's it.  It isn't supplied with any detailed hard copy manuals or even electronic copies on CD.  This was somewhat disappointing.

My earlier suggestion that recovery partition considers that next to C: partition must be EISA seemingly sounds reasonable now.
We can try to fix that.
Run Drive Backup - Backup Partition or Drive Wizard - check MBR + First Track only - save it to C: or external HDD.
Then recreate the partition via Drive Backup so it could be visible in Windows Explorer and has 0x07 Partition ID.
Then right click on HDD and select Update MBR.
Apply changes and restart PC. Does it turn to EISA?

Thanks noxcho, I'll try that when I get home tonight.  It's currently 10:03am in the UK.  It looks like it is 2:00am where you are!!!!
I assume the first bit is simply to take a backup of the MBR?

One other thought I had was to try to create the new partition AFTER the 2nd EISA partition.  The trouble is I don't know what is on this small EISA partition and I don't want to risk destroying it. I thought the following might do it:

Resize the small EISA partition (4th partition on Disk 0 - currently appears AFTER my new partition) to include the 104gb of my new partition at the beginning of it.
Resize the small EISA partition again, but this time take space off the end of it.
Use the new 104gb partition, which should now be at the end of the disk, to create a new partition.

I've just got a response from Acer Support.  I asked them if they could explain why I couldn't create a new partition on Disk 0 (the O/S disk) and to explain the use of the shipped EISA partitions.  This is the response I've just got:

"2009/7/28 <noreply@acer-euro.com>

Dear Paul Hill,

To solve your issue, please follow the instructions given below:

If you are trying to create another partition on the hard drive you must be trying to install another operating system. If you have, or are trying to install an Operating system that we did not provide with the machine, unfortunately we cannot provide support for it.

Regards,
Acer Support."

I'm absolutely fuming!!!!  How dare they make an assumption about what I'm going to do with the new partition.  There is more than one reason for creating a partition on a hard drive.  They have given me no help whatsoever and the email address is "noreply" so I can't even continue the conversation with them and must wait until I get home so that I can ask the question again (I need my laptop serial number etc to request assistance)!!!!  This is my first experience of Acer Support and I'm far from impressed.

LOL!!!!!!
I guess they will not explain that to you.

I asked Acer another question (they have a poor web based support system that requires a new case to be created everytime you ask a question).  Basically I told them I wanted to create logical partitions to organize my data and programs and help with backing up.  This is what they said:

"Dear Paul Hill,

To solve your issue, please follow the instructions given below:

Hello, Thank you for contacting Acer. Regarding your enquiry, Thank you for your response, we are well aware for the many reasons that you would want to re  partition a hard drive, as you would agree installing an operating system is normally is the most popular choice. We are unable to offer support about re  structuring and partition layout of a hard drive as this has the potential to disable the onboard recovery built into the hard drive. This type of action would not be covered by warranty. Regards Acer Technical

Support Team

Regards,
Acer Support."

I get the impression they are telling me I can't partition the first 500gb hard drive otherwise it will stop the recovery software working.  I've raised yet another case asking them to call me to discuss this statement.

Too much if, in case, possibly etc.
Look, if you have external HDD of good capacity (300-500GB) then take backup of entire HDD including MBR + First Track via Drive Backup. You will be able to bring back the PC to state it was when warranty is needed.
After that you can do with current partitioning style whatever you want.
That is not an answer- you cannot do anything with partition cause it will brake warranty.

Hi noxcho,

Just to let you know I'm still waiting for a response from Acer, in which I've asked them to explain a more about the Recovery setup on my machine and how adding partitions affects it.  This is more for my own information.

In the meantime, I successfully installed Windows 7 RC on the 2nd hard drive last night and it now dual boots.  

I don't intend doing any more with the 1st disk until I know more about the recovery setup, and as you have suggested, taking my own image backups.

Thanks for all your help with this issue.