Missing Secure Zone after re-install of OS

[ashleyj]

Help needed please.

I had installed True Image 10 and created a secure zone for my back-up which was fine but unfortunately I had to re-install Windows XP from the recovery disks following major problems.

All is well again apart from the fact that I cannot seem to create a new secure zone this time as True Image reports invalid partition size on the C drive when trying to create the new secure zone, where it was previously.

I can only assume that the old secure zone was not removed by the re-install but nothing can see the space that is used by it.

I have tried looking a the C partition with Partition Magic but all it shows is C and D (which is the Compaq recovery partition).

Any ideas as to how to recover this unused space and reset the partition information would be gratefully received.

[DwnNdrty]

First create the bootable True Image Rescue CD. Boot with it and choose Manage Secure Zone. Then see if it gives you the option to delete the SZ.

[ashleyj]

Thanks for your help.

I have the CD version and as you suggested I booted from that and was able to create a new secure zone.

All now backed up and hopefully no more problems.

Thanks again.

[DwnNdrty]

As you say, "hopefull no more problems". But you do realize that having the SZ on your system drive, is not the best of options. In fact using a SZ is not the best of options nowadays. External drives are relatively cheap these days and is a much better option for storing your Backup Images.

[ashleyj]

Thanks for that information, I was in fact looking at either an external drive or some sort of network storage.

I presume that if I go down that route there will be no problem creating a Secure Zone on that drive.

[Xpilot]

-{ Quote: "Thanks for that information, I was in fact looking at either an external drive or some sort of network storage.

I presume that if I go down that route there will be no problem creating a Secure Zone on that drive." }-

It is perfectly possible to have a secure zone on an external drive. It will behave just like a secure zone on an internal drive. However do not activate the Start up Recovery manager. Doing so modifies the MBR and unless the external and internal drives are both fit and well the computer will not boot.
There is also a general rule that only one secure zone should be seen by your system and TI.
The MBR can be restored to its previous state without much difficulty but why make life more complicated than it already is :)

Xpilot

[ashleyj]

-{ Quote: "However do not activate the Start up Recovery manager. Doing so modifies the MBR and unless the external and internal drives are both fit and well the computer will not boot... " }-

I think that was my problem last time. I had activated the Start Up Recovery Manager and it caused a conflict with the already present Compaq recovery system.
As a result when the TI restore did not fix the problem I was having the Compaq system restore would not work and I was forced to do a complete restore from the recovery discs.