-=> CHARLES ANGELICH wrote to WAYNE CHIRNSIDE <=-

 WC> The blasted proprietary setup partition. Messes with Linux
 WC> to. FIPS non-destructive partitioning docs warn it's IS
 WC> destructive in Compaqs.

 CA> Seems few understand the Compaq 'setup partition'. It was an
 CA> idea ahead of it's time (sort of). IBM used something similar
 CA> for the PS2 line of computers. A portion of the BIOS was
 CA> written on the hard drive and, I suppose, because it must be
 CA> read in by a 'bootstrap loader' must be in the _first_
 CA> partition. I can imagine ways they could've worked around this
 CA> but putting it first was probably the easiest least complicated
 CA> method at one time?

 CA> I have two Compaq machines and neither has this 'setup
 CA> partition'. Contrary to what the documentation tells users I
 CA> did find software that will access the Compaq BIOS to make
 CA> changes that works without this setup partition being on the
 CA> hard drive.

 CA> Both are older models using DOS and W31. I have no idea what a
 CA> new Compaq would require or even if Compaq continues to use
 CA> this 'setup partition'. HP has hidden directories with Windows
 CA> CAB files in them to make life easier for their helpline
 CA> employees I suppose?

 I have a Compaq Evo D10, which is a business class P4 machine.
 It has no hidden partition, and it uses Phoenix Bios, accessible
 from the Del key on boot up.

 Regards,

 Robert Fowler

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