Lenovo ThinkVantage ImageUltra Builder Version 5.0 - Manual (Page 47)

Chapter 3. Staging-area behavior and logic
As discussed in chapter 1, the ImageUltra Builder program can use two different
staging areas for deployment:
v The service partition
v The network-staging folder
In addition, some ThinkPad and ThinkCentre computers use a Hidden Protected
Area (HPA) to store factory images, utilities, and diagnostic programs for recovery
purposes. Although the ImageUltra Builder program does not deploy images to an
HPA, there are some relationships during the deployment phase and after
installation of which you might need to be aware. Also, the ImageUltra Builder
program does have the ability to import modules from an HPA.
This chapter provides additional details about these staging areas and how the
ImageUltra Builder program interacts with them.
Staging areas details
The information in this section provides details about the two staging areas used
by the ImageUltra Builder program
The service partition
ImageUltra Builder 5.0 supports two types of Service Partitions:
v Back of the hard disk drive
v Front of the hard disk drive
The Service Partition at the back of the hard disk drive is a FAT32 partition with
the volume label SERVICEV001. This partition works with the Windows XP
version of ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery. The Service Partition at the front of
the hard disk drive is an NTFS partition. The NTFS partition works with the
Windows Vista version of ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery with the volume
label SERVICEV002 or the Windows 7 version of ThinkVantage Rescue and
Recovery with the volume label SERVICEC003.
The service partition at the back of the hard disk drive (volume label
SERVICEV001) is a hidden partition on the hard disk that typically contains
operating-system modules, application modules, device-driver modules and a set
of recovery tools. It also provides its own operating environment, which has no
dependency on the Windows operating system being functional or present on any
active partition. Because the service partition is protected from common read and
write operations, as well as most viruses, it is a practical place to store recovery,
backup, and installation files and tools.
The service partition has three major purposes:
v As shipped from the factory on many older ThinkPad, NetVista, and
ThinkCentre models, the service partition provides a DOS-based recovery
mechanism to restore the contents of the hard disk to its factory-installed state
without requiring a Windows CD or a set of ThinkCentre or ThinkPad Product
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