Create a recovery and master CD by burning the contents of the hidden tattoo partition into a CD. There is an established protection system to prevent re-use of OS and driver software on other systems by a hidden tattoo partition on the hard drive that contains a copy of the operating system and device drivers of hardware. If there are problems in burning the hidden partition on the CD, it is possible to retrieve the master CD by paying on the hotline or through some forums. It is important to own a recovery and master CD to restore the Windows system to its original state.
How to Create a Recovery and Master CD
To prevent its software from being installed on multiple machines, Microsoft requires assemblers to use a protection system, called Tattoo in order to safeguard its software. These PCs are shipped without an installation CD but with a copy of the operating system and drivers saved on a hidden partition, allowing you to restore the system to its original state with this Tattoo backup.
Safeguarding the Hidden Partition
Most of these PCs are equipped with a digital watermark located in both the BIOS and the boot track of the hard disk. If it is altered, erased or damaged, the disk cannot boot because the BIOS will not recognize the tattoo on this disc drive. This also means that you will need to tattoo any new hard drive you want to install on your machine, else it will not be recognized by the BIOS.
If you lose the tattoo, you risk losing all your software and drivers permanently. It is therefore important to make a backup before formatting the hard drive.
How to Re-Tattoo?
If you haven't got a copy of the master CD, there are generic CDs you can get hold of that may help. Contacting your manufacturer may be useful. These generic CDs may not solve your problems completely, in which case you should contact the manufacturer or check the online forums for advice.
Linux
Be careful when installing Linux over a tattooed Windows formatted hard drive as it will destroy the tattoo. The only way around this is to create a Linux boot disk to use.
