Hello BennieGibson Windows 7 writes new boot code to the HD which kills the Ctrl-F11 function to get into recovery. I made an image of the first partition which has the boot code and also recovery partition so I could go back to original setup, onto a flash drive.   Hope this helps.
I've seen mixed messages on this topic in the forum but cannot seem to find a definitive answer.  I am running Windows XP on a Dell 546MT and am about to upgrade to Windows 7.  I understand the "upgrade" will, in fact, be a clean install.  Does Windows 7 wipe make the Dell Recovery Partition for the original Windows XP unusable?  Thanks
Looking for definitive answer - does Windows 7 wipe out / corrupt the Dell 
Recovery Partition?