Unwanted Hard Drive Partition

[Gerald B. Farlow]

Over the weekend, I replaced my CD Rewritable drive with a TDK Multiformat
DVD Rewritable drive . In order to get the Backup My PC software to
recognize the drive, I downloaded and installed the latest update from the
vendor (Stomp, Inc.) website.


In addition to the software update, an update manager program from Sonic
Solutions (which apparently is affiliated with Stomp) was installed on my
computer. Since I did not intend to install this software, I uninstalled it.


However, yesterday morning I discovered that I now have a repartitioned hard
drive, which I certainly do not want. The new partition shows up as drive E,
a 31 MB FAT (EISA configuration) partition. In addition, there is a second
device driver associated with my hard drive that was supplied by Sonic
Solutions. This leads me to believe that the Sonic Solutions or Stomp
software is responsible for partitioning my hard drive.


It is unthinkable to me that a software developer would partition my hard
drive without my permission, but that is what appears to have happened. The
partition was definitely not there before I installed the update for the
Backup My PC software.


Is there an easy way to get rid on the unwanted hard drive partition? I have
an old copy of PartitionMagic, but it will have to be updated at a cost of
$50 before I can use it with Windows XP.


I have a Dell Dimension 4400 system using Windows XP SP1+ with 512MB of
memory and a 20GB hard drive.


Gerald B. Farlow

 

[HillBillyBuddhist]

Over the weekend, I replaced my CD Rewritable drive with a TDK Multiformat
DVD Rewritable drive . In order to get the Backup My PC software to
recognize the drive, I downloaded and installed the latest update from the
vendor (Stomp, Inc.) website.


In addition to the software update, an update manager program from Sonic
Solutions (which apparently is affiliated with Stomp) was installed on my
computer. Since I did not intend to install this software, I uninstalled it.


However, yesterday morning I discovered that I now have a repartitioned hard
drive, which I certainly do not want. The new partition shows up as drive E,
a 31 MB FAT (EISA configuration) partition. In addition, there is a second
device driver associated with my hard drive that was supplied by Sonic
Solutions. This leads me to believe that the Sonic Solutions or Stomp
software is responsible for partitioning my hard drive.


It is unthinkable to me that a software developer would partition my hard
drive without my permission, but that is what appears to have happened. The
partition was definitely not there before I installed the update for the
Backup My PC software.


Is there an easy way to get rid on the unwanted hard drive partition? I have
an old copy of PartitionMagic, but it will have to be updated at a cost of
$50 before I can use it with Windows XP.


I have a Dell Dimension 4400 system using Windows XP SP1+ with 512MB of
memory and a 20GB hard drive.


Gerald B. Farlow

The partition you're seeing was always there. Dell computers come with a
hidden 31MB FAT partition that contains Dell diagnostic utilities. One of
the programs you installed has just made it visible. I've heard of the same
thing happening with the new Napster software.

It can be safely removed with an appropriate version of Partition Magic. The
same diagnostics are available on your Dell Resources disc that came with
the computer. Leaving it there should be fine too.

Some discussion on this partition here.
http://www.computer-chat.com/dell/Utility_Partition_211453.html

Might check Dell Forums too.

--
D

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details.

Remove shoes to E-mail.

 

[Gerald B. Farlow]

Thanks, the partition was apparently created by Dell as a hidden partition
and exposed by some of the software I installed or updated when I installed
the DVD drive.

As sell as I can determine form the responses on the Dell forum, there
doesn't seem to be a simple way to rehide the partition and release the
assigned drive letter. I will probably upgrade my copy of PartitionMagic
and delete the partition. While it can be useful, it apparently is not
essential.

Gerald B. Farlow

 

[wayne]

you can change the drive letter or just unassign it!

under computer management

Wayne