3 Partitions on HD??

[Guest]

Hi all
While navigating to disk management I noticed there are 3 partitions on the
HD.
1. FAT.
1 FAT32.
and 1 NTFS.
Appreciate any helpful advice as to whether this is normal or not and if not
how do I correct it.
Thanks in advance.
Franktee
OS Winxp Pro, Windows Media Center,
Dell Insp. 9300
NTFS

 

[Shenan Stanley]

While navigating to disk management I noticed there are 3
partitions on the HD.
1. FAT.
1 FAT32.
and 1 NTFS.
Appreciate any helpful advice as to whether this is normal or not
and if not how do I correct it.
Thanks in advance.
Franktee
OS Winxp Pro, Windows Media Center,
Dell Insp. 9300
NTFS

For partitions - there is no 'normal'.

Some like one.
Some have recovery/diagnostic partitions.
Some like one for the OS, one for applications/data.
Some like one for OS, one for applications and one for data.
Some go all crazy and have many many more.

You qualify as 'some have recovery/diagnostic partitions' --> and I make
that assumption due to the system you have --> Dell Inspiron 9300. Read the
material that came with your computer - it should tell you how to restore
the system to a 'as purchased' state and/or how to boot into a diagnostic
partition... (Likely --> Turn off computer, turn on the computer and begin
tapping F12 once per second, when the menu appears - choose to boot to the
Diagnostics.)

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi all
While navigating to disk management I noticed there are 3 partitions on the
HD.
1. FAT.
1 FAT32.
and 1 NTFS.
Appreciate any helpful advice as to whether this is normal or not and if not
how do I correct it.

There is no normal. How many partitions you have and what file systems
they use is up to you. Not everyone makes the same choices, by a long
shot.

How are each of these partitions used on your computer?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your response,
Per your question as follows, (I hope),
Disk 0 Basic 74.53GB online,
47MB FAT, Healthy EISA configuration,
(C), 68.37GB NTFS Healthy (System),
5.12GB FAT32, Healthy (unknown partition),
Hope this helps.
Thanks again.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks for your response,
Per your question as follows, (I hope),
Disk 0 Basic 74.53GB online,
47MB FAT, Healthy EISA configuration,
(C), 68.37GB NTFS Healthy (System),
5.12GB FAT32, Healthy (unknown partition),
Hope this helps.
Thanks again.

No, I meant what do you use each of these for? What is on each of
them?

 

[Guest]

I should mention first that I am not too computer literate.. that said, I
have not prearranged to have more than one partition. I am using factory
installed programs, (as I would now guess are the source of the three). I
have not added any partitions, (as I don't know how). The computer is just a
hobby and there are no intricate programs that I need to multi-partition to.
Hope this is what you're asking.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I should mention first that I am not too computer literate.. that
said, I have not prearranged to have more than one partition. I am
using factory installed programs, (as I would now guess are the
source of the three). I have not added any partitions, (as I don't
know how). The computer is just a hobby and there are no intricate
programs that I need to multi-partition to. Hope this is what
you're asking.

Repeating my answer...

For partitions - there is no 'normal'.

Some like one.
Some have recovery/diagnostic partitions.
Some like one for the OS, one for applications/data.
Some like one for OS, one for applications and one for data.
Some go all crazy and have many many more.

You qualify as 'some have recovery/diagnostic partitions' --> and I make
that assumption due to the system you have --> Dell Inspiron 9300. Read the
material that came with your computer - it should tell you how to restore
the system to a 'as purchased' state and/or how to boot into a diagnostic
partition... (Likely --> Turn off computer, turn on the computer and begin
tapping F12 once per second, when the menu appears - choose to boot to the
Diagnostics.)

In other words - for your situation, given what you have - you have exactly
what I would expect.

The FAT is likely the diagnostics partition.
The FAT32 is likely the recovery partition.
The NTFS is likely the actual OS/applications/your files partition.

 

[Lil' Dave]

Since I have to guess, my guess is as follows:

FAT is supplementary bios and restoration instructions.

FAT32 is hidden partition with actual restoration data on it.

Dave

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Since I have to guess, my guess is as follows:

FAT is supplementary bios and restoration instructions.

FAT32 is hidden partition with actual restoration data on it.

If that's the case, they were set up that way by your vendor to permit
you to restore your system if you ever need to. There's no question
about whether it's normal, because not all vendors do this in exactly
the same way. At any rate, don't mess with them.

As background information, OEM vendors are required by their agreement
with Microsoft to give you a means of reinstalling, should it be
necessary. They can do this in one of three ways:

1. An OEM copy of Windows
2. A restore CD
3. A hidden partition on your drive, with restore information.

If you don't have 1 or 2, you should have 3, but you should contact
your vendor to find out.

Personally, I find both 2 and 3 unacceptable (especially 3, which you
apparently have; a hard drive crash can leave you with nothing), and
would never choose to buy a computer that came with an operating
system unless I got a complete generic installation CD for that
operating system.

 

[Guest]

Hi Ken
Thanks for the helpful info, also I did ask Dell for a reinstallation disk
which I received.
Thanks again and to all the others who also took the time to enlighten me.
Franktee

Since I have to guess, my guess is as follows:

FAT is supplementary bios and restoration instructions.

FAT32 is hidden partition with actual restoration data on it.

If that's the case, they were set up that way by your vendor to permit
you to restore your system if you ever need to. There's no question
about whether it's normal, because not all vendors do this in exactly
the same way. At any rate, don't mess with them.

As background information, OEM vendors are required by their agreement
with Microsoft to give you a means of reinstalling, should it be
necessary. They can do this in one of three ways:

1. An OEM copy of Windows
2. A restore CD
3. A hidden partition on your drive, with restore information.

If you don't have 1 or 2, you should have 3, but you should contact
your vendor to find out.

Personally, I find both 2 and 3 unacceptable (especially 3, which you
apparently have; a hard drive crash can leave you with nothing), and
would never choose to buy a computer that came with an operating
system unless I got a complete generic installation CD for that
operating system.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi Ken
Thanks for the helpful info, also I did ask Dell for a reinstallation disk
which I received.
Thanks again and to all the others who also took the time to enlighten me.

You're welcome, and glad to hear they sent you a CD.