Dell Drive Partitions

[Grinder]

I've performed system restores for a couple of friends recently on their
2/3-year-old Dell systems. I noticed that their hard drive had two
partitions: a small 30 Mb one, and the remainder of the physical drive,
on which the system is installed.

Just for academics, what's that first partition for, or what's on it?

 

[Panos Popadopalous]

Most probably the operating system and bootup files.

 

[kony]

I've performed system restores for a couple of friends recently on their
2/3-year-old Dell systems. I noticed that their hard drive had two
partitions: a small 30 Mb one, and the remainder of the physical drive,
on which the system is installed.

Just for academics, what's that first partition for, or what's on it?

Usually an OEM will use it for drivers or even a partition
restoration image. I don't know about any specific 2-3 year
old Dell but do recall such a parititon on one that was
hidden, surely someone in a Dell forum will be able to
provide more info.

 

[Grinder]

Most probably the operating system and bootup files.

I don't think so. I neglected to mention it (sorry,) but the partion is
not visible, nor will it boot. It is quite small for even a Windows 9x
install -- only 30 Mb.

 

[Grinder]

Usually an OEM will use it for drivers or even a partition
restoration image. I don't know about any specific 2-3 year
old Dell but do recall such a parititon on one that was
hidden, surely someone in a Dell forum will be able to
provide more info.

thanks, will do.

 

[theyak]

I don't think so. I neglected to mention it (sorry,) but the partion is
not visible, nor will it boot. It is quite small for even a Windows 9x
install -- only 30 Mb.

Probably something that checks to make sure the hardware is, in fact,
still "Dell" enough in Microsoft's eyes for the restore cd to work.

 

[kony]

Probably something that checks to make sure the hardware is, in fact,
still "Dell" enough in Microsoft's eyes for the restore cd to work.

They can just check the bios id to determine that.

 

[Grinder]

Probably something that checks to make sure the hardware is, in fact,
still "Dell" enough in Microsoft's eyes for the restore cd to work.

On one of the aforementioned machines, someone accidentally ran the
system restore (it's just a windows installer) on that small partition.
I suspect that process generated some errors as the partition is so
small, but the boot menu contains to "Windows XP Home" boot options --
one for each partition. Choosing that one on the hidden partition leads
to a failure.

In retrospect, I think I should have repartioned the drive on that
machine, to drop that tidbit. It boots (by default) to the larger
partition without difficulty though, so my interest now is strictly
academic.

Thanks for the speculation guys -- if nothing else it assures me that
I'm not the only one who would think WTH when seeing that setup.

 

[Mac Cool]

Grinder:

what's that first partition for, or what's on it?

It's used to facilitate the restore process if something happens to your
main partition.

I believe this is it:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?
dn=1090152&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

 

[Skeleton Man]

what's that first partition for, or what's on it?

It's used to facilitate the restore process if something happens to your
main partition.

A 30MB partition ? (I would've thought 500MB bare minimum for that kinda
thing)

My suggestion: use partition magic, etc to unhide the partition, then you
can see what's on it !

Regards,
Chris

 

[Mac Cool]

Skeleton Man:

A 30MB partition ? (I would've thought 500MB bare minimum for that kinda
thing)

I think Dell restore partitions are ~3GB. The 30MB partition probably has
drivers and utitilities.

 

[Bill]

Most probably the operating system and bootup files.

The 30 MB partion contains the Dell diagnostic utilities for testing system
hardware. It will be listed on the boot menu as Diagnostics or utility
partion. You can access these by pressing F12 at the Dell splash screen