Dell Restore Disk

[Rick]

This is a repost with more info in a new thread, as suggested by
"Richard".

I have a RESTORE CD for my Dell Vostro 1700 laptop. Win XP SP 2. In
another thread,
I saw a reference to possible problems with deleting the hidden
partitions that Dell puts
on their laptops. There are 2, but I don't recall the sizes, though
both are small.

Can I delete the partitions on the HD so, I can partition it? It
seems the hidden partitions
are keeping me from partitioning the disk with Partition Magic. Will
I need anything in
those 2 hidden partitions? Will I have a problem with booting in the
future, as
mentioned in another thread?

Rick

 

[Jim]

This is a repost with more info in a new thread, as suggested by
"Richard".

I have a RESTORE CD for my Dell Vostro 1700 laptop. Win XP SP 2. In
another thread,
I saw a reference to possible problems with deleting the hidden partitions
that Dell puts
on their laptops. There are 2, but I don't recall the sizes, though both
are small.

Can I delete the partitions on the HD so, I can partition it? It seems the
hidden partitions
are keeping me from partitioning the disk with Partition Magic. Will I
need anything in
those 2 hidden partitions? Will I have a problem with booting in the
future, as
mentioned in another thread?

Rick

On my Dell systems, the small one contains the MBR. If you delete this
partition, you are asking for trouble.
On my Dell desktop, the large partition contains hardware diagnostics. Dell
also sent along a CD with the diagnostics. Such a partition may be deleted,
but before you do so make sure that you have the diagnostic CD.
On my Dell laptop, the large partition is the recovery partition. I don't
want to delete such a partition.

I use ATI to create a backup of the disk. It copies and restores all
partitions.

Jim

 

[AJR]

The presence of a restore partition is also indicated by a message such as
"Hit F11 to restore..." (or something similar). Deleting the partition via
normal means (Disk mat, etc.) does not remove the MBR modification that
produces the message.

Usually OEMs; (Dell) provide an utility to copy the restore partition to
removeable media (CD/DVD) and another which deletes the partition and MBR
change.

If the computer has been in use for some time and programs and data
generated and/or installed using the restore partition "restores" the
computer to it's original setup at purchase, meaning any
changes/modifications are removed. Best to conside one of the many backup
utilities available.

 

[Bill in Co.]

On my Dell systems, the small one contains the MBR. If you delete this
partition, you are asking for trouble.
On my Dell desktop, the large partition contains hardware diagnostics.
Dell
also sent along a CD with the diagnostics. Such a partition may be
deleted,
but before you do so make sure that you have the diagnostic CD.
On my Dell laptop, the large partition is the recovery partition. I don't
want to delete such a partition.

I use ATI to create a backup of the disk. It copies and restores all
partitions.

Same here. Acronis True Image can copy all of those, and is probably the
best way to go on making backups of the system.

 

[Bill in Co.]

The presence of a restore partition is also indicated by a message such as
"Hit F11 to restore..." (or something similar). Deleting the partition
via
normal means (Disk mat, etc.) does not remove the MBR modification that
produces the message.

Usually OEMs; (Dell) provide an utility to copy the restore partition to
removeable media (CD/DVD) and another which deletes the partition and MBR
change.

Or if someone had deleted that Dell System Restore partition, perhaps one
can just modify the "boot.ini" file to fix this, so that it will boot
properly. I'm assuming the boot sequence can be redirected to the
C:windows installation by doing this, but I'm not sure.

 

[ju.c]

I have mastered Dell partitions. I can take a destroyed disk and recreate it, complete
with a working CTRL-F11.

It would take me some time and effort to explain it all here, so here's a little advice.

Copy the third partition to a DVD. It is a Ghost restore image. Once on DVD it can be
replaced, if you just delete the partition then its gone forever. Do not touch the first
partition! Period! It should only be around 50 MB anyway. Just leave it.

If you just want extra disk space then don't delete the third partition, but rather shrink
it down to 100 MB or so, leave it empty.


ju.c

 

[Rick]

I have mastered Dell partitions. I can take a destroyed disk and
recreate it, complete with a working CTRL-F11.

It would take me some time and effort to explain it all here, so here's
a little advice.

Copy the third partition to a DVD. It is a Ghost restore image. Once on
DVD it can be replaced, if you just delete the partition then its gone
forever. Do not touch the first partition! Period! It should only be
around 50 MB anyway. Just leave it.

If you just want extra disk space then don't delete the third partition,
but rather shrink it down to 100 MB or so, leave it empty.


ju.c

Not sure I understand all that. I also have ATI
and still want to partition my HD, but can't
because of those hidden partitions. I can save
them with ATI, but the question stays: If I delete
them, will I have a problem with booting, as was
mentioned in another thread. And while I'm at it,
HOW do I deleted them, since they are protected?

Rick

 

[Big_Al]

This is a repost with more info in a new thread, as suggested by "Richard".

I have a RESTORE CD for my Dell Vostro 1700 laptop. Win XP SP 2. In
another thread,
I saw a reference to possible problems with deleting the hidden
partitions that Dell puts
on their laptops. There are 2, but I don't recall the sizes, though both
are small.

Can I delete the partitions on the HD so, I can partition it? It seems
the hidden partitions
are keeping me from partitioning the disk with Partition Magic. Will I
need anything in
those 2 hidden partitions? Will I have a problem with booting in the
future, as
mentioned in another thread?

Rick

From other replies you already know the purpose of these partitions.
And you know that deleting them is bad. And you see to want to get rid
of them. SO:

I too have a Dell Laptop. If you have the CD's to properly restore
your system as I do, then the restore partitions could be deleted.
Yes, they might restore faster, than loading XP from CD and then all the
drivers etc etc etc etc.

But I also have ATI and found that I could just boot the Windows XP CD
and delete all partitions, remake a new single partition and reload
windows, all the drivers, and even some of my apps. Then I imaged it
with ATI. Now in 20 minutes I can reset the laptop back to this point.
And by the way, it was with SP3 installed. This makes it kind of an
upgraded dell restore partition.

I know this is the long way around but it worked and I was at a point
after 2 years that I wanted to reformat and test SP3 etc etc etc. It
just made logic in my brain. It was straight forward to me.

Good luck. Al.

 

[Rick]

From other replies you already know the purpose of these partitions.
And you know that deleting them is bad. And you see to want to get rid
of them. SO:

I too have a Dell Laptop. If you have the CD's to properly restore
your system as I do, then the restore partitions could be deleted. Yes,
they might restore faster, than loading XP from CD and then all the
drivers etc etc etc etc.

But I also have ATI and found that I could just boot the Windows XP CD
and delete all partitions, remake a new single partition and reload
windows, all the drivers, and even some of my apps. Then I imaged it
with ATI. Now in 20 minutes I can reset the laptop back to this point.
And by the way, it was with SP3 installed. This makes it kind of an
upgraded dell restore partition.

I know this is the long way around but it worked and I was at a point
after 2 years that I wanted to reformat and test SP3 etc etc etc. It
just made logic in my brain. It was straight forward to me.

Good luck. Al.

Thanks, Al. Of course, I don't have a XP install
disc; just a Restore disc. But, I know the restore
disc works 'cause I've used it. Puts everything
back as from the factory after formatting the HD.
Is that all I need to do, or do I need to copy
those partitions also.

Rick

 

[Big_Al]

Thanks, Al. Of course, I don't have a XP install disc; just a Restore
disc. But, I know the restore disc works 'cause I've used it. Puts
everything back as from the factory after formatting the HD. Is that
all I need to do, or do I need to copy those partitions also.

Rick

Never seeing a Restore CD, I could not help you.

 

[ju.c]

What are you trying to accomplish?

If I knew your end goal I could provide clear instructions.


ju.c

 

[Rick]

What are you trying to accomplish?

If I knew your end goal I could provide clear instructions.


ju.c

Just this as in my original post:

Can I delete the partitions on the HD so, I can
partition it? It seems the hidden partitions
are keeping me from partitioning the disk with
Partition Magic. Will I need anything in
those 2 hidden partitions? Will I have a problem
with booting in the future, as
mentioned in another thread?

Rick

 

[Bill in Co.]

We've already covered this, and yes, you can still use Partition Magic to
create an extended partition to put other logical partitions into, but
WITHOUT touching the Dell partitions (just leave them be).

 

[ju.c]

You have not said what you want to accomplish, only that you want to partition.

What is your end goal?

For example,

"I want a Windows partition, a Linux partition, a DOS partition and I want to keep my Dell
partitions if I can."
or
"I just want one big partition. I need more disk space."

I could simply tell you how to unhide those partitions, but that would be a disservice to
you.


ju.c

 

[Rick]

We've already covered this, and yes, you can still use Partition Magic to
create an extended partition to put other logical partitions into, but
WITHOUT touching the Dell partitions (just leave them be).

What you apparently missed was where I said that
Partition Magic would not partition BECAUSE of the
hidden partitions. If I could do it, I would leave
them be. That is why I'm asking.

Rick

 

[Bill in Co.]

I have Partition Magic, a Dell (and its partitions), and I *have* been able
to repartition it by adding what I said below, and NOT messing with the Dell
partitions.

 

[Rick]

I have Partition Magic, a Dell (and its partitions), and I *have* been able
to repartition it by adding what I said below, and NOT messing with the Dell
partitions.

Thanks for that! I went back to PM and was able to
partition the drive, using the 'operations'
option. The wizard said it couldn't do it. So it's
now done. (Not happy with
the drive letter assigned, though.) I see no way
to change it, but I'm fairly sure it's there.
Allso couldn't use a CD for a 'rescue' disc. It
wanted floppies, of which there are
none.

Rick