Do I need a "Recovery (D)" Partition?

[Jim In Minneapolis]

I just noticed that my desktop (Dell Inspiron) DOES have a separate hard
drive partition labeled "RECOVERY (D)" -- about 10 MB in size.

What's that all about? Do I need it?

ALSO . . . I noticed that my laptop (Dell Dimension) does NOT have any
"RECOVERY (D)" partition . . . only an "OC (C)" partition.

Is that bad not to have a "Recovery" partition?

If it is, then would some kind soul please tell me how to add it?

Thanks.

 

[Paul Montgomery]

I just noticed that my desktop (Dell Inspiron) DOES have a separate hard
drive partition labeled "RECOVERY (D)" -- about 10 MB in size.

What's that all about? Do I need it?

You might if Windows ever gets trashed so badly that you can't fix it
any other way. Dell put that there rather than give you a recovery
DVD (look at the discs that came with the machine to make sure). When
you start your machine, you see prompts at the bottom (maybe the top)
of your screen telling you the options you have - using the "F" keys.

There SHOULD be a way for you to create a recovery DVD - from within
Windows - using the material in that partition. LOOK FOR IT and DO
that.

ALSO . . . I noticed that my laptop (Dell Dimension) does NOT have any
"RECOVERY (D)" partition . . . only an "OC (C)" partition.

Is that bad not to have a "Recovery" partition?

NO.. it means that you GOT the recovery media on a disc. Check your
discs to make sure. Note: the disc for that machine will NOT work
with the other one.

If it is, then would some kind soul please tell me how to add it?

Only the manufacturer can do that. YOU can make a DVD from it.
Again... look for the instructions on how to do that before it's too
late.

 

[John Inzer]

I just noticed that my desktop (Dell Inspiron) DOES have a separate
hard drive partition labeled "RECOVERY (D)" -- about 10 MB in size.

What's that all about? Do I need it?

ALSO . . . I noticed that my laptop (Dell Dimension) does NOT have any
"RECOVERY (D)" partition . . . only an "OC (C)" partition.

Is that bad not to have a "Recovery" partition?

If it is, then would some kind soul please tell me how to add it?

Thanks.

====================================
I suspect you meant to say your recovery partition
is 10 GB? And yes if your system ever becomes
corrupted you will find it to be very worthwhile.

The files on the recovery partition will revert your
system to what is commonly referred to as "Out
of the box" All of your personal files and settings
would be gone. IOW...the system will be exactly
as it was the first time you turned on the computer.

The following article is about an HP system but
even still should help explain what a recovery
partition is.

HP Recovery From Partition
http://www.pctechbytes.com/hp-recovery.htm

For the best protection IMHO...a product like
"Acronis True Image Home 2009" would be worth
a look. This software allows the user to create an
image of the complete hard drive that can be
restored quickly if the need arises.

--

John Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

 

[Jim In Minneapolis]

So, if I have my "system restore" CDs for that PC from Dell which came with
it, then the "RECOVERY" partition is redundant? (i.e. - duplicate function,
not necessar, can be deleted with no loss to me?)

 

[Jim In Minneapolis]

Thanks for your suggestions . . . .

What if I already have the 'system restore" CDs that came from Dell with the
PC (operating system, etc.) -- can I delete the "Partition D" without any
loss? Does it just do the same thing as those discs?

 

[Paul Montgomery]

So, if I have my "system restore" CDs for that PC from Dell which came with
it, then the "RECOVERY" partition is redundant? (i.e. - duplicate function,
not necessar, can be deleted with no loss to me?)

If you have the discs, you don't need the partition. Delete it at
your convenience.

 

[Jim In Minneapolis]

Ok. Thanks for the advice.

 

[John Inzer]

Thanks for your suggestions . . . .

What if I already have the 'system restore" CDs that came from Dell
with the PC (operating system, etc.) -- can I delete the "Partition
D" without any loss? Does it just do the same thing as those discs?

====================================
I suspect the system restore CDs and the recovery
recovery partition are the same but would check
with Dell to be sure.

--

John Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk