FAT32 partition on NTFS machine?

[Falcon]

My apologies if this is the wrong forum.

Whilst looking at a second hand machine, in the Disk Management portion of
the Management Console, I discovered a previously hidden FAT32 partition. I
understood this to be a simple NTFS formatted machine. The partition label
is 'backup', it takes up 1.95 GB of space, and shows on the console as a
'healthy (unknown partition)'. It is not accessible from 'My Computer'.

There is apparently some data there (around 800 MB) but I don't seem to be
able to access the partition normally, or see it at all unless it is via the
Management Console.

The only option available from the MMC if I right-click the partition is to
delete it.

If I do so is there any risk to the exisiting system partition and the data
it contains, and will the space on the disk then be available for formatting
as an NTFS partition?

Many thanks

 

[Thomas Wendell]

And the computer in question is made by ??????

As most "big and not-so-big" manufacturers don't ship XP disks with their
machines anymore, but , due to the OEM license with Micrisift, have to have
a way to return the machine to a "as new" state, they have a hidden
partition on the HD, with XP and drivers etc..

Somewhere in the manual there is instructions how to restore the machine
software-vise to "factory-new" state...


--
Tumppi
=================================
Most learned on these newsgroups
Helsinki, FINLAND
(translations from/to FI not always accurate
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[Falcon]

Thomas Wendell wrote:
In

And the computer in question is made by ??????

Packard Bell

As most "big and not-so-big" manufacturers don't ship XP disks with their
machines anymore, but , due to the OEM license with Micrisift, have to
have a way to return the machine to a "as new" state, they have a hidden
partition on the HD, with XP and drivers etc..

Somewhere in the manual there is instructions how to restore the machine
software-vise to "factory-new" state...

Thanks Thomas. Found it on their website.