Dell Restore Disk

What are you trying to accomplish?

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


ju.c


"Big_Al" <BigAl.DeleteThis@md.com> wrote in message news:eKSjMWC#IHA.5204@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Rick wrote:
>> Big_Al wrote:
>>> Rick wrote:
>>>> 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.
>>
>> 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 wrote:
> 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

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).

Rick wrote:
> ju.c wrote:
>> 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

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" <rick.DeleteThis@privacy.net> wrote in message news:u$L28nJ#IHA.2060@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> ju.c wrote:
>> 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. wrote:
> 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

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 wrote:
> Bill in Co. wrote:
>> 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