Question:
Question about partitions
I'm sorry if this has been covered, but I didn't see anything on it. I have two questions...
I just bought an e1505, and I'm fairly proficient with computers, but have never really worked with partitions.
1) Is there a good free partition manager available? If so, what is it? I've found a couple, but don't know if they are any good.
2) If I get a partition manager, can I delete the "Dell Restore" partition without any ill effects, and without reformatting the HD?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Answer:
Re: Question about partitions
1) Is there a good free partition manager available? If so, what is it? I've found a couple, but don't know if they are any good.
I don't have any personal experience. If it were me.... I'd spend the $$$ and get a commercial product [e.g Partition Magic, Acronis Disk Director].
2) If I get a partition manager, can I delete the "Dell Restore" partition without any ill effects, and without reformatting the HD?
That's kind of my present albeit 'temporary' state; I used Partition Magic to delete the "Restore" partition. I did need to run the Dell MediaDirect REPAIR utility, but that was about it.
Mark
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Re: Question about partitions
I don't want to be doing a lot of partitioning (I don't think), so could I use the free trial of Partition Magic, to just gain back the GB's Dell used for the restore partition, or is it crippled?
Answer:
Re: Question about partitions
Sorry... don't know
Mark
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Re: Question about partitions
Just answered this same question on another post, looks like it's a fairly common one. There's a utility called DSRIRRemv2 that wipes the Dell Restore partition and adds the space to your current partition. On my 6400 it's under C:\Dell\Utilities\DSR. Don't know if it works for every Dell system, but looks like it should.
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Re: Question about partitions
Since you answered me on both posts, I'll just reply here... Thanks a lot Moebius! I'll check that when I get home tonight! Judging from your reply in the other post, I'm assuming this method doesn't mess with the MediaDirect functions?
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Re: Question about partitions
Nope, shouldn't do a thing to MediaDirect, from what I've learnt so far. I haven't used this yet, since I want to set everything right and try it for a while before I kill the Restore Partition.
Answer:
Re: Question about partitions
fwiw... You can probably find information about this utility in your Owner's Manual. For me it was under "Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec" section...
I did note that it says....
...the PC Restore partition is deleted and the newly available disk space is added to the free space allocation on the hard drive.
The way I read/understand that 'blurb' is that the hard drive space that was used by PC Restore will show up as Unallocated Space and NOT simply 'tacked-on' to your main "C" drive OS partition -- creating one 'bigger' partition.
Using Disk Manager you should be able to make a new partition where the 'old' Restore partition was located and use the space. But you'll need some other 'partition tool' if you want to consolidate the space into your "C" drive.
Mark
ps I need to ammend this post based on something else I ran across...
An Inspiron 8600 Owner's Manual says this...
The partition is deleted and the c:\ partition expands to include the newly available disk space. To check the available space, right-click the c:\ drive in Windows Explorer and select Properties.
Well... I don't know what to think
Answer:
Re: Question about partitions
MarckMck, I think I'm confused, are you telling me that it'll show up as free space, that I can't use? When I get home I'm definitely checking into this.
Answer:
Re: Question about partitions
I'd say you'll be able to use it... just a question of how the 'new' space will show up... 1) Unallocated space where you can create a new partition with Disk Manager; or 2) 'merged' into your existing "C" partition... 'no-muss-no-fuss'.
Looks like one of the 'steps' the application goes thru is a 'Checking for supported partition next to Dell PC Restore partition'. If it fails the 'check' the utility will 'Quit'. Wouldn't see why it would be doing this 'checking' unless it was planning to 'do' something to the neighboring partition.
So my guess... If you haven't messed with anything, it will simply 'expand' your existing "C" partition into the newly available space.
Guess we'll see....
Mark