Dell Drive Partitions

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Grinder

I've performed system restores for a couple of friends recently on their
2/3-year-old Dell systems. I noticed that their hard drive had two
partitions: a small 30 Mb one, and the remainder of the physical drive,
on which the system is installed.

Just for academics, what's that first partition for, or what's on it?
 
I've performed system restores for a couple of friends recently on their
2/3-year-old Dell systems. I noticed that their hard drive had two
partitions: a small 30 Mb one, and the remainder of the physical drive,
on which the system is installed.

Just for academics, what's that first partition for, or what's on it?
Click to expand...


Usually an OEM will use it for drivers or even a partition
restoration image. I don't know about any specific 2-3 year
old Dell but do recall such a parititon on one that was
hidden, surely someone in a Dell forum will be able to
provide more info.
 
Panos said:
Most probably the operating system and bootup files.
Click to expand...

I don't think so. I neglected to mention it (sorry,) but the partion is
not visible, nor will it boot. It is quite small for even a Windows 9x
install -- only 30 Mb.
 
kony said:
Usually an OEM will use it for drivers or even a partition
restoration image. I don't know about any specific 2-3 year
old Dell but do recall such a parititon on one that was
hidden, surely someone in a Dell forum will be able to
provide more info.
Click to expand...

thanks, will do.
 
I don't think so. I neglected to mention it (sorry,) but the partion is
not visible, nor will it boot. It is quite small for even a Windows 9x
install -- only 30 Mb.
Click to expand...


Probably something that checks to make sure the hardware is, in fact,
still "Dell" enough in Microsoft's eyes for the restore cd to work.
 
Probably something that checks to make sure the hardware is, in fact,
still "Dell" enough in Microsoft's eyes for the restore cd to work.
Click to expand...

They can just check the bios id to determine that.
 
theyak said:
Probably something that checks to make sure the hardware is, in fact,
still "Dell" enough in Microsoft's eyes for the restore cd to work.
Click to expand...

On one of the aforementioned machines, someone accidentally ran the
system restore (it's just a windows installer) on that small partition.
I suspect that process generated some errors as the partition is so
small, but the boot menu contains to "Windows XP Home" boot options --
one for each partition. Choosing that one on the hidden partition leads
to a failure.

In retrospect, I think I should have repartioned the drive on that
machine, to drop that tidbit. It boots (by default) to the larger
partition without difficulty though, so my interest now is strictly
academic.

Thanks for the speculation guys -- if nothing else it assures me that
I'm not the only one who would think WTH when seeing that setup.
 
what's that first partition for, or what's on it?
It's used to facilitate the restore process if something happens to your
main partition.
Click to expand...

A 30MB partition ? (I would've thought 500MB bare minimum for that kinda
thing)

My suggestion: use partition magic, etc to unhide the partition, then you
can see what's on it !

Regards,
Chris
 
Skeleton Man:
A 30MB partition ? (I would've thought 500MB bare minimum for that kinda
thing)
Click to expand...

I think Dell restore partitions are ~3GB. The 30MB partition probably has
drivers and utitilities.
 
Panos Popadopalous said:
Most probably the operating system and bootup files.
Click to expand...
The 30 MB partion contains the Dell diagnostic utilities for testing system
hardware. It will be listed on the boot menu as Diagnostics or utility
partion. You can access these by pressing F12 at the Dell splash screen
 
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