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    Compaq Setup partition

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by Jigby, Nov 7, 2008.

  1. Jigby

    Jigby Newbie

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    I have this hidden partition on my notebook (aspire 6920G) and I have no idea what is it used for. I know that PQService is recovery partition but I've never heard of this. By googling I've found that HP's used to use Compaq Setup partition to boot bios (?), but this is acer. I would really like to get rid of it (because now I can't create another primary partition). Any suggestions? Thanks.
     

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    Jigby, Nov 7, 2008
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  2. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    Jigby, do a few searches of the site before posting, and you'll find the information you're looking for.
    The PQSERVICE partition contains the Disk-to-Disk Recovery data, as well as the images used to make your recovery DVDs.
    Removing it is highly risky, and should only be done once you have burned your recovery disks and have a backup of your system made.
     
    TehSuigi, Nov 7, 2008
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  3. Jigby

    Jigby Newbie

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    I'm sorry I didn't mean to flood the forum with useless posts, but I think that this is a misunderstanding. I'm not asking about the PQService partition. I'm asking about the "compaq setup" partition (higlighted in the image). Or is it somehow related to PQservice? And is it safe to remove it ?(compaq setup, not PQService)
     
    Jigby, Nov 8, 2008
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  4. ATG

    ATG 2x4 Super Moderator

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    First time I see such partition on ACER notebook. You bought this new or used..?
     
    ATG, Nov 8, 2008
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  5. Jigby

    Jigby Newbie

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    It's completely new.
     
    Jigby, Nov 8, 2008
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  6. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    Oh. I can answer that!
    That fourth partition is actually your Acer Arcade Instant-On one. If you press the Arcade button before you boot up your system, it'll start up a version of Windows XP and automatically load Arcade.
    Like the PQSERVICE partition, it is meant to be hidden, but it uses a different partition type (0x12, instead of 0x27) and doesn't have a name, which could cause it to be identified as the Compaq Setup. That's what got me confused.

    Acer Aspire drives always come from the factory partitioned like that - PQSERVICE, then C, then D, and finally Arcade.
     
    TehSuigi, Nov 8, 2008
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