Help: Resize C drive and delete Hidden partition.?

Can the C drive be enlarged?
Can the hidden partition be emptied and made "visible"?

My laptop is rather new, and I noted that the C drive was pretty full already. I deleted many software items and added other software that I needed, but there isn't much left anyway. The D drive is largely empty however. Can the C drive be repartitioned? Is any special software needed to do that?

The hidden partition seems not to be of much use after one has made the 3 DVD factory default backup. Can it be deleted? Made Visible and used for something else?

 

Assuming you're using Vista you can extend your C:\ in the OS

Start > Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management > Right Click > Extend Volume.

You may have an issue however, depending on where you MFT and where the data on your second partition is.

 

Yes, its Vista Home Premium.
I don't know what MFT means, and
Is the 2nd partition the D drive? If so, is there way of moving that data? or I guess just backing it up would do.

And, I never have issues, just problems.

 

The order of the 4 partitions are as such:
1. Recovery partition (hidden)
2. C:
3. D:
4. Acer Arcade Instant-On partition

You can delete D and the Instant-On partition and extend C if you so choose, but since the recovery partition is BEFORE C:, you can't extend in that direction.
Also, it's best to leave that there just in case you want to use Disk-to-Disk recovery.

 

Think of the MFT as an Index or a Table of Contents.

The only problem with it is, you cant move it without a 3rd party program ( i dont think ). Also, you're second partition is whatever you have it as. It could be your Q drive if you wanted it to be. Whatever you have your second partition as is the drive you take the space from. As for your Recovery partition, if it shows up in the Computer Management screen, you can delete it. Though, if you dont have any kind of recovery media, I would keep it until you do.

 

I think if you want to resize C drive in vista,Acronis Disk Director 10 is the best choice!Other partition-software can't be used in vista```
用这个软件，你可以在vista下随意调制分区的大小，而不破坏里面的文件。
O(∩_∩ O~

 

OK, I understand it all. No deletions, but the C drive has to be extended.
Back up is first tho and we might as well try for the most flexible solution. Can you provide references to descriptions of Disk-to disk recovery?
To backup software/procedures that I can use to recover specific installed applications rather than blanket overwrite?

 

After Start > Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management, I saw three partitions:
1) (no-name) of 10 GB marked as "EISA Configuration"; 10GB free space
2) C drive: 69.5 GB NTFS (System,boot,Page file, Active, Crash dump, Primary partition) with 58% free before ms office is installed, and after is got rid of as many games as possible.
3) D drive 69.5GB NTFS, primary partition with 97% free.
I don't see any other partition in this view.

How do I make all partitions visible? Only with the 3rd party partitioning software?

 

Ah. Then you don't have an Acer Arcade Instant-On partition, only the first three.
You should thus delete D:, and expand C: using Windows Disk Management.

 

Acronis Disk Director can solveall your problems.Do you worried about the Arcade Deluxe partition?I think making the Acer Arcade Instant-On partition work is just a easy problem about MBR.

 

Nobody said anything about the hidden partition being empty. Should it be?

 

Download and install Acronis Disk Director 10

if you don't try,you won't be success!

 

None of the Acronis software works for free !!

So .. if you promote something new ... post the link too.

 

Posting the link is not allowed!
SO if you want the software ,just connect with me.
[email protected]

 

I am past this post. The conclusion is:
1) With third party software, you can delete and resize the entire drive, hidden partition and all. And, in fact, I was successful at it. See the Acer sub forum "Help: Need live help with Gparted. Anyone around?"

2) Deleting the hidden partition is NOT recommended. It is your lifeline to the factory installation process. You may not feel you need it, but its right there in case you do. Just be aware that if you shrink the C Drive, you may make it too small to have that install process work. Note that it is a true installation process and not just an image copy.


I am done with this thread...Many thanks to all who contributed.