E1505 paritioning hard disk, non-destructively

Hi, I just got my new Dell E1505 laptop. It has a 100GB hard disk-single partition. I want to create more paritions using PartitionMagic 8.0, and do not want to loose any of the dell hidden partitions.

Does anyone has idea/experience regarding any problems that might occur while using ParitionMagic to create more partitions, without loosing any information. I do not want to reformat my hard disk as I am not comfortable re-installing Windows MCE with all drivers installation.

I have used PartitonMagic 8.0 in past, but slightly worried wheather there could be any issues for using it to create more paritions on Dell E1505.

Please help.

Thanks.

 

The only problem that I know of is the restore partition might not work. If you reformat or repartition the hdd, supposedly the restore partition becomes invalied. You can make a back up copy of that partition before you do anything, and it should work from there.

 

Is it? But, the PartitionMagic actually allows us to just edit/resize/split the existing partitions, like the C: parition (87GB). What's the reason then that the existing partitions will become invalid? I mean when it is not touching existing paritions, how come the Restore partiton becomes invalid?

It would be very helpful if you could kindly explain.

Also, if I want to backup the Restore partition, how do I do that? And what use it will be in future? Can I recreate the Restore partition using this backup? If yes then how?

Please if you can explain in detail, it would be a great help. I am kinda worried abt it.

Regards.

 

It's a bit hard to explain. This is only a problem with the restore partition as far as I know. Your other partitions will remain intact and should work properly.

With the restore partition, before it reformats your computer to factory settings, it checks your laptop to make sure that no changes have been made on the HDD. If any partitions or just a simple format of the main partition have occured, the software will abort. It detects any changes made.

I have never created a restore disc, but there are some methods described on the web. The one that i've heard about the most is : http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/recover.htm under "saving a copy". This method is very popular on Dell's forums and across the web.

Another method that was suggested by a user can be found here: http://images.lunarpages.com/pdf/Dell Notebook Restore Utility Guide.pdf

Now, either of the methods will create a restore disc, which will return your laptop to "factory" settings. You will get all of the junkware and your files will be deleted if you decide or need to use either of these methods.

SG

 

Kinda funny, but I'm just in the process of doing just the same with my E1505.

IF you use Partition Magic for your copy/backup/restore of the 'main' partition, you should be fine. I think you'll only run into trouble if you try to subsequently use the 'Dell' restore solution.

Stick with PM and you should be okay.

My steps would be....

Using Partition Magic-

1. Delete the "Dell" backup partition

2. Resize/move the main partition as needed

3. Copy the main partition to where you like [Be sure you 'hide' this backup partition and confirm the 'main' partition is set active]

4. If you're going to use Boot Magic for some reason, just be sure that is properly configured so that your 'primary' partition is selected as the default.

I haven't done mine yet.... I'm waiting on some software disks, but when you reboot I think XP may 'find' your hidden partition and offer it up as a boot option. If it does, just make sure you get the right one. I'll be doing mine in a day or so if you want to wait and I'll refresh my brain cells....

Just be aware that any 'restore' using the backup partition will need to be done thru Partition Magic and NOT the 'Dell' option

May want to 'backup' your MBR on some other media btw [not on your hard drive anywhere] or just write/copy down the numbers on a piece of paper.

I plan to also make a backup of my 'main' partition once I get the helpful Dell trial software offerings removed [Actually through a complete XP reinstall...] That way I could go back to a close approximation of the original as-delivered configuration and/or fix my main partition if I ever get it corrupted or to the point where I need to roll-back to a previous 'good' state.

hth

Mark

 

If XP offers to boot from one partition or another, then you need to edit your boot.ini file. Normally this is a problem with reformatting, not repartitioning. Repartitioning is just creating sections on your HDD, so your XP system shouldn't change unless you delete it.

You can edit your XP partition up until the last file location. In other words, you can only remove space from that partition out of the free space that is offered from the last file to the end of the partition.

SG

 

After doing some web 'reading' and tinkering a little with Partition Magic...

Unless you have a really good reason, I'd dispense with the Dell PC Restore Partition altogether.

You will be limited [in my opinion] in a couple of ways if you don't...

In particular here's a 'snip' from this website...

So in essence, you will be restricted wrt creating/modifying your partitions.

The steps I outlined in the previous post will get you where you want to be... .

fwiw... I did check on how XP will react when using Partition Magic to copy your primary partition and subsequently 'hiding' this backup. It will detect the hidden copy and list it as a second 'available' OS for boot during the boot process. Mine were listed as....

"Windows XP Media Center Edition" and

"Windows XP Media Center Edition #1"

You can either ignore the choices and XP will default to the correct partition or you can edit [using Notepad] the boot.ini file [a hidden file btw] which will be located in your C drive root directory. I'd make a copy and rename the existing boot.ini file as boot_old.ini then make your edit...

It would be a simple matter of deleting the last line of the file. Probably will start with

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)....

You should see a line very similar just above the one you want to delete. That one references your original primary partition and you'll want to leave that one alone.

Save and reboot. The boot should skip straight to Windows.

Now as to the smaller Dell Utility partition.... you can keep it if you like, but from what I read the diagnostic files are on the Dell CD [if you have one...]

I'm leaning towards deleting it and just going with bootable CDs for any diagnostic/troubleshooting.

hth

Mark

 

i say ditch the partition. it restores back to factory image which means with the bloatware. get rid of it, get your hd space back, and then just ghost a fresh copy of xp and you'll have an "image" at the ready.