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    How to Delete Host Protected Area on Dell E1505 Vista?!?!

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by CHANC, Jun 27, 2007.

  1. CHANC

    CHANC Newbie

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    Hi yall! I Read post on how to delete the current Dell HPA, but nothing is conclusive. I have a Dell E1505 with 120GB of hard drive space, and I want to delete and free all partition, including the HPA (HIdden Protected Area.)
    The reason is because, I want to swap it with my Playstation 3 Hard drive, but when I do a format with the Dell disc, it shows that i have only 110.8GB (Just about)

    Can someone please explain a way, step by step on how you can detect and erase ALL partition and free up all the space? I currently have Windows Vista.

    Thanks.
     
    CHANC, Jun 27, 2007
    #1
  2. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    Just use a format utility like fdisk then and do it at a dos level. Via a boot disk. Thats old school for old people like me :p

    There are several other new programs that can do that for you too. Bottom line tho is that you probably wont be able to do it from inside windows it will have to be done from a boot disk.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Jun 27, 2007
    #2
  3. CHANC

    CHANC Newbie

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    where can i get this fdisk and how do i make it into a bootable CD?
     
    CHANC, Jun 27, 2007
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  4. Dell_CA

    Dell_CA Company Representative

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    Hello,

    My name is Mike, I’m a Technical Analyst located at Dell corporate headquarters in Round Rock, TX. I’m part of an internet outreach team developed to interact with the online community regarding technical questions and issues that customers face with Dell products. I’ve read your question and wanted to offer some help.

    You can format the drive using the OS CD that shipped with your system. Simply put it in the CD drive and reboot the computer. When you see the DELL logo tap on the "F12" key for the one time boot menu. Choose the CD drive and then follow the on screen instructions. You can format the drive using only 1 partition which should delete the hidden partition with the ghost image and diagnostics. After this you should be able to see all of the hard drive. I hope this information is helpful.

    Thank you,

    Mike
    Dell customer advocate
     
    Dell_CA, Jul 2, 2007
    #4