How to keep MediaDirect and Main partitions?

When I reformatted my e1505 (Nov06 purchase), I deleted my partition 4 (restore partition) and kept the rest (diagn, main, mediadirect). I would like to merge the main partition with the unpartitioned space left by the restore partition, but I don't see a way to do it.

GParted only merges partitions that are next to each other. And I wouldn't want to delete MediaDirect partition unless I can restore it later.

 

i had the same issue when i reformatted. It would look like this.

Diag tools partition
unpartition space (formerly C
media direct
unpartition space (formerly restore)

and theres no way to combine them without deleting the media direct partition. I used a media direct restore disk to fix the problem. I deleted all partitions except the diag tools to create one big unpartitioned space. Then i exited the setup and took out the windows install disk and replaced it with the media direct restore disk. Rebooted the notebook and the media direct menu came up asking how i wanted to repartition the drive. Once done It created a new media direct partition and lumped the other unpartitioned space together as usual.
It will then tell you to eject the media direct disk and reinsert the windows setup disk to complete the install of windows. After installing windows you must then install media direct to that partition.

Did your computer come with a media direct reinstall disk? Theres full instructions included there.

If someone knows a better way please enlighten me.

 

Thanks for the reply, ruffryder.

I don't think my system came with a MediaDirect restore CD. I did see a MeidaDirect repair program on Dell's drivers website, but I don't know if it applies in my case. Of course, I can request the CD from Dell, but that means I'll have to reinstall my OS and everything else again -- I don't know if I'll want to go to that trouble one more time to reclaim a few GB of space.

 

I just installed my games on the orphaned 5GB partition. If course I'm lucky in that I only have 3 games.

My replacement E1505 came with Media Direct 3 CD, but, I have not used it. I think it automatically sets up the initial partition tables and then you install Windows using the Windows media.

Seems like there is a chance that it would not orphan the Media Direct partition since it would have no knowledge nor need for a restore partition.

I'm all formatted and installed, so, I'm not going through it again anytime soon, but, I would also like to hear from anyone with experience using the Media Direct 3 CD.

 

There might be some sort of partition tools you could use, but they prolly cost $$$ and I've never had much luck with that sort of thing.

 

There really isn't any way to merge them without deleting the MD partition like suggested. Even special software like partition magic won't be able to merge them together. You have to think of the partitions as taking up physical space on your HDD.

You should be able to request the MD 3.0 reinstallation disc from Dell's tech support, but it might take a few tries to get it.

I've walked a few users through it and it is not hard to reinstall MD. The trick is to use the MD disc before you format. Otherwise, you'll be waisting time cause it will require you to format again.

 

easy way is to request media direct 3 from dell it formats your harddrive with 3 partitions
dell diags
windows
media direct
install windows (or restore partition of windows then run media direct in windows then all is fixed
jim

 

I did it the same way as Jim-

Requested the MediaDirect 3.0 disc from Dell - first time you run that disc, it prepares the HDD with the three partitions

Install the OS, drivers, etc

Rerun MediaDirect 3.0 disc to install MediaDirect

No problems...

 

Makes sense.

The fourth partition is the restore partition and Media Direct would have no need to recreate it.

 

yep m/d 3.? makes it super easy the only thing you lose space wise is for the diagnostics
but that is so small its livable also keeps dell happy
jim

 

So that explains the partition table Dell configures on new systems. I knew that Dell configures a restore partition but I didn't know what the others were for. I wanted to reclaim the extra space for my data so I deleted and merged the space into "C". Now I'm thinking that I may have difficulty removing the programs that were installed on these partitions. Would I have to re-install the os to get the mediaDirect and the Dell diagnostics partition back? I've done considerable customization and would have to redo several hours of work.

 

Yes, you will have to reinstall XP in order to get the MD 3.0 back. As others stated, you have to request the MD 3.0 reinstallation disc from Dell, and it will format your hard drive and create the necessary partitions.

 

Okay. Thank-you.

 

I doubt I'd ever use the MediaDirect functionality. I'm thinking the cd/dvd buttons should have full functionality when the notebook is booted.

 

Thanks for everybody's replies.

I ordered the MediaDirect cd today. Still don't know if I'll reformat once it comes, but nice to have that option. If I only remember what customization and optimizing I did...