Inspiron 1520 Partitions

I'm Sorry all, I'm pretty sure I'm posting a topic which has already been addressed. But I haven't been able to find it and I have been searching for 20 minutes.

Anyways my question is, What are the names of the 4 partitions, and what are they used for?

Thank you

 

Here's a recent thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=169661

 

I think I have heard somewhere that the maximum number of physical partitions is 4 with windows. But I have heard somewhere else that you can choose one of the partitions and split that up into separate partitions. can anyone verify that this is true and explain the concept?

And also would there be any setback to using one partition for vista and a separate one for data (basically like a separate partition for 'my documents,' music, pictures, movies, etc).

 

You can only have 4 primary (bootable) partitions. But you can have more than that number of extended partitions. And you can boot from one partition and load the OS from one of the extended (non-bootable) partitions.

 

so you can have 4 primary partitions to put those the OS on and other partitions for data or whatever else?

I was thinking of partitioning my hard drive like this:

Partition 1: Diagnostics 47 mb
Partition 2: Mediadirect 2 gb
Partition 3: Windows Vista 135ish
Partition 4: System Restore 10 gb
Partition 5: Linux 10gb

Do you see any reason why this shouldnt work?

 

Installing Linux with Media Direct is going to be a bit of a problem. Check this thread for more information : Vista + Linux + Dell Media Direct + Partition ...can it be done?, Post #9