Reformat info for E1705

I just got my E1705 today, 6 days after ordering... WOOT!

I am in the middle of reformating and have a few questions. The Hard Drive is formated in to the following sections:

-: Partition1 [FAT] 47MB <39MB Free>
C: Partition2 [NTFS] 70065MB <63000MB Free>
Unpartitioned space 8MB
E artition3 [FAT32] 4754MB <954MB Free>
Unpartitioned space 8MB

Ok, I konw that 1 of the 3 partitions is an image to restore with, I think that's Partition3. Another is with the OS.... that's partition2 (no brainer). And what is Partition1? Is that MediaDirect?

Here is my problem. I'm going to reformat with XP Pro and I don't really care to keep the image of XP Media, I'd rather have the hard drive space. I just want to know for sure if deleting partition 2 and 3 then combining them to create a new partition for XP Pro is the way to go. Will that keep the mediadirect working on partition1?

Thanks for any info...

 

If you read through the last 2-3 pages of Southerngirl's thread about reformating it says which one it is.

I believe you are correct though.

 

ok, I figured as much. No way they can fit an image of the HD on 8MBs.... lol.

 

MediaDirect will work without a partition, BUT it will not boot up just by pushing play if you aren't in windows.

So if you are planning on using it when you have windows running, then you shouldn't have any problem.

If you want it to run without windows, then I think it is partition 1 or it runs off of the 8mb.

Without windows, it only needs a small amount to boot up so I think it might be the 8mb. It still technical runs off of the main partition.

SG

 

If they can I want to know what kind of compression they are using!

 

Apparently something that makes it work I think in the MediaDirect thread, users have just been creating an 8mb partition and that was allowing MediaDirect to run.

 

I just left all the partitions the way they were. Never know if I'll need the image of XP MediaCenter. I'm currently reformatting the main partition with Pro and will let you guys know how it turns out.

 

Once you reformat that big partition is useless even if you install XP MCE. That is what I have heard at least. You could use the space...or you can use partition magic later to try and remove it.

 

If that's the case then maybe I should just reformat again... I'm currently at 61%. Won't be much trouble to start over after it's done. I just don't want to loose MediaDirect incase it's on that 5gig partition.

 

That is true...well re-format and then see if the Media Direct option works. You can be our ginny-pig!

 

lol, DOH! I'm in no real hurry. I'm going to be working right next to it until 5PM, so I got 2.5 hrs to watch the format bar go up a few times!

 

Also, what is partition magic? Will it allow me to format that 5gig space and add it to my windows partition without reformatting?

 

Yes, but I believe you have to pay for it...if you want to do it that way. From what I hear it is a great program. I don't have any personal experience with it.

Yes, it will edit your partitions.

 

I'm just going to reformat and add the 5 gigs to the main partition.

 

Partition Magic is good, but only if you have a clean system and alot of space. Reason is because you can only create a partition from the last file to the end of that partition. If you ever need to edit your partitions in the future and don't want to reformat, I would suggest using that.

 

i have partition magic 8. it will let you create, delete, and edit partitions from within windows. you do not have to reformat afterwards, although you will have to reboot a couple times. oh, above poster is correct; it isn't free/shareware

 

The Unpartitioned space 8MB is not for MediaDirect. It was not created by Dell. It was created by Windows XP CD when the partitions were made
It is created in order to allow Windows to convert basic disks into dynamic disk. More info on this here

Eartition3 [FAT32] 4754MB <954MB Free> - this is the Dell PC Restore by Symantec. The Dell MediaDirect drivers is on it too. This hidden partition is booted using Dell MBR. Deleting this partition will affect 2 things:
1. Ctrl and F11 to restore to factory setting
2. MediaDirect button while notebook is off

-: Partition1 [FAT] 47MB <39MB Free> - this is the Dell Utility Partition and it is booted using Dell BIOS (not by Dell MBR). It means, if you will delete the hidden partition for PC Restore by Symantec, the Dell Diagnostic Utility will still work and unaffected.

If you will install PartitionMagic by Symantec, it will allow you to browse the partition1 but will not allow you browse the partition3