Removing the restore partition...

I've got an Inspiron 6400 running windowsXP with the diagnostic partition, the restore partition, the windows C partition and the backup D drive partition.

I've just reformatted my computer (and wasn't aware at the time that I could delete the partition) and I'd rather not go through the whole process again... Is there a way I can utilize the space on the restore partition without reformatting?

I've already wiped the Dell Restore Remove Utility located at (C:\Dell\Utilities\DSR\DSRIRRemv2.exe)
and while in settings>control panel>administrative tools> disk management i cannot seem to be able to reformat it into usable space (as I recall reading on a post somewhere here) the only option I have is to delete it... but that sounds dangerous, and I figured I should get a professional opinion before doing that.

is there anywhere i can download the Dell Restore Remove Utility? I don't need the partition to be combined with my main one, all I want is to be able to use the space.


If I do decide to reformat can I add the restore partition space to my D partition without losing the data stored on D?

 

You can't merge partitions using the Windows Disk Management utility. Get a tool like Partition Magic - you can remove the restore partition, move partitions around, and change partition sizes.

If you remove the restore partition, you have to edit boot.ini and change the partition numbers. For example, if you look at your current boot.ini file (in the c: drive - it's a hidden system file), you should see something like this:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /usepmtimer

Once you remove the partition in front of the c: partition, you'll have to change partition(2) to partition(1), or else you'll get an error during the boot process.

 

You can with Vista.

 

Nice to know. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your opinion of Vista) iski is running XP so it's not an option.