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    So tell me if I'm crazy...

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by jerbils, May 30, 2008.

  1. jerbils

    jerbils Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've decided I want to completely wipe my entire hard drive and start fresh. I have absolutely no use of Media Direct, so I am going to just get rid of that entirely. Basically, I only want to have three partitions:

    1. Windows (30-35 GB)
    2. Linux (Ubuntu to start with, 15 GB)
    3. File storage (remaining space)

    All of my files and media will stored in the third partition, and only the OS's and their installed programs will live in their respective partitions. This gives me the advantage of being able to totally wreck an OS and just fix it all by popping in the DVD and reinstalling, I won't have to reload all of my data.

    Now, a couple of questions:
    1. If I decide later that I want to re-image my Recovery partition onto the drive, is it as simple as just slapping a small partition on the end of the disk and re-imaging? Or do the Windows partition and the Recovery partition have to be in any particular configuration?

    2. What if the Dell Media Direct button accidentally gets pushed? I've heard that can cause some problems if you don't have the MD partition on the disk. I also know that the XPS comes with a whole pile of small and hidden partitions, do I have to worry about those? I'm going to install Vista totally fresh, so keep that in mind.

    So, is this a good idea? Or am I going about this all wrong and causing myself headaches? Please let me know guys, thanks!
     
    jerbils, May 30, 2008
    #1
  2. teslas

    teslas Notebook Consultant

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    30-35 Gig for Vista is way to small.
     
    teslas, May 30, 2008
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  3. Sparky 1720

    Sparky 1720 Notebook Consultant

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    Your not going to just "slap a partition" on there and get your recovery partition. Frankly, if you are capable of doing what you list above then why on earth would you care for the recovery part?

    P.S. Your crazy :p
     
    Sparky 1720, May 30, 2008
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  4. jerbils

    jerbils Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, keep in mind that all of my files will be in the third partition. The Windows partition will only hold the OS and the programs, and I don't have too many apps that take up loads of space. Although, I would consider taking it to 40 GB if you guys think that's best.

    I would likely ditch the Recovery partition permanently, although it is a really nice feature. I was just curious to see if it could be done. And yeah, I kinda figured I was crazy, but that never stopped me before. :D
     
    jerbils, May 30, 2008
    #4
  5. jerbils

    jerbils Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does anybody know about the MD button question?
     
    jerbils, May 30, 2008
    #5
  6. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    I dont push it so i wouldnt know ;)
     
    nizzy1115, May 30, 2008
    #6