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    Utility and Recovery partitions

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by snl, Aug 12, 2009.

  1. snl

    snl Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would like to create a dual-boot Vista and Ubuntu on Dell Studio XPS 13. When I tried to partition the hard disk, I found that there are Dell Utility and Recovery partitions. What are these partitions? Is it safe to delete them? If I delete them, can I restore them back again? How can I backup, if possible, these partitions to CD or DVD before deleting them.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    snl, Aug 12, 2009
    #1
  2. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The Dell Utility Partition is the Dell Diagnostics. You access it via the F12 key @ the Dell Logo boot screen.

    The Recovery partition is your factory OS recovery net. Basically you can restore to the point when you unboxed your system and booted up for the first time.

    Both can be deleted, however I wouldn't suggest it.
     
    BatBoy, Aug 16, 2009
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  3. Nankuru

    Nankuru Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm keeping the diagnostics for the moment, but deleted the recovery. It's quite easy to upset it so it doesn't work. Make sure you have your OS install discs first though.

    They are both primary partitions so if you are adding more OSes, make sure your last partition is an extended one.
     
    Nankuru, Aug 17, 2009
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