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    Getting rid of the Hidden Partition?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by theboykidney, Apr 6, 2007.

  1. theboykidney

    theboykidney Newbie

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    Hi,

    I just got a Sony SZ4, and THE most annoying thing about it, after all the pre-installed software, is the hidden partition.

    I cant access it, i cant see it, i cant do anything to it. all i want to do is unpartition it so i can claim back 10 gigs. The way they tell me to do it doesnt work, so im stuck at the moment. I tried Partition Magic, but I only have it for XP, so it doesnt work.

    Any ideas?

    Cheers, TBK

    PS. I have already made a backup of the recovery partition, so Im ready to go!
     
    theboykidney, Apr 6, 2007
    #1
  2. bogart

    bogart Notebook Evangelist

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    bogart, Apr 6, 2007
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  3. theboykidney

    theboykidney Newbie

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    Hi Bogart,

    does this stuff work for Vista?

    Cheers.
     
    theboykidney, Apr 6, 2007
    #3
  4. kumar16

    kumar16 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok, I have the same problem. My 60 gb hd has th 6.46 gb partition. y is is there? and can i delete is and somehow "merge" it into my vista partition?
     
    kumar16, Apr 6, 2007
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  5. Gautam

    Gautam election 2008 NBR Reviewer

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    Yes, bogart's idea is to use the GParted Live CD (which is independent of Linux). It's basically a free-type solution to Partition Magic.

    Yes, you can, but you will lose your restore partition. I don't suggest eliminating your restore partition unless you are very good with computers.
     
    Gautam, Apr 6, 2007
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  6. VGNxxx

    VGNxxx Notebook Guru

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    Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0 compatible with Vista. (I used it)

    Do not use Acronis Ver. 9.0 or Partition Magic 8.0 on Windows Vista, it will cause blue screen/reboot/looping

    If you remove the hidden partition, the VAIO recovery sw will not working any more. (I'm not recommend to remove VAIO Hidden Partition).

    Make sure backup your important information on HD.
    Make sure create the VAIO recovery DVD.

    There are 2 hidden partitions, the 1st one from HD manufacturer (very small), and 2nd one from Sony (6 GB-10GB). DO NOT remove the 1st hidden partition.
     
    VGNxxx, Apr 6, 2007
    #6
  7. toronto_na

    toronto_na Notebook Guru

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    If I remove the hidden restore partition what is the way to get it back? Anyone done that? I want to try installing VISTA on a new partition.

    I heard if I create another partition using partitioning tool it corrupts the restore partition..Is that true or just bad info?
     
    toronto_na, Apr 6, 2007
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  8. Ch28Kid

    Ch28Kid Notebook Deity

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    No once its remove you can not recreate the partition.

    Here is what I do with my pass Sony VAIO.

    First: Create a recovery dvd / cd. Make two if you are scared.

    Second: install partition magic or similar tools and rip the hidden partition right off. Create a image file and store it somewhere safe. I store it on external hard drive and on my web space. The reason why I store it on web space is because when you are on holiday and your compare breaks down, you can always go online, download the image back and restore to factory setting.

    Third: Delete the partition so you can get your 6 GB back!

    Never really had any problems!
     
    Ch28Kid, Apr 6, 2007
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