Lkr Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 dell computers come with 2 extra partitions. one is like 4 gigs the other is 50MB. is it safe to delete these partitions? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/45800-dell-partitions/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabr Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Well, what's inside them? And the very few Dell computers I have been on, have only had two partitions max. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/45800-dell-partitions/#findComment-327669 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lkr Posted March 20, 2007 Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 Well, what's inside them? And the very few Dell computers I have been on, have only had two partitions max. how do i check whats on it? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/45800-dell-partitions/#findComment-327670 Share on other sites More sharing options...
asap18 Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 One should be a "recovery/diagnostic" partition. Dell does this on all of their machines. It should be a FAT partition, an it doesn't matter if you delete it. Also sometimes they have a special backup ghost partition if you ordered it. If you want to edit them you need to unhide them. Start-Run,diskmgmt.msc, find the partitions right click (unhide) might work for them to mount in My Computer. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/45800-dell-partitions/#findComment-327688 Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe75 Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Dells dont come with software usually, the 4gig has your os restore and dell extras and the 50mb has some boot back up {censored}. I deleted both when I first got my laptop but I would only recommend removing them if you're sure you know what you're doing and have no plans of dealing with dell if you have os or software problems. All the extra {censored} that's installed from dell as oem can be downloaded from their site and your windows key can be used on a downloaded copy as well. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/45800-dell-partitions/#findComment-327693 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lkr Posted March 20, 2007 Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 Dells dont come with software usually, the 4gig has your os restore and dell extras and the 50mb has some boot back up {censored}. I deleted both when I first got my laptop but I would only recommend removing them if you're sure you know what you're doing and have no plans of dealing with dell if you have os or software problems. All the extra {censored} that's installed from dell as oem can be downloaded from their site and your windows key can be used on a downloaded copy as well. i have the dell XP CD. and where is my product key Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/45800-dell-partitions/#findComment-327699 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac-mini Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 look for the COA. on a laptop it is on the bottom if it is a tower it is on the side Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/45800-dell-partitions/#findComment-327701 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabr Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Ermm, double click the partition? Or they sound like they're unformatted partitions. Are they? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/45800-dell-partitions/#findComment-327737 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analog Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 4gigs = restore partition. I'm assuming (like my Dell) you never received a physical Windows disk? Either way - that drive can restore your computer to factory settings (drivers and all) quickly. 50MB = diagnostic utilities. You can select at boot to run diagnostics on your computer - this is the "hidden" partition it uses If you have MediaDirect2 on your Dell, you also have a 2GB hidden partition for that! Mmmm.. that sweet Dell wasted space. First thing I did when I got mine was nuke all the hidden stuff and install XP Pro (instead of home). If you are uncomfortable with creating your own rescue disks, or don't have a Windows install handy (and you want to play it safe) - keep your partitions. If you want the free space - nuke them! I wanted an 80GB drive on mine, not 72GB (minus, of course, conversion loss from bits to MB), so I reclaimed it Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/45800-dell-partitions/#findComment-327839 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mebster Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Is it safe = YES Should I = NO You can run a easy quick restore (like 3 mins) using the partition. Otherwise it takes like 45 mins. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/45800-dell-partitions/#findComment-328163 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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