HDD Partitions.

[DekoWolf]

Hello everyone!

I've read everything so far, but stopped on step 4 on this guide
My HP Pavilion dv6 already has two partition drives RECOVERY D: and HP_TOOLS E:
So even though step 4 tells me to not go any further, I find myself in doubt.

Recently I've encounter problems with my HP Pavilion dv6, so in order to fix those problems I decided to use the HP Recovery Manager to restore it to it's factory specs. I was committed to do it when I realized that I didn't have a method of backing-up my personal files (I do not own an external hard drive nor enough empty discs).

After reading this post I've learned that I can save my files in a partition within the HDD.

(Hope I'm making myself clear so far)

Turns out I have 3 partition drivers (C: ), (D: ) and (E: ).



I was recommended by HP support not to store my files in those drives as they are used to recover files during the recovery operation.

So my question is, even though I already have 2 partitions, is it safe to create a 3rd one?

Thanks for your time!

[wdhpr]

Yes you can make another partition take a look at "Best free partition manager" I believe Windows 7 has a partioning tool built in.

Most importantly read the instruction carefully A botched partioning job can leave your computer useless!

[DekoWolf]

Originally Posted by wdhpr

Yes you can make another partition take a look at "Best free partition manager" I believe Windows 7 has a partioning tool built in.

Most importantly read the instruction carefully A botched partioning job can leave your computer useless!

Thanks for the info!
Yes it appears that windows 7 does have a partition tool, I'll follow the guide step by step.

I'm happy to know that my files will be safe!

Many thanks!!

[26Dolphins]

Hi,

There's one thing you should check (with Windows Disk Manager): if you have a hidden system (boot) partition of 100MB or 200MB before the OS partition (C:\). It's hidden, meaning it does not have a letter asigned. It contains the boot files, meaning it's used by Windows to boot your laptop.

Since you mentioned that you have a HP laptop, it's very likely that you do have this hidden partition - mine did.

This may present a problem, since Windows won't allow for more than 4 primary partitions and all the above are primary ones, with the hidden one being the active one (if your laptop is anything like mine).
If this is your case, it'll require a little more work to get what you want done.

[wdhpr]

Originally Posted by 26Dolphins

Hi,

There's one thing you should check (with Windows Disk Manager): if you have a hidden system (boot) partition of 100MB or 200MB before the OS partition (C:\). It's hidden, meaning it does not have a letter asigned. It contains the boot files, meaning it's used by Windows to boot your laptop.

Since you mentioned that you have a HP laptop, it's very likely that you do have this hidden partition - mine did.

This may present a problem, since Windows won't allow for more than 4 primary partitions and all the above are primary ones, with the hidden one being the active one (if your laptop is anything like mine).
If this is your case, it'll require a little more work to get what you want done.

Very true
Your restricted to 4 primary partitions however there is a way to create more by making an extended partition with logical drives. Look here for a discussion on the subject.


Is that hidden system (boot) partition you speak of just found on HP laptops? Or is this on all Windows7 & Vista systems. I'm curious because my son's computer is a HP desktop with Vista.

[26Dolphins]

however there is a way to create more by making an extended partition with logical drives.

I know, the problem is that if you keep (or need to keep) the D:\RECOVERY and E:\HP_TOOLS primary partitions, the only partition left to make an extended partition is the C:\OS one which already has Windows and probably other programs installed.

Is that hidden system (boot) partition you speak of just found on HP laptops? Or is this on all Windows7 & Vista systems.

No, it's not a HP laptop exclusive thing. It's definetely a Win7, don't know about Vista, never used it.
It's present if you get Win7 preinstalled (common with laptops) or if you install Win7 without creating your partitions in advance.

[wdhpr]

Originally Posted by 26Dolphins

I know, the problem is that if you keep (or need to keep) the D:\RECOVERY and E:\HP_TOOLS primary partitions, the only partition left to make an extended partition is the C:\OS one which already has Windows and probably other programs installed.

I see. Perhaps it might be ok for a short term solution after the reinstall he could get rid of it and absorb it back to his C drive. Don't have personal expeirance never went over 3 partitions myself. I do have several distro's I run on Virtual Box.

Originally Posted by 26Dolphins

No, it's not a HP laptop exclusive thing. It's definetely a Win7, don't know about Vista, never used it.
It's present if you get Win7 preinstalled (common with laptops) or if you install Win7 without creating your partitions in advance.

Never used Vista or Win 7 I'm still using XP although I actually spend 95% of my time on Linux Mint.

[crank]

As usual I'm a bit late to the discussion, but I want to throw in my 2-noncents in anyways. That hidden System Recovery partition is a '7' thing, and is the cause of much consternation to many. As we all transition to GPT disks it won't matter, but that is a ways off for most.

The one on my ASUS laptop is 20GB, I think most are 100MB, they are primary and the 'active' partition, containing all the boot related files, so of course Microsoft calls it the 'system' partition. The partition with the system files, of course, is called the 'boot' partition. Fancy that. Some partition and imaging software follow MS's nomenclature, others, like linux distros, tend more to the rational.

One idea, if you don't have huge mounds of data, is to make use of the large amounts of free storage space you get with google and Microsoft. Just mail your files to yourself. Might have to zip and split large files. It's an idea for all kinds of emergency needs. Or purchase a thumb drive, they are getting amazingly cheap. There are even very very fast USB3.0 products out there, soon we will carry our systems around with us, if our [cyber] heads aren't off up in the clouds.