invisible partition

[preet]

Recently I installed windows in a dell. There was only 1 ntfs partition(C). When I was asked in which partition I want to install windows I remarked that there was 1 ntfs partition and 1 fat32. can someone tell me why I cant the fat partion within windows.

Thanks.

[Budfred]

I assume you are asking why you can't use the hidden partition?? If so, a lot of the big companies that use Restore disks create a hidden partition for the Restore files... My guess is that is what you have... If it is about 4 gigs or so, it is a Restore partition...

[mjc]

DO NOT TOUCH OR REMOVE THE FAT32 PARTITON

Recently I installed windows in a dell.

That is the system partiton. It contains the files needed to restore or create the restore disks...

[preet]

Indeed its a restore partition. And i guess that it is used to reinstall the windows if ever we lose the windows disk. But how can i use this partition. Is it by using the system restore from the system tools or.... i dont know...

[Budfred]

Usually you either use the Restore disks to get it started or you use a program within Windows to create Restore disks to get it started... If your Windows install is already borked, there is a way to start it without Windows... it should be explained in the manual for the computer or you can find it on Dell's site...

[Paul Komski]

Dell uses two sorts of hidden partitions; restore partitions and diagnostic partitions. The latter is usually accessible using the F12 key at startup. Not sure if the diagnostic partition can initiate a restore or not.

If you have another way of restoring your system you can of course delete either or both such partitions to reclaim the space for something else - but be aware that doing so may make Win2K/XP unbootable without first editing the boot.ini file.

[preet]

Ya there are two partition namely the restore and the diagnostic. I heard from a friend that we can install the window without using the disk by pressing F11...IS THIS POSSIBLE.

[Paul Komski]

With recent Dells its <CTRL>+<F11> http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/

The MBR should not have been tampered with or changed.

[preet]

thanks paul