Can't Format a Partition

[TruthIs1]

In my HP laptop there is a partition about 8GB dedicated to their system recovery program. Well I never cared for that utility and I could really use the space so I would like to format it. It won't let me do it from inside of windows (XP). So how do you do it the old fashion way?

[Paul Komski]

You could use BiNG (in my sig) or GParted (http://gparted.sourceforge.net/)from a floppy or CD but it's surprising that WindowsXP won't let you do this if it is not a system or boot partition.

[TruthIs1]

When it used to work, the program on the partition would act almost like the windows boot disk. It let you reinstall windows without the disk but assed all this HP junk programs with it.

I just don't want to lose the data on my C drive.

[Sylvander]

1. "I just don't want to lose the data on my C drive."
(a) So backup all of the contents of your C: partition without delay.
Ideally it would be an image backup made [and able to be restored] using a program that runs outwith Windows [run from a bootable floppy or optical disk].

(b) It's a good idea to move [almost] all data files off C: so that if anything happens with C: all your data files are safely held elsewhere.

(c) Once (b) is done, the data partitions don't need to be imaged, but can instead be backed up from within Windows using a program like the excellent FREE version of SyncBack.
A restored image of C: would supply a working copy of SyncBack [provided it was installed and working when the image was made :) ].

[Paul Komski]

In my HP laptop there is a partition about 8GB dedicated to their system recovery program.
When it used to work, the program on the partition would act almost like the windows boot disk. It let you reinstall windows without the disk but assed all this HP junk programs with it.
Before you do anything it would be good be sure about what the current situation is.

What you are describing sounds like a system restore partition that can restore your system to its factory/delivery condition. This is not the same as using "System Restore" from within Windows. That is the first thing to be clear about.

If you now (or might in the future) want to restore to a factory condition then you should not delete or format that partition until you have made a backup image of it.

Perhaps you could look at the whole hard drive from Disk Management (run diskmgmt.msc) and fully describe what is shown or else post a screenshot of the display. If you don 't know how to do this just ask. That might help preventing giving you erroneous advice.

If you are short of space and want to retain the greatest number of options the consider buying an external hard drive to expand your storage space and to allow backup of current data as needed. Such hardware was never as cheap bang for buck.

[TruthIs1]

Hi, I just got a way to back up my important files now I'm ready to format that partition. It is a factory restore drive, but it no longer works. Plus if you just reinstall windows, so much junk software is not installed.

Paul you said:
Perhaps you could look at the whole hard drive from Disk Management (run diskmgmt.msc) and fully describe what is shown or else post a screenshot of the display. If you don 't know how to do this just ask. That might help preventing giving you erroneous advice.

I looked at it and it says it is a Healthy Fat32 partition. I don't know how to post a screen shot, but would be happy to do so if you instruct me how.

If you are short of space and want to retain the greatest number of options the consider buying an external hard drive to expand your storage space and to allow backup of current data as needed. Such hardware was never as cheap bang for buck.

I know external HD are great, but I just want to use all the space available to me because I don't always want the extra traveling weight of an Ex HD.

Thanks

[Paul Komski]

To show a screenshot you first hit the printscreen key and then open a graphics package (Irfanview does a brilliant job) and choose paste. Crop to size and save as jpg or png. Upload to Tinypic or similar and then paste the BB url directly or use the image button above the message area to enter the url starting with http.

If your data is safe then you could try deleting and recreating a new partition using BiNG or other partitioner. I still find it strange that you cant do this from within windows. Don't proceed if it becomes unclear just what to do. I also recommend BiNG because you can also use it to edit boot.ini or shift the partition tables around if, for any reason, you cannot reboot to Windows after the repartitioning.

Can you see any of the data in the partition you want to delete? A normal FAT partition should or can usually be made visible using the TweakUI for XP Power Toy.

[no-mbr]

Most recovery partitions have a file-system driver that protects them is they are being accessed from original OEM OS software. In some cases, at least some old Dell machines actually "hid" the partition from the OS. (at the BIOS level)

Usually, operating a disk utility from any removable or non-system media will reveal the true nature of any disk partitions or logical drives.

Anyone wanting to pitch the partitions, should consider whether they have made a set of PC factory recovery CD Rom disks and other factory OEM utilities. It's nice to be able to restore a machine to its original software configuration if and when it is sold. Restoring a factory partition to BIOS controlled boot status (manually) is tricky. But hey, who needs it?

[Paul Komski]

In some cases, at least some old Dell machines actually "hid" the partition from the OS.In recent years up to the introduction of Vista the Dell recovery partition was hidden simply by changing its natural FAT partition type to partition type "DE". It was a FAT partition but because those couple of bytes were "not normal" they were considered foreign by the OS. I'm not aware of this being done at the BIOS level. There's lots of info on this recovery partition on the Goodells site.

The other thing about Dell recovery partitions is that they were only accessible directly from code on the MBR and invoked by a key combination during startup. With many versions of Vista Dell is now using and providing image files native to those specific versions of Vista. Dell also (and to their credit) provide installation CDs DVDs.