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July 29th, 2010 19:00
Alienware Aurora Hidden Partition
I apologize if this is answered elsewhere. I searched and found some old, unrelated answers for standard Dell computers.
Anyway, my Alienware Aurora came with the 1TB drive. There is a 8.9GB partition called "RECOVERY" on it that does not show up in the OS except in the Admin Tools Storage GUI. I have no idea what it might be for. I did not order or receive a Respawn disk, just an OEM WIN7 disk and some driver disks. Some other posts mentioned hitting F10 during boot to access recovery, but that just gives me a self-test menu. Is the self-test all that is in there? Is there an actual recovery image in there? If so, how do I access it?
I am certainly not worried about disk space, just like to know what is on my computer.
Yodasmaster
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July 29th, 2010 20:00
You can restore your Sytem back to how it was when you first recieved it. I have done it, though I cannot recall off the top of my head what F control to press. I want to say it was F8.
Tesla1856
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July 29th, 2010 22:00
There was a thread about it ...
You are suppose to use the Dell DataSafe app. to use that Restore Partition. Not sure if that is the only way (or if there is a way to use it for a bare-metal-restore). There was some question as to where you get the Win7 app. if you uninstall it (but it seems like it would be on the AW Drivers DVD).
As far as I know, there is no physical Respan Disc available. I guess if you want it, you could use Acronis 2010 to Image that partition.
spaceengineer
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July 30th, 2010 16:00
Thanks. I will check it out.
Mark
spaceengineer
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August 2nd, 2010 15:00
I finally got the Dell Datasafe Local application and installed it. When executed, the app informs me that there is no image located on the computer that it could use for recovery. Not suprising considering the relatively low size of the partition. Pressing F8 at boot launches some Dell diagnostics but no recovery options. I suppose this means that my only option for recovery is the Win7 disk and Alienware Applications disk that came with the computer.
Fact is, that is fine since any need for recovery would drive me to do a fresh OS install, anyway. Thanks for the help.
Tesla1856
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August 2nd, 2010 18:00
In Admin Tools/ Computer Management I have these 2 hidden partitions
OEM Partition - 39mb - This is where the Dell Diags and possibly some emergency Win7 stuff is located
RECOVERY - 8 GB - This is the Dell DataSafe partition
If you have the partition, and the app can't see it ... well, I don't know ... maybe it's the wrong version or it has to be "pointed" to it ... or it's missing some config.
But yes, it is possible to get a fully functional system with a fresh install. Create some Image Backups (with Win7, Acronis, or similar) and you will have the same protection as before.
johnodd4
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August 3rd, 2010 23:00
I have to say this recover paritions are a joke if you get a windows 7 or vista install disk with the computer and even a driver disk with it as well theres no need for the recovery partition.
Here is what i do when i purchase a new machine that comes with cd's and has a recovery partition.
1. format the drive into a single partition.
2. reinstall the o.s
3. once finished thats that it also gets rid of the worthless applicatiions that are trial versions or restore applications which just restore the trial applications.
so like i said its up to you.