The Dell utility partition is a partition that is put on ALL Dell systems. It contains some extremely useful hardware diagnostic tests and tools. Running the tests when your PC/laptop starts acting up can not only let you know what the problem is, but it also produces an error code that you can give to a support technician. From my own past experiences, these tests and error codes have been a major time saver while on the phone with dell.
Considering the partition is usually only around 30 MB or so and it contains diagnostic tools, I personally don't see any reason to remove it. But to each his own.
The Dell utility partition is a partition that is put on ALL Dell systems. It contains some extremely useful hardware diagnostic tests and tools.
Ok for the "what" :)
Running the tests when your PC/laptop starts acting up can not only let you know what the problem is, but it also produces an error code that you can give to a support technician. From my own past experiences, these tests and error codes have been a major time saver while on the phone with dell.
hope I'll never be in that situation... :-/
Considering the partition is usually only around 30 MB or so and it contains diagnostic tools, I personally don't see any reason to remove it. But to each his own.
Mine was 100Mo. Ok, that's still small, but considering that a HD can support at most 4 primary partitions (and that some systems can't be installed on an extended partition), that takes 1/4 of my disk (in terms of partition number :)
Moreover, I kinda like to know what is on my disk and whether it is needed or not (and if not, wipe it out). I know this stuff can be useful, but containing some "exe" files (for Windows), I don't see how I could use them (the laptop was shipped with Ubuntu).
And I as said, I like to be in total control of my disk, rather than relying on what someone else installed on it (that's why I also reinstalled my own system with my own settings).
Moreover, I kinda like to know what is on my disk and whether it is needed or not (and if not, wipe it out). I know this stuff can be useful, but containing some "exe" files (for Windows), I don't see how I could use them (the laptop was shipped with Ubuntu).
Understandable, I prefer to keep a tight control over my disks as well. Though, the partition is bootable; the programs aren't run in your OS. They boot into a version of DOS to run the tests.
As someone who fixes computers for a living, its a big relief for a computer to come with built in diagnostics. But I guess for
srjs8812
12 Posts
0
April 21st, 2008 17:00
The Dell utility partition is a partition that is put on ALL Dell systems. It contains some extremely useful hardware diagnostic tests and tools. Running the tests when your PC/laptop starts acting up can not only let you know what the problem is, but it also produces an error code that you can give to a support technician. From my own past experiences, these tests and error codes have been a major time saver while on the phone with dell.
Considering the partition is usually only around 30 MB or so and it contains diagnostic tools, I personally don't see any reason to remove it. But to each his own.
srjs8812
bochecha
2 Posts
0
April 21st, 2008 19:00
Ok for the "what" :)
hope I'll never be in that situation... :-/
Mine was 100Mo. Ok, that's still small, but considering that a HD can support at most 4 primary partitions (and that some systems can't be installed on an extended partition), that takes 1/4 of my disk (in terms of partition number :)
Moreover, I kinda like to know what is on my disk and whether it is needed or not (and if not, wipe it out). I know this stuff can be useful, but containing some "exe" files (for Windows), I don't see how I could use them (the laptop was shipped with Ubuntu).
And I as said, I like to be in total control of my disk, rather than relying on what someone else installed on it (that's why I also reinstalled my own system with my own settings).
Anyway, thanks for your answer.
srjs8812
12 Posts
0
April 21st, 2008 20:00
Understandable, I prefer to keep a tight control over my disks as well. Though, the partition is bootable; the programs aren't run in your OS. They boot into a version of DOS to run the tests.
As someone who fixes computers for a living, its a big relief for a computer to come with built in diagnostics. But I guess for
the general public its not a major concern.
Anyways, glad I could help :)
srjs8812