Default installation and partitions

Question

Hi!

I just bought a Dell Inspiron with Ubuntu preinstalled.

However, I'd like to reinstall my system and make my own partitioning scheme.

I saw that /dev/sda1 is a "Dell Utility" partition. What is it used for? Can I delete it without any trouble?

Thanks in advance

bochecha

srjs8812 · Answer

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 · Answer

@srjs8812 wrote:

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).

Anyway, thanks for your answer.

srjs8812 · Answer

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

the general public its not a major concern.

Anyways, glad I could help :)

srjs8812

Linux General

Default installation and partitions

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