Vista and dell's hidden partition

Question

I installed vista, but i did not delete the 'hidden' partition that dell has put on my computer. I just deleted my main partition made a new one and installed over it. Is there a way at this point to SEE this hidden partition and make it NOT hidden, so that i can use it for Vista backup?

GioAguilar · Answer

What hidden partition are you talking? PC Restore, diagnostic? You can right click the computer on the start menu click on manage on the Computer management window go to the Disk management and you'll see the partitioned space

Rebel9 · Answer

If it's not listed, how do you know it's there and how do you know the size? If it is not listed under Disk Management, it probably does not exist.

jed1154 · Answer

im not sure which is is, but its about 500mb or so. Its not listed in the partitions as per your directions.

jed1154 · Answer

It was listed when i installed vista. Its never been listed, even in XP. Dell has it 'hidden' somehow.

GioAguilar · Answer

What I would try if I had that problem (that it is really weird you cannot see it) I'll boot to the Vista DVD, go like if you are going to install Windows, and at the hdd selection, delete that 'hidden' partition and and then format it, then just exit from the Windows installer and restart the system, now that the hdd has been formated you should be able to see it.

calliejane · Answer

Yes...it is there and it is *totally* hidden... Check out Article ID: 293610 on the Tech Support page. It's most likely for Dell Media Direct.

Quote: » Hard Disk Size Reported is Smaller Than What Was Ordered: Systems with Dell™ Media Direct™

On systems equipped with Dell Media Direct, the hard disk size reported in the system BIOS and operating system appears to be smaller than what has been ordered. Dell Media Direct will reserve an approximately 1.2 gigabyte (GB) hidden partition for Media Direct files. The hidden partition is neither accessible nor visible in either the DOS or Windows environment. In addition, this hidden partition causes the BIOS to report the hard drive as being 2 GB smaller than it really is.

Rebel9 · Answer

Well, I'm looking at an Acronis Disk Director screen, and it lists a FAT16 partition of 47.03 MB, an NTFS partition of 67.57 GB (my Vista partition), a Media Direct partition (yes it is identified as Media Direct) of 1.999 GB, and a FAT32 partition of 3.547 GB.

In Vista's own Disk Management, I am seeing a 47 MB partition, an NTFS patition (my Vista partition), a 2.00 GB partition (not identified as Media Direct but visible), and a partition of 3.55 GB.(hiidden)

So apparently the hidden partition IS visible (at least on my system it is).

Message Edited by Rebel9 on 08-12-2007 12:03 PM

calliejane · Answer

Hey, I'm just passing on the info that is on the Dell Website.

It's not visible on mine...using Paragon Partition Manager, I only come up with 3 partitions to a total of 149 GB which got me to thinking what the heck happened to my other 11GB. A search came up with the aforementioned article on the Dell Support site.

Needless to say, this doesn't answer the OP's original question.

Rebel9 · Answer

I'm not arguing with you, just pointing out the fact that with two different utilities (including Vista's own Disk Management) I can see these partitions. I wouldn't think that there are different flavours of Disk Management in different versions of Vista, but that is a possibility. In any event, once you can see the partition, you can delete it (plus a lot more options with Disk Director) and then recover the unallocated space and do whatever you want with it.

querry1 · Answer

sure...just install ptedit 32. You can find a lot more info... Look below... Go to the website and read everything.... It will reveal info on your partitions...

Dell computers with Vista preinstalled have the quick restore function installed ....upgrade customers do not. Our computers have the Dell Symantic Quick Restore function which is disabled by Vista. The program is disabled but very fixable. Just download the Goodell Quick Restore ISO image file and burn it to disk. Follow a few simple commands and your quick restore will work perfect returning your computer to factory new specs. here is a link to the file...

http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/fixes.htm

Download the zip file and open it. Then look for the ISO image file and burn it to disk. Be sure to read the instructions in the zip file.

In this Vista Reality we have its nice to able to CTRL+F11 when necessary...

Inspiron E1505 T5500 Core 2 Duo

2gb 667 mhz 5400 DD2

Intel 950 Graphics

Windows XP Media Center 2005 - Express Vista Home Premium Upgrade

jed1154 · Answer

OK...i fixed it. I booted to the vista dvd and deleted and 'new' the 'hidden' partition. It comes up now and all is well. Its 5gb, and unfortunately not big enough to back up much. I know a poster here suggested this, but i didnt see the post until this morning. Im glad it was suggested as i was wondering if this method was 'ok' to do. Thanks for the help!!

GioAguilar · Answer

Nice to know that space is there now... I know how necesary 5GB are...

SJguy609 · Answer

In performing an image of my hard drive using norton save & restore i discovered 4 drives:   c: - normal hard disk d: - dell restore hiden & unmounted - labeled dell utility hidden & unmounted - labeled dell media center   the dell utility was small, less than 100 mb the media center was somewhere around 2.5 gig   not knowing better i run a backup of all four disk areas. i do not know if i ever have to reformat a disk should i put all four areas back onto a new drive.   if anybody has advice let me know.

Rebel9 · Answer

I'm not familiar with the Norton product, but I do know that with Acronis True Image, a full restore will create and restore these partitions without any action on the part of the user.

Windows General

Vista and dell's hidden partition

Was this post helpful?