I'm using WinHex to do a sector by sector copy - I tried both disk-to-disk as well as a image-to-disk after saving the original disk image.
Also, I was able to successfully install Fedora Core 5 on the 100GB disk from scratch - i.e. after deleting all existing partitions on the 100GB disk, and the full 100GB size is seen.
I'm leaning towards a theory that Dell may have sneaked something into the two other partitions seen on the original disk (aside from C: containg WIndows XP Media Center) that may be reconfiguring the disk on boot-up.
I've also revved up to the latest Bios for this machine - no change in behavior.
Further, I tried deleting all partitions on the original drive except C:, and expanding C: to use all available space on the original 40GB drive - but then the drive will not boot-up.
So, I'm presently running with the original 40GB disk with the original partitioning scheme that came with the machine (I'd saved the original image for the 40GB drive).
Well, I think I've proved that it's DELL's extra "stuff" on the original 40GB disk that was creating the problem - somehow it's reconfiguring the disk's firmware at boot.
After using a Seagate utility to reset the disk, a fresh test install of Windows XP finds and formats a 100GB disk - I am able to install XP into a 48GB partition and then able to see another ~ 48GB of free/unallocated space.
One way to look at this would be to view this as a clumsy strategy to get people to buy the overpriced options for high-capacity disks at the very outset.
I've requested an installation CD for the original OS, so that I can reinstall the Windows XP media edition that I paid for, without the extra DELL "stuff".
I've run into the same problem... and I want to strangle someone! I'm beginning to believe what you said about dell's secret software..etc.
Anyway, I had this happen with 3 different (brand new) Toshiba HDD's... ironically they were identical (except the capacity) to what was shipped with my laptop!
so now I have an 80gb drive reporting that it's 40gb and the original 40gb drive that wont boot-I did the same thing: tried to resize the partition... apparently the BIOS didn't like that.
I'm wondering what you did (or if you did) to fix your new drive... I hope I can do the same with mine. Even if it won't work with the laptop, I can still use an 80gb external.
I spoke with Dell about getting a restore disk today... I'll have to wait and see how that works.
Thanks for any help.... I'll return the favor if I can.
Utilities like Symantec Ghost don't have this issue. They expand the various partitions just fine. Your PC restore will break though. Dell has it setup in a rather precarious configuration that's easily broken. Media Direct is more resilient as it is just a Windows PE install with a fancy interface accessible by the media direct button. You may also run into issues with the Dell Real-Mode Kernel in your utilities partition (i.e. booting it from within the boot menu at POST test).
Ran into the same issue with Ghost and was unable to boot from the "ghosted" drive. As stated earlier, the firmware is getting reset to 38GB same as the original Dell installed HDD. Checking the option to have Ghost expand the disk allocation to fit the drive has no effect either. I've tried both the copy function within Ghost and the backup and restore functions with the same results. I'm considering a fresh install using the recovery CD followed by a restore from MS Backup. Thoughts? (Version 9.0 of Ghost which is XP compatible was used.)
OK, most of this is over my head. I recently purchased my nephew an E1505 (2/2007) for college. I would like to get him a an external USB drive so he can clone his drive to it, in case of a disaster. Is there a simple, safe, and reliable way to clone the drive? Or is imaging the drive better, or the only way? Are we out of luck without considerable technical skills due to Dell? Are we stuck purchasing the new drive from Dell?
A new blank hard disk from Dell would provide little advantage,if any. IF a disk pre-loaded with the all original software for that system is available from Dell, it would not provide a backup of anything that has changed since delivery of the system, but may be easier than starting from scratch.
Checking for HPA on a Dell factory disk should be as easy as comparing the rated capacity of the disk against the size reported in the BIOS. A difference of around 2GB indicates the MediaDirect partition is hidden by HPA. Windows Disk Management may also be used to see if the partition containing MediaDirect is hidden. (Windows Explorer (aka My Computer) is insufficient for this determination because it hides other bootable partitions on the same disk from the user as a matter of course.)
For backup purposes, imaging is usually preferable to cloning, but either should be preferable to nothing, even if HPA is used to hide the MediaDirect partition on the factory disk.
If he was to clone his current 120GB disk to a new, non Dell, 120GB disk, is this a non issue? Or will he still have problems? I'm just thinking cloning would be a safer option. If the HD dies, he can replace it with the cloned drive and he is back running almost immediately.
If you get a Seagate disk, their free DiskWizard imaging/cloning utility would probably be a good choice.
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/
ejn63
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March 29th, 2006 09:00
tl_mdx
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March 29th, 2006 12:00
I'm using WinHex to do a sector by sector copy - I tried both disk-to-disk as well as a image-to-disk after saving the original disk image.
Also, I was able to successfully install Fedora Core 5 on the 100GB disk from scratch - i.e. after deleting all existing partitions on the 100GB disk, and the full 100GB size is seen.
I'm leaning towards a theory that Dell may have sneaked something into the two other partitions seen on the original disk (aside from C: containg WIndows XP Media Center) that may be reconfiguring the disk on boot-up.
tl_mdx
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March 30th, 2006 04:00
Well, I think I've proved that it's DELL's extra "stuff" on the original 40GB disk that was creating the problem - somehow it's reconfiguring the disk's firmware at boot.
After using a Seagate utility to reset the disk, a fresh test install of Windows XP finds and formats a 100GB disk - I am able to install XP into a 48GB partition and then able to see another ~ 48GB of free/unallocated space.
One way to look at this would be to view this as a clumsy strategy to get people to buy the overpriced options for high-capacity disks at the very outset.
I've requested an installation CD for the original OS, so that I can reinstall the Windows XP media edition that I paid for, without the extra DELL "stuff".
Let's see what happens next.
beckipowell
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February 9th, 2007 20:00
Outvit
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February 15th, 2007 16:00
Message Edited by Outvit on 02-15-2007 12:59 PM
jrp526
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August 28th, 2007 20:00
dg1261
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August 29th, 2007 19:00
Dan Goodell
Inside the Dell PC Restore Partition
Flap1745
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November 7th, 2007 01:00
GreyMack
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November 7th, 2007 17:00
Checking for HPA on a Dell factory disk should be as easy as comparing the rated capacity of the disk against the size reported in the BIOS. A difference of around 2GB indicates the MediaDirect partition is hidden by HPA. Windows Disk Management may also be used to see if the partition containing MediaDirect is hidden. (Windows Explorer (aka My Computer) is insufficient for this determination because it hides other bootable partitions on the same disk from the user as a matter of course.)
For backup purposes, imaging is usually preferable to cloning, but either should be preferable to nothing, even if HPA is used to hide the MediaDirect partition on the factory disk.
GM
Flap1745
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November 7th, 2007 18:00
GreyMack
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November 8th, 2007 05:00
GM
GreyMack
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November 8th, 2007 17:00
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/
GM