How to get back Recovery partition into use?

Imrankhan · 30 May 2013

I own a Dell XPS L502x. (i7,8GB,750GB,2GB nVidia 540m). Since my laptop purchase, I have completely reinstalled Windows 7 Home Premium twice. I just format 'C:', and install windows in it. Now i found that, i could have used my recovery partition to reinstall.
Now i think that this partition is not under use.since, I reinstalled windows 'C:' become Boot partition. How to get it back.
Also wats the use of that 102MB FAT primary partition at the beginning?

Imrankhan · 30 May 2013

Screenshot of my disk management:

http://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-e.ak/h...78019084_o.jpg

gregrocker · 30 May 2013

First of all, the Recovery reinstalls all of the factory bloatware and useless duplicate utilities that have better versions built into Win7. That's why most tech enthusiasts instead Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

While your System Active boot files have continued on the Recovery partition, with Dells its not usually possible to run Dell Windows 7 PC Restore from that partition after Win7 is reinstalled since its located on the F8 Advanced Boot Options which are reinstalled along with Windows.

However you can try Restoring F8 link for Dell Recovery Partition to make it bootable again if you 'd like to compare Dell factory preinstall with the Clean Install. However if you decide to do this I'd Clean Up Factory Bloatware

Imrankhan · 30 May 2013

Thanks gregrocker. I know this 20GB partition. It has windows factory image.
What does that 100MB partition have in it?

gregrocker · 30 May 2013

100 mb is likely the OEM Diagnostics tools partition so I'd see if that will still run: Dell Diagnostics Utility - How to Run the

Did you understand about how Recovery will not run on a Dell after reinstall? So you can either try to relink it to F8 menu as it shows how to do in the link I posted, then test it to see if it will run, or Mark C Partition Active and run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times to move the boot files to C, then delete Recovery and 100mb OEM partition to resize C into the space: Partition Wizard CD Resize Partition - Video Help.

TJG · 30 May 2013

Much like my Dell Desktop. The 102MB FAT partition is the Dell Diagnostics. The Recovery NTFS partition is both System and Recovery partition. I agree with Greg that after a time that recovery file would be so out dated and all the time needed to update and add service packs, that it would be better to follow his clean reinstall.

Imrankhan · 31 May 2013

Another help.
Before i reinstall windows. D: is just a logical drive. But now it has become a logical drive within a extended partition.
(See the image posted above.) If i need to install another OS(win8 dualboot). I have to create a extended partition. But it wont allow me. I already have 3 primary partition(102MB FAT, RECOVERY, 'C:') and a extended partition. I need to delete a partition.
I have two issues here.
1) I already have 4 partitions. No more partition.Can i delete recovery partition.
2) To install win8 i need a extended partion.
So how to convert this D: 'logical partition within extended' to regular logical partition?

As You said, I feel Clean install better than factory restore.So, I have decided to delete Recovery partition.
Thank you.

Imrankhan · 31 May 2013

How to convert Extended Logical partition to normal Logical partition.

gregrocker · 31 May 2013

I've asked you three times now to test your Dell Diagnostics partition by running it at boot: Dell Diagnostics Utility - How to Run the

The Extended is created as a container for the Logical partitions to reside in. In Disk Mgmt it is deleted after all the Logical Partitions are created.

In Partition Wizard Logicals are created as separate partitions only without the invisible container, but ones which must be adjacent.

Since you've decided to delete the Recovery partition, I would use Partition Wizard bootable CD so you have maximum flexibility and can resize or extend partitions in any direction. Download CD ISO, rightclick to burn with (Open With) Windows Image Burner.

Boot PW CD, rightclick Recovery to Delete, click OK.

Next rightclick C to Resize, drag left border to the left to take up the deleted Recovery space, click OK. Partition Wizard Resize Partition - Video Help.

Now rightclick Data partition to Resize, drag left border to the right to make space for Win8 partition, click OK. If you'd like rightclick C to adjust its right border to where you want it, click OK. Apply all steps.

Boot the Win7 installer to create its partition during install using the Custom Drive Options shown in Clean Install - Windows 8. If you decide not to install Win8, use Partition Wizard to create a Primary Partition instead.