It is interesting. I have a similar problem on my own system where a System Reserved partition suddenly became accessible through Windows Explorer and was assigned a drive letter. I have no idea why, either. Since we both have this problem, I am going to ask our installation expert to take a look and maybe he can help us both at the same time.
I'll let him handle whether or not you can change the drive letter.
Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map and listings:
1. Type Disk Management in Start Search box.
2. Open Disk Mgmt. window and maximize it.
3. Type Snipping Tool in Start Search box.
4. Open Snipping Tool, choose Rectangular Snip, draw a box around full map and all listings.
5, Save Snip, attach using paper clip in Reply Box.
Tell us what is on each partition.
System Reserved will show empty until System and Hidden files are unhidden at Control Panel>Folder Options>View, then if it has a letter you can browse it. It should be marked System Active to signify it is booting the system. Boot flag simply means which OS is booted at the time.
I don't know why your SysReserved was issued a letter but it doesn't need one and it can be removed: Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums
I also have not had a chance yet to read back through the full thread as I am traveling for the next two days, but since a Clean Reinstall was apparently done to try to overcome the performance problems, and they could relate to corrupt code residing in the boot sector, then I'd clean reinstall again but this time wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command to get a completely clean slate not possibly affected by previous code.
If you'll follow these steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 it will assure you get the best possible install.
And suddenly there r 2 of u--heeHaw
writhziden as to our "System Reserved partition" Sshh! it's a secret ;-) Actually u may want to read what gregrocker has 2 say re: this.
gregrocker: thanks for ur help & future help. As to a clean re-install according 2 ur link, that is exactly what was done.
update: After posting my previous note Windows decided to update some more, this time a hell of a lot of stuff. Since I was told to, "do not install any software until after all drivers and Windows updates have been installed (based on the drivers u will tell me to install). And was also told, "please provide us with your msinfo32 file" Attached then is the "after the 2nd series of Win7 updates" msinfo32 file.
Also: although told not install software I did install Firefox and the java update for it and Puran Defrag as suggested by this website for a clean reinstall (I am very nervous about not having any antivirus BTW).
Also: Windows Install Optional updates upon the 1st and 2nd updates showed 5 Optional updates. Though I did NOT choose any of them to update upon the other updates only 3 showed up afterwards.
These 3 NOT updated are: -1-Realtek - Network - Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller -2- Update for Windows 7 x64based systems (KB2709981) and -3- Viewsonic - Display - Viewsonic VX2453 Series
Finally: Decided to do the following. Move all folders/files from other Drives (drive e: to drive f: drive f: to drive g: etc. in order to format each drive (and then move them back). So far have done 1 and am in the process of doing the 2nd. It takes hours per drive. Is there a shortcut? Also removed windows games.
gregrocker: I, did as u asked re: "Disk Management". See attached. (The only thing invisible in that image is the
DVD-r drive)
Mark G Inactive lest it will surely steal your System boot files as soon as you run a Repair: Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums. I would want the OS drive in Disk0 position for this reason, making sure it remains set first to boot in BIOS setup.
Remove the drive letter from System Reserved: Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums
If this does not help with the problem, and it may not, then I'd start with the hardware tests in these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7, gradually working through all of them to gather clues and possible solutions. Based on your feedback we will have additional steps.
Thanks for ur help. I did the partition thing. As to the rest ' writhziden ' has been a godsend and truly helpful. He has already suggested doing that. if you are interested in this challenge, which has been going on for quite a while now, please feel free to read the post from the beginning. Yes it is many pages long at this point but it would give you a clear idea as to what has been done, what has been found etc. In the process, being more fully informed, your advice would be more fruitful.
thanks again
writhziden any news as to which drivers I may begin to install (including the ones suggested by "Windows Update" so I can then begin slowly installing some software?
Also: Using Puran Defrag I did a boottime defragmentation with full disk-checkup. On reboot when the checkup was taking place stages 1, 2, and 3, went quickly without problems. When it went to 'Stage 4 USN Journal' I can see the numbers of clusters being tested moving forward at about a rate of 2 to 3 changes per second. However, at 11% it stopped for 1:09 minutes then a few seconds later, still at 11% again for 0:17 seconds then a few seconds later for 0:23 seconds then a few seconds later for 1:26 minutes and then for 7 seconds--always at 11%. After this all continued normally including stage 5. During this very slow part at 4th stage 11% could I assume some repair work was being done? And if so, and this being my OS drive should I consider buying a new one?
Finally why does this forum suggest "Puran Defrag" I've been using Auslogics Disk Defrag and it seems to me quite good and faster. Is Puran really batter or safer?
To provide you with help with driver installation, I need some more information. Do both of the following:
- Please upload your msinfo32.nfo file. To get this: Start Menu -> Type msinfo32 into the Search programs and files box -> When it opens, go to File, Save -> Save as msinfo32.nfo and save in a place you will remember -> Let it finish the process of gathering and saving the system info -> Right click the .nfo file, click send to compressed (zipped) folder -> Upload the .zip file here.
- Please upload your msinfo32.txt file. To get this: Start Menu -> Type msinfo32 into the Search programs and files box -> When it opens, go to File, Export -> Save as msinfo32.txt and save in a place you will remember -> Let it finish the process of gathering and saving the system info -> Right click the .txt file, click send to compressed (zipped) folder -> Upload the .zip file here.
As to Puran defrag, you will have to wait for Greg's response on that. I personally avoid 3rd party defrag programs.I have seen them damage restore points and even cause blue screen crashes. Windows has some nice command line flags for the defrag command that will accomplish the same tasks as 3rd party programs. The -b and -w flags will defrag boot files and the boot registry items as well as compact the data to the center of the disk for faster access.defrag c: -bThe first command optimizes boot performance for the Windows drive by defragmenting boot files and boot registry items.
defrag -c -v -w
The second command includes all drives on the system through the -c command and optimizes the drives by compacting the data to the center of the disk. Verbose output through the -v option is optional to provide the user with more information about the defrag tasks. The commands have to be run in an Elevated Command Prompt.
For more flags, see Disk Defragmenter - Open and Use.
Hi writhziden I had already done so re; the msinfo file but I have included it again -BTW there was no save as txt only save as nfo but I added the extension myself there in the box and it came out as such.
As to 'Puran defrag' I did so because the link you gave me regarding the re-installation of windows said so. Thanks for ur command line way of doing so. What is the 'w command and where can I get more info regarding these commands
Also what is ur opinion on me removing some of may partitions, and therefore end up with less but larger ones? i ask this because though I know the advantages there are 2 disadvantages which to me are worthy to note; -1- less wear and tear in the drive (therefore less likely to break down) -2- faster If u agree with me can all the files remain in those partitions while they are being merged into one?
Update: As much as I hated doing so necessity required me to do so. I have installed some software and drivers. They are; GOM player, Avast antivirus, Foxit Reader, 7zip, Firefox, Chrome and Lastpass attached to them. also MY HP all-in-one printer which in turn also required java and the USB 3.0 driver. All of the above done in the last 2 days did not cause any crashes.
There is one thing though that did happen: about 2 reboots after all the windows updates I closed the lid of my PC which is now laying next to it but unattached. In closing the lid means that all of my many cables (as seen from the photo sent b4) are squeezed and push against the motherboard and other stuff. Well in doing so the computer will not start--no sounds, no little lights, no nothing--as if there is no power. thus telling me 2 things -1- my case is too small -2- maybe something is wrong with one of the cables, or the place where it attaches or the power supply itself.
Last edited by pintree3; 05 Jul 2012 at 23:56. Reason: update
Install all USB related drivers from your support site. ASUS - Motherboards- ASUS P7P55D-E LX -> Windows 7 64bit -> USBCode:Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller PCI\VEN_1033&DEV_0194&SUBSYS_84131043&REV_03\4&18A226F2&0&00E3 The drivers for this device are not installed.
That should take care of all your drivers you need. :)
My system has two partitions in Windows. My Windows partition where my games/programs/users lie with the Windows system files, and my Data partition where I keep my videos, music, documents, etc. I have not moved my actual users folder; I just keep most things on the Data drive for easier backup and to make it easier to re-install Windows if need be. Having more than two partitions does slow things down because they are placed further from the center of the hard disk. It is better to have as few partitions as possible. You need ~150 GB of space for Windows if you have a lot of programs. I have mine set at 200 GB. Obviously, Windows can run with as low as 60 GB as many do so with their SSDs, but I do not see any reason to do so with a platter drive.
As to the defrag flags, the -w flag is what tells Windows to compact the files as it defrags so they are closer to the center of the disk for faster access.
Sounds like when you close the lid, something gets shorted... A bigger case may be in order at some point in the near future.
Because of my printer I had to install yesterday the USB 3.0 drivers. From the Asus site and under 'USB" it gave me NEC_USB3_V10190_XpVistaWin7. Today, in reading your post, I installed the chipset drivers: Intel_Chipset_V9111020_XPVistaWin7. This I saw as it was installing actually included many drivers for different things. In reading your post again however, I then realized that perhaps you meant only the USB drivers and nothing else.--if so, Oops. Anyhow, also from the asus website what remains is:
RTL8111BCRTL8112L_LAN_V735222009_Win7
and
SATA--Marvell9123-9120_V1001042_XpVistaWin7
and
VIA_Audio_V6018700a_XpVistaWin7
and what remains from the Windows Update site is:
Realtek - Network - Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
and
Update for Windows 7 x64based systems (KB2709981)
and
Viewsonic - Display - Viewsonic VX2453 Series
Do I continue with the above? Or?
Attached is my new msinfo32 file (after the above updates and reboot).
Oh! And about the partitions -before I turn my partitions E: and F: into one must I 1st move the files from one into the other?
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