105MB partition "NO NAME" File System (OEM Service Volume) - whats it?

DerekGCWhite · 30 Oct 2011

I am running Windows 7 SP1 x64 (all latest updates auto apllied) and have recently moved to a EFI RAID0, RAID1, RAID5 system based, i.e All virtual volumes are initialised as GPT

On all volumes there is the standard 128MB partition (in the first sectors of volume) for the GPT header however; on the system volume, as the very last sectors, there is also a 105MB partition called "NO NAME" with a file system of "(OEM Service Volume)", what is this partition, how did it get there and can I delete it?

I used Intel Rapid STorage Technology to create the volume and Win7 Disk Manager to create the partitions and initialise the volumes

Any help for this reasonably computer literate amateur would be most apreciated

JaidynM · 30 Oct 2011

To give us a better look at the partition, search Disk Management in the Start Menu search and take a screenshot of what you see.

Zomby88 · 30 Oct 2011

JaidynM said:

That could be the System Reserved partition. It is used for Bitlocker, booting the OS and Window Recovery Environment. To give us a better look at the partition, search Disk Management in the Start Menu search and take a screenshot of what you see.

Did you read the post ??

JaidynM · 30 Oct 2011

Zomby88 said:

JaidynM said:

That could be the System Reserved partition. It is used for Bitlocker, booting the OS and Window Recovery Environment. To give us a better look at the partition, search Disk Management in the Start Menu search and take a screenshot of what you see.

Did you read the post ??

Sorry, that's my bad. I'll remove the misleading info. Either way, still show a screenshot of Disk Management.

DerekGCWhite · 31 Oct 2011

OK, I'll have to go out for a bit but I'll do so in a couple of hours

DerekGCWhite · 31 Oct 2011

Please find attached the MS Disk Manager screen shot and the more detailed Paragon version

The Paragon one shows all the GPT discs have the 128MB GPT header as Local Disk [No Label], thos I understand however; it is the NO NAME partition that of of (OEM service volume) type that I do not understand

Regards

Something I have just remembered and I include it for completeness however; I do believe it is has no bearing on this problem as the problem existed before this process and after it.

I used Acronis to create the current partition as I did the following steps to get here:
1) start with System disc on Intel_RAID0 on MBR initialised discs
2) Attached a PCIe - IDE card (no more SATA connections on motherboard) and to that attached an IDE drive (Big)
3) Initialised the IDE drive as GPT
4) New install of Windows 7 Home onto IDE GPT drive (it's amazing how slow IDE is)
5) Saved data from Intel_RAID0 on MBR
6) Acronis Disc Clone from GPT IDE -> Intel_RAID0 (updates automatically to GPT - clone!)
7) Reboot into Intel_RAID0 GPT system disc
8) Restore data to Intel_RAID0 GPT
9) Raise the problem with the Forum

At some point a brief message popped up, but I cannot for the life of me remember when, mentioning about a GPT partition being in an unsual order

I am sure the Acronis - Clone Disc has no part to play in this as I have used the same process a number of times and every time the partition is an exact image of the old partition (with a size change as the only variable)

JaidynM · 31 Oct 2011

Take a look at the below Wikipedia page. It should explain what the EFI System Partition does.
EFI System partition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You can however delete it if you really want. The instructions on how to do so can be found below.
How do I remove an EFI System partition from a drive in Windows 7? - Super User

DerekGCWhite · 31 Oct 2011

Hey, many thanks for the prompt repsonse

JaidynM · 31 Oct 2011

No worries.