Factory image Partition ok to delete ?

[Ballistic]

I have two hard drives... The first one appears to have a partition with factory image on it in the list during installing of Windows 7.. This is a reinstall do to my mistake during previous install so I want to do it right this time... Can I just delete this factory image? I think it was placed there by HP in order to reset to factory settings, would that be correct ?

---------- Post added at 01:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:04 AM ----------

I'm currently installing windows 7 on that computer right now while using my laptop to speak to you guys so hopefully I get an answer soon so I know what to do next.. Is it okay to delete this or would it hurt anything to just leave it be ? I have already formatted the main part with windows on it and all

 

[Brink]

Hello Ballistic,

Yes, you are correct. The factory image partition is used to do a factory reinstall of the OS that came on your computer.

I would recommend that you create a set of OS recovery discs and "Applications and Drivers" disc before deleting the partition in case you ever want to reinstall that OS on that computer. The link from HP below can help show you how to if you would like to.

Using HP Backup and Recovery Manager in Vista - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Ballistic]

Okay.. I don't have any clean disk right now... Would it be okay to leave it for now until I can do that later ? Or would that cause conflicts of some kind ? BTW thanks for responding so quickly

 

[Brink]

No, it will not hurt anything to leave it and delete it later.

It would be easier to wait when you can delete it while installing Windows 7.

However, you can use the free program Partition Wizard Home Edition to extend another partition into that unallocated space when you delete it later instead.