Hard drive partition questions

[gfr92y]

Hard drive partition & wiping questions

Please ignore the wiping part. That will be in my next post. Sorry.

Questions about Hard Drive Partitions

The first report came from the laptop's Computer Management and the second from the Properties option after right clicking on C: in Windows Explorer.

Question 1: If the recovery record has a capacity of 13 GB and its free space is 13 GB, does that mean my recovery partition is empty and therefore any recovery option that the OEM had intended is gone? (This was a company laptop that was sold or given to a family member who used it for a while before selling it to me.)

Question 2: Why does Computer Management report that I have 683 GB free while C: Properties states that I only have 679 GB? (I really do not care about the 4 GB, but I am very curious as to how and why the discrepancy exists.)
[/U][/B]

Question 3: Background: The 100 GB of Free Space was once part of the primary partition C: until I created a new 100 GB partition S: that I subsequently deleted. Question: What is the difference between 100 GB of Free Space and a 100 GB Extended Partition?

Question 4(a): Is the difference between (i) the 931.51 GB reported on the left-hand side of the table and between top and bottom, and (ii) the advertised size of the hard drive, 1,000 GB, have something to do with the data being represented by a string of zeros and ones, i.e., the binary system, and the Background: The 100 GB of Free Space was once part of the primary partition C: until I created the manner in which the data is stored on a partitioned magnetic media?

Question 4(b): Why is the sum of the Recovery, System Reserve, Primary, and Free Space partitions great than the advertised size of the hard drive; i.e., 1,000 GB versus the sum 1,031GB?

Questions about Wiping Hard Drive Partitions

Background

I have a need to wiping of my hard drive with data destruction similar to that of Acronis DiskCleanser or DBAN. That is, of course, until someone more knowledgeable than me explains why I should do something different.

 

[kathy025]

Here are interesting reads for you:
Beginner Geek: Hard Disk Partitions Explained
HTG Explains: Why Do Hard Drives Show the Wrong Capacity in Windows?

 

[LMiller7]

While the recovery partition shows as being empty that is by no means the case. This partition was created by the OEM and is not a standard Windows partition. Windows knows nothing about it and cannot reliably report on it's contents. Do not assign it a drive letter and do not attempt to use it for any purpose.

 

[pbcopter]

As to your questions:

1) It is normal for the recovery partition to show 100% free. It is a special partition and the files are hidden.

3) Free space is space not used. Since you have created an extended partition from C: and have not created a drive in it, it shows as free space.
You deleted the logical drive S: in the extended partition. The extended partition remains.

4a) Manufacturers of hard disks use decimal to specify their disk capacity. Computers use binary to show size, etc. That is the difference.

Drive displays a smaller capacity than the indicated size on the drive label | WD Support

4b) Here I believe you used 100GB instead of 100MB (for the System Reserved partition) when you totaled the sizes.

 

[gfr92y]

LMiller7,

Thank you for answering the recovery partition question.

Gfr92Y

 

[DavidE]

(This was a company laptop that was sold or given to a family member who used it for a while before selling it to me.)

I would not use/trust a used PC install, no telling what is on it, I would nuke and clean install.

No matter how well you know and trust those folks, they may have let others use the PC and did "who knows what", without the owner understanding the risk.

 

[RolandJS]

"I have a need to wiping of my hard drive with data destruction similar to that of Acronis DiskCleanser or DBAN. That is, of course, until someone more knowledgeable than me explains why I should do something different." Acronis DiskCleanser is not free, it's a 15-day-trial version. I downloaded it, maybe can test before time's up.

 

[gfr92y]

Hard drive partition & wiping questions

Here are interesting reads for you:
Beginner Geek: Hard Disk Partitions Explained
HTG Explains: Why Do Hard Drives Show the Wrong Capacity in Windows?

Kathy,

Thank you very much for referring me to the two articles, which either answered some of my questions or provided me with the background information to understand the answers to any unanswered questions,

Thanks, again.

Gfr92y

 

[pbcopter]

I guess my answers didn't help.

 

[gfr92y]

As to your questions:

1) It is normal for the recovery partition to show 100% free. It is a special partition and the files are hidden.

3) Free space is space not used. Since you have created an extended partition from C: and have not created a drive in it, it shows as free space.
You deleted the logical drive S: in the extended partition. The extended partition remains.

4a) Manufacturers of hard disks use decimal to specify their disk capacity. Computers use binary to show size, etc. That is the difference.

Drive displays a smaller capacity than the indicated size on the drive label | WD Support

4b) Here I believe you used 100GB instead of 100MB (for the System Reserved partition) when you totaled the sizes.

pbcopter,

Thank you so much for helping me. (I was impressed by your ability to identify and fix the issue regarding 4(b).)

The answers to my questions and the additional information from you and the other contributors have allowed me to continue expanding my understanding of hard drives.

Not my next post, but the post after that one will begin the discussion on wiping a hard drive. I will start by stating my desired outcome, a little background on why the hard drive needs to be wiped, propose two routes to achieve my desired outcome, and finally, to ask for help identifying the most appropriate route to achieving my desired outcome.

Best regards,

Gfr92y

 

[gfr92y]

I guess my answers didn't help.

Why would you say such a thing???

Gfr92y

 

[gfr92y]

Perhaps instead of sarcasm, you tried a little empathy...

No, the accident was not bad at all.

Thanks for asking!

Gfr92y

 

[gfr92y]

(This was a company laptop that was sold or given to a family member who used it for a while before selling it to me.)

I would not use/trust a used PC install, no telling what is on it, I would nuke and clean install.

No matter how well you know and trust those folks, they may have let others use the PC and did "who knows what", without the owner understanding the risk.

DavedE,

Your advice is spot on!

Leading up to the sale of the laptop to me and during the sale, local fireman who was selling me the laptop was absolutely delightful. After the sale, he certainly was not the same person he was before.

When he was nice as pie, I would have discounted your warning, but having seen how he changed, not listening to you could have been a problem.

Thanks, again.

Gfr92y

 

[pbcopter]

It was not sarcasm. Just a honest response for no acknowledgement, good or bad, to a volunteer effort to answer your questions and a long day.

EDIT: I apologize, for whatever reason, I did not see your response. As I said, it has been a long day.

 

[gfr92y]

"I have a need to wiping of my hard drive with data destruction similar to that of Acronis DiskCleanser or DBAN. That is, of course, until someone more knowledgeable than me explains why I should do something different." Acronis DiskCleanser is not free, it's a 15-day-trial version. I downloaded it, maybe can test before time's up.

RolandJS,

That was very thoughtful of you.

My real concern is my desktop with a client's data that really needs to be erased.

Regarding the laptop, I do not think any nefarious action took place, but poor "hygiene" while owning the laptop and not properly preparing the laptop are certainly two concerns. This is also compounded by my suspicion that their may be a problem with the product key.

Now, with all of that on the table, is doing a clean install on the laptop sufficient or should I wipe the drive before installing the software.

Gfr92y

PS... If I am beginning to make spelling or grammatical errors, I am sure it has something to do with working since about 2 a.m. on this and two other thread (related to other issues on other computers).

 

[gfr92y]

It was not sarcasm. Just a honest response for no acknowledgement, good or bad, to a volunteer effort to answer your questions and a long day.

EDIT: I apologize, for whatever reason, I did not see your response. As I said, it has been a long day.

Thanks, but we got this from here.

 

[gfr92y]

(This was a company laptop that was sold or given to a family member who used it for a while before selling it to me.)

I would not use/trust a used PC install, no telling what is on it, I would nuke and clean install.

No matter how well you know and trust those folks, they may have let others use the PC and did "who knows what", without the owner understanding the risk.

DavedE,

Your advice is spot on!

Leading up to the sale of the laptop to me and during the sale, local fireman who was selling me the laptop was absolutely delightful. After the sale, he certainly was not the same person he was before.

When he was nice as pie, I would have discounted your warning, but having seen how he changed, not listening to you could have been a problem.

Thanks, again.

Gfr92y

DavidE,

Please see my last post to Roland... I think I responded to him regarding an issue you raised.

Gfr92y

 

[gfr92y]

OK!

(1) You guys and gals have got me up to speed on hard drives.

(2) I think the only question regarding the laptop that I bought from a fireman is (a) am I sufficiently protected by a clean install of the OS or (b) should I wipe the hard drive before doing the clean install.

(3) Regarding the desktop computer with too much of my client's personal and financial data, I what to think this through after a couple hours of sleep.

Thanks, again, everyone.

Gfr92y

Roland, I have not forgot about the ticking clock!

 

[DavidE]

This is also compounded by my suspicion that their may be a problem with the product key.

Now, with all of that on the table, is doing a clean install on the laptop sufficient or should I wipe the drive before installing the software.

Do you have a Win 7 COA sticker with a readable license key on the laptop?
It might be in the battery compartment.
You will need that for a clean install, or have to purchase a new license.

Don't wipe or re-install Windows before knowing if you have a COA sticker/license key.

You can use a tool that Wipes the Hard Drive, and then do a clean install of Windows.
Minitool Partition Wizard has this tool/option.
I use Partition Wizard for Disk Management, but i never used the "Wipe Disk" option.
I don't know if it's the best tool.

Here's a link to the free bootable CD download:
Bootable Partition Manger | MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition

Here is screen print snip from the PW Help