Picture and Docs folders on Dell Win7 installation disk

[rundwald]

I cannot see why they should be there, as my backups are on an external hard disk. Am I right or perhaps missing something? I'm wondering how they got there too!

 

[fireberd]

On some later Dell's they added a second partition on the hard drive for user data such as documents, pictures, etc. Thus when you install with the disc, along with installing the OS it will create the extra partition for user data. Or have an option to install the user data partition as the idea behind that is, if you have to reinstall the OS you won't lose your user data.

I think there is an option in the Dell PC Restore (recovery partition) accessed by F8 at power on for this, too.

Its been a couple of years since I worked on a Dell or the Dell forum so I'm "assuming" this is what is going on.

 

[rundwald]

I'm glad to know that's usual.

As it happens my installation disk is an early one, and I was thinking of downloading a later version from Digital River, to make a clean installation easier. I'm assuming it will have later updates on it. Is that to be recommended? Currently there is a Drive I: recovery that contains
catalog.ini

FACTORY.WIM

FACTORY2.WIM

factoryImage.log

Shall I need retain that drive and contents?

 

[fireberd]

If you have an actual "Dell" install disc, it has pre-activated info on it. If you use a non-Dell disc, you will need the Product Key on the PC. The advantage of a newer disc is it will have SP1 incorporated.

Many think a Dell OS disc is different from a retail OS disc. Other than the pre activation there is no other difference.