Repartition Preinstallation

[bilyo]

Not sure if this belongs here or in Performance & Maintenance. We just got a Dell Inspiron 1750 laptop with Win 7 HP preinstalled. Dell already configured it with 3 partitions: one for the "recovery partition", one for Dell Apps., and one for Win 7. I wanted a separate partition for my data. So, reduced the size of the Win 7 (C partition and then made a D: partition out of the rest. The problem is, something only allowed the C: partition to be reduced down to about 1/2 of the 500 GB total drive size. Somewhere I got the information that it might be due to the existence of some immovable files (I did a defrag on it before reducing). I don't believe that the OS needs that much space especially since the system recovery files are in a separate partition. The computer came with reinstallation DVD. It is not an image file but, according to the information with it, it does the installation back to factory configuration. Does anyone know what this reinstallation disc actually works? Is it possible to wipe partition C:, further reduce its size, and then use this disc to reinstall the OS. I'm thinking that is set to recreate the 3 original partitions. I can't get anything out of tech support. "They don't support repartitioning". Bah!
Thanks,
Bill

 

[richc46]

Be careful when doing a partition deletion on a Dell. One of those partitions, the recovery partition, is there so in the event of a problem, you can reinstall to factory specs (the way it was when you received it.). The DVD that you received is supposedly for the same reason. I however, would not fool around with a new Dell. At least unti the warranty is up. They may void the warranty because you tampered.

 

[Johnson]

Hello Bilyo,

What did you use to reduce C's size?

If you used Win7's shirink, it won't copy and move files to within the new reduced partition boundary.

There are 3rd party(free) partition programs that will do that. I've used Partition Wizard: Partition Wizard is a Windows based FREE Partition Manager. It works as partition magic and supports Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008 server and Windows 7. FREE for Home and Business user.

Agree that deleting any existing partition is a bad idea, but I don't think that's what you want to do.

Can't tell you whether the Dell Restore works or not. As for voiding the Warrenty, the partition is already "touched".


Dell's atitude reminds me of the note I got with my HP laptop ordered with two drives, the gist of which was - don't install another OS on the 2nd drive.

 

[Saltgrass]

Dell probably needs to maintain standard installs to be able to service large numbers of computers.

The comments about the warranty probably need to be noted.

Did you get a recovery DVD or can you make a recovery/reinstall DVD from the current system?

You might be right that the Dell system will not allow you to change the size of the partition.

If not, you might try reducing the size in stages.

 

[richc46]

Dell makes money from all the bloat they install. They do not want to make it easy to remove it.

 

[gregrocker]

The tool for moving system files out of the way for resizing is Perfect Disk offline defragger.

Excellent trialware with the ability to defrag to compact files, then go offline (into boot) to move system files. Worked every time for me so far.

 

[SIW2]

I have a Dell dvd - it is a proper installation dvd.

If yours is the same, you can indeed clean install into a shrunken C partition.

Check it - put it in the dvd drive - open files and post a screenie - we should be able tell by looking at it.

If you want to do it another way - you can use a 3rd party partition manager to reduce the size of your 7 partition - they will move files .

Or you can try the Perfect Disk trial Greg mentioned.

 

[bilyo]

Repartition

SIW2,
Concur. I finally got some straight answers on another matter from Dell Support and while talking to him I asked about the "install DVD". He explained that it was just like the one you would buy from the local retail store including the "repair console" similar to what I have on my XP install disc. So, to answer my own question, it appears that I should be able to resize my partitions and reinstall the system the way I want it. I will take the advise above and not make any more adjustments until the warranty period is over. When I do get around to reinstalling, how much room does Win 7 need? I've read that 20-25 GB is adequate.

Johnson: I'm not sure now what I used. It was either the built-in harddisc management/partitioning tool or another one I have called Easeus. I think one or the other of those gave me the message about possible unmovable files. Thanks for the link to Partition Wizard.

Gregrocker: I'll give your link a try also.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[SIW2]

The message about unmovable files would have been from Windows Disk Management.

If you have Easeus - you will be fine - it is a good solid partitioner.( If you have the FREE Easeus - you can only install it on 32 bit o/s )

I believe the Dell dvd already has the product key included and you can just install from it without concern about activation. The one I have the key is in a file on the dvd called PID.TXT

You should be OK with as little as 20gb - tho. a bit more would give some breathing space. I assume you will be keeping your data on separate partition(s).

 

[bilyo]

Repartitioning

SIW2,
I haven't used Easeus a lot but it has done the job for me when I needed it. Glad to get your endorsement. I downloaded Partition Wizard and it appears very similar. I also like having a bootable version and it supposedly works in both 32 and 64 bit.

34 GB of my C: partition is already used but I'm also loading apps there. I'll keep personal data files on D:. I used to keep all apps on D: (XP system) but I've decided that if I'm going to keep image backups of C: I might as well get the apps along with it. Not sure which is the best strategy. When the Dell warranty is over, I'll probably change the size down to about 50 or 60. This may be generous but there is lots of room on this 500 GB drive, so far.

Thanks for the product key info. I'll look for it there so I'll have it if/when I need it. I had a system crash on my old XP desktop a short time back and I wasn't particularly well prepared to deal with it. Having learn a lesson the hard way, I'm trying to get my ducks in a row so I'll be better prepared if it ever happens again.

Thanks for the help,
Bill

 

[SIW2]

From memory - look inside the sources folder on the dvd - PID.TXT is in there - pretty easy to see as it's just a text file.

 

[Johnson]

Hello Bill,

I suspect the "unmovable" system file is the page file.

Ways using 3rd party software to get around this have been mentioned in the thread already. Another way to get around the page file, if that's what it is, would be to temporarily shut the page file off.

To find out what that file is, a defragger like Defragler Defraggler - Features would be able to tell you what file(s) reside at the partition boundary.

 

[gregrocker]

This is the link where I learned about Perfect Disk. It gives troubleshooting steps to get Disk Mgmt to shrink:

Working Around Windows Vista’s "Shrink Volume" Inadequacy Problems - the How-To Geek

I had also tried a partition manager but it failed during boot resizing phase requiring reimage of HD, so be sure to save a Win7 backup image externally before trying a 3rd party partition manager.

Actually found the exact steps for Perfect Disk's use to move system file in the comments section from people who it helped.