Solved Two recovery partitions. One has ~12 GB, the other 100MB

[ismemario]

Hello,

I have recently ran into an issue where I had too many partitions and needed a new one. Looking at the disk manager, I can see that there are two partitions tagged as 'recovery', one of them also tagged as 'active' and I'm wondering why is that and can I get rid of one of them?

Thank you.

 

[pbcopter]

Hi and welcome.

Most likely the 12.97 GB partition is one installed by the computer manufacturer to allow returning your PC to factory original condition.

The 100MB partition is installed by Windows 7. It contains the boot files, among other things.

It appears the you have a 93.18 GB unallocated area that can be used to create the forth partition.

 

[ismemario]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I removed my D: partition and created the unallocated space, but I need another one and I'm wondering if those two are necessary.

Is it possible to remove one of these, while not affecting the Windows OS and keeping the ability to do a recovery?

 

[pbcopter]

What do you need another partition for? You could make the unallocated space an Extended partition, in which you could create a number of Logical partitions.

 

[ismemario]

Oh, could you please recommend me a way how to make the unallocated space an extended partition?

 

[pbcopter]

Yes , see this tutorial.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/146694-partition-extended-logical-drives.html

 

[ismemario]

Still, I would like to know if I can remove one of the recovery partitions, or somehow make it so that I have only one recovery partition and the C: parititon. Is it possible?

 

[rvcjew]

Are you trying to install a second OS on the same drive that you want another open Primary partition? If you change the geometry of the disk at the 100MB (system reserved partition) then your recovery partition might not function properly. You can also enlarge (extend) C into the unallocated space to make it bigger if you want.

I would image your disk if you can with Macrium Reflect first. This does require repairng the BCD after doing this so print out all the steps if this is your only way to access the instructions.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71363-system-reserved-partition-delete.html

 

[ismemario]

I am indeed. I managed to get everything working. Thanks for your help!

 

[townsbg]

To answer your question the 100 mb IS required because it is a boot partition and not a recovery partition. You wouldn't gain much space by deleting it. The 13 gb recovery partition isn't required but you won't be able to revert to the manufacturer defaults without it. You can always use a windows 7 disk if you have one and the manufacturer might have a tool to put the recovery partition on to a couple of dvds. it will take 2 dual layer dvds or 4 single layer dvds. If you don't care about reverting to the manufacturers default then you don't have to worry about that. The problem with doing that is you probably want to move all of the data to the beginning of the drive to get any real use from it. You could probably do that with easus but I would back up the hard drive first.

 

[Eric3742]

Hi ismemario,

As i cannot interpret the wording, i have to assumed.

Your 2nd partition, if i am not wrong, it the the Booting purpose, as it just required a small space.
The 1st partition, will be the Recovery partition.
Unless you have the Recovery Disc, then it is not necessary.
This mean that you do not have any Recovery Disc, as most manufacturer include it in the Hard disk.

There is this 4th partition which is not use and available to use &or extend.
Meaning, your " OS_Install (C) " can be extend to use the additional 93.18 GB free.
On the C: partition, right-click, there is all the options available.
To extend the (C) right-click "Extend Volume". Total = approximate 450 GB.
To create a new 4th partition which may become extended partition.
Extended partition have 2 steps, (1) Create Extended partitions (2) Create a partition, or more.

Normally, both 1st and 2nd partitions, you cannot do anything, just leave it alone.
You may able to delete, but this may create other issue, if you do it.

It is best to get a external HDD to store your data.

========================================
For info
There is 1 "Active" partition which is the Windows OS.

You have 2 different partition before the "Active" partition.
Both are not name, which is best leave it alone.

The 1st partition of yours will be the Recovery of Original Factory installation.
Unless you have the Recovery CD, then it is not a issue, but best to leave alone.

The 2nd partition is for startup boot, required for boot option, etc.

The 3rd and rest is active partition.

As you have 3 primary partition, the next which is the 4th partition, if you want to have.
For the 4th partition, Windows will take this partition as Extended partition.
Windows can have up to 3 primary partitions and 1 Extended partition.
For Extended partition, you can sub-divide to any number of partitions, from 1 to many more, if needed.

Hence your 4th partition will be the Extended partition.
Extended partition is not for any OS, but it still can be, provided if you want and know how to do it.

As i have 3 partition, namely, Boot, Active, Recovery in this order.
I went to Toshiba service center to buy 2 sets of Recovery disks, for 2 different model Toshiba laptops.
Recovery partition (yours 1st partition) is the same as Recovery Disk.

This type of setting is quite common, as they do not provide any Recovery discs.
If you do not have this Recovery disc, then you cannot delete the 1st partition of 11 GB.
For the Boot partition, it is best not to touch or delete, it is necessary for boot sequence.
But if you have the Recovery Disc, and your hard disk is brand new, boot partition is not necessary.
That is to say, Recovery Disc will create this Boot partition.

Regards,
Eric.

 

[rvcjew]

I am indeed. I managed to get everything working. Thanks for your help!

If you moved the boot partition into your C partition correctly and you were trying to just get another free Primary partition and thus this is solved please mark the thread as such (solved). Glad you got it working.

 

[ismemario]

I actually overwrote the boot partition with GRUB. Okay I will close the thread now.

 

[rvcjew]

I actually overwrote the boot partition with GRUB. Okay I will close the thread now.

yup, that's one way to do it too I guess .