Solved Which partitions do I actually need?

[Tomtom111]

I've got Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, and I was wanting to install another OS, for various reasons. After reading about it online I found out that I should install it on another partition however no more that 4 can be created on a basic disk, but OS's can be installed on a dynamic disk. I've tried installing it on external devices, USB sticks, external HDD's, etc. but none worked. So I've come to the conclusion that I can either delete one of the existing partitions or forget about it. The attached image shows how the partions are layed out, along with names. I know some of them can be deleted, such as the C drive and Recovery, but HP tools and the other one, can they? I would appreciated any help. Thanks.

 

[Petey7]

What OS are you trying to install? Some Linux OSes can be isntalled to external devices. I had Ubuntu on my external hard drive for a couple years. None of the partitions shown in your picture should be deleted IMO. Although resizing your C: partition could be an option.

 

[Tomtom111]

It's mac os x, which I know is compatible with my system. Also only 4 partitions can be created on a basic disk onto which OS's can be installed. No OS's can be installed on a dynamic disk, but more partitions can be created on it.

 

[Slartybart]

Make your Recovery discs and then you can remove the Recovery partiton though HP Recovery Manager - that frees up on part. I your HP came with HP Quick Web, and you never use it, you can reclaim HP Tools.

I removed my Recovery part after making my disc and also shrank my C; drive.

I left Quick web because it is kind of fast. So the green area is what used to be my Recovery part + the space I shrank C:

How you partition your drive is up to you.

 

[Petey7]

i've never heard of Mac OS X installing on anything other than a Mac. Have you consider running OS X in a Virtual Machine? I recommend looking into Virtual Box.

VirtualBox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://www.virtualbox.org/

 

[Tomtom111]

I've tried virtual box, but for whatever reason it doesn't run Mac OS X at any sort of usable speed, it takes like 10 mins to boot up. It probably doesn't like running 2 OS's simultaneously. What is actually stored in the HP_tools partition. Because I use the webcam software that came with my PC, and also it has some Cyberlink movie software which is quite good, so I want to keep those.

 

[Tomtom111]

I do use the built in windows backup, but I can't back HP tools and system partitions up. But I can backup the program files and other files on the c drive.

 

[kegobeer]

i've never heard of Mac OS X installing on anything other than a Mac. Have you consider running OS X in a Virtual Machine? I recommend looking into Virtual Box.

VirtualBox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://www.virtualbox.org/

You can do it, but you end up with a Hackentosh since Apple doesn't allow their OS to be installed on anything other than a Mac.

 

[Tomtom111]

So which partitions do I actually need to run Windows 7 properly. I don't want to delete the recovery partition because I'm not brilliant at keeping CDs, as proven by the fact that I can't fine the recovery discs I made when I first got the PC.

 

[kegobeer]

System and "C".

 

[Tomtom111]

Although not my main priority, can Linux, or more precisely Ubuntu be installed in the same partition as windows? I know osx can't because it uses a different drive format, but can Linux, or would the two file systems clash and catch fire or something?

 

[Tomtom111]

And also why can't I run osx from an external device, because it'll install correctly, just not boot it?

 

[kegobeer]

And also why can't I run osx from an external device, because it'll install correctly, just not boot it?

Since the EULA prohibits installing OSX on a non-Mac computer, we can't really help you with that. I'm sure there are plenty of guides on the 'net that can help you install OSX.

 

[Petey7]

I didn't know that the EULA specifically prohibited it. I won't help you install it but I will answer some of your other questions. Mac OS X and Windows test the usb ports to make sure they are working properly. It test them by turning them on and off. What ends up happening is the signal to turn them off goes through, but then the computer can't recieve the instruction to turn them back on. Most linux distributions don't do this. It's not really necessary because the BIOS does this anyway. And two OSes can never be installed to the same partition at the same time.

 

[kegobeer]

Oh yes, Apple is very clear about that.

2. Permitted License Uses and Restrictions.
A. Standard and Preinstalled Apple Software License. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
License, unless you obtained the Apple Software from the Mac App Store, on Apple-branded
physical media (e.g., on an Apple-branded USB memory stick) or under a volume license,
maintenance or other written agreement from Apple, you are granted a limited, non-exclusive license
to install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-branded computer at
any one time. For example, these standard single-copy license terms apply to you if you obtained the Apple Software preinstalled on Apple-branded hardware.

B. License from Mac App Store or on Physical Media. If you obtained a license for the Apple
Software from the Mac App Store or on Apple-branded physical media, then subject to the terms and
conditions of this License and as permitted by the Mac App Store Usage Rules set forth in the App
Store Terms and Conditions (http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/ww/) (“Usage Rules”), you are granted
a limited, non-transferable, non-exclusive license:
(i) to download, install, use and run for personal, non-commercial use, one (1) copy of the
Apple Software directly on each Apple-branded computer running Mac OS X Snow Leopard
or Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server (“Mac Computer”) that you own or control;
(ii) If you are a commercial enterprise or educational institution, to download, install, use and
run one (1) copy of the Apple Software for use either: (a) by a single individual on each of the
Mac Computer(s) that you own or control, or (b) by multiple individuals on a single shared Mac
Computer that you own or control. For example, a single employee may use the Apple
Software on both the employee’s desktop Mac Computer and laptop Mac Computer, or
multiple students may serially use the Apple Software on a single Mac Computer located at a
resource center or library; and
(iii) to install, use and run up to two (2) additional copies or instances of the Apple Software
within virtual operating system environments on each Mac Computer you own or control that
is already running the Apple Software.
The grant set forth in Section 2B(iii) above does not permit you to use the virtualized copies or
instances of the Apple Software in connection with service bureau, time-sharing, terminal sharing or
other similar types of services.

Source: http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/macosx1073.pdf

 

[gregrocker]

The best course with HP is to convert C to Logical, resize it to add as many Logical partitions as you wish. As long as Win7 is booted by System Reserved then Win7 and another OS can be on Logical partitions.

To do this use free Partition Wizard bootable CD, follow these video steps:
How to set partition as Primary or Logical.
How to Create Partition with partition manager? Partition Wizard Create Partition Video Help

 

[Tomtom111]

Going back to the main question, what is in the HP_tools partition?

 

[Petey7]

I did some looking, and it appears that the HP_Tools partition contains the HP hardware diagnostic software and may be necessary for to restore the computer to a factory state using the image on the recovery partition. How old is your computer? Is it still underwarranty? Have you created restore disk or made your own system image?

 

[Tomtom111]

I did some looking, and it appears that the HP_Tools partition contains the HP hardware diagnostic software and may be necessary for to restore the computer to a factory state using the image on the recovery partition. How old is your computer? Is it still underwarranty? Have you created restore disk or made your own system image?

I got it in feb 2010, no its not under warranty, I've made CDs which I can restore from and I use windows backup which does a system image, but I can't backup or even access that partition.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Tomtom:

To answer your original question "how many partitions do I need"?

As your PC sits now, you need 2: C and System

If you move your boot files from System to C, you will need only C.