Windows 7 100mb system reserve partition

[Pantz]

Hello everyone, i had a older version of window 7 on a 500GH hard drive, the other day i wiped the harddrive clean to install a retail version of window7. i also wiped and deleted the 100mb system reserve partition that windows creates when it installs, and i forgot to format that 100mb system reserve partition when i installed the new reatail version of windows 7. i now have a retail version installed but no system reserve partition, i have not yet formatted the 100 reserve partition, now for my questions, 1
1. how can i create the 100mb system reserve partition, and do i really need it?
2. can i still recover from windows if i have a failure?

Thanks in advance.

 

[gregrocker]

The Win7 Sys Reserved partition has the MBR boot files and makes the Repair My Computer available by tapping F8 at bootup in most cases.

If you will post back a screenshot of your full Disk management drive map, using Snipping Tool in Start menu and attaching file using Paper Clip in Reply Box, then we can advise you on the steps to remove the 100mb and merge into Win7, or reactivate it if this is what you prefer.

 

[Pantz]

Here it is.

 

[wallyinnc]

Pantz, from what I see the partition is just empty / unallocated. You could just move the C partition to the left, but Windows usually doesn't like it and you would have to run a repair install, probably 3 times. And in case you need to recover, you would need the installation DVD

Therefore, in case you haven't yet installed or moved any files to this installation, I would recommend you just format the hard drive and start over with a clean install. That way Windows 7 should install the 100MB recovery partition, and you will have a pristine installation.

Greg might have further (and better) advice, just wait for him too. He is the authority in install / reinstall / recover. You couldn't be in better hands

 

[Pantz]

well i have installed software on the HD, but it is not my main machine, i can reinstall if need be, i will wait to see what greg says, since the C:/ is so small i could always do a backup before reformatting right? then restore the backup?.

 

[wallyinnc]

I think that is a good idea. I just don't' know if you will run into any kind of problem when the recovery partition was installed separately from what your C partition will end up being. I don't think so, but before I tel you to go ahead I would like a second opinion.

In any case, do image the C partition. If you don't' get the 100MB partition, you can always format and reinstall it (this time on the left end of the drive) and it is good to have such image if you ever need to reinstall again

 

[gregrocker]

The tool to use here is free Partition Wizard bootable CD.

Back up your files and if desired a Win7 Backup image as Resizing operations can fail, although none have so far helping 100+ here extract Dual Boots.

Boot CD,wait for file loading, select 1 for screen res.

Now rightclick on 100mb>Delete to make sure it is deleted, OK.

Next Rightclick on Win7 to Resize, dragging left grey border all the way to the left over deleted 100mb. OK.

Make sure Win7 is still marked Active or Modify>Set to Active, OK. Now apply all steps.

Win7 will not now start. Instead boot the Win7 DVD, select Repair on second screen, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to repair the MBR and start Win7.

 

[Pantz]

thanks will give that a try.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
you can get rid of this partition if you create a COMPLETE SINGLE partition on your hard disk - even if its a 1TB disk BEFORE you install the W7 OS.

Install your W7 system and THEN using GPARTED re-partition the disk drive - ensuring that the Windows (or "C") partition is marked ACTIVE.

Now you've got a system with NO small partition.

get GPARTED here it's free

GParted -- Download


here's my layout -- no 100 MB partition --got rid of it as explained in the post.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Pantz]

ok the problem that i am trying to fix is not for the specs that you see in my profile, its for my "OTHER" machine, i guess i will have to create another profile for that machine ?.

 

[Pantz]

well following Gregs guide i was able to remove the 100mb partition, my question now is, if i need to repair windows 7 i will just use the repair disk? and why does windows 7 create the 100mb partition if it is not needed ? once again thanks to everyone that helped.

 

[wallyinnc]

Pantz
yes, you will have to use the repair (or original installation) disk
the 100MB partition is a convenience in case you don't want to carry the repair disk around (e.g. a laptop) or you want the repair to run faster (HD speed vs DVD speed)

And thanks for posting your result

 

[Saltgrass]

It is funny you seem to have created the partition since it is not 100 mb.......

If someone asks me if they need the System Reserve partition I ask two questions:
1. Are you going to use bitlocker?
2. Do you have an Install DVD or Repair CD?

 

[gregrocker]

If you try to use the Repair My Computer console placed by 100mb on the Advanced Boot Tools menu accessed by tapping F8, then choose Recover Using a System Image, it will require you to reboot using a Repair CD or Win7 DVD.

This is because the tools are run from the HD which cannot reimage itself while running (only Wiley Coyote can erase himself). So you may be better off with the CD or DVD if you use System Image.