TI 10 and dell desk top

[wallstreet123456]

I have a dell desktop with Xp on it. Dell has a separate partition on it that can be used to restore the system to the configuration it was when you open the box. If I run TI 10 for a full backup is there any reson I would want to back-up that dell partition? I would not want the system to go back to original settings but what I had say yesterday before the system crashed.

If I do back up that partition, if I need to restore the image will TI 10 ask me what I want to restore and if so can I skip that partition or will it restore EVERYTHING it backed up.

Thanks

[pvsurfer]

-{ Quote: "I have a dell desktop with Xp on it. Dell has a separate partition on it that can be used to restore the system to the configuration it was when you open the box. If I run TI 10 for a full backup is there any reson I would want to back-up that dell partition? I would not want the system to go back to original settings but what I had say yesterday before the system crashed.

If I do back up that partition, if I need to restore the image will TI 10 ask me what I want to restore and if so can I skip that partition or will it restore EVERYTHING it backed up.

Thanks" }-
While that hidden Dell partition may serve a purpose shortly after you got the PC, imho it soon becomes worthless due to OS and Application updates, new Applications, etc.(besides which, that's what you have True Image for)!!! I would use a partition manager such as Acronis Disk Director Suite to delete the Dell partitions and use the recovered space to increase the size of any of your 'real' partitions.

[DwnNdrty]

It may be useless unless you might want to sell the system and want to put it back to factory configuration.
Doesn't Dell give you the option to create your own Recovery CDs from that hidden partition?

[pvsurfer]

DnD, there is no such option. However, you can request the appropriate CDs/DVD from Dell Support free of charge anytime during the 1st year of ownership.

Fwiw, while Dell's hardware is about as good (or even better) than any other prebuilt PC, they load so much useless cr*p on their systems, I can't imagine anyone placing value on their delivered configurations!

[DwnNdrty]

-{ Quote: "DnD, there is no such option. However, you can request the appropriate CDs/DVD from Dell Support free of charge anytime during the 1st year of ownership.

Fwiw, while Dell's hardware is about as good (or even better) than any other prebuilt PC, they load so much useless cr*p on their systems, I can't imagine anyone placing value on their delivered configurations!" }-

I'm surprised that Dell doesn't put the onus on the user for creating the Factory Cds - would save them from the expense of making and mailing the material. But which maker doesn't put trialware and crapware on their systems nowadays. The first thing I do to any new system that passes through me is to remove all of that useless stuff. Then it's up to the owner to make a backup or not.

[K0LO]

The last Dell desktop that I bought (nice machine, BTW) never booted once into the Dell default configuration. Since it came with a Windows XP CD, the very first time that I turned it on that CD went into the drive and it booted up right into the Windows installer.

I didn't care what Dell had installed on the hard disk; it got wiped immediately! In return for this extra little effort I have a machine that is free of craplets and has been running XP Pro perfectly ever since.

[K0LO]

-{ Quote: "I have a dell desktop with Xp on it. Dell has a separate partition on it that can be used to restore the system to the configuration it was when you open the box. If I run TI 10 for a full backup is there any reson I would want to back-up that dell partition? I would not want the system to go back to original settings but what I had say yesterday before the system crashed.

If I do back up that partition, if I need to restore the image will TI 10 ask me what I want to restore and if so can I skip that partition or will it restore EVERYTHING it backed up.

Thanks" }-I guess we avoided answering the original question! The answer is YES. If you create an image of the entire disk consisting of more than one partition, then you can choose which partition(s) to restore when you do a recovery operation. So yes, you can back up everything including the Dell recovery partition and then choose to skip it if you restore the main Windows partition.

I would do one full backup to include all partitions once. This gives you a copy of the recovery partition in case it gets deleted and you want to put it back some day. Thereafter, there is no need to back up the Dell recovery partition again, so you could back up only your Windows partition from then on.

[GroverH]

My suggestion would be to do a full "disk" backup as illustrated by my guides listed below. By choosing the "disk" option, this will backup everything on the disk--including hidden or diagnostic partitions. Should you want to replace the drive--as original, this backup option provides the most help with the least problems.

Should you want or need to replace your drive with another larger drive, you should read some the other postings about replacement drive problems with Dell machines. Look at your drive in XP disk management for more info about type and where your partitions are located

With a full "disk" backup, should you want to restore a single partition due to virsus or software problem, TI will allow you to restore the single partition or choose what partition is to be restored--user is in control.

ps: Your original question has been answered by Mark but I had the reply already written so I went ahead and posted it. :)

[pvsurfer]

Just to really beat this to death, here's an important observation re Dell/HP hidden partitions, their bootup emergency recovery, and Acronis True Image.

In order for the Dell/HP emergency boot to work, Dell and HP modify the MBR. After installing ATI, if you implement a Secure Zone (using Startup Recovery Manager), ATI will change the MBR and in the process, destroy the Dell/HP recovery mechanism! - i.e.,the hidden partitions will still be on the hard drive without any way to access them during bootup.

As I stated in my earlier post, I see no value in those Dell/HP hidden partitions and I don't use the Acronis Secure Zone either (although the latter makes a lot more sense to me than those Dell/HP partitions)!