What is this "Unlabeled" partition ?

I was about to schedule a backup task for Acronis but when the wizard started it presented me with 3 partitions, only 2 of which I know. Here is a screenshot of the wizard

http://img368.imageshack.us/img

Obviously the OS is on C: and the small 10GB drive D: is a recovery drive. However, I don't understand the uppermost partition, the FAT16 (Unlabeled) one which apparently has over 100MB allocated to it. What is this?

I have manually deleted some .tib files from an ext HD with Explorer in the last few weeks (I was unaware that you shouldn't do this). Could the 100MB partition be something to do with that?

If not, should I back it up too?

 

Your link doesn't seem to be working, can you use Paint or some other program to convert to a small sized jpg and then attach it here?


Colin

 

Try this link: http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7982/backupwizard1gs8bqn8.jpg I resized the image to about 60KB but it still won't load as an image here. How do you load an image usually?

 

For attachment uploading, check the last line of my signature below.

 

Usually EISA partitions like this are a factory diagnostics partition. Is this PC a notebook?

 

Yes, it's a Dell notebook. Should I select all 3 options when I'm doing a full backup?

 

That would be my choice. It doesn't hurt to have them.

Bruce

 

The backup guide listed on line 2 of my signature can be of assistance.

 

Hello jaystak,

Thank you for your interesting in Acronis True Image

If there is EISA partition (a special hidden diagnostic partition) on the drive then there is no need to backup it. EISA contains utilities that can be accessed from the BIOS or during computer startup by pressing some key. It’s not necessary to add this partition to full drive backup.

Best regards,
--
Dmitry Nikolaev

 

I don't understand this answer, if the person wishes to have the functionality the routines in the partition provide after replacing a HD. If they aren't there, they can't run.

 

Hello seekforever,

Thank you for your interesting in Acronis True Image

As a rule service partitions contain utilities which helps to bring your system back to factory settings in cases it crashes, smth. similar to backup/restore option in Acronis True Image programs.

Best regards,
--
Dmitry Nikolaev

 

I will reiterate the statement rather than just quote Seekforever:

I don't understand this answer, if the person wishes to have the functionality the routines in the partition provide after replacing a HD. If they aren't there, they can't run.

The diagnostics partition provides important functionality that ATI CANNOT provide.

Seekforever's assertation cannot be sidestepped that easily.