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Hi I want to copy the restore partition so I can run it on another drive that I have set multi partitions to my preference. Problem is the Dell initially came with a 40GB SATA drive with 1 primary partition and 2 hidden ones for the restore utility.
I have a few questions. I DL'ed BootIt and was able to make an image of Dell Utility partition 55mb and the Dell Restore partition. I copied them onto a different hard drive. Now can I just copy these images to a new hard drive? If so how do I open it up to basically boot to Windows XP or run the restore utility to bring the computer back to the way it was from the factory, albeit on a different hard drive and a smaller C partition? Thanks.
Just wanted to add I wanted to be able to do this to simplify driver installation after a normal fresh OS install. This would make it trouble free if it will work like I hope it will.
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to 'simplify driver installation' download the drivers for your system from dell's support site (use the part # from the sticker in the back) and slipstream them into a copy of your xp installation CD using nLite.
you may also add the latest service pack and/or bug fixes. a comprehensive guide how to do this can also be found on this web site.
Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'
icq 10183575
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Mattie sorry that's not the way I want to go. The OS that came with my computer is on the recovery partition. I want to be able to SAVE that partition, but just put it on another drive. I did copy it onto another drive but how do I RUN that recovery if it is on a blank drive? Please don't say through DOS.
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Try to use Ctrl+F11 key when booting up. So start up the computer, then when you see the "Dell" logo, press and hold CTRL and then press F11. The Dell-specific Ctrl+F11 process is supposed to completely automate the restoration process, returning the hard disk to the state it was in when Dell shipped the computer.
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Ok maybe I am not clear in expressing what I was hoping to be able to do. Can I partition the drive to say a 10 gig C:\ partition and then have the restor thing install everything the way it was albeit on a smaller 5 gig c:\partition? Thats all I want to do.
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hm, maybe you'd rather resise your c: partition? Borrow some amount of space from other partitions and increase the C: size. And you won't need a reinstallation/restoration. You may use this resize disk partition software for system partition resizing and XP Disk Management in order to resize nonbootable partitions.
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I still think I am not clear in describing what I want to do here. Let me try again: The WD drive is a 40 GB SATA drive. C:\ partition is the full amount minus the 2 hidden partitions. I want to resize c:\ down to about 10gb. Instead of using a program like Partition Magic or Acronis to resize partitions that already have data on it, I wanted to basically format and partition a NEW drive setting the C:\ partition to 10gb.
I hope everyone is following this so far...
Now I want to be able to run the system restore program (which I made an image of) to put all the Dell programs; XP Home OS; and all relevant drivers on this new drive. My question is how do I do this? My theory would be to format and partition this new drive; copying this system restor program image to a partition on thre new drive and make that hidden (also need to know how to hide this said partition) and apparantly once it is hidden, I should be able to hit F11 and then it will restore this NEW hard drive to factory default Dell settings, right? Will this work?
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Would love to get an answer to this so I don't have to post MORE threads related to doing it other ways. I want to get this drive up and running SOON... My apologized to XPuser, some reason he is offended that I have posted related threads, all with little or no answers other than me correcting people stating that they are misunderstanding my questions.
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Well, it's still not very clear what are you talking about. However, as I understand it, you may operate through the two following ways:
first of all plug the new drive in to your computer, then
1) boot "from" the hidden recovery partition and run restore process using the F11 key. Almost sure it will ask you, where to recover and you will able to restore the system to the new drive partition.
2)Clone your old drive to the new HDD using backup software. It will create the same bootable copy of your old drive with all hidden partitions. Besides, you will be able to choose the size of new partitions if the new hdd size doesn't equal to the old hdd size. Then unplug the old drive, boot from the new drive and run F11 process on the new drive.Hope I eventually helped you:)
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