So, I got a laptop and it came preinstalled with vista. I decided to install XP instead and now I am stuck with 2 partitions. The second was a partition for Dell backup files. Is there a simple way to delete this partition and add the 10Gigs back into the one main partition? Perhaps an easy program?

The time to ask this question was before you installed XP. There are programs such as partition magic which can achieve what you want but at significant risk to your operating system and files. If you definitely don't need the dell backup files then I suggest you format the 10gb partition and simply use it for data storage. The risks associated with merging existing partitions outweigh the benefits IMHO I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.

I agree with richard59 on this one. Sensible thing would be to format and make as storage In The Matters Of Style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, Stand Like A Rock "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid."

Whatever you do decide to in terms of that 10gig area..., with the caveats/warnings etc. above in mind..., backup (as in copy off) all data to optical media; and verify those copies are truly readable both from the system as is and if possible one other... Then if anything goes amiss thereafter... your data is "safe"... PM has a slightly flakey reputation with XP (for some folks); and there are other similar utils around that do not have that reputation... But I'd go with folks above; leave the partitions as is and simply use the 10Gig for storage. However if you decide at some stage to revert to Vista (which was there originally) and wish to use the Dell recovery system... you will need that 10Gig partition's current info (unless you can get Dell to send you the Vista CD etc...)?

It beats me why Dell allocated massive 9.99GB of the total HD space for the recovery partition when the recovery files themselve occupies merely 3.98GB. The remaining free space 6.01GB is wasted. In any case, I side with trvlr. The correct way remove to safely remove Dell PC restore is given in this Dell documentation and quoted below for your convenience. You should go by Dell documentation itself as I have excluded the notes preceding some of the steps listed below. First, Be warned that If you remove PC Restore from the hard drive, you cannot ever recall it, and you will never be able to use PC Restore to return your computer's operating system to its original state/ Second, by removing Dell PC Restore be aware that you are in effect voiding Dell 1 year warranty and that no Dell representative will be authorized to help you in the event your machine develop problems related to hardware and/or software. Now let the fun begin... To remove PC Restore: 1. Log on to the computer as a local administrator. 2. In Windows Explorer, go to c:\dell\utilities\DSR. 3. Double-click the filename DSRIRRemv2.exe. 4. Click OK to remove the PC Restore partition on the hard drive. 5. Click Yes when a confirmation message appears. The PC Restore partition is deleted and the newly available disk space is added to the free space allocation on the hard drive. 6. Right-click Local Disk (C) in Windows Explorer, click Properties, and verify that the additional disk space is available as indicated by the increased value for Free Space. 7. Click Finish to close the PC Restore Removal window. 8. Restart the computer. i_Xp/VistaUser