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If you're using XP:
Click on START| Help and Support.
In the search box type "disk partition" (no quotes).
Then click on "Disk Management Overview"
You'll see a layout of your hard drive(s) ala Partition Magic. Without experimenting too much because I didn't want to mess up my system, it *appears* you should be able to do what you're looking for.
If you're Vista, I don't have the foggiest, but you might try the Help and Support equivalent there.
THanks for the info. THe disk management tool did not identify any hidden partitions, however, having just spoken to Semantec he confirmed that I had a multi-boot system and that I would have to contact MS to fix the problem. In the mean time I’m left wondering if Partition Magic would fix the problem or is there some way I can see/fix the problem before going into to MS? Or can I use the windows XP disk to fix the problem?
Yes, Partition Magic 8 will allow you to delete a hidden partition.
Symantec says you have a multi-boot system? If so, when you boot you should be given a choice as to which system you want to boot in to. If you're not given this choice, you don't have a multi-boot system. At least you don't have a multiboot system that's properly set up.
Also, to check if you really do have a multiboot system, do a Files and Folders search for boot.ini. Open it in Notepad. Do NOT change anything! It will be pretty obvious of you have a multiboot system. If it isn't obvious, copy the boot.ini file and post it here.
Maybe there's something wrong with boot.ini.
Here is the boot.ini:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
I'm wondering if one 'boot' version is just a failed windows OS install? I have reinstalled windows a few times over the years. Anyway, I don't get a choice of OS to boot into at startup and I don't particularly want a multi-boot system.
Hold on a moment! Do not delete that hidden partition until you know what it is! It could be your recovery system.
Could you say what make and model of PC it is -- is it a laptop?
HP/Compaq have a very very good recovery system on their machines when you get them which you can use to restore your system to factory condition for example but you can also use it to make recovery media -- a bootable DVD you can use if your hard drive fails and you have to replace it. (And they'll sell you recovery media for $16 delivered!).
They recommend you do not delete the partition even if you have the recovery media because it will do things that the recovery media will not do, like repair the system or provide individual files or reinstall one of the applications supplied with the system.
So, really, do not delete it unless you know first what it is, what it does and whether it is important to you.
For information on that partition one thing you can do is open Disk Management which is:
Control panel / Administrative Tools / Computer management / Storage > Disk Management.
This will give you all sorts of information and although it may tell you it is an Unknown Partition it may give you a clue as to what it is for -- as might the Instruction Manual for your PC <gdr>.
Disk Management is very useful since it provides useful tools like making it easy to change a drive letter if you have several drives on a system or labeling them with a meaningful name.
Let us know about the PC and we can go on from there including why a hidden system recovery partition should stop you installing the application you want.
HI there. Thanks for your responses. The hidden partition/multi-boot partition (or whatever it's called) isn't a recovery partition since I bought the HDD, formatted it and installed windows XP on this machine (it's self-built). However, I take your well considered point - good to know that folks around here are looking out for us less knowledgeable types!
My best guess is that it is a previous operating season which I installed over or didn't completely wipe on a reinstall. I'm going to try and contact microsft tomorrow and see if they can figure out what it is - so wish me luck. Failing that I'll buy a copy of Partition Magic, but it seems ashame to buy something I'm only going to use once!
OK That simplifies things .... perhaps.
Have you looked with Disk Management?
If you do go there with it see if it will allow you to delete the partition? Assuming you can see the partition there, select it and click on Action on the Menu bar -- Delete logical partition is one of the actions you can take.
I certainly would not buy Partition Magic just to do this operation -- it's an expensive way and, looking to the future, PM8 is not compatible with VISTA and Norton say there are no plans to develop it.
There are in fact some freeware applications with similar functions and one of the tools you should consider getting is one of the Open Source bootable CD "toolkits" that will do all sorts of incredible things if you are in a jam and not put off by technology.
Have a look at
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
or do a Google on [freeware partition manager]
I apologize if I’m going back to your Original Post, but you mention using Norton GoBack in some capacity. Was it installed before? Or are you trying to install it on your system now? Or did you mean Norton Save & Restore instead?
I've managed to install Norton Save and Restore but I'm unable to install Norton GOBack because it fails during the installation routine (detects a multi-boot configuation or hidden partition). I have neither as far as I can tell.
I chatted to an MS rep. earlier today and they couldn't fix or identify the problem. The only suggestion was that I enter the COmmand Console and run bootcfg/rebuild on partition 1 (=windows install partition). I'm slightly concerned at doing this - will this damage my computer?
I haven't installed Norton GoBack before (as far as I remember). I'm in the process of trying to install it but so far I have been unable to due to the install routine failing as detailed above. I'm pretty much out of ideas how :(
Have I figured the problem? I've installed a trial version of Partition magic and found 7.8MB of unallocated space on my C: drive. Is this the hidden partition /dual boot that the Norton GoBack is detecting?
How can I redistribute this free space? The trial version won't execute any commands so I need something else,
regards Peter