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Old October 1st 12, 07:05 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
...winston[_2_]
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Posts: 1,861
Default 100MB partition (Win7 HP 64-bit)



"SC Tom" wrote in message ...


I recently bought a new Acer Aspire V3 laptop that came with the Win7 64-bit
setup partition. I ran it, installed Win7, cleaned all the crap off I didn't
want/need, and installed some of the programs I wanted on it (still more to
go- that's an ongoing thing, IYKWIM). After I got things the way I wanted, I
booted from my ATI CD to create an image of the whole drive, including the
hidden "PQService" recovery partition, the 100MB "System Reserved" one, and
of course, my C: partition.

The question I have is, if I just created an image of the C: partition
without the other two partitions, and restored the C: to a new drive, is
that new drive going to boot on its own, or do you think I'll have to run
Startup Repair to do it? In Disk Management, the System Reserved partition
just says "Healthy (System, Active, Primary Partition)", whereas my C: says
"Healthy (Boot, Page File, Crash Dump, Primary Partition)". That leads me to
believe that C: will boot on its own, but just thought I'd ask the opinion
of others here.

I haven't tried deleting the 100MB partition as per the instructions he

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/kb/article.php?id=409

since 100MB one way or the other is not really taking a bite out of my 500GB
drive. If I get to the point where I need that 100MB, I think it'll be time
for a new, larger drive :-)


A. If you restore only the C:\ to a new drive the system won't boot since it
does not contain the bootloader files (see explanation below)

Windows 7, by design during an installation creates the 100MB System
Reserved partition (no drive letter - System Volume) and the Windows
operating system partition (Boot Volume). Both are created on the same disk
(hard drive).
1. When the pc is turned on the BIOS uses its configuration (on an Acer
usually called 'Boot Priority Order') to start the boot process. Normal
those options would be in order of DVD or CD, Hard Disk, USB Fixed Disk
Drive, Network, USB Hard Disk. (DVD being first so one can as you've done
boot from your ATI CD...if DVD/CD is not present/inserted in the DVD/CD drie
slot it moves on to the second prioritized item - Hard Disk)
2. The BIOS passes control to the hard disk containing the System Volume
(System Reserved partition which contains the Windows boot loader files and
the MBR) to start the boot process and determine where the installed Windows
o/s is located. If single boot, only one exists, if dual booting more than
one may exist.
3. The System Volume (System Reserved partition) then passes control to the
Boot Volume (the partition containing the operating system) to load Windows
and finally end up at the Windows logon screen or desktop.

Note:
- The System Volume (System Reserved) not only contains the bootloader files
it also includes the Windows repair utilities..thus if you restore only the
C:\ partition to a new drive, you'll need a Windows DVD (usually retail) to
run the repair option to rebuild the MBR and bootloader files.
- Repairing a drive lacking a System Reserved partition may still create the
System Reserved partition (100 MB) from available space on the existing
C:\partition.

The terabyteunlimited method is one route to avoid/remove the small 100 MB
System Reserved partition. Other options are available if you've access to a
full Windows 7 installation DVD
e.g.
http://www.mydigitallife.info/hack-t...ing-windows-7/
or
http://www.sevenforums.com/installat...new-drive.html

If using another full version Windows 7 installation DVD (iirc Paul provided
links to obtain the iso file from Digital River[Msft designated hosting
source for Win7] in an earlier thread) ensure you use the same Windows
version as your Acer provided Win7 version (Home, Pro, etc.) and enter the
OEM provided Windows 7 Product Key (should be on the label on your system)
when prompted.

Finally, the Acer Recovery tools won't be available on the new
drive....though that should not be a problem since you're retaining the
original Acer provided drive (Recovery, System, Windows partitions intact)
if needed.

Fyi...Windows 8 creates a 350 MB (System Reserved) partition.

--
...winston
msft mvp

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