 What Is Tiny Partition Unallocated |
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 Sep 1 2008, 12:01 PM
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Member  Group: Members Posts: 18 Joined: 23-June 05 Member No.: 24,606  |
Also, how long does a full format take compared with a quick format? Asuming an 8OGb hard drive. Regards Awestruck |
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Sep 1 2008, 12:56 PM
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 Forum Regular Group: Members Posts: 258 Joined: 11-June 07 From: Cymru/Wales Member No.: 136,036 |
"Unallocated" means that the space is not part of any partition. When partitioning a hard drive, Windows can't always line up the partition boundaries to an appropriate location (I don't know what counts as appropriate). When it can't, a small amount of space is left unallocated, inaccessible to Windows.
I severely doubt that that area could be used by Viruses, Trojans or Spyware. As far as your question about formatting is concerned, I don't know. I'd guess at twice the time taken for a quick format, maybe a bit more, but that's only a guesstimate. Regards, -------------------- Tom
Tswsl1989 Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together |
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Sep 1 2008, 02:02 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 18 Joined: 23-June 05 Member No.: 24,606 |
Than you for the very prompt reply Tsws|1989
That is reassuring. I have a reinstall to do on a friend's infested computer tomorrow. Regards Awestruck |
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Sep 2 2008, 05:52 AM
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 Senior Member Group: BC Advisor Posts: 596 Joined: 28-January 06 From: Australia Member No.: 52,817 |
The small unallocated space is left to allow for possible future conversion to a dynamic disk.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/225822 -------------------- Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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Sep 2 2008, 06:54 AM
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 Visually handicapped, hence the avatar :0) Group: Moderator Posts: 14,526 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Southeastern CT, USA Member No.: 35,824 |
Great link Platypus! Thanks!
-------------------- - John
**If you need a more detailed explanation, please ask for it. I have the Knack. ** |
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Sep 2 2008, 10:48 AM
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 Computer Masochist Group: Moderator Posts: 8,472 Joined: 27-January 07 From: Cleveland, Ohio Member No.: 108,618 |
Nice to know, now we'll see how long I can remember it
-------------------- Mark
 why won't my laptop work? Having grandkids is God's way of giving you a 2nd chance because you were too busy working your butt off the 1st time around Avatar by Handplane |
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Sep 2 2008, 11:17 AM
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 18 Joined: 23-June 05 Member No.: 24,606 |
Many thanks Platypus for the link
I reinstalled XP and all seems fine, I did not delete the tiny partition. It was labelled Unpartitioned space not Un-allocated as I thought, sorry about the mis-information. I expect it means the same thing. It was 8MB as in the Microsoft article. Thanks to everyone Keep up the good work Awestruck |
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Sep 2 2008, 02:53 PM
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Forum Regular Group: Members Posts: 258 Joined: 11-June 07 From: Cymru/Wales Member No.: 136,036 |
Glad to see thats sorted. Great link Platypus. I've learnt something new
-------------------- Tom
Tswsl1989 Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together |
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Sep 3 2008, 05:13 AM
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Senior Member Group: BC Advisor Posts: 596 Joined: 28-January 06 From: Australia Member No.: 52,817 |
Glad to help. I always learn lots on good tech help sites like BC, and I'm happy to return the favour.
Now I'm into my fifties, remembering it all is interesting, garmanma! -------------------- Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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