Hi. I was wondering if there is a way to see the hidden partitions on OEM computers and laptops.I would like to re-merge the partitions and re-install the OS's so I can also have a larger hard-drive.I have already made back-ups (or will) and have the OS's discs as needed/purchased.Asus M3N78-VM motherboard in desktop and Toshiba Satellite A350D - BA3 laptop. In disk management: Someone can delete the partitions and re-merge them. I'd need to do a re-format. I did this with an external drive when I configured it to have two partitions by accident. I am unable to do this on my desktop and laptop. I believe that if I put those two HDD's into an usb2 or 3 or firewire or eSATA enclosure, I would be able to do this re-merging/re-format. I assume that the OS's are active on these drives, and Windows protects itself by not letting you erase it.Is there another way to do this: When installing an OS (what options do I choose)? In the BIOS or off of a boot/re-install dvd? To see the partitions:When I go into Control Panel - Folder Options - View: I can select Show hidden files and folders, also uncheck hide extensions for known file types and hide procected operating system files.I read that this is a way to see the hidden partitions, and what is there. But I did that and don't know where to see these partitions. They were not in My Computer. Do I need to power down? Do I need certain software? I would use it to see what is there. I would re-merge when I am ready to re-install. Is there a possability that looking can cause a problem? How can I make my own HDD back-up and then hide it, or lock the drive/partition to protect it unless I want to change something myself? All the software I'v encountered can make a backup onto dvd's or an external drive. Thank you.1 person needs an answerI do too

If you restore using the PC makers disk its likely that the recovery partition will be reinstated, but you wont know untill you use them, and if it doesnt restore the recovery drive then you simply ensure that the entire disk is used in the recovery. No need to merge anything since the recovery would be a clean recovery and everything on the drive will be gone.There is one further point if the entire drive is larger than 137gb then any recovery disk would need to be sp1 or higher for the entire drive to be utilised

Good to know. The desktop with the XP drive is larger, has two visible partitions and has a hidden one in front. Its SP3. But when I do a system re-build or new system, I will concern myself with the process. I took this drive out of an OEM and used an actual XP dvd, but did not know how to erase the original stuff from before (It is still labelled the original name and I saw it during the instillation. I missed the step to re-merge all of them (I didn't know how) and just installed the OS. On my laptop with Vista, I have the main drive and the back-up that was visible, is now invisible and unusable. It's about 9GB and the laptop also has the hidden partition in front. When I tried the recovery disk from the laptop, it worked, but did not re-merge the whole drive for some reason. I understand that the recovery disck may have re-made the first small hidden partition, but that does not explain why the main drive is visible and another partition was not merged but is empty and not visible/accessable as it could be seen before. I know this is a Vista question. I should also email Toshiba about this. In my own defense, I have posted twice on their site about it in two different areas. i am awaiting a reply from them. But I ask these questions here to get a general understanding beyond one companys method and come back to the OS.Since I will setup and install all or as much of my stuff as possible at a later date: I need to know the procedures too."and if it doesnt restore the recovery drive then you simply ensure that the entire disk is used in the recovery" What do you mean? I assume the recovery disc did everything. Thank you.