Dual Booting Windows 7 Ultimate & Ubuntu 10.10

Hello all,

I am trying to dual boot my laptop with Windows 7 Ultimate and Ubuntu 10.10.

I have shrunk the partition and made a new partition from the unallocated space (10GB). I then booted into Ubuntu with the live CD option and went onto GParted. I then tried to create a simple partition from the unallocated space to install Ubuntu on, but I got an error message saying that you can only have up to 4 simple partitions.

I have the following partitions:



What am I doing wrong? I'm not sure what's on those partitions, I didn't make them but I don't think I need them.

Thanks in advance,

Tom

Tom
This may help with some of the information that you need:
How to delete OEM Partition | Jared Heinrichs
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/disk-drives/f/3534/t/19329028.aspx

The OEM partition is normally to restore to factory specs, but yours seems too small for that and it appears to be empty; OEM is used by Dell and some other companies. In the case of Dell, you also received a DVD to restore to factory specs, so I would not be too concerned. Normally, it may contain boot information. Since your appears empty, this is not likely.

As for the other partitions, it appears that they can be deleted. To be sure of what is on them you may want to download:
WindDirStat to see exactly what is on them, if anything.
WinDirStat - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
They could have been created by software that you dowloaded.

Once you are fairly sure that there is nothing on the extra partions you can make an image with Macrium Reflect and try to delete.
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

Once you decide to delete, if you have problems, Partiton Magic may help. If that is a pay sofware, this one may also be of help.
http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html

This recent post in Seven, may also help. I think that it would equally applicable to Vista.
http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...rtition-not-system-partition.html#post1163567

Thanks for the help Rich

How do I know which partition is the OEM one? There are 3 partitions that appear to be empty, so am I safe to delete them?

I ran WinDirStat, but I couldn't see any partitions - just my two HDDs.

Tom

Hi Tom

It would be my guess that empty partitions would be safe to delete, but that final decision would have to be yours. If it were my computer, I would make an image of the Hard Drive using Macrium (see my first post), just in case. I would then delete one at a time and when sure there are no problems delete the next.
How to recognize the OEM partition? I think that is shown and explained in my first post in the article given, "How to delete OEM". It tells you what software to use and how to get to the OEM. It appears that special procedrues must be employed.
My major concern is that you do not know the source of these partitions. If some of the partitions are part of software that you have previously installed and is used by them, they may not work correctly. You may have to unintall and then install again. In the alternative, if you make a sytem restore point and mark it "Partition removed". You can easily go back in the event of a problem.
As an additional check, you can go to the computer icon on the desktop and left click. This will show you the drives, left click on the drives to see contents. Then right click on any contents and properties, you will see the date they were made. If the dates conincide with the date of the OS or new computer. They are more likely to present problems than if they show a date after the computer purchase as then they will not hurt the OS, but possibly only software. If they show several dates, since the computer purchse, it idicates that they are being used and more caution should be exercised.
Again, if the drives show as empty with the clicking explained above, this should reassure you, even more, that it is ok to delete; excluding possible software problems.
I would be very happy to work with you, one partition at a time. Tell me what you discover and I will tell you what I would do.
Here is a tutorial from Seven on Partitions I present it not so much for the tutorial, but for the many questions that were asked of Brink
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html
(scroll down)

I had a look at the links and have since installed Macrium however there is a bit of confusion between Windows and Macrium which can be seen in the screenshot:



A little strange wouldn't you say?

Tom

I cant see the screen shot, I just see a red x
I can get the Windows 7 expert on Macrium to discuss it with you however.

Sorry, the image URL had a / after the .png and VBulletin didn't like it, I changed it whilst you were writing that.

Just in case you still can't see it, heres the link http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2101/macrium.png

Tom

I have, also, invited a Macrium Expert to come an assist.

Thanks for your help Rich

We are teammates and friends, just trying to make sure you get the best answers. I was lukcky I got Paragon (which is a pay software) during a free, for three days deal. I use that for my back up and HD image.

Hi Tom, Rich asked ma to have a look at your problem. I am not sure though where you see a Macrium confusion. Are you saying that this "Mediadirect" partition does not exist on your drive?

Thanks for helping

Well on Disk Management the partition is apparently empty but on Macrium it says that it isn't.

I want to delete some of the partitions but I am not sure which ones I can delete.

Tom

Well, as far as I can see, you only have the system partition C, the recovery partition and a tools partition - all those I would keep. The Media partition I don't really know where it comes from. Other than that you have some small free spaces sprawn all over the place. That you may want to consolidate either with Disk Management or this program.

But as far as Macrium is concerned, I see nothing unusual. If you want to know more about Macrium, you might want to have a look at the video tutorial I posted in the Win7 forum - but it is exactly the same for Vista.

If you have any more questions, especially regarding Macrium, please post back.

TY so much for your help.
I, however, have questions.
I fully agree that, as always, WHS has given valuable and correct information.
Those partions that he mentions should not be deleted.

What I do not understand, in this particular situation, is the size of the OEM (recovery partition) appears to be empty and too small to still have use as an OEM. In any event Dell usually supplies a restore DVD, which serves the same function as the restore partition. This fact does not change the purpose of this partition it just makes it a little more subjective whether available space is wanted more than the partition.
Regarding the tool partition, according to Tom it is empty. If Tom is correct should it still be saved? It appears to me that the original function of these partitions have ceased to exist.

Again, TY WHS, for your valuable insights into this matter. Again, your comments are completely correct and I just want to learn if they truly apply to this situation or if I dont fully understand the situation. If you disagree with my analysis please comment. I appreciate any comments because to:

Ask a question you feel like a fool for a minute
Dont ask and be a fool for a lifetime.

Rich, problem I found is that partitions that show as "empty" are not really empty - same as for many system folders. The OP should open them and see whether they are indeed empty. If that is the case, he can, of course, get rid of them.

TY very much. Just wanted to be sure. I gave the advice to open up earlier. I just had to be sure that I would not cause more harm than good.

Thanks for your help guys

And how would I go about opening these partitions?

Tom

Its in my prior post, about clicking on the desktop computer icon.

Quote from my prior post
As an additional check, you can go to the computer icon on the desktop and left click. This will show you the drives, left click on the drives to see contents. Then right click on any contents and properties, you will see the date they were made. If the dates conincide with the date of the OS or new computer. They are more likely to present problems than if they show a date after the computer purchase as then they will not hurt the OS, but possibly only software. If they show several dates, since the computer purchse, it idicates that they are being used and more caution should be exercised.

richc46 said:

Its in my prior post, about clicking on the desktop computer icon.

Quote from my prior post
As an additional check, you can go to the computer icon on the desktop and left click. This will show you the drives, left click on the drives to see contents. Then right click on any contents and properties, you will see the date they were made. If the dates conincide with the date of the OS or new computer. They are more likely to present problems than if they show a date after the computer purchase as then they will not hurt the OS, but possibly only software. If they show several dates, since the computer purchse, it idicates that they are being used and more caution should be exercised.

Click to expand...

I don't have a desktop computer icon so I made one. I then followed the shortcut and it took me to what used to be called "My Computer". From here I can see Local Disk (C:\) and FreeAgent Drive (E:\), not any of my partitions so I can't access them.

I'm assuming that I'm being thick here or I'm doing something wrong

Tom

Dont think that will work
try this
go to search and type computer
then left click on it

if that does not work
right clikck and then open
Im using windows 7, but should be the same