C: Empty disk space?

[Capt.Propwash]

In reassigning some drive letters, I noticed that there was 3 GIGs of wasted space on the C: .... what is it there for? is somethings specific supposed to be there?

[Fozzer]

Maybe its a large contiguous area called; "Reserved for MFT" (whatever that means?).. ..!

On my "UltimateDefrag" program, it shows up as a large area on the extreme outside of the Disc.
Also some contiguous "Page File" areas on the innermost part of the Disc.

Paul...Win XP Pro... 8-)...!

http://download.cnet.com/UltimateDefrag ... 82157.html

...quick and easy... ...!

[Slotback]

donno.

Here's what mine looks like:

http://imgur.com/uZBpB.jpg

try right clicking on C:\ in that program, and clicking 'extend' volume... make the volume the maximum size possible. it might just be empty space that isn't used or formatted for some reason.

[Capt.Propwash]

I can allocate it and assign it a drive letter.... and would end up with another HDD that is 3gigs, but is it supposed to be for something specific like the Master Boot Record?

[Groundbound1]

Ever have Linux installed on that drive?

[Capt.Propwash]

nope. i just reinstalled windows (sunday night @ 2200 EDT) had to use a 'Jump drive' to get a couple drivers, and when i went to My Computer, i saw that my drive letters were all messed up.  so after I got done installing everything that needed to be installed (less windows updates which i am doing now...) I went to DRIVE MANAGER.

that is when I noticed that there is a 3G+ partition.



i do not know if it means anything else, but there is an ADMIN PASSWORD on my BIOS that I can not get rid of either.  -- I DID NOT PUT IT THERE!!

OS = WINXP sp2 (oem from HELL, i mean Dell)

it is now upgraded back to sp3

[Groundbound1]

Well, it wouldn't be for the MBR. Not sure, but I wonder if the restore disks are making a recovery partion. (I don't think Dell does that though.) If that were the case however, it would likely have it's own drive letter already, instead of being labeled as "unallocated".

As far as the BIOS password goes, try this:
http://www.dewassoc.com/support/bios/bios_password.htm

I know how big a pain it is, but if you are willing to reinstall again, there is an open source program you could use to wipe your "C" drive of all it's partitions and start fresh. It's a freeware Linux based app called DBAN. (Darik's Boot and Nuke) It's safe, spyware/virus free, and will clear out the entire drive including areas that Windows format doesn't touch. I deal with a lot of second hand computer parts, and I always use it to clear out old data on used hard drives before I use them.

http://www.dban.org/about