Windows 8 Partition Display

james1st

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Beer Sheva, Israel
I am coming off Linux op system and am a bit lost. My latest endeavor is understanding the Windows 8 partitions.
I have a Dell Inspiron 5721, 8 GB memory, 1 TB hard disk, with Windows 8 O.S.
Looking at the partition display, I see the disk is divided into five partitions. Now, here is where I need help. The partitions are named:
"500 MB, Healthy ( EFI System Partition)",
"40 MB, Healthy (OEM Partition)",
"500 MB Healthy, (Recovery Partition)",
"OS (C:, 917.77 GB NTFS, Healthy (Boot, Page File, Crash Dump, Primary Partition)",
"12.60 GB, Healthy (Recovery Partition)".

All of these partition, except for the NTFS partition, are listed as 100% Free. The NTFS partition is listed as 88% Free.

Would someone be kind enough to tell me what this means? Are these partition available for use, or are they being used for something(?).

I am working on the boot situation, trying to find out how to input from the cd/dvd writer, but have not over come the "Secure Boot" thing yet. That will be next on my agenda.

I am attaching a copy of the data partition scheme, hoping that might help someone.
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17r
    CPU
    Intel Core I7
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome, I.E.,
    Antivirus
    McAfee
"500 MB, Healthy ( EFI System Partition)"
"500 MB Healthy, (Recovery Partition)"
Are for boot files, & Repair Tools. not for use for user data.

"40 MB, Healthy (OEM Partition)",
"12.60 GB, Healthy (Recovery Partition)"
Are for Dell Restore of OS & repair tools. not for use for user data.

I am working on the boot situation, trying to find out how to input from the cd/dvd writer, but have not over come the "Secure Boot" thing yet. That will be next on my agenda.
Only software bootable CD/DVD/USB disc's, which fully supports Windows 8, UEFI, GPT & Secure Boot.
Which is signed by Microsoft, Will boot.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I am working on the boot situation, trying to find out how to input from the cd/dvd writer, but have not over come the "Secure Boot" thing yet. That will be next on my agenda.
Not sure what you mean when you say what's above. What are you trying to do?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Thank you for the replies...
As I understand it then, the only partition that I might alter would be the C: partition.

With respect to the "Secure Boot" item, there are a number of reasons for wanting to be able to boot up from a cd/dvd disk. For example I want to boot up a gparted disk to inspect the disk partitions. I have read that it is possible to turn off "Secure Boot" and set the BIOS to allow for booting from the CD/DVD writer or perhaps also from a USB stick. As I mentioned I am used to being able to preform these things.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17r
    CPU
    Intel Core I7
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome, I.E.,
    Antivirus
    McAfee
I have read that it is possible to turn off "Secure Boot" and set the BIOS to allow for booting from the CD/DVD writer or perhaps also from a USB stick.
May not help, but check this tutorial out. Be sure and read the replies/comments. There might be something useful to you. Don't think there is any mention of Dell.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
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