Hidden partition on HDD Fdisk cannot see it, how can i remove it?

I'd suggest that you try to find utilities from the HD manufacturer and remove the hidden partition ..

if that does not go well ... you can still use

Ultimate Boot CD ... this thing should help you certainly with all it's functions ..

take a look at http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/


Hope this helps ...
Cheers !

here the links :

http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/products/index.htm
http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp
http://www.fcpa.fujitsu.com/support/hard-drives/software_utilities.html
http://www.fcpa.fujitsu.com/download/hard-drives/#diagnostic
http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT 
http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/index.html
http://www.samsungelectronics.com/hdd/support/utilities/utilities_index.html
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_home.jsp

try reboot using winxp cd.
you can delete your partition and re-create them during setup.
delete all the partition until you see like this
see the screen: http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/InstallXPPro/images/image1_7.html

after that you can press C to create partition
http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/InstallXPPro/images/image1_8.html
and follow the tutorial

good luck!

The best option for you is to use 'DiskPart' utility comes within Windows and without the need to install an additional 3rd party software:
1. Enter the command line and type 'Diskpart' command followed by the 'Enter' key.
2. Type 'list disk' followed by the 'Enter' key to view a list of all the disks on your computer.
3. Type 'select disk <the destined disk you want to edit>' followed by the 'Enter' key.
4. Type 'list partition' followed by the 'Enter' key to view all partitions available.
5. Type 'Select partition <hidden partition number>' followed by the 'Enter' key.
6. Type 'Clear' followed by the 'Enter' key...... and there you go...
:)

Links:
More about the 'diskpart' utility:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rlively/MANUALS/COMMANDS/D/DISKPART.HTM

Good luck

Cyber

Tried booting with Windows XP CD, remove all partitions and re-create, still o nly see 32GB not 40GB.

Tried with Fdisk /mbr, delete all partitions/ re-create, still only seen as 32GB

using disk part , selected disk 0, listed partitions and only lists 1 partition. no hidden partitions

if i view disks, it shows me 1 disk status online, size 31GB, and then shows 7gb free.

If i view partitions only shows me the 32GB partition.

If you use 'list disk' you should see any output on your drive;

Try to use 'list volume' can you plot the output here?

Cyber

Try the ultimate Boot CD .. has all the utilities that you need ... Helped me .. tough ...

Cheers!

5. How to remove the FirstWare & HPA
http://www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/rl/servicesupport/techsupport/Software/RecoverPro/FirstWare.htm

there is no add remove program listed as the above comment from cwkhang. this program is completley hidden, and the PC is not from Fujitsu-Siemens

Maybe this is what you are looking for :

http://www.phoenix.com/en/Products/Trusted+Applications/Phoenix+FirstWare/default.htm

here, on the 12th page, they say to use the install program to uninstall it :

http://www.phoenix.com/NR/rdonlyres/F7FC57DE-29E1-498B-9436-27A882E992F2/0/VtUG_Eng.pdf

OK
Try to use Fujitsu utilities to diagnose your drive and to delete that hidden partition:
http://www.fel.fujitsu.com/home/drivers.asp?L=en&CID=1

Good luck

Cyber

i understand u r not using fujitsu siemens machine
just thought tat it would help as the resolution is quite general

i understand you cant find the entry in add/remove prog
try proceed with step two (if your bios don't have that option then try proceed with step 3)
(ii)      After the FirstWare software has been removed, go into the BIOS and change HDD Host Protected Area to disabled (under the Advanced Menu).

(iii)      Back in Windows, go into Disk Management (right click "My Computer", click on "Manage" then select "Disk Management") an delete the HPA. You can now create a partition where the HPA used to be and format it.

Simply boot your system with a Windows 98 Boot Disk, and run FDISK.

In FDISK, choose option 4, "Display Partitions". If you can see it, good, press ESC, and go back to the firs menu.
Choose 3, Remove Partitions, choose "non-Dos Partition"

Choose the the one you want, then press ESC.

Reboot, and you should have done it.

Best Regards!

and if you cant see it?

i suppose you have to use the firstware software to delete it, and see it.

You must see it, but, if you don't, then down level format the disk with the disk supplied from the disk manufacturer.

Best Regards !

In the link I posted, you have a utility called; FJ-IDE Drive Initializer Utility. This utility 'resets' the drive to its initial status thus may help you get rid of the occupied 7GB. Before using it, backup all data...

Cyber

sorry cyber dude, my head is going to mush at the mo, i cannot find the fj-ide utility, do i need xp installed for that, if so I have since removed that hoping it may help, but it hasnt!!

Here is a direct link and instructions on how to do it;
http://www.fel.fujitsu.com/support/disk/software/erase.zip

And the instructions:
1. Just download the utility,
2. Extract the *.zip file,
3. Create a diskette boot up (DOS),
4. Copy that utility to the diskette,
5. Shut down your computer,
6. Remove any additional drive(s),
7. Boot using that diskette and run the utility.

It may take some time;
Good luck

Cyber

I have found the solution finally, The tech supp guy let slip there was a utility somewhere on the CD, after much hunting around a have found it.

Thanks everyone.

P.S hope if anyone needs to use this software and gets stuck, drop us a line!!!

It´s nice to know that you have solved your own problem !!

Best of Luck from us !

Best Regards !

do know, that some HW mfrs require some HD space for their own purpose, such as for bios extensions. Erase that and it won't boot. A done deal.

>  tech supp guy let slip there was a utility somewhere on the CD, after much hunting around a have found it.

The better cpu mfr's allow that. Some do not. Worst case is to return to place of purchase, where they should have the necessary code on CD or FD.

>  this is a program to create an image of the C: drive and hide it away in an area  of the HDD

of course, a 40G hd with 40g data cannot be stored on hd no matter how compressed.  Image programs can cause more trouble than worth. But getting a writable CD can have value. For the size, a new HD of same size isn't a bad deal for backing up economically.