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Question

Bitlocker, the manufacturer partition and NTFS

Sep 16, 2015 12:26PM PDT

Hello,

I have just bought this Probook 450 G2 with Freedos. Initially there was two partitions, each about 8 GO, one for HP documents and the second for something else. I deleted the one about documents and but didn't delete the other thinking it is critical. Apart from these two small partitions, I split the drive into 4 other partitions. I installed Windows 10 on the first, and I shifted to 8.1 and the same problem. I think the problem lies in the manufacturer FAT32 partition.

Should I delete the FAT32 partition? Is it safe?

The problem is when I want to turn on Bitlocker for the Windows drive, it asks for NTFS even though the partition is so already.

Thank you!

Here are the relevant screenshots:

http://i.imgur.com/qnft9YJ.png
http://i.imgur.com/Qia5pXW.png

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Go right ahead. Why?
Sep 16, 2015 12:35PM PDT

Because all Windows users know they need backup so when the HDD goes silent they won't lose it all.

In fact this is the best time to blow up. Restore will be faster and you know what you did wrong.

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It can't be deleted!
Sep 16, 2015 4:36PM PDT

Thank you for the reply.

Unfortnately, I've discovered that I cannot delete the FAT32 drive. When I try through Disk Management, the system says: "Windows cannot delete the active system partition on this disk."

I get the same error when I try to use third-party apps like EaseUS.

I don't want to delete that partition, but it causes me much trouble. Apart from the problem of Bitlocker, because of this partition, I cannot use System Image Backup. When I try to do so, the system chooses the C drive as well as the problematic drive because it is a System drive, and I cannot deselect it. But I cannot create the system image backup either as I receive an error saying that it is not formatted NTFS.

I wonder why would HP create a partition in FAT32 that prevents me from using critical apps like Bitlocker and System Image Backup, and that cannot be deleted.

Any help please?

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Powertool time. I like the Binford line.
Sep 16, 2015 4:53PM PDT

Sorry, I mean the GPARTED bootable CD or USB. Nothing stops it.

HP? Sorry I thought you were running copies from MS. FREEDOS is usually supplied on those machines with no OS. For those you usually wipe and start fresh.

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Answer
something to consider
Sep 16, 2015 12:51PM PDT

you really have to be careful when deleting partitions on new computers. There is a reason for them. For example, the one you said was for hp documents was most likel also for the utilities needed to run your recovery partition. I have noticed a that some hp computers come with 4 partitions. recovery, efi, hp utility and c drive. The only one you should mess with is the c drive unless you don't mind losing the ability to restore to factory or the ability to boot.

When you use bitlocker, you need to do things right and follow any instructions and error messages. You do not want to get locked out of your own data.