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Question

Inspiron 15r 5521 - Win8 - HDD Partition

Aug 4, 2013 5:03PM PDT

Hi - I recently purchased Dell 15r 5521 with windows 8, 500 GB HDD.

On the OS, for C drive it shows 418 GB free of 465 Total Space. Now, I want to reduce the C drive to 50 GB and the remaining 415 GB i want to have it as unallocated space so that I will create partitions out of this 415 GB later.

I tried Shrink Volume wizard on C drive, after that I could get only 225 GB as unallocated space, how do I get the remaining space as unallocated too after giving only 50 GB to C drive.

Please advise.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
It's likely to require a full version of the OS.
Aug 4, 2013 5:13PM PDT

If you have nothing to lose, you get to try turning off Secure Boot, turn on EFI legacy or Corporate Stable Mode. All this may have you ask more questions but in short, the PC changed grammatically with EFI so you have more to learn.

Then try GPARTED and if not, then you need a fresh Windows 8 DVD and license to start over.
Bob

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Dont have windows 8 dvd within the box.
Aug 4, 2013 5:29PM PDT

Thanks for the response.

I don't have any critical data on HDD. But, I did not get any Windows 8 DVD with the laptop. So, if I format the disk, then does that mean i can't install the same licensed windows 8 any more or will there by any alternative.

Please advise.

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Re: advice
Aug 4, 2013 6:01PM PDT

Did you already do all what Bob adviced? Especially the GPARTED part. That's a bootable (Unix based) partition manager. But feel free to try other partition managers also. The one that came with Windows doesn't seem to do what you want.

Kees

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Thanks, Please help with these concerns
Aug 4, 2013 6:23PM PDT

Hi Kees_B,

I really want to understand the below from you, before I can make any changes to the machine. Please help.

1. How do I disable secure boot? - Steps?
2. Is it must to disable secure boot before running GPARTED tool to work effectively?
3. Do I need to create a bootable ISO for GPARTED and then boot it through that or I can just run it from the OS?
4. If I upgrade the OS to Windows 8 Full, can I skip all the above steps and use basic disk management.msc console to create the required partition space?
5. If I want to downgrade to Windows 7 in this scenario, then what would be the steps, implications or problems that would rise later.

Appreciate your quick responses so far. Thanks!

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Answers
Aug 4, 2013 6:30PM PDT

1,2: A lot of Windows 8 PC's have something called UEFI or secure boot and only can boot from disk that are compatible. If your user manual doesn't tell how to disable that (it's somewhere in the BIOS) ask Dell Customer Service or look on their support site. It's definitely BIOS and maker dependent.
3. A bootable CD. See their site. In fact, for all third party partition managers you need to boot from a disk if you want to change the Windows partition.
4. I doubt if other versions of Windows have an other partition manager.
5. Boot problems (UEFI!), no drivers.

Kees

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That was really quick response
Aug 4, 2013 7:10PM PDT

About point 4 - Does that mean, there won't be any use even if I buy windows 8 Pro license and upgrade the current OS, do I still need to disable secure boot, boot through third party partitioning tool, to reduce C drive to 50 GB?

If I want to perform clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate (licensed editions) by clean formatting the currently installed Windows 8. Will that be complicated or is it doable, any guides on how to do that if any with you?
Are you saying there are no drivers for windows 7 for inspiron 15r 5521? Sad

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Clarification.
Aug 4, 2013 7:21PM PDT

About point 4: don't know, but I doubt if it is worth the trouble and money.

About installing Windows 7: just boot from the install DVD and go ahead. But you might need to disable secure boot permanently to be able to run it. Ask Dell about that. And for the drivers: have a look at the Dell site (use your service tag?) or ask Dell. It's anybody's guess you can't find them with your service tag.

Kees

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Thank you
Aug 4, 2013 8:03PM PDT

Thank you for clarifying my doubts.
Just to summarize, I need to do these, please confirm :
1. disable secure boot with the help of Dell.
2. get a bootable gparted CD, boot from the CD and can do the partitioning.

Let me know how do I mark a specific post as 'Answer for my question'?

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Yep.
Aug 4, 2013 8:10PM PDT

And only mark it as answered if everything worked out!

Kees