The Backup Image
The majority of the space in the DSR partition is occupied by a backup image. This section explains what an image is.
Symantec Ghost 10
In early 2006 Dell began shipping computers with a time-limited trial version of Symantec Ghost 10. This section describes the effect this change has on the DSR partition.
How the DSR Partition Boots
Both DSR types boot by using MBR boot code customized by Dell. This Dell MBR does not affect the boot process when booting the Windows partition or the Utility partition--indeed, no special MBR is needed to boot either of those. However, the DSR partition cannot be booted without this new MBR.
Inside the DOS-Type DSR Partition
A DOS version of a DSR partition serves one purpose: to wipe the XP partition and replace it with a copy of the original, "as-shipped" contents of the XP partition. This section discusses how it works.
Inside the PE-Type DSR Partition
A WinPE version of the DSR partition serves multiple purposes. These multiple purposes are available from a "Symantec/Dell Recovery Environment" (SRE) menu. This section discusses the SRE in further detail.
Troubleshooting the Restore Process
The Dell-specific Ctrl+F11 process is supposed to completely automate the restoration process, returning the hard disk to the state it was in when Dell shipped the computer. However, overwriting the MBR by using a boot manager, using the commands "fixmbr" or "fdisk /mbr", installing from a Windows installation CD, and assorted other tasks a user might do will inadvertantly break Ctrl+F11, rendering the system unable to boot the DSR partition. Furthermore, changing the partitioning by adding, deleting, or resizing partitions will cause DSRcheck to fail, so even if Ctrl+F11 works, the restore process will abort without attempting to restore the Ghost image.
This section explains how to fix the Ctrl+F11 and DSR process following repartitioning or OS reinstallation.
Appendix: Understanding the Dell MediaDirect Partition
Some Dell notebook computers include a special Dell MediaDirect feature. MediaDirect enables you to watch DVD movies, slideshows, or listen to music without having to boot the complete XP operating system. MediaDirect is installed in a special partition on the hard disk, but is hidden so you cannot see it when XP is booted normally. When the computer is off, pressing the MediaDirect button will boot the MediaDirect partition instead of XP.
Appendix: What About Microsoft Vista?
Dell computers originally shipped with Vista preinstalled do not use the DSR system described in this document. This section contains some general notes, but since this document is about the DSR system, a detailed discussion of Vista systems is outside the scope of this webpage.
Appendix: The Dell Utility Partition
(Note to reader: this is separate from, and unrelated to the Restore partition.)
In my analysis of the Dell Utility partition, I noted that there was a great deal of flexibility permitted regarding that partition--it does not need a special MBR, does not need to be the first partition on the disk, does not need to be listed first in the partition table, and can tolerate different partition sizes and different operating systems. The inclusion of a PC Restore partition, however, places restrictions on the location and contents of the Utility partition.
Appendix: Additional Reading
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