Windows 10: How to delete obsolete OEM partition and update difficult BIOS

Thanks once more to everyone who helped me successfully transition my ASUS notebook and then ASUS Core i5 desktop to W10. This dual core ASUS P5G41T desktop was the next to make the successful swap to W10 (by upgrade, with most of the drivers intact), but now a couple of blank screens and frequent crashes when using the PC has made me decide to change the 12yr+ Seagate hard drive to a new Sandisk SSD before the drive expires on me. Several DISM/Scanhealth scans show there are no corrupt files.

The problem is an 8GB OEM recovery partition which came with the then Packard Bell Vista PC, because when I replaced the MOBO and had the OS changed to W7 (OEM upgrade), I asked the store technician to remove the OEM recovery partition, but after taking advice, he said it could not be done, and I later read online that OEM recovery partitions are EFI protected. Since then, I have changed everything on the PC i.e. new PSU, new graphics card, new cpu fan and case fans, new CD drive and even a new PC case, so only the processor and hard drive are original.

Since the BIOS is ‘SATA AHCI not supported’, initially I wasn’t sure that I could upgrade to SSD, but ASUS has released a BIOS update 1101 (27/06/2012) for this MOBO which may have AHCI settings, and has also released a ‘New SSD’ list. However, no matter how many times I try, either by flash drive or CD disc, I have been unable to flash the new BIOS using the EZ Flash Utility, because the BIOS.ROM update file itself does not show up on-screen. The flash drive shows up as drive A.

How do I flash this BIOS? Or, is there a workaround to bypass the AHCI not supported settings?

Also, would it be possible to delete the obsolete OEM partition and migrate the just the upgraded W10 OS together with my settings to the SSD e.g. using Macrium Reflect or Mini Tool Partition Wizard?

Specs: ASUS P5G41-T-M LX with SATA 3GB/s; current BIOS 1001 (08/10/2011); CPU Intel Dual Core E2160; PSU Corsair 450W; Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce GT 610, Hard Drive Seagate 160GB. Windows Version number 1909 Build 18363.657.

:)

 

HDD Partition issues

Your method will work if OP just want to delete the obsolete partitions. However, The partition scheme will not be standard. In addition:

1. You will need to use reagentc to fix the Recovery.
2. Why install Mini Tool when he's already have Macrium installed and can be done in couple of steps
3. Mini Tool will not allow to resize the 128MB MSR partition back to 16MB MSR as standard with Windows 10 installation.
4. With a non standard partition scheme, there's no garantee that it will work for future update/upgrade as seen in so many threads with Windows OEM

With that said. It is up to OP to decide which way he wants to clean up. We only provide the options.

 

Move EFI partition

its to enable win 10 to update to its anniversary edition.. it cant do this due to lack of C drive space i have had a quick try with the trial version of easus.. it didnt seem to be able to do what i want..

i am assuming i cant just delete the efi partition but maybe i could.. as yet i havnt even figured out how to get into the bios of the thing.. maybe that should be my next step.. *Smile

diskpart could probably do it but figuring out how (it aint that user friendly) might be difficult without step by step instructions..

trog

 

Updated to 1803 via Windows Update - now D: OEM partition is showing

Here's how you remove it from OEM partition. Let's assume in this scenario that the OEM partition has letter F and it's listed as Volume 4. Here are the steps:

1. Do a search for cmd and right click it and run As Administrator.
2. Type the following commands one by one (hit Enter after each one of them):

> diskpart
> list volume
> select volume 4
> remove letter=F

Done.