Explain the partitions on Lenovo Y500?

Question

I have a Lenovo Y500 laptop, came with Windows 8, I updated it to Windows 8.1. I'm wondering what all the partitions do. Here is an edited screenshot of Disk Management:

^{(Click image to enlarge)}

I assume the partitions are the same for other Lenovo IdeaPads with Windows 8/8.1. I tried to install Ubuntu, but it's having issues. I would like to delete it completely, clean up my drive, and install again. I believe that the first 3 partitions are necessary for Windows, and I don't want to change them. I understand the C: drive.

The 2 after that (as labeled) contain my foobar Linux install. The one after that (350 MB Healthy Recovery Partition) is what I want help with. Does anyone know what this partition does? I've heard rumors that Lenovo's One Key Recovery is in a hidden partition, I'm wondering if it's that? If so, it won't work for me anyway, since I resized the C: drive already which apparently breaks One Key Recovery.

The D: drive is some Lenovo crap that I've backed up (contains device drivers and lots of empty space), and G: is completely empty (formerly a recovery position, but I put it on a USB drive). I want to delete my Ubuntu partitions, the mystery one, D:, and G:, and use it all for a new Linux install.

tl;dr: What's the mystery partition? Can I delete it?

Solution

If you want to.

I would however strongly suggest you make a proper backup of the HDD just in case. I deleted the extra partitions on my lenovo, and it boots no problem. You wont be able to do the recovery options though, so you'll have to restore the backup to do a recovery first, probably.

siamesedrummer, Did you ever get the bootloader working? And how was your support for the graphics card?

Comments

[siamesedrummer]

No, I did not get the bootloader working, but for unrelated reasons (my live usb doesn't work anymore). I have a Win8.1 recovery USB that I can use in case I kill Windows or something. Thanks for your help!

[Simon Sheehan]

@siamesedrummer Unfortunately its your own USB you made, so only you know whats on it ;) You can reinstall windows using any disk, and use the serial key on the bottom of your laptop

[siamesedrummer]

Ha, right, but it's just a copy of the Windows default recovery partition. I guess I'll have to just try it. Thanks.

[user29020]

@SimonSheehan I think siamesedrummer was asking (in comment) if the USB drive (that a user can ask Win to set up for them) will be (or act as) full installation media. My (little) understanding is that at least one of the "recovery" USB drives that Win can make for you is not full installation media. Rather, it's used in conjunction with an existing installation.

[Simon Sheehan]

@user29020 Recovery partitions do not seem to contain the OS, mostly drivers and support stuff