I have a system someone else set up that now has two partitions on the
machine's single drive. The original OS was ME and XP HOME was
installed on it. He ended up with the old ME portion and all its apps
in partition C, and the new XP portion in partition D. Partition C is
the active partition. At boot-up you get the option of selecting ME
or XP, and both seem to work fine.

I want to delete partition C and then add it's space to partition D.
PQMagic warns me to be sure to make the remaining partition the new
active partition after partition C is deleted. I am afraid to proceed
because I can find no way to specify (set) whether a partition is
active or not. I remember the old FDISK enabled you to do that, but
with NTFS, that is out of the question. I worry that if I allow PQM
to delete the partition, my machine will no longer boot up.

Can anyone help here?

Thanks

Jethro

You are right about deleting the C: partition. You will lose the
ntloader which resides on C: since you have a dual boot.
See if this helps
http://www.kayodeok.co.uk/weblog/200...dual_boot.html




"Jethro" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have a system someone else set up that now has two partitions on the
> machine's single drive. The original OS was ME and XP HOME was
> installed on it. He ended up with the old ME portion and all its apps
> in partition C, and the new XP portion in partition D. Partition C is
> the active partition. At boot-up you get the option of selecting ME
> or XP, and both seem to work fine.
>
> I want to delete partition C and then add it's space to partition D.
> PQMagic warns me to be sure to make the remaining partition the new
> active partition after partition C is deleted. I am afraid to proceed
> because I can find no way to specify (set) whether a partition is
> active or not. I remember the old FDISK enabled you to do that, but
> with NTFS, that is out of the question. I worry that if I allow PQM
> to delete the partition, my machine will no longer boot up.
>
> Can anyone help here?
>
> Thanks
>
> Jethro
>

On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:17:35 -0700, "Rich Barry" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

> You are right about deleting the C: partition. You will lose the
>ntloader which resides on C: since you have a dual boot.
> See if this helps
> http://www.kayodeok.co.uk/weblog/200...dual_boot.html
>
looks interesting. Thanks\\Jethro

>
>
>
>"Jethro" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>I have a system someone else set up that now has two partitions on the
>> machine's single drive. The original OS was ME and XP HOME was
>> installed on it. He ended up with the old ME portion and all its apps
>> in partition C, and the new XP portion in partition D. Partition C is
>> the active partition. At boot-up you get the option of selecting ME
>> or XP, and both seem to work fine.
>>
>> I want to delete partition C and then add it's space to partition D.
>> PQMagic warns me to be sure to make the remaining partition the new
>> active partition after partition C is deleted. I am afraid to proceed
>> because I can find no way to specify (set) whether a partition is
>> active or not. I remember the old FDISK enabled you to do that, but
>> with NTFS, that is out of the question. I worry that if I allow PQM
>> to delete the partition, my machine will no longer boot up.
>>
>> Can anyone help here?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Jethro
>>
>

Jethro wrote:
> I have a system someone else set up that now has two partitions on the
> machine's single drive. The original OS was ME and XP HOME was
> installed on it. He ended up with the old ME portion and all its apps
> in partition C, and the new XP portion in partition D. Partition C is
> the active partition. At boot-up you get the option of selecting ME
> or XP, and both seem to work fine.
>
> I want to delete partition C and then add it's space to partition D.
> PQMagic warns me to be sure to make the remaining partition the new
> active partition after partition C is deleted. I am afraid to proceed
> because I can find no way to specify (set) whether a partition is
> active or not. I remember the old FDISK enabled you to do that, but
> with NTFS, that is out of the question. I worry that if I allow PQM
> to delete the partition, my machine will no longer boot up.

If you are worried about this the easiest thing to do is to get rid of
all the files on the C: partition *except* the following:

boot.ini
ntldr
NTDETECT.COM
NTBOOTDD.SYS

NTBOOTDD.SYS may or may not be present, it is most likely not present.

Now you should be able to shrink the C: partition to a minimal size
while keeping it active and keeping the above files on it at the same
time. You should have no problems booting in to your Windows installation.

If you absolutely want to get rid of the partition then you will have to
copy the above files to the D: partition and, if PM can do it, tell it
to make the new partition active. You can also use a Windows 98 boot
disk and use fdisk to mark the partition active, that will work even if
the partition is NTFS.

Before you do the changes you will also have to edit the boot.ini file
so that it points to the Windows XP partition. As it is now the ARC
path in the boot.ini file probably points to:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)

When merged partition 2 will become partition 1 so the right path would be:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)

Before you do the partition changes you can make a boot diskette an have
several ARC paths in it, will serve to boot the computer if you have
problems. http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/ntboot/

Windows XP will (should) retain its D: drive assignment, *do* *not*
attempt to change this! Windows must keep its drive assignment for this
to work properly. As with all disk and partitioning work, you would be
well advised to have a known working backup of your important files
before you proceed. Glitches and errors during disk and partitioning
work are not common but when they do happen they often lead to
catastrophic data loss.

John

Jethro wrote:
> I have a system someone else set up that now has two partitions on the
> machine's single drive. The original OS was ME and XP HOME was
> installed on it. He ended up with the old ME portion and all its apps
> in partition C, and the new XP portion in partition D. Partition C is
> the active partition. At boot-up you get the option of selecting ME
> or XP, and both seem to work fine.
>
> I want to delete partition C and then add it's space to partition D.
> PQMagic warns me to be sure to make the remaining partition the new
> active partition after partition C is deleted. I am afraid to proceed
> because I can find no way to specify (set) whether a partition is
> active or not. I remember the old FDISK enabled you to do that, but
> with NTFS, that is out of the question. I worry that if I allow PQM
> to delete the partition, my machine will no longer boot up.
>
> Can anyone help here?

Do you have the WindowsXP install disk?

Why don't you use the C: drive for a storage and or install drive?

At any rate I think you need to first defrag the drive you have
windows on that you intend to change it's size.

Anyway go> recovery console and go> fixmbr to restore your winxp MRB

If you don't have the install CD the question is will a XP boot disk
from boodisk.com allow you to use fdisk /mbr or fixmbr?

Jethro wrote:
> I have a system someone else set up that now has two partitions on the
> machine's single drive. The original OS was ME and XP HOME was
> installed on it. He ended up with the old ME portion and all its apps
> in partition C, and the new XP portion in partition D. Partition C is
> the active partition. At boot-up you get the option of selecting ME
> or XP, and both seem to work fine.
>
> I want to delete partition C and then add it's space to partition D.
> PQMagic warns me to be sure to make the remaining partition the new
> active partition after partition C is deleted. I am afraid to proceed
> because I can find no way to specify (set) whether a partition is
> active or not. I remember the old FDISK

Did I say fixmbr?

To clarify:

FIXBOOT
fixboot drive name:
Use this command to write the new Windows boot sector code on the
system partition. In the command syntax, drive name is the drive
letter where the boot sector will be written. This command fixes
damage in the Windows boot sector. This command overrides the default
setting, which writes to the system boot partition. The fixboot
command is supported only on x86-based computers.

FIXMBR
fixmbr device name
Use this command to repair the MBR of the boot partition. In the
command syntax, device name is an optional device name that specifies
the device that requires a new MBR. Use this command if a virus has
damaged the MBR and Windows cannot start.

So fix boot is the command to use.

On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:17:35 -0700, "Rich Barry" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

> You are right about deleting the C: partition. You will lose the
>ntloader which resides on C: since you have a dual boot.
> See if this helps
> http://www.kayodeok.co.uk/weblog/200...dual_boot.html

I printed kayoed's pages and studied them over TV last night. All I
can say is you gotta be kidding!

Jethro


>
>
>
>
>"Jethro" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>I have a system someone else set up that now has two partitions on the
>> machine's single drive. The original OS was ME and XP HOME was
>> installed on it. He ended up with the old ME portion and all its apps
>> in partition C, and the new XP portion in partition D. Partition C is
>> the active partition. At boot-up you get the option of selecting ME
>> or XP, and both seem to work fine.
>>
>> I want to delete partition C and then add it's space to partition D.
>> PQMagic warns me to be sure to make the remaining partition the new
>> active partition after partition C is deleted. I am afraid to proceed
>> because I can find no way to specify (set) whether a partition is
>> active or not. I remember the old FDISK enabled you to do that, but
>> with NTFS, that is out of the question. I worry that if I allow PQM
>> to delete the partition, my machine will no longer boot up.
>>
>> Can anyone help here?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Jethro
>>
>

On Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:08:12 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:

>
>Jethro wrote:
>> I have a system someone else set up that now has two partitions on the
>> machine's single drive. The original OS was ME and XP HOME was
>> installed on it. He ended up with the old ME portion and all its apps
>> in partition C, and the new XP portion in partition D. Partition C is
>> the active partition. At boot-up you get the option of selecting ME
>> or XP, and both seem to work fine.
>>
>> I want to delete partition C and then add it's space to partition D.
>> PQMagic warns me to be sure to make the remaining partition the new
>> active partition after partition C is deleted. I am afraid to proceed
>> because I can find no way to specify (set) whether a partition is
>> active or not. I remember the old FDISK enabled you to do that, but
>> with NTFS, that is out of the question. I worry that if I allow PQM
>> to delete the partition, my machine will no longer boot up.
>>
>> Can anyone help here?
>
>Do you have the WindowsXP install disk?

Yes I do.

>
>Why don't you use the C: drive for a storage and or install drive?

I don't mind that.

>
>At any rate I think you need to first defrag the drive you have
>windows on that you intend to change it's size.
>
>Anyway go> recovery console and go> fixmbr to restore your winxp MRB
>
>If you don't have the install CD the question is will a XP boot disk
>from boodisk.com allow you to use fdisk /mbr or fixmbr?

On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:02:11 -0300, John John <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>Jethro wrote:
>> I have a system someone else set up that now has two partitions on the
>> machine's single drive. The original OS was ME and XP HOME was
>> installed on it. He ended up with the old ME portion and all its apps
>> in partition C, and the new XP portion in partition D. Partition C is
>> the active partition. At boot-up you get the option of selecting ME
>> or XP, and both seem to work fine.
>>
>> I want to delete partition C and then add it's space to partition D.
>> PQMagic warns me to be sure to make the remaining partition the new
>> active partition after partition C is deleted. I am afraid to proceed
>> because I can find no way to specify (set) whether a partition is
>> active or not. I remember the old FDISK enabled you to do that, but
>> with NTFS, that is out of the question. I worry that if I allow PQM
>> to delete the partition, my machine will no longer boot up.
>
>If you are worried about this the easiest thing to do is to get rid of
>all the files on the C: partition *except* the following:
>
>boot.ini
>ntldr
>NTDETECT.COM
>NTBOOTDD.SYS

This still sounds rather 'final' in that if it doesn't work, I am deep
doodoo. I wonder if I can do what you suggest, but copy all of C's
original files into a backup folder in D partition (XP) FIRST so I can
copy them back if a subsequent boot fails, assuming I can do that
SOMEHOW if that boot FAILS.

Jethro

>
>NTBOOTDD.SYS may or may not be present, it is most likely not present.
>
>Now you should be able to shrink the C: partition to a minimal size
>while keeping it active and keeping the above files on it at the same
>time. You should have no problems booting in to your Windows installation.
>
>If you absolutely want to get rid of the partition then you will have to
> copy the above files to the D: partition and, if PM can do it, tell it
>to make the new partition active. You can also use a Windows 98 boot
>disk and use fdisk to mark the partition active, that will work even if
>the partition is NTFS.
>
>Before you do the changes you will also have to edit the boot.ini file
>so that it points to the Windows XP partition. As it is now the ARC
>path in the boot.ini file probably points to:
>
>multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)
>
>When merged partition 2 will become partition 1 so the right path would be:
>
>multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)
>
>Before you do the partition changes you can make a boot diskette an have
>several ARC paths in it, will serve to boot the computer if you have
>problems. http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/ntboot/
>
>Windows XP will (should) retain its D: drive assignment, *do* *not*
>attempt to change this! Windows must keep its drive assignment for this
>to work properly. As with all disk and partitioning work, you would be
>well advised to have a known working backup of your important files
>before you proceed. Glitches and errors during disk and partitioning
>work are not common but when they do happen they often lead to
>catastrophic data loss.
>
>John

On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:02:11 -0300, John John <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>Jethro wrote:
>> I have a system someone else set up that now has two partitions on the
>> machine's single drive. The original OS was ME and XP HOME was
>> installed on it. He ended up with the old ME portion and all its apps
>> in partition C, and the new XP portion in partition D. Partition C is
>> the active partition. At boot-up you get the option of selecting ME
>> or XP, and both seem to work fine.
>>
>> I want to delete partition C and then add it's space to partition D.
>> PQMagic warns me to be sure to make the remaining partition the new
>> active partition after partition C is deleted. I am afraid to proceed
>> because I can find no way to specify (set) whether a partition is
>> active or not. I remember the old FDISK enabled you to do that, but
>> with NTFS, that is out of the question. I worry that if I allow PQM
>> to delete the partition, my machine will no longer boot up.
>
>If you are worried about this the easiest thing to do is to get rid of
>all the files on the C: partition *except* the following:
>
>boot.ini
>ntldr
>NTDETECT.COM
>NTBOOTDD.SYS
>
>NTBOOTDD.SYS may or may not be present, it is most likely not present.
>
>Now you should be able to shrink the C: partition to a minimal size
>while keeping it active and keeping the above files on it at the same
>time. You should have no problems booting in to your Windows installation.
>
>If you absolutely want to get rid of the partition then you will have to
> copy the above files to the D: partition and, if PM can do it, tell it
>to make the new partition active.

That's just it - I could find no way to make PM make the new partition
(D) the active partition. The option is grayed out.

>You can also use a Windows 98 boot
>disk and use fdisk to mark the partition active, that will work even if
>the partition is NTFS.

Is that right? I thought FDISK would not handle NTFS at all.

>
>Before you do the changes you will also have to edit the boot.ini file
>so that it points to the Windows XP partition. As it is now the ARC
>path in the boot.ini file probably points to:

I now have:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Home Edition"
/noexecute=optin /fastdetect
C:\="Microsoft Windows"

>
>multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)
>
>When merged partition 2 will become partition 1 so the right path would be:
>
>multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)
>
>Before you do the partition changes you can make a boot diskette an have
>several ARC paths in it, will serve to boot the computer if you have
>problems. http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/ntboot/
>
>Windows XP will (should) retain its D: drive assignment, *do* *not*
>attempt to change this! Windows must keep its drive assignment for this
>to work properly. As with all disk and partitioning work, you would be
>well advised to have a known working backup of your important files
>before you proceed. Glitches and errors during disk and partitioning
>work are not common but when they do happen they often lead to
>catastrophic data loss.
>
>John