Hi all,

I am still messing with my harddisk upgrading. With your previous help, I
have a clearer idea now how to make it a minimal hassle for me...

Recall that I have 2 40GB harddisk, partitioned into C, D, E, F, G, H, I
drives, with a 11GB C drive, which constantly ran low leading to bad
performance. D drive is a programs drive, I think it's belong to the second
harddisk. E, F, G, H, I are data drives.

Now my plan of attack is to combine the 3 partitions which belongs ot the
harddisk containing C drive to a big 40GB C drive.

I definitely know PartitionMagic. But I have always failed using it. Last
time I tried: I had told myself not to damage the partition, but it did
damage the partition, my OS was gone, and I had to reinstall everything.

This time I am facing the same problem -- the C drive is a OS partition, and
it is vital. Can anybody give me a step-by-step workflow that will
DEFINITELY work without damaging the C drive? The least thing I want is to
reinstall everyting.

Thanks a lot

Hi,

I would suggest using Bootit NG.

BootIt Next Generation - Videos and Tutorials
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/examples.html

BootIt Next Generation - Help and Support
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/support.html

TeraByte Unlimited - Outlook Express Setup - Product Support Newsgroup Forums
http://www.bootitng.com/oehelp.html

BootIt NG Next Generation
http://members.shaw.ca/bootitng/index.htm#bootedit

Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org
Member: http://dts-l.org


cfman wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I am still messing with my harddisk upgrading. With your previous help, I
> have a clearer idea now how to make it a minimal hassle for me...
>
> Recall that I have 2 40GB harddisk, partitioned into C, D, E, F, G, H, I
> drives, with a 11GB C drive, which constantly ran low leading to bad
> performance. D drive is a programs drive, I think it's belong to the second
> harddisk. E, F, G, H, I are data drives.
>
> Now my plan of attack is to combine the 3 partitions which belongs ot the
> harddisk containing C drive to a big 40GB C drive.
>
> I definitely know PartitionMagic. But I have always failed using it. Last
> time I tried: I had told myself not to damage the partition, but it did
> damage the partition, my OS was gone, and I had to reinstall everything.
>
> This time I am facing the same problem -- the C drive is a OS partition, and
> it is vital. Can anybody give me a step-by-step workflow that will
> DEFINITELY work without damaging the C drive? The least thing I want is to
> reinstall everyting.
>
> Thanks a lot

before you start, you should image your C-Drive and D-Drive using Acronis
True Image or us Symantec (previously Norton) Ghost. Either of these
products and can create a perfect image that can be stored on a DVD or can
be broken down small enough to be stored on multiple CD's (if that is the
only option). Then if you crap out your drive, you can restore it back to
the current condition.

I always keep an image of my partitions stored for possible restoration. A
simple way to do things is to image the partition, get a bigger drive, then
restore on to the new drive. Everything will restore perfect.


"cfman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi all,
>
> I am still messing with my harddisk upgrading. With your previous help, I
> have a clearer idea now how to make it a minimal hassle for me...
>
> Recall that I have 2 40GB harddisk, partitioned into C, D, E, F, G, H, I
> drives, with a 11GB C drive, which constantly ran low leading to bad
> performance. D drive is a programs drive, I think it's belong to the
> second harddisk. E, F, G, H, I are data drives.
>
> Now my plan of attack is to combine the 3 partitions which belongs ot the
> harddisk containing C drive to a big 40GB C drive.
>
> I definitely know PartitionMagic. But I have always failed using it. Last
> time I tried: I had told myself not to damage the partition, but it did
> damage the partition, my OS was gone, and I had to reinstall everything.
>
> This time I am facing the same problem -- the C drive is a OS partition,
> and it is vital. Can anybody give me a step-by-step workflow that will
> DEFINITELY work without damaging the C drive? The least thing I want is to
> reinstall everyting.
>
> Thanks a lot
>

"JCO" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> before you start, you should image your C-Drive and D-Drive using Acronis
> True Image or us Symantec (previously Norton) Ghost. Either of these
> products and can create a perfect image that can be stored on a DVD or can
> be broken down small enough to be stored on multiple CD's (if that is the
> only option). Then if you crap out your drive, you can restore it back
> to the current condition.
>
> I always keep an image of my partitions stored for possible restoration.
> A simple way to do things is to image the partition, get a bigger drive,
> then restore on to the new drive. Everything will restore perfect.
>
>

Okay, you advised me on how to prepare for failure; but you haven't told me
how to work for success. What steps shall I follow to combine all the
partitions on one harddisk(say, C, E, F) and all the partitions on the other
harddisk(say, D, G, H, I) each into one big partition? What steps will lead
to success without the need to restore the failed partitions at the first
place?

Thanks a lot!

That really depends a lot on what is on the drives. Last week a friend of
mine wanted me to do a similar task but he installed programs on
4-partitions so that each of them had a "Program Files" Folder. That makes
things real tough and nearly impossible. First of all, always start by
cleanning out all tmp files / tmp folders from the C-Drive and delete all
internet cookies. I assume you did this already. It can give you enough
wiggle room to get started. What can be a real problem is that PM must have
a certain percentage of free space or it won't work at all. I'm not sure
what that amount is. It will tell you if you don't have enough.

Then make sure you've done a "Check Disk" on each partition. Ohterwise, PM
will screw up without you know what happened.

From what you said earlier, the OS is on C & Applications on D (which may be
a different hard disk). So its very difficutlt to say. But one thing is
for sure, you can only move free space from an adjacent partition. Lets
assume C, D, E, F are all on one hard drive. You can only move space from
D to C. This means you may have to start taking space from F first over to
E. Safe to reboot in between when things get complicated. Then you can
take space from E for D, Reboot, then take space from D to C & Reboot again.
Like I said, it is safe to reboot on complicated moves otherwise the
Registry can get all messed up. Thats the way to move free space but it
assumes that somewhere down the food chain... free space exists.

Don't know if you have enough to go on here but I's going on mid-night so
that's all I can type for now. I will watch this thread and get your
response.

My original remarks was not preparing you for failure but for success. It
makes sense to Image the drive before you start then you have different
options. If your OS, Application Image is on a DVD. If you Data is backed
up, you can reformat and repartition the drive anyway you want to. Then
restore to it. That's not a something to do only if you fail. That's a
"Plan of Action" that you do instead of the way I mentioned in the first
4-paragraphs.

Good Luck


"cfman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "JCO" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> before you start, you should image your C-Drive and D-Drive using Acronis
>> True Image or us Symantec (previously Norton) Ghost. Either of these
>> products and can create a perfect image that can be stored on a DVD or
>> can be broken down small enough to be stored on multiple CD's (if that is
>> the only option). Then if you crap out your drive, you can restore it
>> back to the current condition.
>>
>> I always keep an image of my partitions stored for possible restoration.
>> A simple way to do things is to image the partition, get a bigger drive,
>> then restore on to the new drive. Everything will restore perfect.
>>
>>
>
> Okay, you advised me on how to prepare for failure; but you haven't told
> me how to work for success. What steps shall I follow to combine all the
> partitions on one harddisk(say, C, E, F) and all the partitions on the
> other harddisk(say, D, G, H, I) each into one big partition? What steps
> will lead to success without the need to restore the failed partitions at
> the first place?
>
> Thanks a lot!
>

"JCO" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:8glQh.3491$jZ3.2600@trnddc06...
> That really depends a lot on what is on the drives. Last week a friend of mine
> wanted me to do a similar task but he installed programs on 4-partitions so that
> each of them had a "Program Files" Folder. That makes things real tough and nearly
> impossible. First of all, always start by cleanning out all tmp files / tmp
> folders from the C-Drive and delete all internet cookies. I assume you did this
> already. It can give you enough wiggle room to get started. What can be a real
> problem is that PM must have a certain percentage of free space or it won't work at
> all. I'm not sure what that amount is. It will tell you if you don't have enough.
>
> Then make sure you've done a "Check Disk" on each partition. Ohterwise, PM will
> screw up without you know what happened.
>
> From what you said earlier, the OS is on C & Applications on D (which may be a
> different hard disk). So its very difficutlt to say. But one thing is for sure,
> you can only move free space from an adjacent partition. Lets assume C, D, E, F
> are all on one hard drive. You can only move space from D to C. This means you
> may have to start taking space from F first over to E. Safe to reboot in between
> when things get complicated. Then you can take space from E for D, Reboot, then
> take space from D to C & Reboot again.

Not true. It's been some time since I used BING, but IIRC you can slide the free
space to any other partition that's on the drive. I now use and have been for quite
some time, Acronis Disk Director, and it can take free space from any partition on
the drive and add it to any other on that drive.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

> Like I said, it is safe to reboot on complicated moves otherwise the Registry can
> get all messed up. Thats the way to move free space but it assumes that somewhere
> down the food chain... free space exists.
>
> Don't know if you have enough to go on here but I's going on mid-night so that's
> all I can type for now. I will watch this thread and get your response.
>
> My original remarks was not preparing you for failure but for success. It makes
> sense to Image the drive before you start then you have different options. If
> your OS, Application Image is on a DVD. If you Data is backed up, you can reformat
> and repartition the drive anyway you want to. Then restore to it. That's not a
> something to do only if you fail. That's a "Plan of Action" that you do instead of
> the way I mentioned in the first 4-paragraphs.
>
> Good Luck
>
>
> "cfman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> "JCO" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> before you start, you should image your C-Drive and D-Drive using Acronis True
>>> Image or us Symantec (previously Norton) Ghost. Either of these products and can
>>> create a perfect image that can be stored on a DVD or can be broken down small
>>> enough to be stored on multiple CD's (if that is the only option). Then if you
>>> crap out your drive, you can restore it back to the current condition.
>>>
>>> I always keep an image of my partitions stored for possible restoration. A simple
>>> way to do things is to image the partition, get a bigger drive, then restore on
>>> to the new drive. Everything will restore perfect.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Okay, you advised me on how to prepare for failure; but you haven't told me how to
>> work for success. What steps shall I follow to combine all the partitions on one
>> harddisk(say, C, E, F) and all the partitions on the other harddisk(say, D, G, H,
>> I) each into one big partition? What steps will lead to success without the need
>> to restore the failed partitions at the first place?
>>
>> Thanks a lot!
>>
>
>

Okay, I used Acronis but not the other tools you mentioned. cfman says
that he has Partition Magic. I'm almost positive that you have to do it in
several steps to ensure you don't mess things up.

Thanks for the update on Acronis. I will look into that.

"Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "JCO" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:8glQh.3491$jZ3.2600@trnddc06...
>> That really depends a lot on what is on the drives. Last week a friend
>> of mine wanted me to do a similar task but he installed programs on
>> 4-partitions so that each of them had a "Program Files" Folder. That
>> makes things real tough and nearly impossible. First of all, always
>> start by cleanning out all tmp files / tmp folders from the C-Drive and
>> delete all internet cookies. I assume you did this already. It can give
>> you enough wiggle room to get started. What can be a real problem is
>> that PM must have a certain percentage of free space or it won't work at
>> all. I'm not sure what that amount is. It will tell you if you don't
>> have enough.
>>
>> Then make sure you've done a "Check Disk" on each partition. Ohterwise,
>> PM will screw up without you know what happened.
>>
>> From what you said earlier, the OS is on C & Applications on D (which may
>> be a different hard disk). So its very difficutlt to say. But one thing
>> is for sure, you can only move free space from an adjacent partition.
>> Lets assume C, D, E, F are all on one hard drive. You can only move
>> space from D to C. This means you may have to start taking space from F
>> first over to E. Safe to reboot in between when things get complicated.
>> Then you can take space from E for D, Reboot, then take space from D to C
>> & Reboot again.
>
> Not true. It's been some time since I used BING, but IIRC you can slide
> the free space to any other partition that's on the drive. I now use and
> have been for quite some time, Acronis Disk Director, and it can take free
> space from any partition on the drive and add it to any other on that
> drive.
>
>
> --
>
> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
> Conflicts start where information lacks.
> http://basconotw.mvps.org/
>
> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
>
>> Like I said, it is safe to reboot on complicated moves otherwise the
>> Registry can get all messed up. Thats the way to move free space but it
>> assumes that somewhere down the food chain... free space exists.
>>
>> Don't know if you have enough to go on here but I's going on mid-night so
>> that's all I can type for now. I will watch this thread and get your
>> response.
>>
>> My original remarks was not preparing you for failure but for success.
>> It makes sense to Image the drive before you start then you have
>> different options. If your OS, Application Image is on a DVD. If you
>> Data is backed up, you can reformat and repartition the drive anyway you
>> want to. Then restore to it. That's not a something to do only if you
>> fail. That's a "Plan of Action" that you do instead of the way I
>> mentioned in the first 4-paragraphs.
>>
>> Good Luck
>>
>>
>> "cfman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>
>>> "JCO" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> before you start, you should image your C-Drive and D-Drive using
>>>> Acronis True Image or us Symantec (previously Norton) Ghost. Either of
>>>> these products and can create a perfect image that can be stored on a
>>>> DVD or can be broken down small enough to be stored on multiple CD's
>>>> (if that is the only option). Then if you crap out your drive, you
>>>> can restore it back to the current condition.
>>>>
>>>> I always keep an image of my partitions stored for possible
>>>> restoration. A simple way to do things is to image the partition, get a
>>>> bigger drive, then restore on to the new drive. Everything will
>>>> restore perfect.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Okay, you advised me on how to prepare for failure; but you haven't told
>>> me how to work for success. What steps shall I follow to combine all the
>>> partitions on one harddisk(say, C, E, F) and all the partitions on the
>>> other harddisk(say, D, G, H, I) each into one big partition? What steps
>>> will lead to success without the need to restore the failed partitions
>>> at the first place?
>>>
>>> Thanks a lot!
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

"JCO" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:HQtQh.5907$P84.3870@trnddc07...
> Okay, I used Acronis but not the other tools you mentioned. cfman says
> that he has Partition Magic. I'm almost positive that you have to do it
> in several steps to ensure you don't mess things up.
>
> Thanks for the update on Acronis. I will look into that.
>


I don't have PM on my hand. I just have heard about it... if you have better
software that is more fool-proof and will not screw up my system, I want to
have a try. I know this is a "dangerous" job, but I have to do it because my
C drive(a pure OS drive) is always 0GB now... a huge tough headache!!! PM
won't work on this partition, because it does not have enough free space???

cfman wrote:

> "JCO" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:HQtQh.5907$P84.3870@trnddc07...
>
>>Okay, I used Acronis but not the other tools you mentioned. cfman says
>>that he has Partition Magic. I'm almost positive that you have to do it
>>in several steps to ensure you don't mess things up.
>>
>>Thanks for the update on Acronis. I will look into that.
>>
>
>
>
> I don't have PM on my hand. I just have heard about it... if you have better
> software that is more fool-proof and will not screw up my system, I want to
> have a try. I know this is a "dangerous" job, but I have to do it because my
> C drive(a pure OS drive) is always 0GB now... a huge tough headache!!! PM
> won't work on this partition, because it does not have enough free space???

I take it that you have done a disk cleanup and that you have deleted
all the files that can safely be removed? All temp files? Temporary
Internet files? $NtUninstallKBnnnnnn$ files? Emptied the Recycle bin?
After you have deleted all unecessary files delete the pagefile and
try doing the partion work again. You do have a back up of your
precious data, do you?

John

"cfman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "JCO" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:HQtQh.5907$P84.3870@trnddc07...
>> Okay, I used Acronis but not the other tools you mentioned. cfman says
>> that he has Partition Magic. I'm almost positive that you have to do it
>> in several steps to ensure you don't mess things up.
>>
>> Thanks for the update on Acronis. I will look into that.
>>
>
>
> I don't have PM on my hand. I just have heard about it... if you have
> better software that is more fool-proof and will not screw up my system, I
> want to have a try. I know this is a "dangerous" job, but I have to do it
> because my C drive(a pure OS drive) is always 0GB now... a huge tough
> headache!!! PM won't work on this partition, because it does not have
> enough free space???

The way to fool proof any computer operation, or at least give you a goodly
measure of protection, is to have a good backup, preferably using disk
imaging. Nothing utility is fool proof; any work at the file level such as
partitioning has risk.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]