Disk Partitioning

[rnprice]

I recently purchased two new Dell desktops with decent
sized hard drives. Before I start loading software and
data files, I would like to partition the drives. Do I
need a Computer Administrator account to complete a
partition task? When I follow the Windows instructions,
I get to step 3. "Right-click an unallocated region of a
basic disk, and then right-click New Partition", I don't
see a menu choice for New Partition. All I see in the
dark type is Change Drive Letters and Paths...

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

XP's DiskPart utility is capable of only partitioning a hard drive that is empty
or has "unallocated" free space.
For example, if you were to install a new second drive, DiskPart can be
used to partition and format it. DiskPart cannot segregate current files from
free space, therefore, only a sophisticated third-party partitioning program,
such as Partition Magic 8 , can be used with a drive that already has Windows XP
installed.

The only way you can create, delete, resize or merge existing partitions,
and not harm your existing Windows installation, is to purchase and use
a third-party partitioning program such as Partition Magic 8.
http://www.powerquest.com/partitionmagic/pmdetails.cfm

The alternative is to perform a "clean install" of Windows XP:

How to Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313348&Product=winxp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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|I recently purchased two new Dell desktops with decent
| sized hard drives. Before I start loading software and
| data files, I would like to partition the drives. Do I
| need a Computer Administrator account to complete a
| partition task? When I follow the Windows instructions,
| I get to step 3. "Right-click an unallocated region of a
| basic disk, and then right-click New Partition", I don't
| see a menu choice for New Partition. All I see in the
| dark type is Change Drive Letters and Paths...
|
| Any help would be appreciated.
|
| Thanks,
|
| Bob
|

 

[Guest]

bob

it might be that you have for example 2 partitions using all the space available you have on you hdd
try deleting one of the partitions and look if it is now available

 

[Rich/rerat]

Bob,
Dell ships PC's with two (2) partitions on the HDD.
1. One that is less than (>) 50MB is FAT32 format. This contains some Dell diagnostic software, that can also be found on the Recovery disk, if it is needed.
2. Then the remaining space that is left on the HDD, usually in the NTFS format.

As mentioned before, if you do not want to change factory set-up, but want to change the size, or create additional partitions on your hdd. You will need to buy a third-party software program like Partition Magic.

If that does not bother you can use the recovery disk and reinstall a fresh copy of the OS, Dell includes extra CD's for drivers and bundled software for you to reinstall on PC. You will need to delete both partitions. Then create a new primary, and an extended partition, that you can sub-divide further.
--

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Rich/rerat

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bob,

it might be that you have for example 2 partitions using all the space available you have on you hdd.
try deleting one of the partitions and look if it is now available.

 

[Guest]

I have the same problem and Partition Magic 7 greys out the create option too. I have 53GB unused space
Could it be denied because of whatever XP chose to set up in the installation?

 

[Michael Cecil]

I have the same problem and Partition Magic 7 greys out the
Could it be denied because of whatever XP chose to set up in

You know that you can only have 4 primary partitions, right?

 

[Guest]

I do indeed. I've got one.