Basic Disk

[Nick Bradbury]

Hi

I have a computer running XP Pro with 1 hard disk, my problem is that the
system partion is full, there is plenty of space on the logical drive d: I
have looked at microsofts XP help and it appears that using diskpart. exe
utility is not an option.

Ideally I want to remove the logical drive d: and just have a c: drive, both
are formatted as NTFS.Prefereably I would like to do this without
reformatting the whole disk and a full re-install.


Any suggestion

Thanks


Nick

 

[JS]

You will need a third party utility like Partition Magic, Acronis Disk
Director,
BootIt Next Gen (which has a free trial) or Super Fdisk (worth a look).

PartitionMagic 8.0
http://www.symantec.com/norton/partitionmagic

Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/diskdirector/partitioning.html

BootIt: http://www.bootitng.com/
Acronis:
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/diskdirector/partitioning.html
Partition Magic:
http://www.powerquest.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=sp&pvid=pm80
Super Fdisk Partition Utility:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Super_Fdisk_d4985.html

Warning:
As always backup any important data files (documents, photos, music, etc.),
before using such a tool as there is always a small chance that something
can go wrong.

Better still backup (Image backup) your entire C: partition to an
external drive, a second internal drive or in a pinch use DVD media.
You can use Acronis True Image to do this as True Image 2009
has a 15 day trial version available.
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

(Acronis "Trial version" can create a Restore CD/Rescue Media,
"but I have not verified this yet". See the User's manual as you
will need to create this CD and use it should any problems occur)
User's Guide: http://us1.download.acronis.com/pdf/TrueImage12_ug.en.pdf

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Hi

I have a computer running XP Pro with 1 hard disk, my problem is that the
system partion is full, there is plenty of space on the logical drive d: I
have looked at microsofts XP help and it appears that using diskpart. exe
utility is not an option.

Ideally I want to remove the logical drive d: and just have a c: drive,
both
are formatted as NTFS.Prefereably I would like to do this without
reformatting the whole disk and a full re-install.


Any suggestion

Thanks


Nick

In addition to what you have been advised, any major change to the hard
drive can result in total loss of everything saved to it.

Do a complete backup of all your data and important stuff before you start,
and don't back the stuff up to D..

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have a computer running XP Pro with 1 hard disk, my problem is that the
system partion is full, there is plenty of space on the logical drive d: I
have looked at microsofts XP help and it appears that using diskpart. exe
utility is not an option.

Ideally I want to remove the logical drive d: and just have a c: drive,

Actually, no, what I assume you want to do is remove the logical drive
D: *and* resize drive C to include the space that D: used to use.

I don't say the above to give you a hard time. I just wanted you to
get the terminology right, so you don't make a mistake in what options
you choose in the program you use.

both
are formatted as NTFS.Prefereably I would like to do this without
reformatting the whole disk and a full re-install.

Windows XP has no ability to resize partitions. The only way to do
what you want is with third-party software. Partition Magic is the
best-known such program, but there are freeware/shareware
alternatives. One such program is BootIt Next Generation. It's
shareware, but comes with a free 30-day trial, so you may be able to
do what you want within that 30 days. I haven't used it myself
(because I've never needed to use *any* such program), but it comes
highly recommended by several other MVPs here.

 

[1PW]

Hi

I have a computer running XP Pro with 1 hard disk, my problem is that the
system partition is full, there is plenty of space on the logical drive d: I
have looked at Microsoft's XP help and it appears that using diskpart. exe
utility is not an option.

Ideally I want to remove the logical drive d: and just have a c: drive, both
are formatted as NTFS. Preferably I would like to do this without
reformatting the whole disk and a full re-install.


Any suggestion

Thanks


Nick

Hello Nick:

I agree with all the posts above and would only add the freeware
application GParted on a LiveCD for your consideration.

<http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php>

Additionally, if the free space you pick up isn't enough to see your
computer to its end of life, you might look at newer and larger HDDs.
Prices are not so bad.

Pete

 

[Gerry]

Nick

The answers you are getting are the same as you got yesterday!

You can create more free space in C by
carrying any of the measures suggested below.

The default allocation to System Restore is 12% on your C partition
which is over generous. I would reduce it to 700 mb. Right click your My
Computer icon on the Desktop and select System Restore. Place the cursor
on your C drive select Settings but this time find the slider and drag
it to the left until it reads 700 mb and exit. When you get to the
Settings screen click on Apply and OK and exit.

A default setting which could be wasteful is that for temporary internet
files, especially if you do not store offline copies on disk. The
default allocation is 3% of drive. Depending on your attitude to offline
copies you could reduce this to 1% or 2%. In Internet Explorer select
Tools, Internet Options, General, Temporary Internet Files, Settings to
make the change. At the same time look at the number of days history is
held.

The default allocation for the Recycle Bin is 10 % of drive. Change to
5%, which should be sufficient. In Windows Explorer place the cursor
on your Recycle Bin, right click and select Properties, Global and
move the slider from 10% to 5%. However, try to avoid letting it get
too full as if it is full and you delete a file by mistake it will
bypass the Recycle Bin and be gone for ever.

If your drive is formatted as NTFS another potential gain arises with
your operating system on your C drive. In the Windows Directory of
your C partition you will have some Uninstall folders in your Windows
folder typically: $NtServicePackUninstall$ and $NtUninstallKB282010$
etc. These files may be compressed or not compressed. If compressed
the text of the folder name appears in blue characters. If not
compressed you can compress them. Right click on each folder and
select Properties, General, Advanced and check the box before Compress
contents to save Disk Space. On the General Tab you can see the amount
gained by deducting the size on disk from the size. Folder
compression is only an option on a NTFS formatted drive / partition.

Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System
Information, Tools, Dr Watson and verify that the box before "Append to
existing log" is NOT checked. This means the next time the log is
written it will overwrite rather than add to the existing file.

The default maximum size setting for Event Viewer logs is too large.
Reset the maximum for each log from 512 kb to 128 kb and set it to
overwrite.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

You can generate more space in the system partition by relocation of
folders.

For Temporary Internet Files select Start, Control Panel, Internet
Options, Temporary Internet Files. Settings, Move Folder.

To move the Outlook Express Store Folder select in Outlook Express
Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder, Change.
http://www.tomsterdam.com/insideoe/files/store.htm

How to Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310147

You may also need to change Default File locations in the Microsoft
Office programmes you choose to move the My Documents folder. For Word
go to Tools, Options, File Locations, highlight Documents, click on
Modify and change file path. For Excel go to Tools, Options, General
and change default file path.

My Documents is one of a number of system created Special Folders
including My Pictures and My Music. These can more easily be relocated
using Tweak Ui. Download TweakUI, one of the MS powertoys, from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

In TweakUi select My Computer, Special Folders. You can scroll down to
see the full list of Special Folders to the left of the Change
Location button.


Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp to
Empty your Recycle Bin and Remove Temporary Internet Files. Also
select Start, All Programs, accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp,
More Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest System
Restore point. Run Disk Defragmenter.



--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Nick Bradbury]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

I'll start with a C: Drive tidy up while I get to grips with what I need to
do with back ups and disk imaging etc.

Many Thanks


Nick

 

[RobertVA]

Hi

I have a computer running XP Pro with 1 hard disk, my problem is that the
system partion is full, there is plenty of space on the logical drive d: I
have looked at microsofts XP help and it appears that using diskpart. exe
utility is not an option.

Ideally I want to remove the logical drive d: and just have a c: drive, both
are formatted as NTFS.Prefereably I would like to do this without
reformatting the whole disk and a full re-install.

Any suggestion

Thanks
Nick

Have you tried:

Moving data files, especially large files like videos and ripped music
files, from your C: partition to your D: partition or an external drive
(like an MP3 player)?

Uninstalling some applications from your computer and using "Custom Set
Up" options to reinstall those you want to continue using on your D:
partition?

 

[Twayne]

Hi

I have a computer running XP Pro with 1 hard disk, my problem is that
the system partion is full, there is plenty of space on the logical
drive d: I have looked at microsofts XP help and it appears that
using diskpart. exe utility is not an option.

Ideally I want to remove the logical drive d: and just have a c:
drive, both are formatted as NTFS.Prefereably I would like to do this
without reformatting the whole disk and a full re-install.


Any suggestion

Thanks


Nick

You cannot do it non-destructively with anything native to XP. In fact,
whatever you choose will still warn to to be sure you do a backup of
your important data first. Stuff does happen.

You need to either backup your important data, do a Clean Install which
gives you the opportunity to set up your partitions right inthe
beginning, and then formats/installs XP or, you can

Look into finding a partition manager. Partition Magic is one brand and
the one I use, I think Acronis makes a partition manager or something
named like that, and there are even a few very basic freebies around but
I'm not familiar with them and thus can't personally recommend them.
Partition Magic and Acronis' programs are pay-fors but worth the cost if
you aren't backing up by using imaging software. Google can find any of
them but beware the freebies; you need to be sure ther're trustworthy &
not crapware or malicions. These programs CAN move partition sizes etc.
around without damaging any data in theory, but depending on that is
pure folly: Always back up before you run such things.

A manual rebuild from scratch can pretty easily eat up 4+ hours, 2 is
about the minimum if you know what your'e doing, where imaging software
can accomplish a reimaging operation in usually less than a half hour
depending on how big your drive is.

Rather than continuing to wonder how big C and D need to be, it's best,
as you plan, to make it all just one partition of the whole drive.

HTH,

Twayne

 

[Twayne]

That will work; but not necessarily for long. You'll shortly find the
few Gigs that recovers for you wont' last long and you'll be right back
where you are now. Drives are very cheap right now, so this would be a
good time to buy a larger drive, partition is as you desire, give the C
part lots of room to expand, probably twice what it now has, and set up
the rest as you wish. One large partition is still a good idea t his
way even though there are reasons to do differently. When you
understand things more fully then you can delve into more exotic
solutions<g>.

HTH

Twayne

 

[Gerry]

Twayne

What pompous twaddle. Go away!

--



Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Hi

I have a computer running XP Pro with 1 hard disk, my problem is that the
system partion is full, there is plenty of space on the logical drive d: I
have looked at microsofts XP help and it appears that using diskpart. exe
utility is not an option.

Ideally I want to remove the logical drive d: and just have a c: drive,
both
are formatted as NTFS.Prefereably I would like to do this without
reformatting the whole disk and a full re-install.


Any suggestion

Thanks


Nick

Didn't you ask this yesterday?

You cannot do this with native XP tools, you will have to purchase 3rd party
software such as Acronis DiskDirector or Partition Magic.

You also need to fully back up your system, FIRST.

HTH
-pk

 

[Twayne]

Twayne

What pompous twaddle. Go away!

I will do as I wish, whenever I wish, however I wish. Only unlike you I
am not a powermongering twit wishing hate & discontent around the
groups. Get a life. Get meds. Get help. NIH bothers you, huh?

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Hi

I have a computer running XP Pro with 1 hard disk, my problem is that the
system partion is full, there is plenty of space on the logical drive d: I
have looked at microsofts XP help and it appears that using diskpart. exe
utility is not an option.

Ideally I want to remove the logical drive d: and just have a c: drive,
both
are formatted as NTFS.Prefereably I would like to do this without
reformatting the whole disk and a full re-install.


Any suggestion

Thanks


Nick

I think you've asked this before. You would have to use 3rd party
utilities and Diskpart will not help you. Utilties include Acronis Disk
Director and Partition Magic.

You absolutely should back up your drives before attempting this, so you
should consider gettng a larger disk and cloning the system partition to
that, running in manual mode to set the target partition to the full size of
the drive. You can use the free trial of Acronis TrueImage for this
purpose. The process shouldn't take long and is reliable. Just don't
tell the cloner to wipe the source partition at the end of the process.

Cloning the disk in this way will take you directly to the larger partition
without putting your data at risk or having to run that extra backup step,
which might take hours.

HTH
-pk

 

[Python42]

Personally, I use Partition Magic and Drive Image Pro but gparted is also
good, free and very reliable. To free up space on C you could always move
your pagefile.sys to another drive and disable hibernation (which allocates
hiberfile.sys to be as big as your available RAM). This would just buy you
some time. I recommend a full backup, then using gparted (or equivalemt) to
make C bigger.

I ALWAYS partition my systems with a C (system/apps) and a D (my files).
That way, I can configure my C to have the OS features and apps that I want.
Once I have a system set up, I create a disk image of C and keep it on D.
Every 6-8 months when my system starts to act up (usually due to the
frequency with which I install new software to test), I just re-install the
previous image, apply OS/anti-virus updates, etc and make a new image.

I also maintain a few home systems for relatives who don't know any better
than to install all the crap that they see on the internet. These systems
also have a set of image files on the D drive that are carefully hidden and
protected so they can be restored at a moment's notice.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Personally, I use Partition Magic and Drive Image Pro but gparted is also
good, free and very reliable. To free up space on C you could always move
your pagefile.sys to another drive and disable hibernation (which allocates
hiberfile.sys to be as big as your available RAM). This would just buy you
some time. I recommend a full backup, then using gparted (or equivalemt) to
make C bigger.

I ALWAYS partition my systems with a C (system/apps) and a D (my files).
That way, I can configure my C to have the OS features and apps that I want.
Once I have a system set up, I create a disk image of C and keep it on D.

Backing up to a second partition on your drive is the *worst* possible
form of backup. I don't recommend backup to a second non-removable
hard drive (and even worse is a second partition on your only drive)
because it leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss of
the original and backup to many of the most common dangers: severe
power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, even theft of
the computer.

In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not kept
in the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example, if the
life of your business depends on your data) you should have multiple
generations of backup, and at least one of those generations should be
stored off-site.

Every 6-8 months when my system starts to act up (usually due to the
frequency with which I install new software to test), I just re-install the
previous image, apply OS/anti-virus updates, etc and make a new image.

If your system acts up every 6-8 months, you are doing something very
much wrong. Well-maintained systems *never* need to be reinstalled,
from an image or any other way. I've never needed to do that on any of
my machines, nor on the machines of any other people I help (and I too
install and test a fair amount of software).

 

[JS]

Even removable media is susceptible to failure,
so I also burn to DVD media and once Blu-ray
drives and media drop in price this will be a valid
choice also.

 

[Twayne]

Backing up to a second partition on your drive is the *worst* possible
form of backup.

But ... it IS a backup, still. It's only as good as the D drive lives,
but still useful many times. Instead of "worst possible" statements you
need to think more positively in the direction "better forms" of backup;
a lot fewer people would be put off by your condescending attitudes.

I don't recommend backup to a second non-removable

Who the hell cares what YOU recommend?

hard drive (and even worse is a second partition on your only drive)
because it leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss of
the original and backup to many of the most common dangers: severe
power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, even theft of
the computer.

In my view,

That's not just "your view" only, and you aren't anywhere near the
inventor of it. Gads, be realistic and put the ego away for awhile,
man.

secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not kept

in the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example, if the
life of your business depends on your data) you should have multiple
generations of backup, and at least one of those generations should be
stored off-site.





If your system acts up every 6-8 months, you are doing something very
much wrong. Well-maintained systems *never* need to be reinstalled,
from an image or any other way. I've never needed to do that on any of
my machines, nor on the machines of any other people I help (and I too
install and test a fair amount of software).

Yeah; he said so, in fact. Are you feeling threatened by that post or
something? At least get some new boilerplate to use that's less
narcissictic.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Personally, I use Partition Magic and Drive Image Pro but gparted is also
good, free and very reliable. To free up space on C you could always move
your pagefile.sys to another drive and disable hibernation (which
allocates hiberfile.sys to be as big as your available RAM). This would
just buy you some time. I recommend a full backup, then using gparted (or
equivalemt) to make C bigger.

I ALWAYS partition my systems with a C (system/apps) and a D (my files).
That way, I can configure my C to have the OS features and apps that I
want. Once I have a system set up, I create a disk image of C and keep it
on D.

Given the number of failed drives that have appeared on my desk in the last
year, I can't say that is a reliable plan.

When the drive itself fails, all partitions are equally unavailable.
Backups to the same drive are just gone.

Always use at least one physically separate disk, and if possible, keep a
current copy offsite.

HTH
-pk

 

[Anthony Buckland]

Even removable media is susceptible to failure,
so I also burn to DVD media and once Blu-ray
drives and media drop in price this will be a valid
choice also.
...

My own choice, using Acronis True Image:
-make crucial backups to both the Secure Zone (on the same
drive as C:, so vulnerable to a crash), and to a removable
drive. I have two removable drives, and periodically swap
the one I've been using for the other one, in a secure
location. Short of an unlikely coincidence of disaster,
the worst that could happen is having to back out to the
last image saved on the secure-location drive before the
last removable drive swap.