Can't resize partition?!?

[Guest]

After lots of tormenting over Vista and driver related problems, I've decided
to dual boot Windows XP on my computer. However I can't seem to resize my
main partition (by shrinking C: in Computer Management). I can only shrink
464MB. I have 298GB of space on my hard drive and 181GB has been used, with
116GB left over, yes it doesn't make sense - where is that other 1GB? Anyway,
the real problem is why I can't resize more than 464MB even though I have
116GB of free space. Any help appreciated.

 

[Taibear ios]

Now please honestly tell me, isn't this incredibly dumb of vista?

When vista finds an unmovable system file it can no longer resize the
partition.

This is a mediocre stupid limitation.... either make a correct resize
capability or don't do it at all!

Anyway.. you will have to use some other 3rd part program like

acronis disk director (latest version)
or paragon disk manager (latest version)

 

[Guest]

http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp

Have read of the above link, including shrinking

 

[Richard Urban]

The built-in shrink utility will be able to decrease the partition size till
it bumps against the first unmovable/locked system file.

If you want to decrease the partition further you will need a 3rd party Disk
Management tool. I use Acronis Disk Director suite. The latest posted
version (ver 10.0 build 2160) is 100% Vista compatible. After installing the
program, create the emergency CD. Reboot the computer and boot up with
this CD. Do your partition work from there. You will not be hampered
with locked files.


--

Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

 

[Joe D]

You're supposed to install the older operating system first in a dual-boot
system anyways so I don't think it'll even work unless you start from
scratch. In that case you could just delete the existing partition and
create two new ones. Install XP first and then install Vista.

 

[Twisted Vista]

Please consider a third party utility to achieve this,

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng.html

- Twisted Vista

| After lots of tormenting over Vista and driver related problems, I've decided
| to dual boot Windows XP on my computer. However I can't seem to resize my
| main partition (by shrinking C: in Computer Management). I can only shrink
| 464MB. I have 298GB of space on my hard drive and 181GB has been used, with
| 116GB left over, yes it doesn't make sense - where is that other 1GB? Anyway,
| the real problem is why I can't resize more than 464MB even though I have
| 116GB of free space. Any help appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the help guys. Will passing through the unmovable file stuff up
the computer in any way? There must be some reason why Vista doesn't allow
you to shrink further than the first unmovable file. So for example if I use
Acronis Disk Director to shrink the main partition even though there is an
unmovable file, it won't damage or lose any important system files etc?

 

[Richard Urban]

You would create the boot CD using the Acronis utility to do so. Then you
boot from the CD and do your partition work (on the system partition) from
there. No system files are locked, or in use, so you can accomplish anything
you need.

--

Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)