Create new Partition w/o Clean Install or Buying PartitionMagic, e

[Guest]

Hi Everyone. I own a dell dimension 4700 w/ Windows XP Pro w/ SP2, Pentium 4
Processor, 1 GB Ram and a 160 GB Internal HD. I only have one partition on
this computer (C: 160 GB) and I only use about 14 GB of it, so I would like
to create a new partition to make the computer load faster. I was thinking of
splitting it into 2 partitions of 80 GB each (I'd probably use the 2nd
partition in the future so I'd want it to be NTFS). Is there a SAFE way to do
this through the dell hardware or Windows XP Pro without losing what data,
programs, user settings, etc. that I have on my current C: drive? I really
don't want to buy Partition Magic, Etc. for something I'll most likely only
use once. Please be as detailed as you can because I'm a novice at this
stuff. Thanks so much in advance!
Jeff

 

[Andy]

I would not recommend you doing that if you've never done it before (as
a novice as you say) without extensively reading up on the disk
management tool that is in Windows XP's adminstrative features. Make
sure you read through how it is used thoroughly before attempting it.

 

[Workshop]

It won't make a hoots difference to your boot doing what you plan to do. The
only gain is that you will be able organize folders and files along drive
the new letters [of dubious worth] and the work experience [priceless]. The
loss is if you pay cash for third party software and, of course, the time
you spend [and there are worse ways of spending that time (but are there
better?)].

 

[Jon]

Hi Everyone. I own a dell dimension 4700 w/ Windows XP Pro w/ SP2, Pentium
4
Processor, 1 GB Ram and a 160 GB Internal HD. I only have one partition on
this computer (C: 160 GB) and I only use about 14 GB of it, so I would
like
to create a new partition to make the computer load faster. I was thinking
of
splitting it into 2 partitions of 80 GB each (I'd probably use the 2nd
partition in the future so I'd want it to be NTFS). Is there a SAFE way to
do
this through the dell hardware or Windows XP Pro without losing what data,
programs, user settings, etc. that I have on my current C: drive? I really
don't want to buy Partition Magic, Etc. for something I'll most likely
only
use once. Please be as detailed as you can because I'm a novice at this
stuff. Thanks so much in advance!
Jeff

You only have to do one resizing of your current installation, and then you
can create / delete partitions using XP's Disk Management (start > run >
diskmgmt.msc), and the free space available.There is no real need to go any
higher than 40 gb, for your main operating system partition, but that is
your choice.

There is a 30 day free trial of Bootitng (which is sufficient to make that
one resize). http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/

Jon

 

[DL]

what makes you think its going to load faster, leastways enough to notice?

 

[Rock]

Hi Everyone. I own a dell dimension 4700 w/ Windows XP Pro w/ SP2, Pentium 4
Processor, 1 GB Ram and a 160 GB Internal HD. I only have one partition on
this computer (C: 160 GB) and I only use about 14 GB of it, so I would like
to create a new partition to make the computer load faster. I was thinking of
splitting it into 2 partitions of 80 GB each (I'd probably use the 2nd
partition in the future so I'd want it to be NTFS). Is there a SAFE way to do
this through the dell hardware or Windows XP Pro without losing what data,
programs, user settings, etc. that I have on my current C: drive? I really
don't want to buy Partition Magic, Etc. for something I'll most likely only
use once. Please be as detailed as you can because I'm a novice at this
stuff. Thanks so much in advance!
Jeff

Partitioning the hard drive won't have any effect on how fast it
"loads", if by that you mean how fast the system boots. The value of
partitioning is in organizing the system. Keeping the system and apps
on one partition and data on another allows for easier backup and recovery.

There is no way to non destructively partition the system drive with
XP's native tools. Partitions can be created at the time of
installation. Since the drive is already partitioned and that one
partition takes up all the space, the only way to do this is with 3rd
party tools. BootIt NG from Terabyte Unlimited is a program that will
do what you want. It has a 30 day full featured trial version so you
can accomplish what you want with no cost.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi Everyone. I own a dell dimension 4700 w/ Windows XP Pro w/ SP2, Pentium 4
Processor, 1 GB Ram and a 160 GB Internal HD. I only have one partition on
this computer (C: 160 GB) and I only use about 14 GB of it, so I would like
to create a new partition to make the computer load faster.

Creating a second partition would have no such affect.

I was thinking of
splitting it into 2 partitions of 80 GB each (I'd probably use the 2nd
partition in the future so I'd want it to be NTFS).

Placing data files on a partition or physical hard drive separate
from the operating system and applications can greatly simplify both
system repairs/recoveries and data back-up.

Is there a SAFE way to do
this through the dell hardware or Windows XP Pro without losing what data,
programs, user settings, etc. that I have on my current C: drive?

No, none whatsoever, using WinXP's native tools. As for the
capabilities of Dell hardware, it seems highly unlikely, but ask Dell.
You'll need to obtain and use a 3rd party partitioning utility.

Symantec Partition Magic
http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/system_performance/pm80/index.html

Terabyte Unlimited's BootItNG
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng.html

VCom's Partition Commander
http://www.v-com.com/product/Partition_Commander_Home.html

I really
don't want to buy Partition Magic, Etc. for something I'll most likely only
use once. Please be as detailed as you can because I'm a novice at this
stuff. Thanks so much in advance!
Jeff

BootItNG has a free, fully functional, 30-Day Evaluation version
available for downloading.


--

Bruce Chambers

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