How can I extend the bootable sector on my Hard Drive?

[Guest]

I recently purchased a SeaGate 320gb hard drive and did a fresh install of XP
Home edition, downloaded all updates (including SP2). Unfortunately, Windows
only partitioned the first 128GB of the drive as the bootable sector, leaving
170gb unpartitioned.

Now, I understand that I can easily partition the last 170gb as a SEPARATE
partition using the that the computer management tool within Windows XP.
However, I think I'd prefer to extend the original partition (if possible) so
that the entire C volume shows the full capacity of the drive.

I know that there are pros and cons to extending the original boot partition
vs. creatind a secondary partition and I'd be open to hearing from more
knowledgeable people on this matter.

And, assuming I go ahead with extending the bootable sector to the maximum
of the drive's capacity, I would also be soliciting recommendations from any
respondents for RELIABLE utilitities/software apps that will help me achieve
this ONE SECTOR goal of mine.

Thanks to all in advance...

Best,
Mark D.

 

[John John]

You will have to use a third party utility to extend the partition into
unallocated space. Disk partitioning utilities like BootItNg will do
this for you.

The partitioning scheme that you use is up to you, it's a tossup as to
what is good or recommended. Personally I prefer to keep the operating
system and all the programs on a single smaller partition and have the
user data on a different partition.

John

 

[Guest]

John,
Thanks for the info. You are the second person to sugges using BootItNG. I'm
in the process of checking it out. I'm also considering doing as you
suggested...keeping the boot partition separate from the data partition.

Thanks again for your input. Much appreciated.

Mark DiRollo

 

[John John]

You're welcome.

John

John,
Thanks for the info. You are the second person to sugges using BootItNG. I'm
in the process of checking it out. I'm also considering doing as you
suggested...keeping the boot partition separate from the data partition.

Thanks again for your input. Much appreciated.

Mark DiRollo

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