HOW TO?

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donsigns

I have an Pentium4 with a 160gig hd.
The person who set up the machine set up four partitions.
My problem is that the C: drive has run out of space.
I have moved all data (doc) files to the other drive(s).
My question is how to get windows to use space on the other HD's?
Without having to reformat and the like.
And if so is their an easy way of doing the above?
Thanks in advance
Don
 
You probably won't need to reinstall Windows. You could uninstall any
applications you may have installed after you bought the computer, and
reinstall them and tell it to install on one of the other partitions. It
will set up a desktop shortcut that will point to the appropriate directory,
then you can move any saved data to the other drive.
 
Did that.
Thanks for the input.
Don

Patrick Palczewski said:
You probably won't need to reinstall Windows. You could uninstall any
applications you may have installed after you bought the computer, and
reinstall them and tell it to install on one of the other partitions. It
will set up a desktop shortcut that will point to the appropriate
directory, then you can move any saved data to the other drive.
Click to expand...
 
I have an Pentium4 with a 160gig hd.
The person who set up the machine set up four partitions.
My problem is that the C: drive has run out of space.
I have moved all data (doc) files to the other drive(s).
My question is how to get windows to use space on the other HD's?
Without having to reformat and the like.
And if so is their an easy way of doing the above?
Click to expand...

I'm very surprised that 160 GB isn't enough for your OS and programs. I
just went through a similar exercise, and 50 GB or so would have been
far more than enough.

It's difficult to coax Windows to use much of other disks besides C for
itself. There are a few things you can do to reclaim some space:

- Change the %TEMP% and %TMP% environment variables to point to a new
temp directory on the other disk;

- Move the entire My Documents folder to the other disk;

- Move the swap file to the other disk;

- Delete any old hotfix and service pack uninstall directories;

- Change the location of your web browser's cache to the other disk;

- Uninstall programs and reinstall them to the other disk;

- Uninstall unnecessary programs.
 
Nil said:
I'm very surprised that 160 GB isn't enough for your OS and programs.
Click to expand...

He may have meant the entire HD was 160 GB, and his C: partition is too
small. It's unclear as stated.
I just went through a similar exercise, and 50 GB or so would have been
far more than enough.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Even 40 GB would be enough, unless he's storing a bunch of large
multimedia files on it.

IF his entire drive is 160 GB and his C: partition is too small, and THAT
was his problem (which is unclear as stated), he could enlargen it
non-destructively with something like Partition Magic or Easeus Partition
Manager, I believe (but not with what's built into WinXP).
 
IF his entire drive is 160 GB and his C: partition is too small,
and THAT was his problem (which is unclear as stated), he could
enlargen it non-destructively with something like Partition Magic
or Easeus Partition Manager, I believe (but not with what's built
into WinXP).
Click to expand...

Yes, you're right, I didn't read the question closely enough. He didn't
tell us enough information to make good suggestions. If the partition
is way too small, he would need to resize it with a third-party tool.
If it's just getting a bit tight on space, he may gain back some wiggle
room using using tricks like I mentioned.

If he ever returns maybe we'll learn more about just what it is he's
working with and what he wants to do with it.
 
The only way to remove the partition without losing any data is by using
commercial programs like Partition Magic or something similar.:

Anything else is complete waste of time and prone to losing your
valuable data. However, Symantec have stopped developing Partition
Magic and they claim the tools is merged with Norton Ghost 15. I
haven't tried it yet. you can still get it from Amazon or from
dedicated crack site (free download!!!!)

hth
 
THANKS ALL FOR YOUR GREAT INPUT.
I have managed to get 5 gig back in the c: partition, with all the great
suggestions.
Don
 
Why bother partitioning in the first place? You can avoid all that you just
went through by having one partition.
 
Unknown said:
Why bother partitioning in the first place?
Click to expand...

Many people do because if data is on a separate partition to the OS it
a) makes for simpler backups and b) in the case of an OS hose, data is
not affected.
It is NOT a substitute for regular backups however.
 
Your response, 'makes for a simpler backup' is dependent on the backup
program used.
How can it be simpler if data is on a separate partition? A good backup
program will
back up data, the OS, both, only those you select or only those that have
changed since
your last backup----your choice.
Your response 'in case of an OS hose data is not affected' makes little
sense since
data may not be affected on a single partition drive either. If the OS gets,
as you say, hosed
can you even access your data?
 
Unknown said:
Your response 'in case of an OS hose data is not affected' makes little
sense since
data may not be affected on a single partition drive either.
Click to expand...

Oh yes it will. If you keep your data in the default locations on a
single partition and you have to re-install the OS those default
locations WILL BE WRITTEN OVER. Period.



If the OS gets,
as you say, hosed
can you even access your data?
Click to expand...

Very easily via a Linux Live CD thank you very much.
 
Response in line
Gordon said:
Oh yes it will. If you keep your data in the default locations on a
single partition and you have to re-install the OS those default
locations WILL BE WRITTEN OVER. Period.
Click to expand...
So what? Isn't that why you back up? Your data is safe because it is backed
up.
If the OS gets,

Very easily via a Linux Live CD thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Don't have nor want Linux. Average person uses Microsoft not Linux.
 
It really is a matter of personal preferences. It depends on how users
organize their data, not all users make use of the "My Documents"
folder, they have other preferences and they create their own folder
structures. When this is on a separated partition it can make backups
simpler as you don't have to worry about the folder structure, you just
backup the partition instead of selected folders.

As for hosed operating systems, well that is quite evident. If your
system is hosed you can reformat the drive and reinstall the operating
system without concern for user files in the "My Documents" folder or
elsewhere on the operating system drive and after the operating system
is reinstalled you don't have to restore user files. But, as was
already mentioned, having user files on a different partition is not
meant to be a replacement for proper backups.

John
 
Unknown said:
Response in line

So what? Isn't that why you back up? Your data is safe because it is backed
up.
Click to expand...

Comprehension a bit dodgy? I did say in my original post that putting
data on a separate partition is NOT a substitute for a proper backup
schedule.
And if your data is on a separate partition if you have to re-install
the OS, your data does NOT (usually) have to be restored AT ALL. Isn't
that preferable to having to faff about restoring data?

Don't have nor want Linux. Average person uses Microsoft not Linux.
Click to expand...

Well one day, when you can't boot Windows, you might be very glad to
have a Linux Live CD in order so save your sorry bigotted arse.

I and many other IT pros use them quite frequently so save data off an
un-bootable Windows machine...
 
No, because your data is on a different drive. If Windows is on C: and
your user data is on D: you can format C: and reinstall Windows without
needing to then restore the user data.

John
 
I understand. Thanks.
John John - MVP said:
No, because your data is on a different drive. If Windows is on C: and
your user data is on D: you can format C: and reinstall Windows without
needing to then restore the user data.

John
Click to expand...
 
Unknown said:
If you reformat the drive, don't you have to reinstall your data?
Click to expand...

Now you are demonstrating your stupidity. When you install your OS, you do it
in your C: drive (usually) and so your data in D drive is completely safe! Did
you get this in your thick skull?
 
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