Merging Partitions XP Media Center Disk from Dell

[MikeG]

I am trying to merge C and D partitions without success.

Norton Partition Magic won't do it as I get Error 4 Bad Argument.

I thought I could boot from the OS CD and delete the two partitions and then
merge them, but I couldn't. The program would only let me create them in
their original sizes, 49 gigs each.

I bought PM 8.0 which won't work, even with support, so I'm back to square
one.

Is there a way to use the OS CD and merge the two partitions? I am using the
OS disk I got from Dell if it matters, WinXP Media Center
Edition...Thanks...Mike

 

[easymike29 via WindowsKB.com]

Mike
I know nothing about Dell computers and do not know what the result may have
on your system but you can delete any and all partitions using copy/wipe from
a floppy It will write zeros over the entire HD and will erase all partitions
leaving it ready for formatting. Copy/wipe is free and available at
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/copywipe.php
Gene

 

[smlunatick]

I am trying to merge C and D partitions without success.

Norton Partition Magic won't do it as I get Error 4 Bad Argument.

I thought I could boot from the OS CD and delete the two partitions and then
merge them, but I couldn't. The program would only let me create them in
their original sizes, 49 gigs each.

I bought PM 8.0 which won't work, even with support, so I'm back to square
one.

Is there a way to use the OS CD and merge the two partitions? I am using the
OS disk I got from Dell if it matters, WinXP Media Center
Edition...Thanks...Mike

XP does not have a any utility to "merge" partitions. Partition Magic
is usually a "good" utility to do this "merging."

However, you are using a DELL PC. This changes everything. You need
to know that Dell, like most other "name brand" PC builders, now have
a tendacy to include a "recovery" partition to several of the PC
modules. This "recovery" partition is not a "normal" partition that
Partition Magic can "completely" control/manupilate. Dell may be
using this partition as a means to allow you to "recover" your main
partition (C in the even that XP crashes.

Partition Magic can only "merge" partitions of the "same" type. FAT32
or NTFS can not be merged together.

Another possibility, if the D: drive does not have any files you want
to keep , is to "delete" that partition and then with Partition Magic,
extend the C: drive partition into this newly "unallocated" space.

 

[MikeG]

You are a genius. I deleted D and then used PM to resize C - it worked
beautifully. Norton Support had no answers for me after a couple hours on
the phone (with India) last night.

You have solved the entire problem. You are the Man, and I thank you very
much!! Now I have to reletter the others and I'm done. Will formatting be
any issue on the enlarged C partition now, do you know? Everything seems to
be working properly. Mike

 

[smlunatick]

You are a genius. I deleted D and then used PM to resize C - it worked
beautifully. Norton Support had no answers for me after a couple hours on
the phone (with India) last night.

You have solved the entire problem. You are the Man, and I thank you very
much!! Now I have to reletter the others and I'm done. Will formatting be
any issue on the enlarged C partition now, do you know? Everything seems to









- Show quoted text -

Looks like Symantec is "killing" another good utility. As long as the
"new" C: is formatted with NTFS (FAT32 has been "lamed" by MS in XP,)
the drive should be okay. As with any hard drive, backups are always
important!