Merging partitions

[Bill in Co.]

I was wondering if this was even possible, while retaining all date and time
stamps, even with a third party program. Let me be more specific:

Suppose you have two partitions, D: and E:, and want to combine them into
one partition, *AND want to preserve ALL date and time stamps of all the
previous directories and files contained within each of the two partitions*.
(I don't think this is possible even with the third party apps, but I'm not
sure).

NOTE: simply creating a new partition and copying or merging the data is
NOT acceptable, because obviously that will not preserve the existing
date-time stamps of the previous directories.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

I was wondering if this was even possible, while retaining all date and
time stamps, even with a third party program. Let me be more specific:

Suppose you have two partitions, D: and E:, and want to combine them into
one partition, *AND want to preserve ALL date and time stamps of all the
previous directories and files contained within each of the two
partitions*. (I don't think this is possible even with the third party
apps, but I'm not sure).

NOTE: simply creating a new partition and copying or merging the data is
NOT acceptable, because obviously that will not preserve the existing
date-time stamps of the previous directories.

Not necessarily. If you use robocopy
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...69-57FF-4AE7-96EE-B18C4790CFFD&displaylang=en)
to copy the folders then you can use the /dcopy:t switch to preserve the
folder dates.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Not necessarily. If you use robocopy
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...69-57FF-4AE7-96EE-B18C4790CFFD&displaylang=en)
to copy the folders then you can use the /dcopy:t switch to preserve the
folder dates.

Good point. I've used robocopy before, and perhaps that's the only way to
get around this. Well actually, I have used EasyRoboCopy before, so you
don't even need to do it at the command line. Just check the right boxes.


But AFAIK, this operation apparently can't be done with any Partition
Manager programs with a selection like "Merge Partitions", for example.

 

[Maurice]

I was wondering if this was even possible, while retaining all date and
time stamps, even with a third party program. Let me be more specific:

Suppose you have two partitions, D: and E:, and want to combine them into
one partition, *AND want to preserve ALL date and time stamps of all the
previous directories and files contained within each of the two
partitions*. (I don't think this is possible even with the third party
apps, but I'm not sure).

NOTE: simply creating a new partition and copying or merging the data is
NOT acceptable, because obviously that will not preserve the existing
date-time stamps of the previous directories.

check http://www.partition-tool.com/

Maurice

 

[dadiOH]

I was wondering if this was even possible, while retaining all date
and time stamps, even with a third party program. Let me be more
specific:
Suppose you have two partitions, D: and E:, and want to combine them
into one partition, *AND want to preserve ALL date and time stamps of
all the previous directories and files contained within each of the
two partitions*. (I don't think this is possible even with the third
party apps, but I'm not sure).

Though I've never had the need to merge partitions I have resized them. All
dates were preserved in the resizing and I would expect that to be true if
merged as there is no need or reason for the program being used to change
the dates, merely move something as needed. FWIW, I use Paragon Hard Drive
Manager.
_____________

NOTE: simply creating a new partition and copying or merging the
data is NOT acceptable, because obviously that will not preserve the
existing date-time stamps of the previous directories.

As Pegasus said, that isn't necessarily true. Many programs will do that
including Karen's Replicator

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

 

[Terry R.]

Not necessarily. If you use robocopy
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...69-57FF-4AE7-96EE-B18C4790CFFD&displaylang=en)
to copy the folders then you can use the /dcopy:t switch to preserve the
folder dates.

Good point. I've used robocopy before, and perhaps that's the only way to
get around this. Well actually, I have used EasyRoboCopy before, so you
don't even need to do it at the command line. Just check the right boxes.


But AFAIK, this operation apparently can't be done with any Partition
Manager programs with a selection like "Merge Partitions", for example.
[/QUOTE]

Hi Bill,

I used Partition Magic for years and it had a Merge function that worked
well. If it's just data drives, it's best. You don't want to merge
drives with apps installed because the registry doesn't get properly
updated with the new drive letter. PM uses a utility to check shortcuts
for drive changes after a merge, but not the registry.

But have a good backup before doing anything...


Terry R.

 

[glee]

I was wondering if this was even possible, while retaining all date and
time stamps, even with a third party program. Let me be more
specific:

Suppose you have two partitions, D: and E:, and want to combine them
into one partition, *AND want to preserve ALL date and time stamps of
all the previous directories and files contained within each of the
two partitions*. (I don't think this is possible even with the third
party apps, but I'm not sure).

NOTE: simply creating a new partition and copying or merging the data
is NOT acceptable, because obviously that will not preserve the
existing date-time stamps of the previous directories.

Are you sure the partitioning programs will change the time stamp? I've
used Partition Magic in the past, and now Acronis True Image, and I
don't remember seeing any time stamps get changed. I've not used the
"Merge" option....when PM first came out with its Merge option, it often
failed....but I have many times resized partitions and moved them, as
well as copying to a new drive, and never had any time stamps changed.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Are you sure the partitioning programs will change the time stamp? I've
used Partition Magic in the past, and now Acronis True Image, and I
don't remember seeing any time stamps get changed. I've not used the
"Merge" option....

But see, and that's specifically what I'm addressing. (Your other points
are valid).

 

[Bill in Co.]

Though I've never had the need to merge partitions I have resized them.
All
dates were preserved in the resizing

As is expected.

and I would expect that to be true if merged

But I'm not so sure that is necessarily true. It's a different operation.

as there is no need or reason for the program being used to change
the dates, merely move something as needed. FWIW, I use Paragon Hard
Drive Manager.
_____________


As Pegasus said, that isn't necessarily true. Many programs will do that
including Karen's Replicator

But again that's ancilliary to my point about *partitioning programs* being
able to do it.

 

[Bill in Co.]

check http://www.partition-tool.com/

Maurice

Thanks. I'm aware of their product, but I don't think you'll find my
specific issue addressed in their FAQ's. (I currently have BING (BootitNG)
and Partition Magic here)

 

[glee]

But see, and that's specifically what I'm addressing. (Your other
points are valid).

So why do you think Merge will change all your time stamps when Move or
Resize don't? Have you tried it by making a couple of tiny test
partitions to play with? Have you already seen the behaviour occur
using Merge and need an alternative? Or are you concerned about it but
just don't know?

I would shrink a partition temporarily, make two small ones in the
unallocated space, start Windows and copy some files to each and make
some new files, then go back and merge them and see what changes if
anything.

OR, you could contact support for the program or check for forums for
the program, and find out from someone who knows.

That's what I'd do, anyway.

 

[Bill in Co.]

So why do you think Merge will change all your time stamps when Move or
Resize don't?

It's a completely different operation.

Have you tried it by making a couple of tiny test partitions to play with?

I could do that, but it's a bit messy (in messing up the drive assignments
and what-not) and would prefer not to, until and unless I need to. So I was
just curious.

Have you already seen the behaviour occur
using Merge and need an alternative? Or are you concerned about it but
just don't know?

The latter. I was just interested in it at this point, as the need hasn't
arisen, just yet.

I would shrink a partition temporarily, make two small ones in the
unallocated space, start Windows and copy some files to each and make
some new files, then go back and merge them and see what changes if
anything.

OR, you could contact support for the program or check for forums for
the program, and find out from someone who knows.

Well, that's why I was asking here - I just figured at least someone in here
knew already from firsthand experience.

 

[dadiOH]

dadiOH wrote:

But again that's ancilliary to my point about *partitioning programs*
being able to do it.

It is pertinent to your note...the one about creating a new partition and
copying data to it.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

 

[Dragon software]

I used one partition software called MiniTool Partition Wizard which can help you merge two adjacent partitions. This function only works for NTFS partitions. If your partition is FAT12/FAT16/FAT32, please use "Convert FAT to NTFS" function of Partition Wizard, convert partition to NTFS partition.
The vist site is:http://www.partitionwizard.com/help/merge-partition.html

I was wondering if this was even possible, while retaining all date and time
stamps, even with a third party program. Let me be more specific:

Suppose you have two partitions, D: and E:, and want to combine them into
one partition, *AND want to preserve ALL date and time stamps of all the
previous directories and files contained within each of the two partitions*.
(I do not think this is possible even with the third party apps, but I am not
sure).

NOTE: simply creating a new partition and copying or merging the data is
NOT acceptable, because obviously that will not preserve the existing
date-time stamps of the previous directories.

On Sunday, February 28, 2010 1:52 AM Pegasus [MVP] wrote:
Not necessarily. If you use robocopy
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...69-57FF-4AE7-96EE-B18C4790CFFD&displaylang=en)
to copy the folders then you can use the /dcopy:t switch to preserve the
folder dates.

//www.partition-tool.com/[/URL]

Maurice

 

[You]

You are completely idiot for the following reasons:

1) you have replied to a February 2010 message and the OP of that
message must have died by now for following advise from nutters like you;

2) You have used a tool that is not properly tried and tested. You
should have used Acronis Disk Doctor or even Acronis True Image which
has basic capability to merge partitions;

3) You are using Eggheadcafe tutorials but you don't seem to learn
proper netiquettes. You better backup your brain before it is destroyed
completely with all sorts of viruses.

Hope you can learn something from this message.

 

[John Doe]

You are completely idiot for the following reasons...

and you are talking to a spam bot.
--

 

[mm]

You are completely idiot for the following reasons:

1) you have replied to a February 2010 message and the OP of that
message must have died by now for following advise from nutters like you;

Dang, you;re right, and now I did it too. I hope I learned smoething
by writing my long post.