Remove partition from Hard-drive

[Guest]

I have a 40GB hard drive divided in C: (20GB) and D: (20GB). C: contains
Windows XP OS. Now I want to remove the D partition and make the whole drive
as C: with 40 GB. Can I do that without formatting and re-install the whole
Windows XP? Thank you,

Wilson Chu

 

[Patti MacLeod]

Hi Wilson,

You would need to use a third-party partitioning tool (eg., Partition Magic,
Partition Commander) in order to do that without formatting and
reinstalling.



Regards,

 

[John John]

Not without third party tools. You can use the fully functional copy of
BootItNG to do it http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng.html .
There is no need to install BootItNB, just diskette boot it and when
done restart the computer.

***WARNING!!! Partition resizing usually goes well and is almost
flawless 99.99% of the time, but it does fail at times. When failures
occur with these operations the results can be catastrophic and can
cause the loss of ALL data on the disk! BACKUP YOUR DATA BEFORE YOU
UNDERTAKE ANY PARTITION RESIZING!

John

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have a 40GB hard drive divided in C: (20GB) and D: (20GB). C:
contains Windows XP OS. Now I want to remove the D partition and
make the whole drive as C: with 40 GB. Can I do that without
formatting and re-install the whole Windows XP? Thank you,

Unfortunately, no version of Windows provides any way of changing the
existing partition structure of the drive nondestructively. The only way to
do what you want is with third-party software. Partition Magic is the
best-known such program, but there are freeware/shareware alternatives. One
such program is BootIt Next Generation. It's shareware, but comes with a
free 30-day trial, so you should be able to do what you want within that 30
days. I haven't used it myself (because I've never needed to use *any* such
program), but it comes highly recommended by several other MVPs here.

Whatever software you use, make sure you have a good backup before
beginning. Although there's no reason to expect a problem, things *can* go
wrong.

 

[Ayush]

Well ken, can you tell me if i move from 3 partitions to 4, will it decrease
performance.
I am not the original poster.

--

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

| Wilson wrote:
|
| > I have a 40GB hard drive divided in C: (20GB) and D: (20GB). C:
| > contains Windows XP OS. Now I want to remove the D partition and
| > make the whole drive as C: with 40 GB. Can I do that without
| > formatting and re-install the whole Windows XP? Thank you,
|
|
|
| Unfortunately, no version of Windows provides any way of changing the
| existing partition structure of the drive nondestructively. The only way
to
| do what you want is with third-party software. Partition Magic is the
| best-known such program, but there are freeware/shareware alternatives.
One
| such program is BootIt Next Generation. It's shareware, but comes with a
| free 30-day trial, so you should be able to do what you want within that
30
| days. I haven't used it myself (because I've never needed to use *any*
such
| program), but it comes highly recommended by several other MVPs here.
|
| Whatever software you use, make sure you have a good backup before
| beginning. Although there's no reason to expect a problem, things *can* go
| wrong.
|
| --
| Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| Please reply to the newsgroup
|
|

 

[Fred S *****]

Wilson,

I agree that you should consider getting/using BootIT NG to do the job.

I also suggest that you consider NOT changing to a single partition but
rather re-size to create a separate Data partition. As an example set
the C drive (WinXP) to ~ 10 GB (that should be plenty).

Next I would combine the 10GB from your current C drive with the other
20GB to make a 30GB Data partition. Better yet, create a total of three
partitions (similar to my setup). Create the following for your use:

C - 10 GB for WindowsXP & Programs ONLY
D - 15 GB for Data files ONLY
E - 15 GB for image files, zipped program files, Data file BU, etc.

One of BootIT NG's strengths is that you can do all of this using that
one program for ALL of it. It will repartition, resize, combine,
partitions, and create image files.

Creating an image file to another partition allows you to quickly create
your own "restore disk" for your system exactly as you CURRENTLY have it!

I also use an external HDD to copy image files for another backup. Since
most problems happen with things like bad installs, bad Windows Updates,
or a virus problem, having an image file is wonderful and lets you get
back in business within 10-15 minutes! In the event that your HDD drive
fails, the external let you install a new HDD and be up and running in
less than a half hour.

Having a dedicated partition for image files, lets you quickly make an
image before you perform any major change to your system (Windows
update, or a graphics driver, or ???) - if successful, then just make
another image after the update/change and you can decide how long to
keep the image of the previous setup.

For what it's worth, I hope you consider this idea. I use an automated
backup which takes care of ALL of my data files on the "D" drive, and
backs them up daily to the "E" drive (where the image files are stored).
I use a batch file to make a fast copy to my external HDD so I have the
data in three (3) places. The original data is on the D drive, the BU is
on the E drive, and a third copy is on the external HDD.

Doing it this way provides the ultimate protection for your Windows
configuration, for your data files too, and most importantly, data is
separated from the Operating System as it should be.

Hope this alternative makes some sense to you.

Fred S

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Well ken, can you tell me if i move from 3 partitions to 4, will it
decrease performance.
I am not the original poster.

The number of partitions you have has nothing to do with performance. How
you use the partitions you have (what you put on each of them) *might*
affect performance, but in general, you choose a partition scheme for
organization and convenience, not performance.

How do you use your present three partitions? Why would you consider four?
How would you use that fourth partition?

My view is that most people's partitioning scheme should be based on their
backup scheme. If, for example, you backup by creating a clone or image on
the entire drive, then a single partition might be best. If, on the other
hand, you backup only your data, then the backup process is facilitated by
having all data in a separate partition. Except for those running multiple
operating systems, only seldom does it make sense to have more than two
partitions

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Unfortunately, no version of Windows provides any way of changing the
existing partition structure of the drive nondestructively. The only
way to do what you want is with third-party software. Partition
Magic is the best-known such program, but there are
freeware/shareware alternatives. One such program is BootIt Next
Generation. It's shareware, but comes with a free 30-day trial, so
you should be able to do what you want within that 30 days. I
haven't used it myself (because I've never needed to use *any* such
program), but it comes highly recommended by several other MVPs
here.

Whatever software you use, make sure you have a good backup before
beginning. Although there's no reason to expect a problem, things
*can* go wrong.

 

[Ayush]

Thanks for the reply.
When i got the pc, it's already partioned in 3 and windows was installed by
that person. Now i can't live without 3. C: is my windows partition, D: is
my data and songs, e: is the largest one, i keep all my big data [ DVD
images, big installed games ] and it is the default location for the temp of
any application. I want to create the fourth one to backup my windows
partition.
Questions :
If i clone the windows partition to another one, can i have a dual boot. AND
if something goes wrong in windows partition, then i put the cloned
partition over it, Will it work AND can i use the cloned partition as a
standard WIndows installation?

--

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

| Ayush wrote:
|
| > Well ken, can you tell me if i move from 3 partitions to 4, will it
| > decrease performance.
| > I am not the original poster.
|
|
| The number of partitions you have has nothing to do with performance. How
| you use the partitions you have (what you put on each of them) *might*
| affect performance, but in general, you choose a partition scheme for
| organization and convenience, not performance.
|
| How do you use your present three partitions? Why would you consider four?
| How would you use that fourth partition?
|
| My view is that most people's partitioning scheme should be based on their
| backup scheme. If, for example, you backup by creating a clone or image on
| the entire drive, then a single partition might be best. If, on the other
| hand, you backup only your data, then the backup process is facilitated by
| having all data in a separate partition. Except for those running multiple
| operating systems, only seldom does it make sense to have more than two
| partitions
|
| --
| Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| Please reply to the newsgroup
|
|
|
| >> Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
| > | >> Wilson wrote:
| >>
| >>> I have a 40GB hard drive divided in C: (20GB) and D: (20GB). C:
| >>> contains Windows XP OS. Now I want to remove the D partition and
| >>> make the whole drive as C: with 40 GB. Can I do that without
| >>> formatting and re-install the whole Windows XP? Thank you,
| >>
| >>
| >>
| >> Unfortunately, no version of Windows provides any way of changing the
| >> existing partition structure of the drive nondestructively. The only
| >> way to do what you want is with third-party software. Partition
| >> Magic is the best-known such program, but there are
| >> freeware/shareware alternatives. One such program is BootIt Next
| >> Generation. It's shareware, but comes with a free 30-day trial, so
| >> you should be able to do what you want within that 30 days. I
| >> haven't used it myself (because I've never needed to use *any* such
| >> program), but it comes highly recommended by several other MVPs
| >> here.
| >>
| >> Whatever software you use, make sure you have a good backup before
| >> beginning. Although there's no reason to expect a problem, things
| >> *can* go wrong.
| >>
| >> --
| >> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| >> Please reply to the newsgroup
|
|

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks for the reply.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

When i got the pc, it's already partioned in 3 and windows was
installed by that person. Now i can't live without 3. C: is my
windows partition, D: is my data and songs, e: is the largest one, i
keep all my big data [ DVD images, big installed games ] and it is

Why do you see an advantage in separating "big" data from other data? I
don't see it at all.

the default location for the temp of any application. I want to
create the fourth one to backup my windows partition.

Ugh! That's better than no backup at all, but just barely. I don't recommend
backup to a second non-removable hard drive because it leaves you
susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and backup to many of the
most common dangers: severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus
attacks, even theft of the computer. Backup to a partition on your on;y
physical drive is even worse.

In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not kept in
the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example, if the life of
your business depends on your data) you should have multiple generations of
backup, and at least one of those generations should be stored off-site.

My computer isn't used for business, but my personal backup scheme uses two
identical removable hard drives,I alternate between the two, and use Acronis
True Image to make a complete copy of the primary drive.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Questions :
If i clone the windows partition to another one, can i have a dual
boot. AND if something goes wrong in windows partition, then i put
the cloned partition over it, Will it work AND can i use the cloned
partition as a standard WIndows installation?

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Well ken, can you tell me if i move from 3 partitions to 4, will it
decrease performance.
I am not the original poster.

The number of partitions you have has nothing to do with
performance. How you use the partitions you have (what you put on
each of them) *might* affect performance, but in general, you choose
a partition scheme for organization and convenience, not performance.

How do you use your present three partitions? Why would you consider
four? How would you use that fourth partition?

My view is that most people's partitioning scheme should be based on
their backup scheme. If, for example, you backup by creating a clone
or image on the entire drive, then a single partition might be best.
If, on the other hand, you backup only your data, then the backup
process is facilitated by having all data in a separate partition.
Except for those running multiple operating systems, only seldom
does it make sense to have more than two partitions

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
Wilson wrote:

I have a 40GB hard drive divided in C: (20GB) and D: (20GB). C:
contains Windows XP OS. Now I want to remove the D partition and
make the whole drive as C: with 40 GB. Can I do that without
formatting and re-install the whole Windows XP? Thank you,



Unfortunately, no version of Windows provides any way of changing
the existing partition structure of the drive nondestructively.
The only way to do what you want is with third-party software.
Partition Magic is the best-known such program, but there are
freeware/shareware alternatives. One such program is BootIt Next
Generation. It's shareware, but comes with a free 30-day trial, so
you should be able to do what you want within that 30 days. I
haven't used it myself (because I've never needed to use *any* such
program), but it comes highly recommended by several other MVPs
here.

Whatever software you use, make sure you have a good backup before
beginning. Although there's no reason to expect a problem, things
*can* go wrong.

 

[Ayush]

Again thanks for the reply. What about these questions:
Q >If i clone the windows partition to another one, can i have a dual boot.
Q >if something goes wrong in windows partition, then i put the cloned
partition over it, Will it work ?
Q >can i use the cloned partition as a standard WIndows installation?
--

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

| Ayush wrote:
|
| > Thanks for the reply.
|
|
| You're welcome. Glad to help.
|
|
| > When i got the pc, it's already partioned in 3 and windows was
| > installed by that person. Now i can't live without 3. C: is my
| > windows partition, D: is my data and songs, e: is the largest one, i
| > keep all my big data [ DVD images, big installed games ] and it is
|
|
| Why do you see an advantage in separating "big" data from other data? I
| don't see it at all.
|
|
| > the default location for the temp of any application. I want to
| > create the fourth one to backup my windows partition.
|
|
| Ugh! That's better than no backup at all, but just barely. I don't
recommend
| backup to a second non-removable hard drive because it leaves you
| susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and backup to many of the
| most common dangers: severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes,
virus
| attacks, even theft of the computer. Backup to a partition on your on;y
| physical drive is even worse.
|
| In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not kept in
| the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example, if the life
of
| your business depends on your data) you should have multiple generations
of
| backup, and at least one of those generations should be stored off-site.
|
| My computer isn't used for business, but my personal backup scheme uses
two
| identical removable hard drives,I alternate between the two, and use
Acronis
| True Image to make a complete copy of the primary drive.
|
| --
| Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| Please reply to the newsgroup
|
|
|
| > Questions :
| > If i clone the windows partition to another one, can i have a dual
| > boot. AND if something goes wrong in windows partition, then i put
| > the cloned partition over it, Will it work AND can i use the cloned
| > partition as a standard WIndows installation?
| >
| >> Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
| > | >> Ayush wrote:
| >>
| >>> Well ken, can you tell me if i move from 3 partitions to 4, will it
| >>> decrease performance.
| >>> I am not the original poster.
| >>
| >>
| >> The number of partitions you have has nothing to do with
| >> performance. How you use the partitions you have (what you put on
| >> each of them) *might* affect performance, but in general, you choose
| >> a partition scheme for organization and convenience, not performance.
| >>
| >> How do you use your present three partitions? Why would you consider
| >> four? How would you use that fourth partition?
| >>
| >> My view is that most people's partitioning scheme should be based on
| >> their backup scheme. If, for example, you backup by creating a clone
| >> or image on the entire drive, then a single partition might be best.
| >> If, on the other hand, you backup only your data, then the backup
| >> process is facilitated by having all data in a separate partition.
| >> Except for those running multiple operating systems, only seldom
| >> does it make sense to have more than two partitions
| >>
| >> --
| >> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| >> Please reply to the newsgroup
| >>
| >>
| >>
| >>>> Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
| >>> | >>>> Wilson wrote:
| >>>>
| >>>>> I have a 40GB hard drive divided in C: (20GB) and D: (20GB). C:
| >>>>> contains Windows XP OS. Now I want to remove the D partition and
| >>>>> make the whole drive as C: with 40 GB. Can I do that without
| >>>>> formatting and re-install the whole Windows XP? Thank you,
| >>>>
| >>>>
| >>>>
| >>>> Unfortunately, no version of Windows provides any way of changing
| >>>> the existing partition structure of the drive nondestructively.
| >>>> The only way to do what you want is with third-party software.
| >>>> Partition Magic is the best-known such program, but there are
| >>>> freeware/shareware alternatives. One such program is BootIt Next
| >>>> Generation. It's shareware, but comes with a free 30-day trial, so
| >>>> you should be able to do what you want within that 30 days. I
| >>>> haven't used it myself (because I've never needed to use *any* such
| >>>> program), but it comes highly recommended by several other MVPs
| >>>> here.
| >>>>
| >>>> Whatever software you use, make sure you have a good backup before
| >>>> beginning. Although there's no reason to expect a problem, things
| >>>> *can* go wrong.
| >>>>
| >>>> --
| >>>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| >>>> Please reply to the newsgroup
|
|

 

[Ayush]

Thanks for your help and time Ken.

--

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

| Ayush wrote:
|
| > Again thanks for the reply. What about these questions:
| > Q >If i clone the windows partition to another one, can i have a dual
| > boot. Q >if something goes wrong in windows partition, then i put the
| > cloned partition over it, Will it work ?
| > Q >can i use the cloned partition as a standard WIndows installation?
|
|
|
| Two installations of Windows require two licenses, even if both are on a
| single drive. Doing as you suggest would be in violation of the EULA
| (assuming that you have a single license).
|
|
| --
| Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| Please reply to the newsgroup
|
|
|
| >> Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
| > | >> Ayush wrote:
| >>
| >>> Thanks for the reply.
| >>
| >>
| >> You're welcome. Glad to help.
| >>
| >>
| >>> When i got the pc, it's already partioned in 3 and windows was
| >>> installed by that person. Now i can't live without 3. C: is my
| >>> windows partition, D: is my data and songs, e: is the largest one, i
| >>> keep all my big data [ DVD images, big installed games ] and it is
| >>
| >>
| >> Why do you see an advantage in separating "big" data from other
| >> data? I don't see it at all.
| >>
| >>
| >>> the default location for the temp of any application. I want to
| >>> create the fourth one to backup my windows partition.
| >>
| >>
| >> Ugh! That's better than no backup at all, but just barely. I don't
| >> recommend backup to a second non-removable hard drive because it
| >> leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and
| >> backup to many of the most common dangers: severe power glitches,
| >> nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the computer.
| >> Backup to a partition on your on;y physical drive is even worse.
| >>
| >> In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not
| >> kept in the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example,
| >> if the life of your business depends on your data) you should have
| >> multiple generations of backup, and at least one of those
| >> generations should be stored off-site.
| >>
| >> My computer isn't used for business, but my personal backup scheme
| >> uses two identical removable hard drives,I alternate between the
| >> two, and use Acronis True Image to make a complete copy of the
| >> primary drive.
| >>
| >> --
| >> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| >> Please reply to the newsgroup
| >>
| >>
| >>
| >>> Questions :
| >>> If i clone the windows partition to another one, can i have a dual
| >>> boot. AND if something goes wrong in windows partition, then i put
| >>> the cloned partition over it, Will it work AND can i use the cloned
| >>> partition as a standard WIndows installation?
| >>>
| >>>> Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
| >>> | >>>> Ayush wrote:
| >>>>
| >>>>> Well ken, can you tell me if i move from 3 partitions to 4, will
| >>>>> it decrease performance.
| >>>>> I am not the original poster.
| >>>>
| >>>>
| >>>> The number of partitions you have has nothing to do with
| >>>> performance. How you use the partitions you have (what you put on
| >>>> each of them) *might* affect performance, but in general, you
| >>>> choose a partition scheme for organization and convenience, not
| >>>> performance.
| >>>>
| >>>> How do you use your present three partitions? Why would you
| >>>> consider four? How would you use that fourth partition?
| >>>>
| >>>> My view is that most people's partitioning scheme should be based
| >>>> on their backup scheme. If, for example, you backup by creating a
| >>>> clone or image on the entire drive, then a single partition might
| >>>> be best. If, on the other hand, you backup only your data, then
| >>>> the backup process is facilitated by having all data in a separate
| >>>> partition. Except for those running multiple operating systems,
| >>>> only seldom does it make sense to have more than two partitions
| >>>>
| >>>> --
| >>>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| >>>> Please reply to the newsgroup
| >>>>
| >>>>
| >>>>
| >>>>>> Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
| >>>>> message | >>>>>> Wilson wrote:
| >>>>>>
| >>>>>>> I have a 40GB hard drive divided in C: (20GB) and D: (20GB). C:
| >>>>>>> contains Windows XP OS. Now I want to remove the D partition
| >>>>>>> and make the whole drive as C: with 40 GB. Can I do that
| >>>>>>> without formatting and re-install the whole Windows XP? Thank
| >>>>>>> you,
| >>>>>>
| >>>>>>
| >>>>>>
| >>>>>> Unfortunately, no version of Windows provides any way of changing
| >>>>>> the existing partition structure of the drive nondestructively.
| >>>>>> The only way to do what you want is with third-party software.
| >>>>>> Partition Magic is the best-known such program, but there are
| >>>>>> freeware/shareware alternatives. One such program is BootIt Next
| >>>>>> Generation. It's shareware, but comes with a free 30-day trial,
| >>>>>> so you should be able to do what you want within that 30 days. I
| >>>>>> haven't used it myself (because I've never needed to use *any*
| >>>>>> such program), but it comes highly recommended by several other
| >>>>>> MVPs here.
| >>>>>>
| >>>>>> Whatever software you use, make sure you have a good backup
| >>>>>> before beginning. Although there's no reason to expect a
| >>>>>> problem, things *can* go wrong.
| >>>>>>
| >>>>>> --
| >>>>>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
| >>>>>> Please reply to the newsgroup
|
|

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Again thanks for the reply. What about these questions:
Q >If i clone the windows partition to another one, can i have a dual
boot. Q >if something goes wrong in windows partition, then i put the
cloned partition over it, Will it work ?
Q >can i use the cloned partition as a standard WIndows installation?

Two installations of Windows require two licenses, even if both are on a
single drive. Doing as you suggest would be in violation of the EULA
(assuming that you have a single license).


--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Thanks for the reply.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

When i got the pc, it's already partioned in 3 and windows was
installed by that person. Now i can't live without 3. C: is my
windows partition, D: is my data and songs, e: is the largest one, i
keep all my big data [ DVD images, big installed games ] and it is

Why do you see an advantage in separating "big" data from other
data? I don't see it at all.

the default location for the temp of any application. I want to
create the fourth one to backup my windows partition.

Ugh! That's better than no backup at all, but just barely. I don't
recommend backup to a second non-removable hard drive because it
leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and
backup to many of the most common dangers: severe power glitches,
nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the computer.
Backup to a partition on your on;y physical drive is even worse.

In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not
kept in the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example,
if the life of your business depends on your data) you should have
multiple generations of backup, and at least one of those
generations should be stored off-site.

My computer isn't used for business, but my personal backup scheme
uses two identical removable hard drives,I alternate between the
two, and use Acronis True Image to make a complete copy of the
primary drive.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Questions :
If i clone the windows partition to another one, can i have a dual
boot. AND if something goes wrong in windows partition, then i put
the cloned partition over it, Will it work AND can i use the cloned
partition as a standard WIndows installation?

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
Ayush wrote:

Well ken, can you tell me if i move from 3 partitions to 4, will
it decrease performance.
I am not the original poster.


The number of partitions you have has nothing to do with
performance. How you use the partitions you have (what you put on
each of them) *might* affect performance, but in general, you
choose a partition scheme for organization and convenience, not
performance.

How do you use your present three partitions? Why would you
consider four? How would you use that fourth partition?

My view is that most people's partitioning scheme should be based
on their backup scheme. If, for example, you backup by creating a
clone or image on the entire drive, then a single partition might
be best. If, on the other hand, you backup only your data, then
the backup process is facilitated by having all data in a separate
partition. Except for those running multiple operating systems,
only seldom does it make sense to have more than two partitions

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup



Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
message Wilson wrote:

I have a 40GB hard drive divided in C: (20GB) and D: (20GB). C:
contains Windows XP OS. Now I want to remove the D partition
and make the whole drive as C: with 40 GB. Can I do that
without formatting and re-install the whole Windows XP? Thank
you,



Unfortunately, no version of Windows provides any way of changing
the existing partition structure of the drive nondestructively.
The only way to do what you want is with third-party software.
Partition Magic is the best-known such program, but there are
freeware/shareware alternatives. One such program is BootIt Next
Generation. It's shareware, but comes with a free 30-day trial,
so you should be able to do what you want within that 30 days. I
haven't used it myself (because I've never needed to use *any*
such program), but it comes highly recommended by several other
MVPs here.

Whatever software you use, make sure you have a good backup
before beginning. Although there's no reason to expect a
problem, things *can* go wrong.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks for your help and time Ken.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]

Again thanks for the reply. What about these questions:
Q >If i clone the windows partition to another one, can i have a
dual boot. Q >if something goes wrong in windows partition, then i
put the cloned partition over it, Will it work ?
Q >can i use the cloned partition as a standard WIndows
installation?

Two installations of Windows require two licenses, even if both are
on a single drive. Doing as you suggest would be in violation of the
EULA (assuming that you have a single license).


--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
Ayush wrote:

Thanks for the reply.


You're welcome. Glad to help.


When i got the pc, it's already partioned in 3 and windows was
installed by that person. Now i can't live without 3. C: is my
windows partition, D: is my data and songs, e: is the largest
one, i keep all my big data [ DVD images, big installed games ]
and it is


Why do you see an advantage in separating "big" data from other
data? I don't see it at all.


the default location for the temp of any application. I want to
create the fourth one to backup my windows partition.


Ugh! That's better than no backup at all, but just barely. I don't
recommend backup to a second non-removable hard drive because it
leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and
backup to many of the most common dangers: severe power glitches,
nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the
computer. Backup to a partition on your on;y physical drive is
even worse.

In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not
kept in the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for
example, if the life of your business depends on your data) you
should have multiple generations of backup, and at least one of
those generations should be stored off-site.

My computer isn't used for business, but my personal backup scheme
uses two identical removable hard drives,I alternate between the
two, and use Acronis True Image to make a complete copy of the
primary drive.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup



Questions :
If i clone the windows partition to another one, can i have a dual
boot. AND if something goes wrong in windows partition, then i put
the cloned partition over it, Will it work AND can i use the
cloned partition as a standard WIndows installation?

Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
message Ayush wrote:

Well ken, can you tell me if i move from 3 partitions to 4, will
it decrease performance.
I am not the original poster.


The number of partitions you have has nothing to do with
performance. How you use the partitions you have (what you put on
each of them) *might* affect performance, but in general, you
choose a partition scheme for organization and convenience, not
performance.

How do you use your present three partitions? Why would you
consider four? How would you use that fourth partition?

My view is that most people's partitioning scheme should be based
on their backup scheme. If, for example, you backup by creating a
clone or image on the entire drive, then a single partition might
be best. If, on the other hand, you backup only your data, then
the backup process is facilitated by having all data in a
separate partition. Except for those running multiple operating
systems, only seldom does it make sense to have more than two
partitions

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup



Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
message Wilson wrote:

I have a 40GB hard drive divided in C: (20GB) and D: (20GB).
C: contains Windows XP OS. Now I want to remove the D
partition and make the whole drive as C: with 40 GB. Can I
do that without formatting and re-install the whole Windows
XP? Thank you,



Unfortunately, no version of Windows provides any way of
changing the existing partition structure of the drive
nondestructively. The only way to do what you want is with
third-party software. Partition Magic is the best-known such
program, but there are freeware/shareware alternatives. One
such program is BootIt Next Generation. It's shareware, but
comes with a free 30-day trial, so you should be able to do
what you want within that 30 days. I haven't used it myself
(because I've never needed to use *any* such program), but it
comes highly recommended by several other MVPs here.

Whatever software you use, make sure you have a good backup
before beginning. Although there's no reason to expect a
problem, things *can* go wrong.