Upgrading XP system/boot disk size

[doug]

Hi Everyone,

I have Windows XP upgrade over Windows 98SE on a 15G
system/boot disk C: (FAT32).

Having run out of space, I bought and installed a 120G
drive (NTFS) and created 2 partitions D: and E:.

I would like to replace the smaller C: drive with the
larger drive and make it the system/boot disk. I can go
with either with a single partition (120G) or with the 2
partitions. The new drive is a Western Digital WD1200JB-
00DUA3.

Any and all help appreciated.

thanks, Doug

 

[Barry Watzman]

I would make the plan to just have the 120 gig drive, and not keep the
other drive at all. compared to the 120 gig drive, it's insignificant,
not worth tying up an IDE port for.

What I'd do is wipe the new 120 gig drive clear (again), use Drive Image
or Partition Magic to copy the 15 gig drive to the 120 gig drive, and
then resize that partition and/or create new partitions until you have
the desired layout. Personally, on a 120 gig drive, I'd go with 4
partitions unless you have a specific need (such as video editing) for
very large partitions. I prefer, generally, to keep individual
partitions down to 32 gigs or less, but that's a personal preference.
You also need to make the FAT32/NTFS choice for each partition.

 

[doug]

Do Drive Image or Partition Magic provide for making the
new drive the system/boot drive?

To me, this should be a simple exercise, I am really only
trying to increase the size of my hard disk.

regards, Doug

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have Windows XP upgrade over Windows 98SE on a 15G
system/boot disk C: (FAT32).

Having run out of space, I bought and installed a 120G
drive (NTFS) and created 2 partitions D: and E:.

I would like to replace the smaller C: drive with the
larger drive and make it the system/boot disk. I can go
with either with a single partition (120G) or with the 2
partitions. The new drive is a Western Digital WD1200JB-
00DUA3.

I would definitely *not* install Windows on a drive made as a single
enormous partition. Your present drive is quite big enough for system
and programs. What you need to do is install and format the new disk
(maybe as two partitions if you want to make any major distinction in
data files, eg ones needing daily backup as against unimportant ones.

Do that at Control Panel - Admin Tools - Computer Management, select
Disk Management and look lower right for the graphic of the drive.
R-click Unallocated space, Create partition.

Then move your My Documents over - open a My computer window on the new
drive, one on C:\Documents and settings\you\ to show My Documents and
*right* drag the folder across, taking *Move* here.

You can also usefully move Temporary Internet files (And while about it
cut down the space allowed - 50 MB should be plenty) and the OE Store
folder

 

[doug]

Alex you bring up a good point. Actually part of my
motivation for the larger disk space is programs. The
reason I ran out of space in the first place was all of
the games my kids install.

I'd be quite happy if there was a way to move non-system
software (games) over to the larger drive, along with data
files, so the growth on the 15G drive was a little more
predictable.

thanks, Doug