partitioning

[MidNiteMysT]

how do u merge two partitons? my dads computer has a primary partition but its only using like 12 gigs and the rest is unallocated. how do i expand my primary partion, or even merge the partion with the rest of the unallocated data? i dont want to use partitionmagic

 

[MustISO]

Parition Magic is probably the best way to do it. Since you don't want to use it there are some other partition utilities out there.

Another option is to use Ghost or Drive Image and make a backup image onto a second HD. Then, delete the partitions on the boot drive. Next, restore the image and select to use the entire space to restore.


What OS is he running?

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Partition Magic is the easiest way by far.

Another option is to just format the remaining space as a 2nd partition. 12Gigs is more than ample for the boot partition. You can move the documents folder to the new partition (that tends to contain a lot of files) and try to install future apps in the new partition.

 

[Scrubber]

Originally posted by: FlyingPenguin

Another option is to just format the remaining space as a 2nd partition. 12Gigs is more than ample for the boot partition. You can move the documents folder to the new partition (that tends to contain a lot of files) and try to install future apps in the new partition.

Yes, it's a much better idea to have a second partition where you store everything you create yourself or download from the web. That way, if you do have to reformat and reinstall the OS, all your private data remains intact.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Yeah, I'd also recommend Partition Magic. Great program, easy to use.

 

[MidNiteMysT]

he has xp, not sure if its home or pro. i forgot. but i just wanted to be able to expand the partition myself without the help of partition magic. i just dont want to rely on partition magic everytime i need to merge partitions and such. plus i heard some bad things about partition magic, that it has the potential to ruin your data so i got worried which im sure it does so i NEVER interupt it when its doing something. i just saw on this website how these people were talking bad about it. i cant find it anymore tho.
i usually always use partition magic. i guess ill use it again and just merge the partitions.
i already started moving his documents and stuff to the second partition, but his second partition is like 43 gigs. and he only has like 2 gigs of his own data so it just kinda doesnt make sense. i personally partition my hard drive too and put my files on a seperate partition but i dont think its neccesary for him. i think im just gonna use partition magic and get it over with. just wanted to see if theres a way to do it in windows is all.

 

[montag451]

Anytime you play with partitions there is the chance that something will go wrong.

There are many partition managers out there - Acronis/Image4Windows/PartitionManager etc etc etc

Do you feel lucky punk?


Anyway - main thing is to make sure you only do one operation at a time to minimise the chances of something going wrong.

 

[Navid]

The worst thing you can do with Partition Magic is to merge two partitions!
If you search online, you will see many people complaining about it.

To merge two partitions, move all the data from the source partition to the destinations partition. Then, delete the source partition. Then, resize the destination partition to be the size of the two put together.

Before you start, it is a good idea to backup the irreplaceable data that you have on any of the two partitions.

Whatever you do, don't use the merge partition action of Partition Magic.

 

[corkyg]

With Partition Magic, merging is two separate operations to be effective. First, use Magic Mover to move everything from the partition to be eliminated to the remaining partition. This operation takes a while, and should be tested.

Then, phase two is to eliminate the partition in question, and then expand the remaining partition to fill that space.

To do it without P/M? Forget it!

 

[MidNiteMysT]

Do you feel lucky punk?.

hahaha

ok guys, im gonna take ur advice and move the files to the primary partition. then delete the logical partition, then use partition magic to expand the primary.
Thanx.

 

[MidNiteMysT]

followed your advice and worked like a charm. took less then 3 seconds to perform the expansion. xp should have better partition controls....