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Making partitions from within XP

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Johanna, 2004/01/06.

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  1. 2004/01/06
    Johanna

    Johanna Inactive Alumni Thread Starter

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    I always create partitions during installs, but I know you can create partitions from within XP, I just don't know how. I did a few searches and was overwhelmed with unrelated information- all of interesting, though. We are sure passionate about our partitions!

    So, I don't need to know why I want to do this, how big they need to be, or what to put on them, just how to make them from an enormous hard drive that already has one big C drive and XP Home.

    The owner bought a Dell OEM, and would prefer that the software currently on it, not be disturbed. He has also decided to put XP Pro on, instead of Home, but not now. He wants partitions first. He has already started using Laplink to transfer files to this giant C drive. He wants to put WinME on a partition, too- does that mean he needs to change XP-H from NTFS to Fat32 while creating partitions? He would prefer a clean install of XP Pro, down the road, and does not want to lose the preloaded soft(spy?)ware the computer came with. He has no disks for any of that software. Can he burn it all to cds for after a clean install? Where would all the necessary files be found? I warned him that everything will be gone, or corrupt, if we install, not upgrade, and that I couldn't guarantee flawless preinstalled software, even after just an upgrade.

    Yes, you guessed it, this is Daddy, and I have a huge headache and am going to bed. All suggestions and advice welcomed. TIA

    Johanna
     
    Johanna,
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  2. 2004/01/06
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Hi Johanna!

    A few minutes ago, I hit the "Submit Reply" button after having typed a longish reply. The database was off line at the time ...... :mad: ...... and my reply is now in cyberspace. This will be much shorter ...... :rolleyes: ...... !

    This is for XP Pro and I don´t know if the same applies to XP Home.

    There is a disk management utility which is reached either from the Control Panel > Administrative Tools or from the My Computer icon > Manage.

    As far as I know, any partition except the system partition, can be either created or deleted. With only one single partition, C:, then it´s a no go.

    Are You telling us that he didn´t get any Restore CDs?

    Well, I hope he did and then he can either buy his own XP Pro CD or borrow Yours to delete the single partition and create a new smaller C:.
    Leave the rest unpartitioned and use the Restore CDs to restore his OEM setup. I think this will work since the Restore CDs only know of one partition, not the size of it.
    The unpartitioned space can be partitioned from within XP.

    If he doesn´t have any CDs, then he´ll need a magician to accomplish what he wants, not a nice and complying daughter!

    He can have XP on NTFS and ME on FAT32. The important thing is to have the data on a separate partition on FAT32 since both XP and ME can access that partition.

    Why does he move things over when all these issues are not settled?

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  4. 2004/01/06
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Another thing came to mind:

    The multi-boot guys will probably tell him to install WinME first to let the WinXP installer handle the multi-boot setup.

    That would rule out the use of any Restore CDs ...... :eek: ...... and all the soft(spy?)ware!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  5. 2004/01/06
    GreatGuy

    GreatGuy Inactive

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    Hi,

    Since you said so much about partitioning and file systems, i would encourage you to get PowerQuest's Partition Magic 8. I got it myself and i love it. It is a powerful tool that enables you not only to resize partitions and create new ones, but also convert the file systems pretty fast. You can convert a partition from FAT to NTFS or vice-versa. YOu can resize big partitions to give you some space for another partition. You may want to purchase it, or dun forget kazaa ;)

    Check this out : http://www.powerquest.com/partitionmagic/

    Have fun with it :)
     
    GreatGuy,
    #4
  6. 2004/01/06
    Johanna

    Johanna Inactive Alumni Thread Starter

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    Christer-
    are you saying he can't create any partititions from C w/o using a third party software like Partition Magic, unless he reinstalls XP? I haven't got a clue why he is moving data already- it looks like we are gonna wipe it now, for sure.

    Someone, please pass the aspirin.

    Johanna
     
    Johanna,
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  7. 2004/01/06
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Johanna,
    if I go to disk management on my own XP Pro, I can do anything I like with D: and E:, such as delete logical and format. Those options are "greyed out" for C: on which XP Pro is installed.

    My conclusion is that anything can be done with partitions other than the system partition in addition to free space and a second HDD.
    If You have only one partition and no free space, then You´re painted into the "greyed out" corner.

    Christer
     
    Last edited: 2004/01/06
    Christer,
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  8. 2004/01/06
    Zander

    Zander Geek Member Alumni

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    Short and sweet. :) You'll need an app like PM to do what you want to do.
     
    Zander,
    #7
  9. 2004/01/06
    Newt

    Newt Inactive

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    Short and not so sweet - tell him you'll be happy to slick his monster and set it up the way he wants if he buys 'real' OS CDs for whatever versions he wants to load.
     
    Newt,
    #8
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