Need help partioning an active drive in XP

I checked around a bit in the forum and found a few threads that said it is possible ,but I musta missed the part about how ! I would like to do it so I don't lose any info or files if possible . Does XP have an app to do that internally ? And if not is there any QUOTE : FREE software that is available to do it ? I checke daround the web a bit , but the only trials let you see how its done . Kinda like a moc , but will not let you actually save any changes made . I really don't need anyone to spell it out completely , but if I could at least get a hearty shove in the right direction----thad be nice Thanks for any input.

 

I've used Ranish before with good results. It's free except for the brain strain it'll require of you.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ranish


Good luck.

 

Thanks dude

I'll take that as a shove and see what the brain strain does !!! thanks again !

 

Uh Oh Stumped already

Ok ---so if this program only supports FAT16 what am I to expect when I install it and want to partition XP (NTFS)

 

If you are using the NTFS file storage system, RPM cannot, by itself, resize your existing partition. You would need to do something like a Lenox install - then wipe it with RPM and subsequently use XPs disk management tool to redefine unallocated space. It all depends on how much time and effort you want to expend.

When in that situation, it makes Partition Magic look pretty useful considering it can be had for less than $20.

Since XP has no tool to do what you need directly, you would need to backup all personal files to another media and use the XP tool to create a new install on a smaller partition. Then you can reallocate as needed once you gain access to the Windows Disk Managment tool again.

Again, that makes Partitiom Magic look like a bargain, doesn't it?

If you change from NTFS to FAT32, you could use RPM to manipulate your partitions directly but unfortunately XP has no tool to convert in that direction. We get back to Partition Magic again since it can do that conversion - but then if you had it, you wouldn't need to convert to FAT32. I think a pattern is emerging here and it tends to explain why I bought Partition Magic.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

Now that you put it that way !!!!

That pattern just became amazingly clear , jumped up , and smacked me right in the face -----so on that note ---thanks dude and I'll be off to find PM