Windows Vista How can I partition a drive on Dell computer

Forgive me for asking a possibly obvious question, but I am in the process of buying a Dell 530 with Vista Home Premium.


The spec is for a 250Gb Serial ATA drive. I assume that it may well come with some hidden partition(s) - for what purpose I am unsure.

If it comes with just the C: partition then I would wish to add at least one, probably two other partitions, D:, E:, and even perhaps F:.

What sort of software would be the best choice? I understand that Vista has some sort of tool built in, but I also understand that Dell drives do not work well with normal partitioning tools, Partition Magic and so on.


Any advice would be most welcome. (Or have I made a poor choice of supplier and OS?)

 

First thing you need to consider is - did you get a back-up CD, or just instructions on how to back-up from a hidden partition. If you have an on-disk back-up program, only reformat the Windows partition - like C: only - not the whole drive - assuming your hidden partitions are something like D: or E:. If you have a back-up CD - you can probably blitz the whole thing and start over.
Dell is a very good manufacturer - better, although smaller, than HP/Compaq - in my opinion....... some of us like Chevy - some of us like Ford - and a few of us like Dodge!!.....

Partition Magic - many of our old stand-by - will not work with Vista.

You can go to Admin Tools>Computer Management>Disk Management and reduce the size of one partition, and use the space to create or add to a new partition - tricky - be sure to back-up everything you care about.

Now you know just about everything I know about Vista and partitions.....

Good Luck

 

Hi Alan,

If you plan to use multiple partitions I would recommend Acronis Disk Director Suite which works very well with Vista. Not free, but worth the money I think.

Roger