Computer tech talk biatch (disc partitions)

[RShea]

I don't seem to come up with those options nor the ones that XP help describes.

To clarify, the official tools/utilities that come with Windows XP (and what the help you are reading is based on) will not allow you to repartition or reduce the size, you have to delete/remove and then create the new and reload. That is why you need a 3rd party utility if you want to try this without deleting and loosing the data/software/OS loaded. Microsoft help will not step you through this and make sense since it will not allow you to just change the existing size. It will though make more sense once the existing partition is reduced - allowing you to go in and set up the 2nd data partition in the newly created free space. Make sense? If not then you should probably make sure you have a back-up or take it to a computer shop to have it done.

[L7]

^^^^ OK now we're definitely on the same page. The only reason I mentioned bootable partitions is because most of the freeware I was referred to seem to focus on that. I knew I didn't need that and now realize it would bring almost certain trouble. Data is all I want on the other partition just as you're saying.

I had not thought in terms of first reducing the basic partition. (there is a small unknown partition on the disk already). I was trying to set one up through the cmd prompt and seemed close but first reducing the size of the basic disk is likely the key. I don't really know what I'm doing but I'll burn disks and then go. Barring that I can reload pro maybe and barring that I have a buddy who is a computer guru and can set me up I just don't want to bug him YET AGAIN. Plus he's gonna be pissed that I didn't buy a Mac as he's been pushing me to for years. If he has to work on this I'm going to have to withstand a lot of Mac abuse.

[milton]

I've used a tool provided in Knoppix to do just this. Knoppix is a linux distro that will run completely from your CD drive.

Check here:
http://mlf.linux.rulez.org/mlf/ezaz/ntfsresize.html

Under the Questions section read: "How to resize NTFS without data loss?"

After you resize your windows xp OS partition you'll have free disk space to create another ( D: ) partition from with in Windoze disk manager.

btw- the Unknown partition is likely a utility partition put there by the manufacturer that has some basic system checking tools and should be pretty small. Leave it alone if you can, but not entirely necessary should it get blown away.

[L7]

Well here's what I've learned (here and other places). My OEM XP disc does not give the option to format and partition when reloading. The XP pro discs will but I will need to download drivers for the utilities I like in Toshiba's software. (These are limited and the power control utility may be the only one although I'll also need DVD burner software.)

I tried the Knoppix above but somehow I burned it wrong and now it only opens with Sonic burner sortware and I can't look at it or run it and it won't boot.

There are 2 diskpart utilities in XP that do different things and none do what I need. (All I really need to do is shrink the size of the basic disk and then I'll have free space and one or both utilties would work).

I think the unknown partition is some sort of recovery partition and it seems to have the same files as the OS and looks to take up similar space (5gigs). Apparently it is unnecessary but I'll leave it for now.

I may download a trial version of 7tools which apparently could work to partition and I may get a hold of a copy of disc magic.

I might try this knoppix again and not let the program decide how to burn it but burn it as data instead. I just realized I had reloaded the OEM XP so the burning software should stop taking over everytime it sees the file.

I just don't see a down side to partitioning the disc and the more I read the more I see upsides, why don't they just make it easier. I'm sure it could be.

[RShea]

Well here's what I've learned (here and other places). My OEM XP disc does not give the option to format and partition when reloading. The XP pro discs will but I will need to download drivers for the utilities I like in Toshiba's software. (These are limited and the power control utility may be the only one although I'll also need DVD burner software.)

I tried the Knoppix above but somehow I burned it wrong and now it only opens with Sonic burner sortware and I can't look at it or run it and it won't boot.

There are 2 diskpart utilities in XP that do different things and none do what I need. (All I really need to do is shrink the size of the basic disk and then I'll have free space and one or both utilties would work).

I think the unknown partition is some sort of recovery partition and it seems to have the same files as the OS and looks to take up similar space (5gigs). Apparently it is unnecessary but I'll leave it for now.

I may download a trial version of 7tools which apparently could work to partition and I may get a hold of a copy of disc magic.

I might try this knoppix again and not let the program decide how to burn it but burn it as data instead. I just realized I had reloaded the OEM XP so the burning software should stop taking over everytime it sees the file.

I just don't see a down side to partitioning the disc and the more I read the more I see upsides, why don't they just make it easier. I'm sure it could be.

Item 1 is the mention of not able to read the Knoppix CD you created. Most Sonic burner software lately does not know how to handle a iso of the software and burn it so it is bootable. You need to be able to click on the ISO and then have a burning software launch and record the ISO out to a CDR. You can get free download called burnatonce or ISOBurn or use this web site to see what to do. http://iso.snoekonline.com/iso.htm

But really any of the utilities like Rannish should allow you to resize the boot partition without getting into Linux. Even the mentioned Ultimate Boot CD is a Dos based boot menu that would work for you.

Leave the utility partition alone, as others have stated- without knowing the model this could have the recovery software loaded or some HP diagnostics utilities.

You are really making this too hard. Boot up into one of the recommended partition packages, resize the OS main partition down to a smaller size, reboot the machine and make sure the OS and boot partition you just resized works, then use the Windows utilities in the disk manager to create the new partition and format it. It should be a 1 hour max (if you do a full format and not a Quick format, depending on the size of the drive, etc.)

[L7]

ranish wanted to burn to a floppy and seemed to give no option on changing that. Another one was missing a file and kicked me out. I am now trying to download Knoppix on my old computer and burn a cd on the old iomega I have and see if that disk will boot. I know this is easy for those with a lot of basic minor details, I just lack that.

[L7]

Another failed experiment, the new cd from the old imomega would not boot either. I think the 'file missing' prompt came from the command prompt CD burner I tried to set up. Perhaps I'll try downloading Nero as I had intended that already. Not right now though, my brain hurts and I must go to work.

[steved]

another one, I've only seen it on CD..."Partition Commander".
Lets you resize anything.....like most others I guess...
If there's room inside...you might indeed want to think about going for a whole other, smaller drive for your system partition....$.01
steve

[IE]

Dude, Knoppix or any other Linux tools will work and you can figure it out... But why? If you had just reformatted and installed XP Pro instead of messing around with repartitioning you'd probably be done by now.

- Take a notepad and write down all the apps you think you are going to want to reload on the system.

- Go to the Toshiba (?) website and see what you can download from there. They should have all the drivers available. At the very least download the NIC drivers... XP Pro should recognize all the hardware, "should" is the key word here, so take some precautions.

- Rebuild from scratch, making sure to partition the way you want. Leave the utility partition alone, as it probably contains an image of your original system that can be used in case you ever want to go back to the way the machine was out of the box.

- Install NIC drivers, if necessary, and go on downloading everything else you need. Don't forget Windows Updates...

- Optional: once you have everything you want on the rebuilt system, make an image of it (use Norton Ghost type app.) or create a Restore Point, so that you can recover in case of a major fuckup.

As a result, you'll have a completely clean system with everything you need and nothing you don't on it. You may not need XP Pro components now, but who knows, you might in the future. AND, you'll probably save some time.

[L7]

I just never thought nor do I understand why this would be so hard. There is a reason I'm reluctant to load the XP pro that I'm not going to get into here. It may still be an option but I'm leaning towards taking the machine back and starting again. Maybe I'll dude a Dell.

I got the partition magic software and prompted me to put a disk in the floppy. Guess what no floppy. It wouldn't burn to the Cd even after I took the disk out and ran off of the machine. The other software also seemed to want to burn to floppy or my CD burner wasn't giving me something bootable.

So my girlfriend has a copy of XP home she never used but it has SP1. I used it to blow the drive and resize my partition then figured I'd go back to the Toshiba version and get all the stuff still. Fucking thing took over the drive again. Blew out the partition.

I can load her home version or my pro and get shit from Toshiba as it seems pretty available with all the drivers listed on one page or I can just do a dell and upgrade it to pro and see if I get full disks or these shit recovery ones again.

I've learned quite a bit and if I take it back it will cost me nothing.

[L7]

I think I'll take it back and do a Dell. Same money will get me the dual core processor, 1 more USB, more battery life, a full gig of ram and a better card reader and exactly all the rest of the stuff hopefully minus some garbage software. Then I'll probably load the XP home off full disc, setup my partition, do the long tedious SP2 upgrade and be set to go.

[RShea]

Specs may be better, but I do not know if that will solve your problem of the Partitioning- they come partitioned into 1 big drive too and usually have a Dell System restore CD. So you will still need to learn or pay someone to reduce the Partition size to get what you want done. You are just substituting the Dell for the other brand- most Dells are coming with 30 to 90 day trials of many packages- AOL, McAfee or Norton Anti-virus, MS Office, etc. etc. and you still need to do a reload or uninstall to get rid of anything you do not want or are not going to use.

[Mountain Junkie]

If you are still looking for a resizing utility, I recommend this guy:http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng.html

[Snow Dog]

I think I'll take it back and do a Dell. Same money will get me the dual core processor, 1 more USB, more battery life, a full gig of ram and a better card reader and exactly all the rest of the stuff hopefully minus some garbage software. Then I'll probably load the XP home off full disc, setup my partition, do the long tedious SP2 upgrade and be set to go.

Dells don't come with disks anymore unless you specifically ask for them. Current versions of XP come with SP2.

[L7]

I know the Dell will likely be the same thing going in. But like I said I will load the full disk XP home even though it is not current and I will need to do the SP2 upgrade and be done with it. I get quite a bit more machine for the same money with Dell's current sale.