Windows Xp Drive Partitioning

[verachion]

I am looking for some advice please:

My objective is to format my existing hard drive. yet somehow keep 20gb of data (Photo's Apllications e.t.c) stored on the drive so once I have re-installed XP I will be able to use the data that I have stored.

This is very important I can't lose this data therefore, I would appreciate some step by step instructions on how to go about this please.

I have been advised that partitioning the drive is the way to go however I am completely new to this therefore, looking for some expert advice please.

[Paul Komski]

Suggest you download BootIt-NG from http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng.html in preparation. Use it to make a bootable floppy or CD and read the pdf file but post back with additional information before using it.

Do you know how many partitions your system is currently using and how big is the HDD. If you don't know then enter diskmgmt.msc into the run box to get more information.

My own plan (if you only have one partition currently) is to non-destructivelly resize that partition with BiNG then create a new Data partition and then copy the files over to the new Data partition before formatting and reinstalling. If your 20gig of data is already on a non-windows partition then you should be able to just format the existing Windows partition(s) and reinstall as is - but with some care or precautions.

Any such manouvres (formatting or deleting partitions or "non-destructively" resizing them with BiNG) are never without risk and, no matter what, I strongly suggest you copy this data to another HDD and remove it from the system or burn the data to CDs/DVDs before proceeding. I repeat - back your data up before you start.

[verachion]

I have one 120gb Hard Drive, I only have one partition at the moment. I have one Drive C on my computer. I am currently running Windows XP and all the data is currently on my hard drive whilst I am using XP.

Could you possibly put it in to simple language for me as I am a novice to all this partitioning malarky.

[hockey man]

Basically, there is only one way to ensure that your data won't be lost- make a copy somewere- either find another HD to copy it to, or burn it on DVDs.

[verachion]

Thanks for the reply I appreciate it however I haven't got a dvd burner you see :(

[Paul Komski]

I suggest you either get yourself a DVD burner or a second Hard Drive. If you dont want to go inside your box consider getting yourself an external USB Hard Drive or Burner. If you lose your data while reformatting/resizing/repartitioning/reinstalling only you know how much this would mean to you. 20gig is quite a lot of data so for speed and the like I would suggest a hard drive. A second 80 to 120gig internal slave HDD should set you back in the region of stg£40 to 50. If you want to risk resizing and repartitioning and are happy to take the risk then let us know.

[verachion]

Yeah, I am happy to take the risk I really need to do this by tomorrow Saturday 03/12/05.

I have been looking tonight on the internet and there are many programmes offering safe partitioning the simplest I have found is a programme called Magic Partition by Symantec, what do you think something simple or not ? I am really open to any suggestions you may have as I always consult this forum before attempting any changes. :)

[Paul Komski]

Its up to you. Boot to the BootIt-NG floppy or CD made after unzipping the download. Cancel the first screen and go into Mainenance Mode and then click the Partition Work Button.

Highlight your only partition and choose the Resize Button. Choose something like a new value of about 80000 to 100000 MB. When finished resizing, highlight the liberated free space and choose the Create button. Allow it to use all the free space and format it as 11/Bh FAT-32 (it can be easily converted to NTFS at a later stage if necessary).

Close PartitionWork, take out the BiNG Disk and hit the Reboot Button.

If all went according to plan you should now have two partitions. WinXP will detect this as new hardware and request a reboot; do so. Now you should be able to copy your data to your new partition.

Next boot to the WinXP CD and choose new installation. It should eventually detect your existing installation but dont agree to repair it - carry on with the new installation. You will have to choose where to install it. This is now critical. Choose the original partition which should have the new size you made it into and Delete that partition (dont delete or format your new data partition). Then choose to install into the free space so liberated. The installation will next format that partition FAT or NTFS to your liking and then should carry on with the installation.

Hopefully it will be straightforward - just cross your fingers you get no power cuts in the middle of a critical manouvre and don't make any mistakes. Good Luck.

PS BiNG is now superior to PM in my opinion and is also fully functional freeware. If you do decide to use PM then do make the two floppies and test that they work and then do the partition work from the floppies and not from within Windows.

[Dinosaur]

I use Partition Magic all the time. It is safe and intuitive. Even a novice might be able to run it without reading the manual.

I add, delete, move, & resize partitions regularly and have never had a problem. I have used PM through several versions and now use 8.0

Drive Image is another handy utility. I have three hard disks and us DI to make backup copies of my OS & data partitions. Before making any major change to the system, I make an Image of my critical partitions. I do it before installing a major application, removing an application, adding a new peripheral, installing a new device driver, et cetera. If the system runs okay with the change, I make another set of images and delete some of the older images.

Drive image saved me from disaster a few times. Once I got some virus or perhaps some intruder messed up my system badly. I restored from images and all was well.

I advise several partitions on a 120 GB disk. One for the OS and application programs, another for data files. Perhaps another for copies of CD's. Some programs requiring a CD can run from a copy of the CD on a hard disk. I do this with Rand McNally Atlas & a Brittanica encyclopedia.

I thinnk it is worthwhile to have more than on hard disk to allow backup of critical data. I find that I seldom go to the trouble of backing up to removable media, which is the safest way to go. I do take the time to use Drive Image to back up my system periodically. Unless you lose all your drives at the same time, you can recover from most problems.