Trying to enlarge my partition containing my Windows 7 Home 64-bit OS

Page 3 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast

  1. Posts : 2,752
    Windows 7 Pro x64 (1), Win7 Pro X64 (2)
       #21

    MSwhip said:
    Sorry about the mention of a "D" drive it was a typo and there is no way to Edit once you posted it.
    Just in passing... on all of your own posts there is an EDIT button at the bottom. You can always go back in after you've pushed the "submit reply" button to post something, and edit it after-the-fact.

    Just push the EDIT button and you'll be presented with the post, and you can make any change you want, and then push "submit reply" and your edited content will be re-posted to replace the original text.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #22

    MSwhip said:

    I an mot interested in migrating anything EXCEPT the OS which at the most would fill 18GB. Can you tell me how to find JUST the OS files?
    Traditional clones and images encompass the ENTIRE occupied space on the partition in question---over 900 GB on C in this case.

    However, in the back of my mind, I think I have heard of a certain specialized app that can clone JUST portions of a partition.

    I am not positive about that nor do I know how well it works.

    Someone like Gregrocker or SIW2 can probably name the application if it exists---maybe something from Paragon?

    I assume you have no way of temporarily moving your personal data files from C to some other drive so you could then directly shrink C to a much smaller size?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,167
    Windows 7 Pro with SP1 32bit
       #23

    If you want only the OS installed on the 30 gigs SSD partition then why migrate just the OS from a 900 gigs partition. Why not clean install the OS on the SSD partition?

    But before doing anything please check if it is legal to have two copies of the OS running from one installation CD with the same product key.


    QUOTE=ignatzatsonic;1705637]
    MSwhip said:

    I an mot interested in migrating anything EXCEPT the OS which at the most would fill 18GB. Can you tell me how to find JUST the OS files?
    Traditional clones and images encompass the ENTIRE occupied space on the partition in question---over 900 GB on C in this case.

    However, in the back of my mind, I think I have heard of a certain specialized app that can clone JUST portions of a partition.

    I am not positive about that nor do I know how well it works.

    Someone like Gregrocker or SIW2 can probably name the application if it exists---maybe something from Paragon?

    I assume you have no way of temporarily moving your personal data files from C to some other drive so you could then directly shrink C to a much smaller size?[/QUOTE]
      My Computer

  4.    #24

    I took the time to write up detailed steps to recover the Win7 System boot files into the SSD which were ignored so I'm not going to write up the multiple steps required to clone or image over Win7 on the HD to the SSD until you are sure this is what you want to do.

    Had there been decent interaction about the steps previously given you would have also learned that you always have the option to clean reinstall factory preinstalled Win7 with the Product Key on the COA sticker, following these steps to get a perfect OEM reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

    Here is the installer ISO download: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso Windows 7 Home Premium x64 English

    Burn to DVD or write to flash stick using this tool: Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool

    You can also use the Dell Recovery Disks to reinstall your factory image to the SSD, but it will include the factory bloatware and thus is a comparatively inferior install - as is the installation on your HD.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 101
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #25

    Greg, im sorry, but your detailed explanations...


    ...were still way over my level of knowledge. I did not know what to do with those
    Everything I tried did not work, and think I did report my progress (or lack of thereof)
    I am sorry you feel like you do.

    If I had the full install disk of Windows I wouldnt even started the thread.

    Thank you

    Note:
    I do have the recovery 2 disks I burned when I first got the PC but it is not working now.
    Maybe the process im trying is not the correct one.
      My Computer

  6.    #26

    Let us know how the clean reinstall goes then. Reinstalling Windows 7

    You did report more information after I first gave you the steps which caused me to adapt them, but I never heard back after that. This is an interactive process and if you will work with us we will always help you get it resolved.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 101
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #27

    Update of SSD partitioning and OS installation current status


    This is how things have progressed:
    a. I was able to reformat drive with free Acronis from WD by writing zeros over it.
    b. Create a 35GB partition.
    c. Fresh install of Windows 7 Home 64-bit on that partition : (C)
    d. Create a New Volume with the rest of the space left on same disk: (D) disk

    Now all I have left to do is:
    e. load my software hopefully on the (D) disk
    f. create a mirror copy on one of my external disks sitting on the SansDigital tower raid enclosure

    Now. i need some clarification over an issue.
    Without yet having access to Intel Smart Technology cause my current motherboard does not have that capacity. I would still like to use the SSD to access the Software Programs but leave everything stored on the HDDs.
    If I boot the PC from the SSD, can I then open all the software (which I would have installed on every one of the 6 drives -i.e: 5 HDD + the SDD-) either from the SSD and/or the HDDs? ... Or if you boot from the SSD all you do during the session would have to be run on the SSD? . . . I am confused over that.
    I have installed every piece of software on every disk only cause i do not know better. maybe now that I have explained what it is I would like to do you could tell me how to do it in a simpler way.

    Regarding the re-install of the OS I will call the issue -initiated with the thread- to have been successfully solved.

    Thank you all for your contributions.

    Note:
    I will now attach 2 views of the Disk management screen. Please note that when I used the snipping tool the PC was booted to the SSD Drive (disk C at the time in slot 1 in of the PC tower case)

    A. the SSD + 1 HDD inside the Desktop Case and ...
    B. every one of the 5 HDD (4 external) + the SSD
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Trying to enlarge my partition containing my Windows 7 Home 64-bit OS-internal-drives.png   Trying to enlarge my partition containing my Windows 7 Home 64-bit OS-all-6-drives.png  
      My Computer

  8.    #28

    Why make the C drive so small? I would use the full SSD to install the Programs to C since they write registry keys which integrate them into the OS, and should be kept on C for imaging purposes.

    As C fills up you can offload select User folders to your fastest HD to see how it performs: User Folders - Change Default Location

    Why do you have 3 Recovery partitions on your HD's that are each marked Active? Never seen that before.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 101
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #29

    thank you for responding greg,
    I am not sure if what i say now would respond to your questions, but maybe if I tell you a bit of my thinking and how much i dont know about this, you may be able to suggest better ways to do it.
    I know that SDDs have limited life span. Although Intel claims in its specifications that the million hours they project the average time between median breakdown time I calculated them to be between 136 and 137 years of 24 hours a day during the 365 days of continuous operation. This unit is an Intel 320 Series. While they claim this kind of longevity they are only willing to offer a 5 year warranty. Quite an interesting dichotomy. But we all know that talk is cheap when it comes to marketing falsehoods.
    Now having said that, I will try to preserve the life of the SSD for as long as I can, so I will try to use it minimally just to boot and also to open programs. So my question from my last post stands. Is there presently a way for me to get PC and Software started and then, use the mechanical HDDs to run all my programs? If so how do i have to organize my data in the mechanical drives?

    I havent been able yet to clearly isolate a backup copy of everything on a HDD, that is OS.... Software and Data. I have heard stories about how 'not easy' it is to retrieve a clone/mirror copy should the main HDD crashed or data got corrupted or lost.

    So, one of my strategies has been to load the OS on several HDDs...so in case of failure i just take one out and replace it with another disk ready to be used..
    Is that the answer to your question about having 3 Recovery partitions on 3 different HDDs and marked as "active'?
    Does Active mean that the OS is loaded on the partition reading 'active'?
    Your question about why I have the OS on the SSD on a 35GB partition when the SSD has 150GB available for use makes me rethink about the reason for even partitioning drives. I remember vaguely that there were some practical reasons to have partitions, as in not placing all the eggs on just one basket (partition) maybe I have been misinformed all these years about partitioning or not partitioning drives. I thought it had to do with how much search for reading and writing the platters have to do if you have all in one partition or on different partitions.

    Please feel free to indicate what to read if there are tutorials on all of this.

    I am retired and on a limited fixed income. I have a 2 year old PC which in another couple of years maybe would be obsolete. The SSD which i bought on Black Friday at the cost of 1 dollar per GiGABYTE is the first piece of what I deem will have to be my last computer, so this time around I am researching to put tpgether quality elements cause I feel it will be the last computer i will ever own and/or use.

    I understand Intel will be bringing Ivy Bridge processors in another year or so and that the 8Z68 Motherboards support Intel's SRT technology which will allow the SSD to act as a giant cache to accelerate the speed of Mechanical HDD.
    Excerpt from Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3Fully PCI-Express 3.0 Ready, Intel Z68 motherboard.
    QUOTEIntel® Smart Response Technology SSD Speed with HDD Capacity
    Intel® Smart Response Technology boosts overall system performance. It uses an installed fast SSD (min 18.6GB available capacity) as a cache for frequently accessed data. Harness the combination of SSD-like performance and response with hard drive capacity, that's 4X faster than a HDD-only system.

    UNQUOTE


    In a disjointed fashion, these are some of my thoughts and reasons. I try to make decisions and act on them in a logical way with the very limited knowledge and financial resources to keep as current with the PC as I am able to afford. Being now in my late 60's I still need, appreciate and enjoy a general purpose non gaming fast and reliable computer.

    Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge

    With the current available technology and if I would be already decided to put together a Desktop PC I would probably be assembling the following components:
    a.- Corsair Obsidian 650 D Mid Tower
    or Fractal (one of 2 models)
    b.- Seasonic S1 2II 620W EPS12V 20/24 PinATX
    or Antec 500W ATX12V80Plus Bronze EARTHWATTS GREEN
    c.- Asus P8Z68- V Pr GEN3 Z68 (integrated audio and Graphics)
    or ASRock Z68 Extreme Gen3 ATX Intel
    d.- Intel Core i5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor Overclocked to 4GHZ
    e.- G-Skill F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO Eco PC3-10666 4GB 2 x 2GB.
    f.- Samsung SH-S243D/BEBE 24X Black DVD Writer SATA OEM
    g.- Syba SY-USB-FDD External USB 1.44MB Floppy Drive
    h.- nGear Flash Card Reader 3.5 Internal USB Black CF/SM/SDHC/MMC/MS/HD(NG-35INT-BK-CR)\
    i.- ASUS PCE-N15 300Mbps 802.11B/G/N
    j.- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Ed. 64BIT SP1 DVD OEM
    k.- Hauppage Dual TV tuner with i/r remote control
    l.- Intel 320 Series 160GB + 5 other HDD's for a total of 7TB

    Prices of a to k both inclusive before tax would be between C$890 and C$951 depending which motherboard I chose (ASUS $195, ASRock $134)
    Please also note that the 3 aternative products in a. b. and c. have lower prices.

    Please feel free to comment on my choices given my computer usage. Again it is general computing, spreadsheets, chat online, web browsing, watch and record TV,e-mail, VOIP internet via Yahoo messenger and/or Skype.

    Thank you again
    Last edited by MSwhip; 22 Dec 2011 at 03:33.
      My Computer

  10.    #30

    I would get the most value out of the SSD by running the OS and programs from it.

    At first I'd keep the User folders on the SSD but as you need space link them to another HD: User Folders - Change Default Location

    There's no reason to load the OS onto several HD's as it could cause problems. The modern way to do this is to save a Win7 backup image to another HD or externally so that you can reimage the SSD in 20 minutes if Win7 becomes irreparable. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

    The Recovery partitions you can see on the HD are marked Active which means they are set up to boot to run Recovery from a hotkey, so I'm assuming they're left over from a factory preinstalled OS. Unless you wanted to run one to Recover it's HD to factory condition, I would delete them and recover the space then rely on Win7 backup imaging for future recovery.

    You can use free Partition Wizard bootable CD to delete the Recovery partitions and Resize adjacent partitions into the space.
      My Computer


 
Page 3 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:44.
Find Us