Can I increase of a logical drive by using unallocated space BEFORE?


  1. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
       #1

    Can I increase of a logical drive by using unallocated space BEFORE?


    Hello,

    Disk Management shows Disk 0 (my old HDD) and Disk 1 (my new SSD, onto which I cloned the OEM, recovery, and boot partitions from the HDD). After some mucking about in Disk 0, Disk Manager shows an OEM partition, an unallocated area, then my D: logical drive which contains all my data. (screenshot) I want to expand D: to use all the space on Disk 0 (minus the 39MB OEM partition). I select "Extend volume", follow the promots, then get a warning that this will convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk. This should be no problem, since I have no intention of installing Windows on Disk 0. Still, I thought I'd ask before continuing: am I doing it wrong?

    Thanks!
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    Use Partition Wizard to Resize Partition to the left. I'd also delete the old Dell OEM Diagnostics partition using PW since it has no purpose on the old HD now and old bootable partitions should be deleted or have their HD wiped to be sure they won't interfere in the future.

    Did you test to see that the Dell Bootable Diagnostics (booted from the OEM partition) or Recovery partition even works on the new SSD or is just wasting space? I would try triggering DIagnostics from Dell F12 key to see if it runs, and try queuing up Dell Windows 7 PC Restore to see if it boots and offers the various Recovery options. If not they are wasting space and can be deleted and likewise resized with PW.

    But be aware that the Factory Preinstalled Win7 is the worst possible install one can have, larded with bloatware and duplicate utilities which interfere with better versions built into Win7. That's why most tech enthusiasts prefer to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to instead have the best install one can have, especially to enjoy the new SSD speeds.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Greg, thanks for the reply. I selected the unallocated partition, but most of Partition Wizard's options are greyed out, including Resize. Booting from the PW CD gives me the same result: right-clicking on the unallocated partition, I can't resize it. What now?
      My Computer

  4.    #4

    Unallocated is not a partition. Click on the partition you wish to resize.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 16,119
    7 X64
       #5

    Exactly, if you select unallocated space, you will get the option to create a partiton - because it not already partitioned.

    Select an already created partition for resize/move options.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Greg and SIW2, thanks! Sometimes we don't see what's in front of our eyes. Resizing applies to a partition; unallocated space is no longer a partition. Duh. I have now resized my Data partition to use the full available space.

    I have tested the SSD's Dell diagnostics and Recovery partition (not actually performing a recovery, mind you) and everything seems OK. This means I can safely remove the OEM parition from the HDD, right?
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    Yes, it's not needed.

    There are two levels of Diagnostics on many Dells, one booted by choosing Diagnostics from the F12 menu, but a fuller suite by choosing Utility Partition. The small OEM partition is I believe the utility partition.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thanks, Greg. You've been most helpful. I now have full use of my large HDD and my SSD works fine. It feels great to finally run an SSD-based system!
      My Computer


 

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