Partition Magic


  1. Posts : 187
    Windows 7
       #1

    Partition Magic


    My new laptop is coming soon with Windows 7 Home Premium preinstalled. Until now I have used Partition Magic version 8 to divide my HD into system and data partitions for easier backups in XP. Anyone know if PM 8 will work safely in W 7 or will I need to upgrade it?
    Any built-in utilities to do the same (partition non-destructively) in W 7 or any free utilities that work in W 7?
    Thanks
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 113
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    Disk managment inside windows itself, or GParted is freeware
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,736
    ...
       #3

    Anderson2 said:
    My new laptop is coming soon with Windows 7 Home Premium preinstalled. Until now I have used Partition Magic version 8 to divide my HD into system and data partitions for easier backups in XP. Anyone know if PM 8 will work safely in W 7 or will I need to upgrade it?
    Any built-in utilities to do the same (partition non-destructively) in W 7 or any free utilities that work in W 7?
    Thanks
    Here is a brief tutorial on using GParted

    Hard Drive Partitions - Changing with GParted

    Cheers!
    Robert
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,299
    Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) *** Windows XP SP3 (32-bit), OSX 10.6
       #4

    Anderson2 said:
    My new laptop is coming soon with Windows 7 Home Premium preinstalled. Until now I have used Partition Magic version 8 to divide my HD into system and data partitions for easier backups in XP. Anyone know if PM 8 will work safely in W 7 or will I need to upgrade it?
    Any built-in utilities to do the same (partition non-destructively) in W 7 or any free utilities that work in W 7?
    Thanks
    Hi Anderson2,

    Did you see my reply re: PM8 on your other thread? Let me know if it was unclear or if you have other questions. The partitioning software alternatives provided here are also great.

    Cheers,

    Walker
    Windows Outreach Team
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 187
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks for the response - and for the reference to the other thread.

    For better or worse my new laptop is coming with the 64 bit version of W 7 Home Premium. Sounds like Partition Magic is a no-no in W7 so I need to find an alternative.

    My new laptop will come with W 7 pre-installed on a 500 MB HD. I like to keep my data on a separate partition from the system (easier backups and restore for one) which is why I was inquiring about PM. I need a non destructive way to create a new data partition from what I expect will be a single partition install in 64 bit W 7. Can W7's built-in HD utility create or resize another partition from the partition on which it is already installed?

    Easus's free software only works for 32 bit W 7. I'll check to see if its paid versions can handle 64 bit safely.

    (On the same theme, does W 7's built-in backup utility create an "image" backup capable of restoring a destroyed *system* partition or will I need a separate utility because W 7's utility just does a file backup?)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,736
    ...
       #6

    Anderson2 said:
    Thanks for the response - and for the reference to the other thread.

    For better or worse my new laptop is coming with the 64 bit version of W 7 Home Premium. Sounds like Partition Magic is a no-no in W7 so I need to find an alternative.

    My new laptop will come with W 7 pre-installed on a 500 MB HD. I like to keep my data on a separate partition from the system (easier backups and restore for one) which is why I was inquiring about PM. I need a non destructive way to create a new data partition from what I expect will be a single partition install in 64 bit W 7. Can W7's built-in HD utility create or resize another partition from the partition on which it is already installed?

    Easus's free software only works for 32 bit W 7. I'll check to see if its paid versions can handle 64 bit safely.

    (On the same theme, does W 7's built-in backup utility create an "image" backup capable of restoring a destroyed *system* partition or will I need a separate utility because W 7's utility just does a file backup?)
    Anderson2;

    I have used Partition Magic for 20 years, but the time came to move on. GParted is a complete utility, I use it with both my 32 bit and 64 bit 7 computers.

    I downloaded the free Partition Wizard and found it to be similar to GParted except for its limitation to Fat32 and NTFS files systems. If one was only interested in Windows that is not an issue. Also 32 bit and 64 bit compatible.

    The Windows 7 Disk Management utility includes some convenient features and is missing other import ones. You are able to shrink the C: drive and create new partitions, format, and assign a drive letters.

    Partition Magic-disk_manage_00.jpg

    Partition Magic-diskmanagement_01.jpg

    It may serve your purpose at the start, but later you will need a more complete utility.

    The Windows 7 Backup and Image utility is likewise convenient, but many here have expressed their preferences for the features of other software. I have used the opensource Clonezilla successfully, and as I also use Linux it serves all my needs. I have placed a link underneath my signature.

    Partition Magic-backup_01.png

    Partition Magic-backup_02.png

    You are able to restore the "Image" from the 7 DVD, the Repair CD, or through the 100 MB System Partition if 7 is allowed to create that during installation.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 33
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
       #7

    I used Partition Wizard Home (free) to partition my HD.

    Does a great job and is 32 & 64-bit compatible
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 187
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thank you Iseeuu for that excellent and complete reply. Very helpful indeed.
    And thank you Ryan 7. It is good to know that it works fine in 64 too.
    Last edited by Anderson2; 31 Dec 2009 at 15:04. Reason: to finish
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2,736
    ...
       #9

    Anderson2 said:
    Thank you Iseeuu for that excellent and complete reply. Very helpful indeed.
    And thank you Ryan 7. It is good to know that it works fine in 64 too.
    You are quite welcome! We are all here to help, if we can.

    Happy surfing!
    Robert
      My Computer


 

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