Solved How to create Primary and logical partitions in my new harddisk

[ovy]

I have bought a new 500GB internal hdd. Now I want to install windows 7 on it. I want to create 4 partitions like below:

C: Windows .......... Primary 64.4GB
D: .......... Primary 99.9GB
E: .......... Logical 99.9GB
F: .......... Logical 201GB
(System Reserved 100MB)

I have a windows 7 installation cd and also a third party bootable partition software (easus p.m).
Problems I'm facing are...
1. How to create those 2 primary and 2 logical drives?
2. Can I simply install win 7 on a single 64GB partition and leave the rest unallocated, then create rest of the partitions later?

It's my first time so I'm kind of confused. Any detail guidance would be in my great assistance. Pls pardon any mistakes.

 

[DavidE]

If you install Windows to unallocated space it will create System Reserved and partitions, both partitions will be primary. The System Reserved will have the boot manager and be the [B]Active[/B] partition. The [C] partition is where Windows will be installed, and be the [B]Boot[/B] partition as seen in Disk Management. If you pre-define a partition to install Windows on, it will be the [B]Active[/B] partition having the Boot Manager, and the Windows OS. That's my experience, with Legacy BIOS, and MBR disks. I don't know what you are going to use [D] for, and why you want it as Primary. I prefer Logical partitions for all except the partition that has the boot code, that partition MUST be primary. You can use Minitool Partition Wizard (free) for better adjusting and fine-tuning the new HD partitions. [url=http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html]Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Free[/url] Make sure you have your current HD, OS, and DATA backed up completely on a different device, before making any changes. Use a program such as Macrium Reflect free for the creating a Backup Image of the OS partition.

 

[Golden]

The easiest way is to install Windows first - it will create the 100MB System Reserved and Primary Partition itself. Afterwards, re-partition as required.

 

[LordSnow]

use a third party software

there are many software in the internet can do this. search partition freeware. I suppose it will do by choosing any of them,

 

[ovy]

If you install Windows to unallocated space it will create System Reserved and partitions, both partitions will be primary. The System Reserved will have the boot manager and be the [B]Active[/B] partition. The [C] partition is where Windows will be installed, and be the [B]Boot[/B] partition as seen in Disk Management. If you pre-define a partition to install Windows on, it will be the [B]Active[/B] partition having the Boot Manager, and the Windows OS. That's my experience, with Legacy BIOS, and MBR disks. I don't know what you are going to use [D] for, and why you want it as Primary. I prefer Logical partitions for all except the partition that has the boot code, that partition MUST be primary. You can use Minitool Partition Wizard (free) for better adjusting and fine-tuning the new HD partitions. [URL="http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html"]Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Free[/URL] Make sure you have your current HD, OS, and DATA backed up completely on a different device, before making any changes. Use a program such as Macrium Reflect free for the creating a Backup Image of the OS partition.[/QUOTE] Thanks DavidE. Actully I don't know why D: as primary drive, I just want to create everything just like my old hdd. Is there any benefit making two primary drive?

 

[ovy]

The easiest way is to install Windows first - it will create the 100MB System Reserved and Primary Partition itself. Afterwards, re-partition as required.

Thanks Golden. Yeah that sounds easy. Using windows 7 installation DVD I will create a 64GB C: partition to install windows 7 on and leave the rest of the space unallocated. Then after completing the OS installation I will create other three partitions another day. Am I right?

 

[ovy]

there are many software in the internet can do this. search partition freeware. I suppose it will do by choosing any of them,

In details... I will boot from a partition software and create 4 partitions on my fresh hdd (C,D,E,F, two primary and two logical). Then I will reboot my pc with windows 7 installation cd and install OS on partition C, and the 100mb system reserved partition will be created automatically. Am I correct? And thanks LordSnow for your reply.

 

[Golden]

The easiest way is to install Windows first - it will create the 100MB System Reserved and Primary Partition itself. Afterwards, re-partition as required.

Thanks Golden. Yeah that sounds easy. Using windows 7 installation DVD I will create a 64GB C: partition to install windows 7 on and leave the rest of the space unallocated. Then after completing the OS installation I will create other three partitions another day. Am I right?

Yep, or you can let Windows use the entire space for the Primary partition (with the exception of the 100MB System Reserved), then resize and change it later too.

 

[DavidE]

If you install Windows to unallocated space it will create System Reserved and partitions, both partitions will be primary. The System Reserved will have the boot manager and be the [B]Active[/B] partition. The [C] partition is where Windows will be installed, and be the [B]Boot[/B] partition as seen in Disk Management. If you pre-define a partition to install Windows on, it will be the [B]Active[/B] partition having the Boot Manager, and the Windows OS. That's my experience, with Legacy BIOS, and MBR disks. I don't know what you are going to use [D] for, and why you want it as Primary. I prefer Logical partitions for all except the partition that has the boot code, that partition MUST be primary. You can use Minitool Partition Wizard (free) for better adjusting and fine-tuning the new HD partitions. [URL="http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html"]Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Free[/URL] Make sure you have your current HD, OS, and DATA backed up completely on a different device, before making any changes. Use a program such as Macrium Reflect free for the creating a Backup Image of the OS partition.[/QUOTE] Thanks DavidE. Actully I don't know why D: as primary drive, I just want to create everything just like my old hdd. Is there any benefit making two primary drive?[/QUOTE] I don't know of any benefit to having partitions as primary rather than logical, other than the partition that has the Boot Code (boot-loader/boot manager) must be a Primary Active partition. My GUESS is your SYSTEM RESERVED partition is a Primary partition and is the Active / System partition. If that's true, that means your Boot Code (boot-loader/boot manager) is on the SYSTEM RESERVED partition. Just be aware, you can only have 3 Primary partitions, and any number of Logical partitions. OR You can have 4 Primary partitions, and no more partitions. If you ever do something and get prompted to [COLOR=Red][B]convert to DYNAMIC, DON'T DO IT[/B][/COLOR]. You never explained what the [D] partition is used for. It would be best if you post a proper screen print of Disk Management, resizing to show all info as explained here:. [URL]http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html[/URL]

 

[ovy]

The easiest way is to install Windows first - it will create the 100MB System Reserved and Primary Partition itself. Afterwards, re-partition as required.

Thanks Golden. Yeah that sounds easy. Using windows 7 installation DVD I will create a 64GB C: partition to install windows 7 on and leave the rest of the space unallocated. Then after completing the OS installation I will create other three partitions another day. Am I right?

Yep, or you can let Windows use the entire space for the Primary partition (with the exception of the 100MB System Reserved), then resize and change it later too.

And I am starting to feel a little more confident now. Thanks again for your help, Golden

 

[ovy]

If you install Windows to unallocated space it will create System Reserved and partitions, both partitions will be primary. The System Reserved will have the boot manager and be the [B]Active[/B] partition. The [C] partition is where Windows will be installed, and be the [B]Boot[/B] partition as seen in Disk Management. If you pre-define a partition to install Windows on, it will be the [B]Active[/B] partition having the Boot Manager, and the Windows OS. That's my experience, with Legacy BIOS, and MBR disks. I don't know what you are going to use [D] for, and why you want it as Primary. I prefer Logical partitions for all except the partition that has the boot code, that partition MUST be primary. You can use Minitool Partition Wizard (free) for better adjusting and fine-tuning the new HD partitions. [URL="http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html"]Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Free[/URL] Make sure you have your current HD, OS, and DATA backed up completely on a different device, before making any changes. Use a program such as Macrium Reflect free for the creating a Backup Image of the OS partition.[/QUOTE] Thanks DavidE. Actully I don't know why D: as primary drive, I just want to create everything just like my old hdd. Is there any benefit making two primary drive?[/QUOTE] I don't know of any benefit to having partitions as primary rather than logical, other than the partition that has the Boot Code (boot-loader/boot manager) must be a Primary Active partition. My GUESS is your SYSTEM RESERVED partition is a Primary partition and is the Active / System partition. If that's true, that means your Boot Code (boot-loader/boot manager) is on the SYSTEM RESERVED partition. Just be aware, you can only have 3 Primary partitions, and any number of Logical partitions. OR You can have 4 Primary partitions, and no more partitions. If you ever do something and get prompted to [COLOR=Red][B]convert to DYNAMIC, DON'T DO IT[/B][/COLOR]. You never explained what the [D] partition is used for. It would be best if you post a proper screen print of Disk Management, resizing to show all info as explained here:. [URL]http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html[/URL][/QUOTE] Hi DavidE, many thanks for those info. I'm a beginner, so they really helps me. I'm grateful to you. OS and all other programs I install on C, and D,E,F is for audio video and files. And I install my games on D: so that C: drive remains free. Someone created those 4 drives when I bought my pc, that's why it feels comfortable to make my new hdd similar. I can create my desired 4 partitions with windows 7 installation cd (at the time of installation), [B][COLOR=Red]but I don't know how and when[/COLOR][/B] to make C,D primary and E,F logical (Using new partion button or Extend partion button). I've attached a captured photo of my old hdd below. I'd be happy to arrange my new hdd just like it. (D and F drives are faulty, that's why I've bought a new hdd)

 

[DavidE]

The D and F partitions are RAW, imho that's why they are "faulty".
Do you have data on these partitions you need to keep ?
If you do, we'll need to ask for help from recovery experts.
I can ask for others to help with this, I'm not a data recovery expert.
Let me know if you want me to post for other's to help better than i can.

Don't do anything to your current HD / partitions without better advice than i can give you.

 

[ovy]

The D and F partitions are RAW, imho that's why they are "faulty".
Do you have data on these partitions you need to keep ?
If you do, we'll need to ask for help from recovery experts.
I can ask for others to help with this, I'm not a data recovery expert.
Let me know if you want me to post for other's to help better than i can.

Don't do anything to your current HD / partitions without better advice than i can give you.

I have backups of all my important data so I will just throw this hdd, there are thousands of bad sectors in it. Only C: drive is still working. So I've bought a new hdd few days ago and it's still in its pack. I will fresh install my OS on this new HDD. That's why I need to learn how to efficiently partition and format a new hdd to install OS. That's why I'm collecting your advice

 

[DavidE]

Oh, the bad sectors issue sounds like a hardware problem.
As long as you have everything backed up and are ok with doing a clean install, that's great, best approach imho.

I have multi-boot PC's so my opinion/experience is "personally biased" and may not be best for you or anyone else.
But, i do believe the fewest possible primary partitions is the best setup, be it a single or multiple OS PC.

If you want. i'll post screen print(s) of my disk management.

My TEST PC is a triple boot with all OS's on the same SSD, a single boot manager/active primary partition.
My PRIMARY PC is a multi-boot, with each OS on a different storage device, each device with it's own boot manager, and a primary/active partition.

I don't suggest or recommend following my setup, it's what i have on my old PC's that has evolved over the years.
Somehow, it works for me.

 

[ovy]

I think, I understand the basics of partitioning (at last!). And now I can advice others

Thank you DavidE for your time, this should be the motto of our internet, sharing and caring.

Good Night

 

[LordSnow]

there are many software in the internet can do this. search partition freeware. I suppose it will do by choosing any of them,

In details... I will boot from a partition software and create 4 partitions on my fresh hdd (C,D,E,F, two primary and two logical). Then I will reboot my pc with windows 7 installation cd and install OS on partition C, and the 100mb system reserved partition will be created automatically. Am I correct? And thanks LordSnow for your reply.

no. in this way, windows will not create a system reserved partition. you need to select an unallocated space to install windows 10

 

[ovy]

there are many software in the internet can do this. search partition freeware. I suppose it will do by choosing any of them,

In details... I will boot from a partition software and create 4 partitions on my fresh hdd (C,D,E,F, two primary and two logical). Then I will reboot my pc with windows 7 installation cd and install OS on partition C, and the 100mb system reserved partition will be created automatically. Am I correct? And thanks LordSnow for your reply.

no. in this way, windows will not create a system reserved partition. you need to select an unallocated space to install windows 10

Oh I didn't know that! Anyway I will use the simple way. Using windows installation cd I will create only one partition of 65GB and install OS on it, and leave the rest space unallocated. Then Windows will create its 100mb system reserved partition right? After completing everything I will boot from the hdd and use windows disk manager to create other partitions later. Though another question, do I need to format first to install windows 7 at the beginning?

 

[DavidE]

In details... I will boot from a partition software and create 4 partitions on my fresh hdd (C,D,E,F, two primary and two logical). Then I will reboot my pc with windows 7 installation cd and install OS on partition C, and the 100mb system reserved partition will be created automatically. Am I correct? And thanks LordSnow for your reply.

no. in this way, windows will not create a system reserved partition. you need to select an unallocated space to install windows 10

Oh I didn't know that! Anyway I will use the simple way. Using windows installation cd I will create only one partition of 65GB and install OS on it, and leave the rest space unallocated. Then Windows will create its 100mb system reserved partition right? After completing everything I will boot from the hdd and use windows disk manager to create other partitions later. Though another question, do I need to format first to install windows 7 at the beginning?

No, If you install Windows into the 65GB partition you created, Windows will NOT create a System Reserved partition.
It will install the Boot Manager and Windows into the 65 GB partition, and give it the drive letter C.

If you want a System Reserved partition for the Boot Manager you MUST install Windows into unallocated space.

imho you are better off installing Windows into the 65GB partition, and not have a System Reserved partition.
That would save you one Primary partition, and it is easier to do this way.

Either way works, the choice is yours.

You do not need to format first, Windows will take care of that during the installation.

 

[AddRAM]

64 GB for windows is too small. I wouldn`t go any less then 150 GB.

Remember, you should be installing all your programs (games not included, but that is a matter of choice) on C for disk image purposes.

 

[ovy]

Yes DavidE you were right about boot manager, I've already completed the partition and installation using the installation cd (creating one partition) before seeing your reply. Why Windows Create this System Resereved Anyway!

If my OS were installed on un-partitioned space, was it possible to create other partitions later reducing the first partitions size? Was it easier?

Below is my newly created hdd (it's my first). Is evirything OK?