Solved Converting Parimary partition to Logical drive

[burf]

There are many threads and numerous posts on this but I would still like to believe that the issue I am facing is unique

I have the following:-

System - 100 MB
C: - 400 GB - Primary
E: - 50 GB - Primary
D: - 50 GB - Logical

The option to "convert Primary to Logical" in PW Free edition is Greyed out hence unavailable. This I presume is because it is the extended boot partition.

Currently all I want is to create:-

System - 100 MB
C: - 50 GB - Primary
D: - 450 GB - Logical

Thank you

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Post a screen shot of Windows Disk Management so we can better visualize this.

What is the purpose of the current E and D partitions and what is now on them?

 

[burf]

I wanted to have a 450 GB logical drive where I could store all my data. Coming straight from XP, I wanted to have a C: drive where I could install/re-install OS and still rest assured about my data which is on another logical drive.

Currently all my data is backed up...

 

[gregrocker]

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map and listings:

1. Type Disk Management in Start Search box.
2. Open Disk Mgmt. window and maximize it.
3. Type Snipping Tool in Start Search box.
4. Open Snipping Tool, choose Rectangular Snip, draw a box around full map and all listings.
5, Save Snip, attach using paper clip in Reply Box.

Tell us what is on each partition. We will tell you how to delete E, resize C smaller, then add the extra space into D using Partition Wizard boot disk to Move/Resize Partition - Video Help.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I wanted to have a 450 GB logical drive where I could store all my data. Coming straight from XP, I wanted to have a C: drive where I could install/re-install OS and still rest assured about my data which is on another logical drive.

Currently all my data is backed up...

That's all well and good, but......................

Post a screen shot of Disk Management.

If you have only 3 partitions total, there is no over-riding reason for any of them to be logical. No harm if they are, but primary would be OK as well.

 

[burf]

thanks greg and ignaz and sorry about not posting the screen-shot; i do not have that machine currently with me. will have it later in the day

ignatzatsonic, as far as what I understand from your post is, extended primary disks are as safe as logical drives as far as data security is concerned.

i need to read some literature about differences between extended primary partitions, logical drives, their pros and cons. if possible, please provide a link of any related article(s) that you may have.

Thanks so much

 

[gregrocker]

Either one is fine for your use IMO.

Since Logical is meant for data while Primary is meant for OS or boot partition, I'd leave it the same and just resize the partitions using the coolest tool we get to use here, Partition Wizard bootable CD: Partition Wizard Move/Resize Partition Video Help.
Partition Wizard Create Partition Video Help

We can give you exact steps once we see the Disk Mgmt screenshot.

 

[burf]

i watched both the videos

using PW, will perform the following steps:-

1. decrease size of C: to 50 GB
2. create the resulting free space (350 GB) to form a new drive say F:
3. try to extend F: to take up space of D: & E: to make it a 450 GB drive

Will post the results along with the screen-shot

Thank you

 

[gregrocker]

Why would you post the screenshot after you've already done this? There may be unknowns that must be addressed first.

 

[burf]

when you gave the video links above, i thought you want me to try it myself first...

anyways will post the screenshots before these steps

 

[burf]

Here is how it looks like
I had recalled it incorrectly in the morning
it is:-

C: - 100 GB - Primary
D: - 300 GB - Primary
F: - 50 GB - Logical

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello burf, welcome to Seven Forums!


You could right click the Extended partition and create as many Logical drives as there are available drive letters for storage, there's nothing at with that have a look through Method One in in this tutorial at the link below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Partition / Extended : Logical Drives

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You could even use Option Three of this tutorial linked below to shrink/resize the left side of the C: Primary to add space to the Extended if you want.

Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD


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[gregrocker]

The steps I'll give you will satisfy the partition size requirements in your original post as well as move C to the left to take advantage of faster read/writes on the left side of HD.

From links given earlier, download free Partition Wizard bootable CD and burn to CD using WIndows Image Burner or ImgBurn. Refer to the help videos also posted earlier for how to easily do the steps given here:

Boot PW CD, right click on F to delete, click OK.

Now Right click on C to Resize, grab it with mouse holding left click and drag it intact to the left to take up the deleted space of F, then click and drag the right border to the left to make it 50gb as you wish, click OK.

Now right click on D to Resize, grab the left border to drag it to the left to take up the space you've made, click OK, Apply all steps.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If you do decide to recover the partitions to the left of the Windows 7 partition back into the left side of C: this tutorial linked below will show you step by step just how to do what Greg has suggested.

Partition : Recover Space Used by an Older OS


​

 

[burf]

thanks
will do the steps and let you know the results

greg, i have a question:-
D: is an extended partition, i want to make it a logical drive instead. won't the steps that you listed in post #13 let it remain an extended partition?

 

[burf]

Issue resolved. Please see attached file

 

[burf]

Thank you so much everybody

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Good to see you found a solution and thanks for the update.